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Old 15th Aug 2009, 11:28
  #5575 (permalink)  
Bertie Thruster
 
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
Age: 72
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Forget the FADEC
Unfortunately in 1994 the Mk2 Fadec was not something that could be forgotten.

It was a new system being operated on the front line, prior to completion of trials. There was a great deal of uncertainty at the time on "what the fadecs would do next"

Freight weight above single engine capability was only allowed externally (so it could be jettisoned if the engines started playing up)

Icing trials could not be carried out until the Fadec trials were complete.

At Odiham in 1994, on the Mk1 to Mk2 differences course, crews were told that it was not possible to describe the way the fadecs worked as "no one knew".

"Gotchas" appeared out of the woodwork; for example that year a QHI decided to simulate an engine torque indicator failure, (by pulling a power supply circuit breaker.)

Both pilots saw the torque indicator of that engine drop to zero. Almost immediately the other engine ran down to zero torque then the first engine (without any torque indication) ran up to drive the blades. I read the incident signal and briefed the crews..."dont pull any circuit breakers"

Next day we all got a signal from Odiham......"don't pull any circuit breakers"!

So, at the time, lots going on on the front line with a very new and untried system.
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