Simulated Engine Failure – Throttle or Mixture
Simulated Engine Failure – Throttle or Mixture
Elsewhere there is discussion in the post ‘Airtours C404 Crash Report’ on simulating engine failures during training. A number of writers make mention of the instructor ‘retarding the throttle’ to simulate an engine failure. It is my understanding that simulating an engine failure by closing the throttle leads to the possibility of serious damage to the gudgeon pins, con-rods and possibly the crank-shaft.
For that reason I and many other instructors use the alternative method – leaning the mixture to ICO with the throttle remaining in the power-on position. Certainly within Australia this seems to be the norm. Are those writers, who seem to be UK based, simply using poetic license by referring to the throttle or is that the means used within that region? What do other instructors think about the issue of throttle –v- mixture control?