FADEC in GA - reliable?
Technical conversation with the Meridian rep at Aerofair about the installation of the Thielert Diesel into a PA28, as follows:
Me: How do you stop the engine without a mixture cut lever?"
Salesman "Simple, just turn the key off like in a car".
Me: "So what happens if the electrics fail...does the engine just stop then?"
Salesman: "err, good question...I'll go & get the Thielert rep"
German Thielert rep: "Yez, vot is ze question?"
Me "What happens to the FADEC if you get electric failure?"
Thielert Rep: "Zat cannot happen - aircraft electric systems are very reliable"
Me: "Not in a 18 year old PA28 they aren't! So what will happen?"
Thielert rep "Wot can happen to electrics?...zey cannot fail!"
etc etc. Eventually admitted engine would stop without electrics. Seemed to me to be potentially unsafe. But then I realised that I haven't actually experienced a total electrical failure yet (touch wood)
Still, while FADEC may be suitable for airliners with multiple generator systems, alternate busses etc, it seems to me that further development is required before safe introduction into GA.
Any comments anyone?