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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