PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - AW139 FIPS experience?
View Single Post
Old 8th Nov 2013, 15:58
  #3 (permalink)  
noooby
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: daworld
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
The FAA AD is a joke. It refers to a superceded/cancelled EASA AD and doesn't address the core issue. The Main Rotor cable failed internally, causing the overload in the ATRU.

New Main Rotor cables are (I believe) available now, with (supposedly) much improved reliability. GCU's and ATRU's are being modified so that if it does get the same sort of overload again, then it won't smoke itself.

The AD also doesn't deal with the fact that the crew on that machine had FIPS Caution Messages and still chose to test the system after start up, in contravention of the RFM, knowing that it would put full voltage down everything, even the failed components. THAT is when they got the smoke.

In theory, the system should work well, as the S-92 system does now. But after taolking to some 92 people, they said the cables were the main issue in the beginning. Lets hope the new cables will sort out most of the problems with the system!

But be warned, Deicing systems on helicopters is extremenly complicated!!!

If you need the extra capability at the cost of 2 passengers and lots of $$$ then go for it.
noooby is offline