The training procedure calls for pressing the HYD-TEST, Student reacts by slowing to about 60kts and switching off HYD on the collective. Instructor switches HYD-TEST back on (up-position).
My instructor prefers NOT to use the HYD-TEST button in the air, except for the loss of TR-control procedure.
He will only push the Warning-lights-button and call out "Hydraulic Failure", Student reacts by slowing to 60 kts and switching off collective HYD.
Reasons:
a) If correctly tested at start-up the accus should provide enough pressure and time to slow to 60 kts, so this should be transparent, whether the HYD-TEST is pressed or not.
b) Training is to learn procedures and habits. By NOT using the HYD-TEST with HYD-failure training he avoids a possible confusion when a real one hits.
He does emphazise to "Never touch the HYD-TEST in the air, except for TR-control loss!"
(First round of practise I forgot about it and would not know how to procede with the TR-control-loss procedure, but for sure I had it marked "to never touch HYD-TEST in the air....")
c) If for any reason the HYDs suffer any damage or incident while practising HYD-failures, the TR stays controlable and a non-HYD landing should be a non-event. With HYD-TEST pressed or locked for any reason (CB popped??), it would become a TR-control-loss + HYD-loss approach/landing = very heavy and very tough...
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