REFLECTOR: Engine run
Scott Derrick
scott at tnstaafl.net
Wed Sep 10 10:13:08 CDT 2008
Brian that is spot on! Plan the work, work the plan!
Brian Michalk wrote:
> 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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>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Get more out of the Web. Learn 10 hidden secrets of Windows Live.
>> Learn Now
>> <http://windowslive.com/connect/post/jamiethomson.spaces.live.com-Blog-cns%21550F681DAD532637%215295.entry?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_getmore_092008>
>>
>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
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>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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