REFLECTOR: Engine run

Wed Sep 10 09:47:02 CDT 2008

My two cents;
I might be very particular, so you might find my suggestions to be 
overkill.  I have done engine starts on three different airplanes, and 
certainly have my opinions.

1) Have a test plan.  Is it going to be full throttle?  Are there 
temperature limitations?  RPM limitations? MAP limits?  For me, I did 
not want to exceed the annealing temperature of the rings so that I 
could hope for proper seating during flight.  I had specific components 
of the engine to test.  Mags, EFI, EI, sensors, etc.  Have a plan longer 
than you hope to complete.  This is an expensive part of the airplane.  
Treat it as such.

2) Have a safety plan.  Call it overkill, but I get enough fire 
extinguishers for everyone.  I place two people behind the airplane 
watching for loose things, and stuff that falls off the engine.  Things 
have fallen off the engine for all three planes I've done.  This is 
probably the most important job.  So important, that I never even got to 
start my own engine for the first five hours of test time logged.  I was 
always at an observation post behind the airplane.  Have two more people 
in front of the strakes.  One watches the engine.  The other keeps a 
hand on the pilot at the controls.  The pilot can't hear anyone 
screaming that there's a fire.  A few good swats about the head and 
shoulders certainly gets the pilot's attention to shut down.  The person 
who is responsible for swatting the pilot should not be distracted by 
the engine.  This person watches the other observers, and makes sure 
curious bystanders do not become a safety problem.

3) Have a shutdown plan.  When the pilot is getting swatted, it's easy 
to get confused as to how to shut down.  What happens if pulling mixture 
does not kill the engine?  Discuss all possible ways of killing the 
engine, and do them all if it's an emergency.

4) Have an emergency plan.  What to do if someone gets hurt.  Yes, 
overkill, but five minutes of talking it through saves precious moments 
in a confusing aftermath.

5) Prepare for the event.  Remove all cowls, and possible inspection 
devices.  finger all of the wires/harnesses.  Will they get into the 
prop?  Will they come loose?  Invite everyone to question the installation.

Brief everyone on their responsibility.  Everyone is to stick to the 
plan.  Do not do anything unexpected.  This doesn't have to be formally 
documented.  Before each run, just announce to everyone what is going to 
happen, and have an understanding between everyone.

As you go through your plan.  Write down the conditions of the test, and 
what happened.  It sure helps when trying to troubleshoot.  Running the 
engine is for collecting data.  You aren't going to fix anything while 
the engine is running, so make the best use of your runtime.

Ken C. Baker wrote:
> Jeff,
>  
> Sure, we run engines with the wings and canard off all the time. Just 
> make sure that you properly restrain the aircraft - chalks, chains, 
> etc. Also, make sure to have a safety spotter standing by with a fire 
> extinguisher.
>  
> Beyond that  - let her rip!
>  
> Best,
>  
> -Ken Baker
> kenb at velocityaircraft.com <mailto:kenb at velocityaircraft.com>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] 
> *On Behalf Of *Jeff Howell
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 10, 2008 2:39 AM
> *To:* Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> *Subject:* REFLECTOR: Engine run
>
> Ken, I am going to be running my engine for the first time this 
> weekend. I was wondering if there is anything I should know before 
> doing so. I am not currently at the airport so the wings are not 
> installed. has this been done before and IS IT SAFE? thanx Jeff 
>
> > From: kenb at velocityaircraft.com
> > To: reflector at tvbf.org
> > Date: Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:33:14 -0400
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Web alert Velocity web page changed
> >
> > All,
> >
> > In the process of trying to clean up the manual webpages -- no actual
> > changes to the manuals themselves.
> >
> > Best,
> >
> > -Ken
> > kenb at velocityaircraft.com
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> > Behalf Of Brian Michalk
> > Sent: Friday, August 29, 2008 12:40 PM
> > To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> > Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Web alert Velocity web page changed
> >
> > Changes to all manuals?
> >
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualserg.html
> >
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualsefg.html
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualxlfg.html
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualxlrg.html
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualxlfg5.html
> > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualxlrg5.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > velocity_monitor at awpi.com wrote:
> > > For details visit
> > > http://www.velocityaircraft.com/manuals/manualsefg.html
> > > The following parts has been changed since last visited:
> > > ***************
> > > *** 1,7 ****
> > > [IMAGE]
> > >
> > > - [IMAGE]
> > > -
> > > Standard Elite Fixed Gear Construction Manual
> > >
> > > Notes: We recommend that you download just the PDF
> > > --- 1,5 ----
> > > [IMAGE]
> > >
> > > Standard Elite Fixed Gear Construction Manual
> > >
> > > Notes: We recommend that you download just the PDF
> > >
> >
> >
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