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Hello, Hartmut,
With all due respect, I did not make conclusions. what I wrote was:
>>>>>Additional Tech site inputs seem to agree on NOT using carb heat on takeoff, and in ALWAYS applying it prior to reducing rpm below 2000 on landing approach
I acknowledge your experience and expertise, but some other Coupers disagree ,e.g., if the prevailing conditions dictate necessity for carb heat on takeoff, perhaps it is time to go back to your hangar? Several comments about ingesting sand/dust and bugs into your carb when (needessly ?) using carb heat are also worth considering. Let me know if you find a reference to use of carb heat on takeoff in the ERCOUPE Flight manual. I'll look for one in my ALON and CONTINENTAL C-90 manuals. I'll bet John Cooper knows this off the top of his head. I'd sure like to have W R Bayne's take on this subject.
DON
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Subject: Re: [COUPERS-TECH] On carb ice
Date: Thu, 25 May 2006 16:40:26 +0200----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----Don.I can not agree with both conclusions you made.I would use carb heat even when taking off when the conditions are asking for it. High humidity and a very small dew point spread are a hint.Even though the throttle should be fully open when taking off, ice buildup can occur and rob you of your power.When Landing, I usually open carburetor heat BEFORE I throttle down below 2000rpm. That is in the 45 degree entry / downwind phase.After that I often leave the carb heat on - depending on conditions. But often enough close it on base - ice buildup does not happen THAT fast - again, depending on conditions.By the way, taking off with carb heat ON was recommended in the Ercoupe Flying manual if I remember right. ( Can't verify that right now)As for the causes of accidents, I would not believe a pilots story, unless it's my brother. Getting the insurance to pay for it and the NTSB off your neck requires often a deviation from what really happened.Example: A Piper Tomahawk crashes on takeoff half a mile behind the runway into a fence on my Airport in California.Since I did ferry fly that plane from Kansas City to California just a few month before, I knew the plane very good. Spoke to the mechanic about it.He told me that the owner and an instructor taxied fast for take off - did not do a run-up and had the engine stutter when half way down the runway. They took off anyway and at the end of the runway the engine quit completely hence the crash landing.My mechanic was one of the first at the crash site. The guys survived with bruises. The plane was totaled and the fuel selector was in a closed position.When asked about the selector, the guys stated that they closed it before crashing to avoid fire.Now what was the cause for that accident?NTSB Identification: LAX04LA182From what I heard at my airport, most of the aircraft problems are fuel related. People forget to switch tanks, switch to the wrong one, don't refuel or who knows what.Carburetor icing is not as often the cause, but can be.Hartmut----- Original Message -----From: DONALD BOWENTo: COUPERS TECHSent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 3:27 PMSubject: [COUPERS-TECH] On carb ice----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any advice in this forum.]----I'm still pondering possible causes of the two Coupe power losses/accidents last week, i.e., one into a tree top, one into water. Additional Tech site inputs seem to agree on NOT using carb heat on takeoff, and in ALWAYS applying it prior to reducing rpm below 2000 on landing approach. Of course, this practice makes attention to your approach more demanding since you will have less power available (with reduced rpm) for correcting excessive sink rate and wave-off/go-around. And, you must shut off the carb heat prior to taking off on a touch and go landing. Yes, it is usual practice to adjust for peak rpm by use of the mixture control, particularly at elevations higher than the ten feet here in Florida, but I don't see much agreement to diddle with the carb heat or throttle at such times. Please feel free to "chime in" with your additional comments..Thanks.
DON
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