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Old 6th December 2021 | 20:37
  #32 (permalink)  
Sir HC
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 132
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From: N/A
Outwest,

I do see your frustration of different procedures but in my lifetime, I've heard of nearly 10 x FCU/pilot related issues in PT6T helicopters (FCU to Manual Mode usually) and only one hot start in a PT6A (related to a Fast Start system on a 802 and an inattentive pilot). Bottom line is the fire isn't going to start unless the ignitors are on. This system works just fine and encourages a larger safety margin for your average fixed wing spray pilot. If there was a Manual Mode on PT6A's, Air Tractor would never encourage pilots to move a switch just a few inches from the Manual Mode switch (as Bell does).

For mine, the PT6A is far more likely to be hot started than suffer a flameout requiring an air start. Air Tractor has employed a procedure that gives the largest margin for error for the most likely scenario.

Best of luck getting an answer from Olney!

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