Rotor Research Helicopter Info Site | ||||
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Originally written by TC 1988 “Go Go Juice”
With a large number of helicopter accidents still happening attributed to “air in the fuel” – it is time to rethink our attitudes and to also look at the mechanics of the monitoring the fuel supply system. Lets look at attitudes first Some helicopter pilots probably have one unique world record of their own; running out of fuel while airborne in a perfectly serviceable helicopter! Why? Your guess is as good as mine, with fatigue affecting the thought process being a major consideration. Everyone blames everyone else for bad training. The offending pilots don’t seem to care (not externally anyway) and some regulatory authorities don’t show their strength by enforcing the penalties for breaking the law. Some pilots feel that it’s their own business as to how they conduct their operations – including breaking their own aircraft. This is fair enough, as long as it isn’t at the expense of other pilots and operators by causing increased insurance premiums and consumer resistance to Helicopter Ops. The time has now arrived for each professional pilot (you & I) to make a stand and sort these problems out. Some suggestions:
TIP: Dip your tanks often!!
TIP: Every two hours works well for most machines – starting with full tanks
TIP: Make sure you allow time for fuel to flow through and level in the tanks before you dip them.
TIP: Landing is cheap insurance.
TIP: Some engines, especially turbines, have a high fuel usage even at idle!
TIP: In some places it takes a while, maybe up to 10 minutes, to find a safe spot and pilots seem to forget that fuel is being used while a recce is carried out and till the engine is shut down.
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