AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes.          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Instrument Flight Rules View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Victor J. Osborne, Jr. Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:50 am    Post subject: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. I think I just got my money's worth of the Beech Proficient Pilot Program. (BPPP) Last week, 3 of us where trying to get to Kissimmee from TN but Florida was closed off due to a line of severe thundershowers across the state. Waited in Waycross (great FBO, btw) then set off at 9pm into the night with XM weather and a storm scope. Most of the stuff had dissipated but we did have to do an end around some the remnants. During one of the trips thru the clouds, the Gyro warning light came on and I looked over to see Zero pressure. No prob. just hit the backup Standby Gyro and keep going. 5 minutes later, the light came back one and we had the same reading. What are the chances? Went the rest of the way (better weather ahead rather than behind) partial panel with both AI's covered up. Next day, in Orlando (Southern Aviation), we found both pumps had sheared shafts. Engine mounted because it was old (500+ hrs) and the electric motor-driven backup due to lack of use. Now that the horse is out of the barn, I'm going to exercise the backup before starting from time to time and change pumps at <500 hours. Also, keep the partial panel skills up. BTW: The idiot light (Gyro Warning) is a great investment, if you don't have one. FWIW, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr. CP-ASEL Back to top Mortimer Schnerd, RN Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:13 am    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Victor J. Osborne, Jr. wrote: Quote: Last week, 3 of us where trying to get to Kissimmee from TN but Florida was closed off due to a line of severe thundershowers across the state. Waited in Waycross (great FBO, btw) then set off at 9pm into the night with XM weather and a storm scope. Most of the stuff had dissipated but we did have to do an end around some the remnants. During one of the trips thru the clouds, the Gyro warning light came on and I looked over to see Zero pressure. No prob. just hit the backup Standby Gyro and keep going. 5 minutes later, the light came back one and we had the same reading. What are the chances? Went the rest of the way (better weather ahead rather than behind) partial panel with both AI's covered up. The last time I had an instrument failure, I lost my primary AI on takeoff from Cincinnati in the middle of the night. My instrument scan then went from my side of the panel to glances at the AI on the copilot's panel. This was in a C-402B... I was glad to have it (the second panel)but it was really no big deal. I might have had a different attitude (pardon the pun) about it if the air had been rough. -- Mortimer Schnerd, RN [email]mschnerd (AT) carolina (DOT) rr.com.REMO[/email]VE Back to top Peter R. Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 1:19 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. "Victor J. Osborne, Jr." <vosborne2 (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote: Quote: I think I just got my money's worth of the Beech Proficient Pilot Program. (BPPP) snip Excellent outcome, Victor. I have yet to take a BPPP but it is on my list this year. -- Peter Back to top Marco Leon Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 4:51 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Glad to hear about the good outcome. Given the dual vacuum failure, have you considered getting an electric AI instead? Sporty's backup received good reviews and it's cheap. Marco Leon "Victor J. Osborne, Jr." <vosborne2 (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote Quote: I think I just got my money's worth of the Beech Proficient Pilot Program. (BPPP) Last week, 3 of us where trying to get to Kissimmee from TN but Florida was closed off due to a line of severe thundershowers across the state. Waited in Waycross (great FBO, btw) then set off at 9pm into the night with XM weather and a storm scope. Most of the stuff had dissipated but we did have to do an end around some the remnants. During one of the trips thru the clouds, the Gyro warning light came on and I looked over to see Zero pressure. No prob. just hit the backup Standby Gyro and keep going. 5 minutes later, the light came back one and we had the same reading. What are the chances? Went the rest of the way (better weather ahead rather than behind) partial panel with both AI's covered up. Next day, in Orlando (Southern Aviation), we found both pumps had sheared shafts. Engine mounted because it was old (500+ hrs) and the electric motor-driven backup due to lack of use. Now that the horse is out of the barn, I'm going to exercise the backup before starting from time to time and change pumps at <500 hours. Also, keep the partial panel skills up. BTW: The idiot light (Gyro Warning) is a great investment, if you don't have one. FWIW, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr. CP-ASEL Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services ---------------------------------------------------------- ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY ** ---------------------------------------------------------- http://www.usenet.com Back to top Jim Macklin Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Testing the Beech electrically driven back-up pneumatic pump is part of the take-off check list, the pump should be run for a minute on every flight and not allowed to sit idle and freeze solid. But that Sporty's backup looks very good, almost like the models used in the jets, except the jet units have a built-in battery that will run nothing else, but keep the gyro erect for at least 30 minutes after everything else has died. -- James H. Macklin ATP,CFI,A&P -- The people think the Constitution protects their rights; But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome. some support http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties. "Marco Leon" <mmleon(at)yahoo.com> wrote Quote: Glad to hear about the good outcome. Given the dual vacuum failure, have you considered getting an electric AI instead? Sporty's backup received good reviews and it's cheap. Marco Leon "Victor J. Osborne, Jr." <vosborne2 (AT) charter (DOT) net> wrote in message news:X9Gwf.96$_U7.20 (AT) fe07 (DOT) lga... I think I just got my money's worth of the Beech Proficient Pilot Program. (BPPP) Last week, 3 of us where trying to get to Kissimmee from TN but Florida was closed off due to a line of severe thundershowers across the state. Waited in Waycross (great FBO, btw) then set off at 9pm into the night with XM weather and a storm scope. Most of the stuff had dissipated but we did have to do an end around some the remnants. During one of the trips thru the clouds, the Gyro warning light came on and I looked over to see Zero pressure. No prob. just hit the backup Standby Gyro and keep going. 5 minutes later, the light came back one and we had the same reading. What are the chances? Went the rest of the way (better weather ahead rather than behind) partial panel with both AI's covered up. Next day, in Orlando (Southern Aviation), we found both pumps had sheared shafts. Engine mounted because it was old (500+ hrs) and the electric motor-driven backup due to lack of use. Now that the horse is out of the barn, I'm going to exercise the backup before starting from time to time and change pumps at 500 hours. Also, keep the partial panel skills up. BTW: The idiot light (Gyro Warning) is a great investment, if you don't have one. FWIW, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr. CP-ASEL Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services ---------------------------------------------------------- ** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY ** ---------------------------------------------------------- http://www.usenet.com Back to top Maule Driver Guest Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 6:53 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Thanks for the account. Nice job and outcome. I only have the manifold vac backup but always thought the idiot light was probably worth the price of the whole affair. In fact, flying without a light seems a bit crazy - actual backup is gravy. Victor J. Osborne, Jr. wrote: Quote: I think I just got my money's worth of the Beech Proficient Pilot Program. (BPPP) Last week, 3 of us where trying to get to Kissimmee from TN but Florida was closed off due to a line of severe thundershowers across the state. Waited in Waycross (great FBO, btw) then set off at 9pm into the night with XM weather and a storm scope. Most of the stuff had dissipated but we did have to do an end around some the remnants. During one of the trips thru the clouds, the Gyro warning light came on and I looked over to see Zero pressure. No prob. just hit the backup Standby Gyro and keep going. 5 minutes later, the light came back one and we had the same reading. What are the chances? Went the rest of the way (better weather ahead rather than behind) partial panel with both AI's covered up. Next day, in Orlando (Southern Aviation), we found both pumps had sheared shafts. Engine mounted because it was old (500+ hrs) and the electric motor-driven backup due to lack of use. Now that the horse is out of the barn, I'm going to exercise the backup before starting from time to time and change pumps at <500 hours. Also, keep the partial panel skills up. BTW: The idiot light (Gyro Warning) is a great investment, if you don't have one. FWIW, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr. CP-ASEL Back to top Victor J. Osborne, Jr. Guest Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 2:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Yes, I have one on order. They're on backorder. Thx, {|;-) Victor J. (Jim) Osborne, Jr. Quote: have you considered getting an electric AI instead? Sporty's backup received good reviews and it's cheap. Marco Leon Back to top Andrew Gideon Guest Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:08 pm    Post subject: Re: Dual Vac (Pressure) failure in IMC, Night, yikes. Jim Macklin wrote: Quote: But that Sporty's backup looks very good, almost like the models used in the jets, except the jet units have a built-in battery that will run nothing else, but keep the gyro erect for at least 30 minutes after everything else has died. An electric with a backup battery is available for us. I believe that it is manufactured by Mid-Continental. - Andrew Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Instrument Flight Rules All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum Aviation----------------alt.aviationAviation safety EnhancementPlanes, gliders and flying in AustraliaAviation et pilotage (Français)rec.aviationAviation (Aerobatics)Hot air, gas balloons and airshipsHang-gliding, paragliding, foot-launched flightAircraft Design & BuildingInstrument Flight RulesAviation (Classifieds)Military AircraftNaval AviationAviation (Miscellaneous Topics)Owning AirplanesAviators (General Discussions)Aviation related productsAircraft RestorationHelicopters and rotary wing aircraftsFlight SimulationSailplanesAviation (Students)Light aircraftFlying related activities in the UK Airports----------------alt.airportsEdinburgh Airport Glasgow Airport Humberside Airport Luton Airport Aberdeen Airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.