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Old 20th Apr 2008, 16:28
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Troglodita
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Out of Africa
Age: 70
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Swamp Dwarf,

A classic example of Companies (including CHC, Bristow, PHI, OLOG, ADA, GHC etc. etc.) choosing to modify RFM procedures in favour of their own has existed for many many years on the 212/412 type.

The RFM Fire Drill in the respective 212/412 RFM's requires the immediate actions: -

"T" Handle - PULL
Fire Bottle - Fire Main
Throttle - CLOSE

As every schoolboy (suitably type rated!) knows - to follow this procedure would have no effect at putting out an engine bay fire since immediately after pulling the "T" handle, the respective particle separator door would have only just begun to close therefore the extinguishing agent would be immediately blown away having little or no chance to do its' job

The modified procedure is: -

"T" Handle - PULL
Throttle - RETARD TO IDLE
Confirm Correct Selection
Idle Stop - RELEASE
Throttle - CLOSE FULLY
Fire Bottle - FIRE MAIN

This stands a much better chance of success

RFM's are written by Test Pilots who by definition do not have 20 years plus experience on type - pretty obvious.

They do an excellent job but can only test a limited number of scenarios and profiles in the Certification Programme time allocated.

Years of commercial use will often highlight oversights or shortfalls which if not in contravention of the RFM Limitations Section will be addressed by individual Operators in either Company Operations Manuals or Emergency Check List Procedures.

Last edited by Troglodita; 20th Apr 2008 at 16:31. Reason: typo
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