New regulatory guidance FADEC & the DPE New regulatory guidance Pilot Examiner Annual Meeting Bob Jex, ASI, North Florida FSDO
Overview Explanation of term “FADEC” New regulatory guidance: Notice N 8000.331 New definition of “Complex” Airplane! Multi-Engine piston aircraft with FADEC Practical Tests: Single-Engine ops Your Questions
What is “FADEC”? F – Full A – Authority D – Digital E – Engine C – Control In other words: Computerized engine control!
FAA Notice N 8000.331 New regulatory guidance, eff. Nov 2006 Redefines “Complex Airplane” two ways If FADEC installed: Retractable Landing Gear + Flaps + FADEC = Complex Airplane! If FADEC not installed: Use conventional definition! Most significance for light piston twins
New Piston Twin with FADEC Diamond Aircraft DA42 “Twin Star” TAA Diesel engines (typ) LE critical! FADEC G1000 Avionics Carbon fiber Training role Mfr. website: www.diamondaircraft.com
DA42 “Twin Star” Cockpit ECU Sw’s
Practical Tests: Single-engine ops in FADEC piston twins
FADEC Single-engine operations Troubleshooting steps are minimal Fewer things to check: focus is back on flying ECU doing most of the work. New Term: “ECU Swap” Autofeather provision Zero-Thrust settings Not published (yet) for DA42
Intentional feathering Retard thrust ECU Sw. Off Prop feathers! Restart: Reverse steps! Diesels use compression for ignition!
Your Questions…?