R 22 Startup checklist
Received a lot of amendments for the R22 POH a few days ago, along with a new cards for approved startup/shutdown procedure.
I haven't examined all of the changes fully but two major changes (there are others)have caused me to think about the effects. They are;
Mag check now at 75% and not 100% RPM
and
'Idle OK' is now omitted from the list,
where it used to say 'Check needle split, idle OK'.
In the case of the mag check, how good an idea is it to do this at 75%? Won't any drop be less evident? I am waiting for a reaction from Lycoming on this as it seems more logical to do such a check at 100%, as is done with most aircraft this engine is fitted to.
In the case of the latter I have real concerns that a check on idle speed was a very important safeguard, especially on the first start of the day in cool and dmap condtions. I've seen the engine stop at idle
when doing the sprag clutch check due to the
icing conditions present.
I guess that this may have been modified to cover the R22BII (which has a level of 'automatic'carb heat application) but feel it might be a retrograde step for other models with manual only carb heat application.
Anyway, for the avoidance of doubt, 12" or so MP on the warmup sequence needs carb heat application just like any other power setting below 18" if conditions conducive to carb icing exist and it will now be even more important to emphasise that now this useful little 'flag' had gone.
Any comments ?