Comments on: what happens if the electric and vacuum fail? http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/ Mon, 21 May 2012 21:17:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: skywayman@ymail.com http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2316 skywayman@ymail.com Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:57:55 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2316 I'm assuming you mean your electric and vacuum-powered gyros fail, and not the entire electrical system. The first thing you should do is FLY THE AIRPLANE! Stay out of unusual attitudes and assess your situation. Then, do your best to navigate, and finally, communicate your problems to ATC. The following instruments should still be working: Airspeed Altimeter VSI Mag Compass Fortunately, these instruments will provide you will everything you'll need. You're in IMC, so you're on an IFR flight plan and likely talking to ATC . . . if you're in a non-radar environment, tough luck. Radio in your equipment failures as required by the FARs. Eliminate all dead instruments from your scan. ATC will give you vectors that you must turn to on the mag compass; be sure to undershoot turns to northerly headings and overshoot turns to southerly headings (in the northern hemisphere; reverse this pneumonic south of the equator). When you are close enough to an airport, you could receive a no-gyro approach, or maybe even fly a PAR (ATC tells you when to turn and descend down to the runway). Ultimately, for a proficient, current, prepared, and level-headed pilot, these failures should not amount to an accident.<a href="http://www.healthstorebargains.com/srch/srch.php?q=Circulation"> skywayman@ymail.com</a> I’m assuming you mean your electric and vacuum-powered gyros fail, and not the entire electrical system.
The first thing you should do is FLY THE AIRPLANE! Stay out of unusual attitudes and assess your situation. Then, do your best to navigate, and finally, communicate your problems to ATC.
The following instruments should still be working:

Airspeed
Altimeter
VSI
Mag Compass

Fortunately, these instruments will provide you will everything you’ll need.

You’re in IMC, so you’re on an IFR flight plan and likely talking to ATC . . . if you’re in a non-radar environment, tough luck. Radio in your equipment failures as required by the FARs. Eliminate all dead instruments from your scan. ATC will give you vectors that you must turn to on the mag compass; be sure to undershoot turns to northerly headings and overshoot turns to southerly headings (in the northern hemisphere; reverse this pneumonic south of the equator). When you are close enough to an airport, you could receive a no-gyro approach, or maybe even fly a PAR (ATC tells you when to turn and descend down to the runway).

Ultimately, for a proficient, current, prepared, and level-headed pilot, these failures should not amount to an accident. skywayman@ymail.com

]]> By: Mark http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2315 Mark Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:00:38 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2315 Fly east or west using the magnetic compass, and descend during daylight before low on fuel.<a href="http://www.proofficesupply.com/boise-office-supply.htm"> Mark</a> Fly east or west using the magnetic compass, and descend during daylight before low on fuel. Mark

]]> By: Techwing http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2314 Techwing Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:17:57 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2314 If all your instruments fail (which is pretty much the case if you have neither vacuum nor electricity), and you are in IMC, you'll probably be killed. You need instruments to fly safely in IMC, which is why it's called IMC. Even the best IFR pilots cannot survive more than a few minutes in IMC with no instruments, and they certainly cannot land safely. It's possible to safely land under IFR after isolated failures of certain instruments (a partial panel), but not when everything fails at once. Make sure your aircraft is well maintained and in good condition before you depart, and carry out your preflight checks carefully.<a href="http://www.businessbrokersguide.com/indiana-business-broker.htm"> Techwing</a> If all your instruments fail (which is pretty much the case if you have neither vacuum nor electricity), and you are in IMC, you’ll probably be killed. You need instruments to fly safely in IMC, which is why it’s called IMC. Even the best IFR pilots cannot survive more than a few minutes in IMC with no instruments, and they certainly cannot land safely.

It’s possible to safely land under IFR after isolated failures of certain instruments (a partial panel), but not when everything fails at once.

Make sure your aircraft is well maintained and in good condition before you depart, and carry out your preflight checks carefully. Techwing

]]> By: Rick http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2313 Rick Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:57:21 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2313 It's called needle, ball and airspeed, you'll learn about this taking lessons.<a href="http://www.secretfinance.com/offshore/offshore-corporations.htm"> Rick</a> It’s called needle, ball and airspeed, you’ll learn about this taking lessons. Rick

]]> By: Captain J http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2312 Captain J Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:28:34 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2312 If the electric and your vacuum fail it means that your floor will not be clean!..lol just kidding. In reality, this is unlikely to happen. if it does there are limited solutions left for you once your plane is completely dead. Scenario: You are cruising along in IMC when you notice your ammeter is moving in a direction it usually never does. Make your plans, start load shedding unnecessary items, such as strobes, a com, or nav, beacons, etc. If you can get out of IMC..do it! If not get on a diversion and shoot an approach and get down somewhere before it becomes a hassle. There is your electric scenario. If it fails completely..keep flying your last assigned if possible. look for VFR Vacuum system: if this fails it is normally pretty gradual (happened to me a few times in old pipers) You can still keep a handle on your plane if you first keep your cool, use your resources. Compass, turn and bank/slip (the ball will help) all of these can keep you from doing anything to yourself...unless it is a rare case of a rough ride and you just get disoriented.... A backup gps is no good to you,even if it was working if you lose your vacuum system. One of the best things a pilot can have in his recip bird, engine driven vacuum system, with an electric back up attitude indicator.<a href="http://www.currencyexchangemarket.com/international-currency-exchange-rate.htm"> Captain J</a> If the electric and your vacuum fail it means that your floor will not be clean!..lol just kidding. In reality, this is unlikely to happen. if it does there are limited solutions left for you once your plane is completely dead.

Scenario: You are cruising along in IMC when you notice your ammeter is moving in a direction it usually never does. Make your plans, start load shedding unnecessary items, such as strobes, a com, or nav, beacons, etc. If you can get out of IMC..do it! If not get on a diversion and shoot an approach and get down somewhere before it becomes a hassle. There is your electric scenario. If it fails completely..keep flying your last assigned if possible. look for VFR

Vacuum system: if this fails it is normally pretty gradual (happened to me a few times in old pipers) You can still keep a handle on your plane if you first keep your cool, use your resources. Compass, turn and bank/slip (the ball will help) all of these can keep you from doing anything to yourself…unless it is a rare case of a rough ride and you just get disoriented….

A backup gps is no good to you,even if it was working if you lose your vacuum system.

One of the best things a pilot can have in his recip bird, engine driven vacuum system, with an electric back up attitude indicator. Captain J

]]> By: Robert http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2311 Robert Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:20:00 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2311 Above all, you must maintain control of the aircraft. But is that all that has happened? If you are in controlled airspace, and radio and transponder are still operational, the tower can get you down. If you can't establish radio contact, but can still maintain flight, be looking for a safe place to land if no available airport is nearby. It could be something as simple as a tripped breaker. Maintain control of the aircraft, check the POH.<a href="http://www.popwebshop.com/home/"> Robert</a> Above all, you must maintain control of the aircraft.
But is that all that has happened? If you are in controlled airspace, and radio and transponder are still operational, the tower can get you down. If you can’t establish radio contact, but can still maintain flight, be looking for a safe place to land if no available airport is nearby.
It could be something as simple as a tripped breaker. Maintain control of the aircraft, check the POH. Robert

]]> By: yvona http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-2310 yvona Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:30:50 +0000 http://www.batterybackupguide.com/blog/what-happens-if-the-electric-and-vacuum-fail/#comment-2310 if they fail at the same time, maybe you blew a fuse? Check your fuse box and see...<a href="http://www.familylawmadeeasy.com/family-law-act.htm"> yvona</a> if they fail at the same time, maybe you blew a fuse? Check your fuse box and see… yvona

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