Vacuum sys. driven instruments on helicopters?
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Vacuum sys. driven instruments on helicopters?
I am browsing thru some training material about helicopter systems - and I came across one that says there is no helicopter with vacuum system installed (used to drive gyro instruments)
I believe there is none installed on a turbine helicopter, but piston engine ones?
Anyone who can help me out with an example of standard fit vacuum system on a (piston engine) helicopter, that is currently in use in FAA/EASA world?
THX
hoistop
I believe there is none installed on a turbine helicopter, but piston engine ones?
Anyone who can help me out with an example of standard fit vacuum system on a (piston engine) helicopter, that is currently in use in FAA/EASA world?
THX
hoistop
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I am browsing thru some training material about helicopter systems - and I came across one that says there is no helicopter with vacuum system installed (used to drive gyro instruments)
I believe there is none installed on a turbine helicopter, but piston engine ones?
Anyone who can help me out with an example of standard fit vacuum system on a (piston engine) helicopter, that is currently in use in FAA/EASA world?
THX
hoistop
I believe there is none installed on a turbine helicopter, but piston engine ones?
Anyone who can help me out with an example of standard fit vacuum system on a (piston engine) helicopter, that is currently in use in FAA/EASA world?
THX
hoistop
It would have to be a very old helicopter to have vacuum gyros - I haven't seen one in a military helicopter in 40 years.
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Vacuum Gyroscopic Instruments
Originally Posted by [email protected]
It would have to be a very old helicopter to have vacuum gyros - I haven't seen one in a military helicopter in 40 years.
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I've started my flying career on Alouette III (SudAviation/Aerospatiale). It was a machine from late 60's. That version had engine vacuum instruments from what I remember, playing stabilization gyros - heading and attitude indicator.
Last edited by attitudepowertrim; 22nd Apr 2021 at 20:26.
The Bristol Sycamore had vacuum instruments. I can remember flying them fifty-six years ago and having to ignore the artificial horizon when transiting because of the acceleration errors. There was no way you could topple them: You were confirmed to be, or soon to be, dead if that happened.
You can see from this picture the characteristic slant of an artificial horizon with a lack of vacuum.
Edited to add. This picture appears to have an electrical T&S but I cannot remember what a vacuum T&S had on its face.
BRISTOL Sycamore Walkaround
You can see from this picture the characteristic slant of an artificial horizon with a lack of vacuum.
Edited to add. This picture appears to have an electrical T&S but I cannot remember what a vacuum T&S had on its face.
BRISTOL Sycamore Walkaround
Last edited by Senior Pilot; 23rd Apr 2021 at 02:32. Reason: Add photo
Have there ever been turn-and-slip indicators that were *not* electric? Every one I've ever seen was electric.
WRENCH1 is right. Well into the 1990's, I flew for that GOM operator (PHI) that had vacuum artificial horizons and directional gyros in their 206B's. My knee-jerk first reaction was that it was a really bad idea and couldn't understand why they did that. Then, about that time, I looked at the cost of replacing the vacuum instruments in my Cessna 150 with electric ones. Holy cow! I just stayed with the old vacuum gauges. And PHI had, what, a couple of hundred 206B's at one time...206B's that *NEVER* flew IFR? Yeah, I'd put vacuum gauges in them too if I were the DOM. In fact, I still would.
WRENCH1 is right. Well into the 1990's, I flew for that GOM operator (PHI) that had vacuum artificial horizons and directional gyros in their 206B's. My knee-jerk first reaction was that it was a really bad idea and couldn't understand why they did that. Then, about that time, I looked at the cost of replacing the vacuum instruments in my Cessna 150 with electric ones. Holy cow! I just stayed with the old vacuum gauges. And PHI had, what, a couple of hundred 206B's at one time...206B's that *NEVER* flew IFR? Yeah, I'd put vacuum gauges in them too if I were the DOM. In fact, I still would.
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and SA-315 Lama also, IIRC...