100% pure jetA emitted from 727 engines while being worked on/checked by mechanics.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 177
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From: I'm the asshole next door
100% pure jetA emitted from 727 engines while being worked on/checked by mechanics.
I was at work Fri. night, and while waiting at a gate with my crew for an arrival, maintenance showed up at a 727-200 parked at an adjacent gate. After several minutes, jet A started spewing from the exhaust from #1 engine. It was like jet exhaust, but the engine wasn't "lit". The fan blades were spinning as if the enging was running, but there was no "roar' of a running jet engine.
The jet A (from #1 engine) was just like jet exhaust; it was in mist form for approx. 50 feet or so from the engine, then it started to dissipate. This lasted for approx. 10-15 seconds. Then after a few minutes, the same thing with engine #2 for 10-15 seconds, then again with engine #3.
I've worked in the aviation industry for nearly 10 yrs. as a fueler, bag tosser, and load planner, and I have never seen anything like this. What could the mechanics possibly been checking/testing for this to occur?
TIA
flynverted
The jet A (from #1 engine) was just like jet exhaust; it was in mist form for approx. 50 feet or so from the engine, then it started to dissipate. This lasted for approx. 10-15 seconds. Then after a few minutes, the same thing with engine #2 for 10-15 seconds, then again with engine #3.
I've worked in the aviation industry for nearly 10 yrs. as a fueler, bag tosser, and load planner, and I have never seen anything like this. What could the mechanics possibly been checking/testing for this to occur?
TIA
flynverted
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 132
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From: USA
It's called a "wet motor" and done to purge any preservatives or oil from the engine before the first start after a check or a new engine is installed. It may also be done to confirm fuel pump or fuel control operation after maintenance and as stated above on rare occasions during a leak check.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 129
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From: the dark side of the moon!
We also do what we call "dry cycle", where the engine is motored over on the starter with no fuel or ignition, again this is usually for leak checking engine components e.g hyd pumps. The starter does have a duty cycle that limits the time this can be carried out for. Also do ignitor plug checks where ignition only selected to audibly check for the "crack" as the plug sparks.
