Enstrom Down?
The Original Whirly
Joined: Feb 1999
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 4,327
Likes: 2
From: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
I haven't heard anything, but there is a privately owned Enstrom based near Shrewsbury; it drops into Sleap for fuel fairly regularly. I don't know if that's the one though.
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
From: UK
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 0
From: uk
So he ran out of fuel, a costly mistake. I cant believe that the pilot would have know at the outset what fuel he needed for the flight and refuelled accordingly. Is there a 'low fuel warning light' on this model helicopter, I'm sure there is.
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,670
Likes: 1
From: UK
Sounds to me like an amateur. Running out of fuel
I love it when the papers say the brave pilot steered the stricken craft away from the women and children playing innocently in the gardens etc etc (some artistic licence there sorry!).
Bottom line in these instances is:
OOooooooooooooh Jesus Chr*st I'm going to die if there isn't a field under me - lower the lever and PRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
All in all he's lucky he's not up on a manslaughter charge.
I love it when the papers say the brave pilot steered the stricken craft away from the women and children playing innocently in the gardens etc etc (some artistic licence there sorry!).
Bottom line in these instances is:
OOooooooooooooh Jesus Chr*st I'm going to die if there isn't a field under me - lower the lever and PRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.
All in all he's lucky he's not up on a manslaughter charge.
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Alderney or Lancashire UK
HT.
No, there is no low fuel light. The fuel gauges on aircraft of this age are generally crap. I have drained the tanks dry (on the ground!) and seen 1/4 full still on the gauge. It had been 'calibrated' within the past year to comply with the AD.
The fuel flow gauge is nearly always as bad. I'm not defending running out of fuel. Basic fuel calculations show that this flight was just not on.
However: He was a low hour pilot and likely as not believed what the instruments were telling him. A costly mistake indeed, but in my opinion one that should not be possible.
The regulatory system in this godforsaken country makes it nearly impossible to fit decent instruments. I know. I have tried.
Ok, dipping, a calculator and half a brain works for me, but this is the 21st century. It is not unreasonable to expect instruments that are accurate.
Its time that old aircraft - and not just helicopters, were allowed to be upgraded. Inaccurate instruments are worse than none at all.
The safety regulators should be constructive, not obstructive. They may find that approach actually prevents accidents.
No, there is no low fuel light. The fuel gauges on aircraft of this age are generally crap. I have drained the tanks dry (on the ground!) and seen 1/4 full still on the gauge. It had been 'calibrated' within the past year to comply with the AD.
The fuel flow gauge is nearly always as bad. I'm not defending running out of fuel. Basic fuel calculations show that this flight was just not on.
However: He was a low hour pilot and likely as not believed what the instruments were telling him. A costly mistake indeed, but in my opinion one that should not be possible.
The regulatory system in this godforsaken country makes it nearly impossible to fit decent instruments. I know. I have tried.
Ok, dipping, a calculator and half a brain works for me, but this is the 21st century. It is not unreasonable to expect instruments that are accurate.
Its time that old aircraft - and not just helicopters, were allowed to be upgraded. Inaccurate instruments are worse than none at all.
The safety regulators should be constructive, not obstructive. They may find that approach actually prevents accidents.
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Swansea, South Wales,UK
I’m amazed that there are little or no warnings for low fuel. I would have thought there would have been horns, bells and whistles blowing “DANGER DANGER LAND NOW” Also would the pilot not be aware that something was amiss due to excessive aft cyclic to compensate for the loss of fuel weight.
And why wont the authorities allow an upgrade? I would imagine it not making a huge difference to the maximum take off weight or c of g.
Mike.. Not a pilot, but a big, above average enthusiast , hope I’m still welcome after that confession..
And why wont the authorities allow an upgrade? I would imagine it not making a huge difference to the maximum take off weight or c of g.
Mike.. Not a pilot, but a big, above average enthusiast , hope I’m still welcome after that confession..
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,012
Likes: 1
From: USA
Lack of flow information? Poor gauge? Poor warning light? Still no excuse, in the end. Your fuel state is the second most important thing in your helo, after your rotor rpm, and about even with your altitude.
To misjudge is one thing, to run out of gas while fat and happy in cruise is neglegant to the extreme. On one model piston, with notoriously bad gauges, I simply punched the clock. At 1 hr 30 minutes, I would be on the ground, "one way or the other," my instructor said. I listened!
To misjudge is one thing, to run out of gas while fat and happy in cruise is neglegant to the extreme. On one model piston, with notoriously bad gauges, I simply punched the clock. At 1 hr 30 minutes, I would be on the ground, "one way or the other," my instructor said. I listened!