Radio call before engine startup
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Luigi - I agree, this is what I do while starting up my non-G1000 equiped aircraft.
I flick the avionics master back on as soon as the engine sounds happy and haven't blown any valves yet.
The G1000 equiped aircraft I fly seems to have no problem with having the unit on during startup and shutdown - it must be armoured to protect it from the spikes!
SB
I flick the avionics master back on as soon as the engine sounds happy and haven't blown any valves yet.
The G1000 equiped aircraft I fly seems to have no problem with having the unit on during startup and shutdown - it must be armoured to protect it from the spikes!
SB
Join Date: May 2001
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I can think of more than a few places in the UK where the ATIS or local procedures request you call for engine start.
Scooter.
I switch the avionics off during start. I must check whether this is a recommended G1000 procedure and maybe it is just a case of old habits etc.,
(I appreciate this only isolates part of the avionics, and there is no alternative for those that remain on with the master on.)
Scooter.
I switch the avionics off during start. I must check whether this is a recommended G1000 procedure and maybe it is just a case of old habits etc.,
(I appreciate this only isolates part of the avionics, and there is no alternative for those that remain on with the master on.)
The Original Whirly
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I've been to about 100 airfields in the UK, and I can only think of two that want you to call for engine start - Filton and Southampton. At both, they let me know in advance. Southampton pointed out that they might have to keep me waiting for a while, so it was better not to start up if that was the case...and in a helicopter running is expensive and starting up and shutting down takes a while, so I appreciated it.
So basically, if you're somewhere largish with full ATC, ask when you book in. Otherwise you might as well forget it.
So basically, if you're somewhere largish with full ATC, ask when you book in. Otherwise you might as well forget it.
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Hi Socal
This was Sep 02 at SLC, so not sure if things have cooled down now.
Begs all the usual questions about the damage a little C172 can do or what-about-all-those-unmanned A/F's within 20 mins of the city of course...
BFA
This was Sep 02 at SLC, so not sure if things have cooled down now.
Begs all the usual questions about the damage a little C172 can do or what-about-all-those-unmanned A/F's within 20 mins of the city of course...
BFA
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The reason for avionics off during engine start is because the starter motor generates powerful spikes, going up to a few hundred volts, for a few milliseconds.
There is even an ISO spec with the pulse shape which the [automotive] product has to withstand. It's not a problem to design to the spec. Needless to say, avionics designers have never seen this, and have no reason to, because the starter motors used in planes are totally different to ones in motor vehicles (actually they are identical)
Historically, most avionics would get blown up by the spike, though not always and perhaps not the first time.
The spike also gets coupled (inductively and capacitively) into nearby cabling and could get into avionics through onforeseen channels (if the wiring is badly routed).
A lot of seasoned pilots regularly going to big airports use a handheld radio to do the departure clearance and engine start calls, so they don't waste avgas.
There is even an ISO spec with the pulse shape which the [automotive] product has to withstand. It's not a problem to design to the spec. Needless to say, avionics designers have never seen this, and have no reason to, because the starter motors used in planes are totally different to ones in motor vehicles (actually they are identical)
Historically, most avionics would get blown up by the spike, though not always and perhaps not the first time.
The spike also gets coupled (inductively and capacitively) into nearby cabling and could get into avionics through onforeseen channels (if the wiring is badly routed).
A lot of seasoned pilots regularly going to big airports use a handheld radio to do the departure clearance and engine start calls, so they don't waste avgas.
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I'm still training at an A/G airfield which has regular parachuting.
I have always been taught to request engine start, turn off radios and then start, obviously turning radios back on after start.
It seems to be a good option to me due to parachutists and spinning blades not getting along particularly well
Whether this is particularly sensible at busier, ATC controlled fields is currently well outside my experience and I'd welcome guidance either way.
I have always been taught to request engine start, turn off radios and then start, obviously turning radios back on after start.
It seems to be a good option to me due to parachutists and spinning blades not getting along particularly well
Whether this is particularly sensible at busier, ATC controlled fields is currently well outside my experience and I'd welcome guidance either way.
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It seems to be a good option to me due to parachutists and spinning blades not getting along particularly well
However, if that is not the case, and I knew parachuting was taking place, I think I would rather have a quick glance upwards before startup.
I can think of at least one very popular parachuting location where the A/G operator would have no way of seeing whether there was anything above, below or around you to hinder a start so asking would be pretty pointless
.
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A quick glance up before startup in a PA28 will tell you precisely nothing.
A local A/D with an A/G service and parachuting which I frequent has the 'call for startup' rule when the paradropping a/c is in the air.
The Drop a/c has radio and the dropzone geezer on the ground are all on a/d frequency:
Start up will be approved while the drop a/c is climbing and the a/c self announces progress in the climb, time to drop etc.
Once the meatbombers have left the aeroplane no startup is allowed till all the canopies are down, which is announced by the dropzone chap.
It is simplicity itself to listen out on the back up Icom while all this is going on.........
Cusco
A local A/D with an A/G service and parachuting which I frequent has the 'call for startup' rule when the paradropping a/c is in the air.
The Drop a/c has radio and the dropzone geezer on the ground are all on a/d frequency:
Start up will be approved while the drop a/c is climbing and the a/c self announces progress in the climb, time to drop etc.
Once the meatbombers have left the aeroplane no startup is allowed till all the canopies are down, which is announced by the dropzone chap.
It is simplicity itself to listen out on the back up Icom while all this is going on.........
Cusco
