REFLECTOR:LOP Ops

Scott reflector@tvbf.org
Thu, 18 Dec 2003 16:47:59 -0700


>Just to throw in some additional information ... Continental's FADEC system
>has two automatic mixture operating modes - Power and Economy.  The FADEC
>system controls the fuel injection to each cylinder.  In the Power mode, it
>meters the fuel-air mixture to obtain 100 degrees Rich of peak.  In the
>Economy mode (69% power or below), the FADEC system meters the fuel-air
>mixture to 100 degrees Lean of peak.

This is great news.  I assume you can set it to run at other settings?  100 
LOP will not offer the power that 50 LOP will, and 50 LOP is a nice overall 
place for teh engine.

>Aerosance (the designers of the Teledyne-Continental FADEC system) says that
>the FADEC system does such a great job of running Continental engines Lean
>of peak, that Continental may be increasing the recommended TBO in the near
>future as a result.

I'm not surprised, LOP Ops will make your engine last much longer.

will create significant changes in EGT's ...which calls for the human to
>keep a close eye on EGT's to keep temperatures at the desired level.
>Aerosance says that humans often forget to enrich the mixture during
>descents, which may cause an overly lean situation, and which may cause the
>engine some damage if the over lean situation is ignored.

What bullshit!!!  The only thing that happens if your LOP and you descend 
is the engine will run cooler and cooler until it just doesn't;t have 
enough fuel to fire. It will then stop running until you enrichen the 
mixture.  Mine stumbles a bit before turning off and lets me know.  If I 
don't notice that my wife's elbow in my side does the trick!

They need to read those Pelican's Perch articles again!

avoids harmful overly lean engine situations.  Sounds like a good sales
>pitch to me.  (I liked it!)

You need to read those Pelican''s Perch articles again!!! :-)

Scott