Stratocruiser crash rumour........

[Feather #3]

The major purpose of the torquemeter (or BMEP gauge) was to set cruise power by leaning to peak power, then to the lean side of peak power to some value of power loss. Some said "12 BMEP drop" (R-2800 on the M-404), while others said "10% drop in power." The power sensor was in the nose case of the engine, picked off the outer "floating" ring gear of the prop reduction gearing. We generally don't have that in flat engines, and where we do the gearing system is different, so we cannot easily measure pure power or torque. (Braly can, though, and I sure wish he'd market that neat little device!)

This quote gives you a 'heads up' on the concept. Turbo-prop's live by their torque measurement and the BMEP guage gave the same sort of indication to the later big pistons.

However, his comment about modern instrumentation enabling a similar relationship within the engine to be determined so that an LOP technique can be used needs further thought from other parties. In Australia, we've had a tragic accident which may have been caused by "agressive leaning" [I stress, not necessarily the LOP method] and the synopsis may well be that it's cheaper in the long run to lean ROP!!

My thought would be that until the manufacturer AND regulator positively support it, stay away from 'alternative' schemes.

G'day

[Nopax,thanx]

Hey, Chuck....how about clearing customs thru' Stansted - give us a treat for the eyes!!!!!

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Piston engines have three enemies that cause failures.

( 1 ) Heat

( 2 ) Friction, ie. high R.P.M.

( 3 ) Hamfisted throttle jockeys.

No pax:

Are you an air traffic controller? If so all I need is approval for a low fly by.

Would you prefer norman or inverted?

Feather #3:

Hey, PBY's may be slow but just imagine all the time we have to sight see.

Cat Driver:

The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no.