Tailwinds Flying Club Spring 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 Equipment Archer II – Circuit Breakers

Essential and Non-Essential Equipment Arrow – Circuit Breakers

Essential and Non-Essential Equipment Arrow – Circuit Breakers

Essential and Non-Essential Equipment Six – Circuit Breakers

Essential and Non-Essential Equipment Six – 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 Equipment FAR Powered civil aircraft with standard category U.S. airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements. Tachometer (each engine) Oil pressure gauge Magnetic direction indicator Airspeed indicator Temperature gauge Oil temperature gauge Fuel gauge (quantity each tank) Landing gear position indicator Altimeter Manifold pressure ELT VFR flight during the day: (TOMATO FLAME)

Required Equipment Approved position lights? An approved anti-collision light system? An alternate source of electrical energy? Landing light? Yes No 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”

Thanks! Questions?