PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - HEMS Activation times
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Old 3rd Jul 2008, 22:39
  #35 (permalink)  
Gomer Pylot
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
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It takes longer than 2 minutes just to start the engine(s) and do the checklist, if you do it right. I defy anyone to start a non-FADEC turbine engine in under a minute, after getting into the cockpit and strapping in, doing even a cursory check of the cockpit before and after the start, and stabilizing the engine. With a Rolls-Royce engine, you have to stabilize it at idle for a full minute before even advancing the throttle, and it takes time to get to 100% rpm unless you risk overtemping and overtorquing. Even if it takes me longer than 5 minutes to lift off, we often get to the scene before the ground personnel are ready for us, and I've reached many scenes before EMS even arrived, so we had to circle. All this emphasis on short lift times is something I just don't understand. It doesn't help the patient or the crew, especially if the flight is aborted because of problems caused by hurrying. I don't waste any time, but I never, ever hurry.
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