Too Rich?

Posted by flysynergy on Apr 4, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Too Rich? The AAIB’s Bulletin 10 of 2011 includes a report of an accident to a EV-97 Eurostar. It seems the pilot had difficulty starting the engine, and was experiencing canopy misting which was undoubtedly a distraction. Having used the choke during the start procedure, he apparently decided he had over-fuelled the engine so, to weaken the mixture for a further attempt, he selected the fuel cock OFF. When he did line up for takeoff, the engine failed at about 10 feet, and he was unable to prevent the aircraft over-running the strip end and striking obstacles. GASIL (General Aviation Safety Information Leaflets) articles in the past have highlighted the fact that the fuel systems in many aircraft will provide enough fuel for a short taxi and take-off, even if the fuel cock is selected OFF. However, the extra fuel required at full power rapidly empties the lines, and the engine is likely to stop at a critical phase of flight. Whatever the distractions or hurry, pre-take-off vital actions are intended to identify and resolve any previous incorrect selections. They must be carried out carefully, and with the expectation that we shall find something wrong during them. *The following article has been taken from GASIL Issue 2 of 2012. Available for download from...
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Carburettor Icing

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 23, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Carburettor Icing The following extract has been taken from GASIL, Issue 10 of 2011. Available from www.caa.co.uk/gasil. "According to a report by the BFU (German AAIB), a Robin DR315 was flying below cloud at low altitude when the engine started losing power. The power continued to reduce and the aircraft was destroyed when it collided with a wood during the ensuing forced landing on a road. The report notes that the German Met Office reported that the temperature and dew point were close together, indicating high humidity, so conditions were favourable for carburettor icing. It seems the pilot had selected carburettor hot air after he noticed the loss of power, but the selection seemed to make the power loss worse, so he selected COLD again. According to the report, the pilot had once been told by a mechanic that selecting carburettor hot air in his aircraft was “completely useless”. SafetySense leaflet 14, ‘Piston Engine Icing’, available like all such leaflets free for download from the CAA’s website www.caa.co.uk/safetysense gives advice on the subject. It notes that if carburettor icing is present, selection of hot air is likely to cause an apparent increase in rough running as the ice melts and passes through the engine. If this happens the temptation to return to cold air must be resisted so that the hot air has time to clear the ice. The leaflet also notes that air humidity is likely to be high close to cloud base. If we find ourselves cruising close to cloud base, we should not only check carburettor heating frequently, but should consider keeping carburettor hot air selected in the cruise until we need a high power...
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Fairoaks GASCo Safety Evening

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 16, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Fairoaks GASCo Safety Evening The General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo), in partnership with the CAA, provide safety evenings which give general aviation pilot's an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of aviation safety matters. This year, the event at Fairoaks will be held in the cafe / Flight Centre building on Thursday 5 April at 19:00. There will also be a presentation on the Olympic Airspace during the evening and the opportunity to ask questions to representatives of GASCo and the CAA. As a subsidised event, there is no cost for entry and the bar will also be open throughout the evening for a catch-up with your fellow aviators! Thursday 5 April 2012 19:00 - 22:00 We look forward to welcoming as many pilots as possible - both licenced pilots and those in...
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