Hi All, Nigel and I have been discussing emergency actions for the most common scenarios recently. The Aircraft Flight Manual is spartan in its advice and in some cases incorrect. I thought I'd post my thoughts for the brains trust to review and come back with comments and suggestions. First one this time is engine failure on early climb out....
>From the >AFM:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.4 Engine Failure during Take-Off: Check immediately Fuel valve - ON position Fuel pump - ON position If these are not the cause of engine failure, and the altitude is less than 300ft, land straight ahead. If more than 300 ft altitude are available, a 180* turn in the glider mode can be made. The propeller should be feathered to reduce drag. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Recommendations: 1. Lower the nose (I use 'to approach attitude' to reinforce the need for a definite lowering) 2. Then check fuel valve open and fuel pump on 3. if no luck with starting/normal power, its time to land 4. As per emergency "options' during the pre take off check, land ahead or slightly to the side. Then if not able to land within the airfield boundary continue to plan on landing ahead or slightly to the side. Feather prop if time. 5. Only turn to land back once 300'AGL is achieved as per the AFM (we both know that with experience 250' or so is safely achievable but 300' AGL is a good training guide. I insist on the turn direction being nominated during the pre take off as a function of any crosswind, terrain or traffic considerations. My Comments: 2. We never turn the fuel valve off except for maintenance. Although the boost pump should be on for take off its an easy check to see that's its actually on and worth switching off and immediately back to the on position. 3. Below a couple of hundred feet AGL and with a full or significant power loss, following action 2, forget attempting to restart the motor and focus on landing safely. 4."Land ahead to the hospital OR turn back to the cemetery!" 5. a. Simulated turn backs engine off and with prop in fine pitch are well worth practicing at height using a steeper bank to minimise height loss. b. For those of you who are beginning to suffer that creeping disease known as MGM (Motor Glider Malady -"Oooh I don't want to shut the motor down as it is what will save me'), I encourage that you regularly practice engine off landings to stave off this illness. 98% of our hundreds of landings per year are engine off. Landing a Touring Motor Glider as a glider boosts confidence tremendously in handling emergencies resulting from engine loss. Best Regards Laurie
