ATR Starter Limitation
 

Hi all,

I've come across as bit of a Grey area in the FCOM for the ATR72.

The starter Limitation Quotes.

"3 STARTS WITH A 1 MINUTE 30 SECONDS MAXIMUM COMBINED STARTER RUNNING TIME, FOLLOWED BY 4 MINUTES OFF"

The English here is very unclear to me..

From My understanding, You may operate the starter 3 times but when you reach a total of 1 minute 30 seconds total combined starter running time.. You need to take a rest for 4 minutes.

What if you're in a different scenario, What if you operate the starter 3 times already but the total combined starter running time was say 1 Minute (20 seconds each).... Can you run the starter again for the 4th time.. But not exceed 30 seconds?

"WITH A" are the key Words in this case..

It would make much much more sense if it were replaced with "OR"

"3 STARTS OR 1 MINUTE 30 SECONDS MAXIMUM COMBINED STARTER RUNNING TIME, FOLLOWED BY 4 MINUTES OFF" (Whichever happens first).

Whats your interpretation of it?

"3 STARTS WITH A 1 MINUTE 30 SECONDS MAXIMUM COMBINED STARTER RUNNING TIME, FOLLOWED BY 4 MINUTES OFF"

Cheers

. well, there ya go.........:) It's pretty clear to me. A max of 3 starts AND no more than 1:30 running time during the starts. In English 'OR' gives the option of more than 3 starter engagements which presumably is a no no.

Put simply:

1 start (eg dry run?) running for 1:30 - 4 minutes 'off'
3 starter engagements running for 30 seconds total - 4 mins 'off'
2 starts running for 1:10 - have a third go if you can get to cut-out in 20 seconds or manual cut-off at 1:30!

Then again, the aeroplane is FRENCH:)