Post on 18-Dec-2015
Tailwinds Flying ClubSpring Safety Session – 2010
Squawks, Squeaks, & Things That Go Bump in
the Flight
FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
SAIB CE-10-11:
• Potential hazard when resetting an opened circuit breaker
Essential and Non-Essential Equipment
A 10 cent fuse will protect itself by destroying the $2,000 radio to which it is attached.
— Robert Livingston, 'Flying The Aeronca.‘
Essential and Non-Essential Equipment
Archer II – Circuit Breakers
Essential and Non-Essential EquipmentArcher II – Circuit Breakers
Essential and Non-Essential Equipment
Arrow – Circuit Breakers
Essential and Non-Essential EquipmentArrow – Circuit Breakers
Essential and Non-Essential Equipment
Six – Circuit Breakers
Essential and Non-Essential EquipmentSix – Circuit Breakers
Electrical Malfunctions
• Reset alternator by turning circuit breaker(s) off, then on again.• If problem persists, turn alternator off.• Electrical fire: turn off battery and alternator; extinguish fire;
vent cabin, then close vents; land ASAP• If electrical power is needed and system voltage is restored,
attempt to identify faulty component(s), then land as soon as practical.
What do you do when the juice stops flowing?
Immediate action items:
Electrical Malfunctions
• Minus indication on ammeter gauge.• “Alt” annunciator.
Alternator out
• Too much voltage – extra current will fry components in use.
Runaway alternator
Popped circuit breakers
• Try pushing the breaker back in – pops again – leave it popped.(FAA Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin CE-10-11)
Electrical Malfunctions
• POH for tailored, specific advice for handling an electrical fire.• Turn off the battery and alternator switches, turn off all radios,
and other electrical components.• Use fire extinguisher (you know where it is in the plane, right?)• Vent the cabin after using the fire extinguisher and determining
the fire is out.• Land as soon as practicable.
Electrical Fire
Electrical Malfunctions
• Complete electrical failure in VFR weather conditions not as problematic
• Land at the nearest uncontrolled airport (you’ve still got your handheld GPS aboard, right?)
• Land at a controlled airport (what are those light gun signals again?)
• Night landing a bit more problematic• No lights, no radios to control airport lighting, other
airplanes won’t see you. (hand held transceiver?)
VFR
Electrical Malfunctions
• Complete electrical failure in instrument meteorological conditions, not good.
• One last call to ATC before powering down• Announce your having electrical problems• Declare an emergency• Ask for vectors to the nearest suitable airport
• Continue flight using single radio on battery power• Leave transponder on – controllers can issue heading / altitude
information• Night in IMC (You do have flashlights aboard, don’t you?)
IFR
Electrical Malfunctions
• Conserve battery power as much as possible• Ability to send critical messages• Listen to controllers • Leave transponder on for ATC monitoring• May need Pitot heat when freezing OAT• Re-tractable-gear
• Biggest electrical loads generated by; voice transmissions, heating elements, transponders, and DME
• Transient loads from landing gear• Battery will last for 45 minutes after alternator quits – don’t
count on it!
Battery Considerations
Required EquipmentFAR 91.205 Powered civil aircraft with standard category
U.S. airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements.
VFR flight during the day: (TOMATO FLAME)
Required Equipment
VFR flight - Night
Instruments and equipment specified for VFR flight during the day and:
Required Equipment
• Two-way radio & navigational equipment appropriate to the ground facilities being used.
• Gyroscopic rate-of-turn indicator.• Slip-skid indicator• Sensitive altimeter adjustable for barometric pressure• Clock• Alternator• Gyroscopic pitch and bank indicator.• Gyroscopic direction indicator
IFR Flight
Instruments and equipment specified for VFR flight during the day and for night flight plus:
Last but not least!AOPA – Air Safety Foundation’s “Flight Risk Evaluator”
online @ www.asf.org
Thanks!Questions?