First Time in IMC and vacuum problem

On 1/2/05 8:46 AM, in article , "Jon
Kraus" wrote:


Here is what I'll do different next time:

1. Make sure that I have had the vacuum indicator "in the green" for
several minutes before departing to ensure that the gyros are spooled up.

2. Have the approach for returning to the airport loaded or in standby
just in case you need to return quickly. I did not do this and it added
needless stress loading everything.

It is true what they say:
"It is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, then
being in the air wishing you were on the ground"

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner


Congratulations Jon! Sounds like a "fun" flight.
We should all remember that aviation quotes are first written in blood and
tears.

It seems you're like me, you learn a few good items to add to that checklist
every time you fly. Happy new year and fly safe.
--
Jeff 'The Wizard of Draws' Bucchino

Cartoons with a Touch of Magic�
http://www.wizardofdraws.com

More Cartoons with a Touch of Magic�
http://www.cartoonclipart.com

"Jon Kraus" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the advice Gary. I am familiar with what a ASRS report is but
was wondering how to file one and why one is needed?

You can get the form and instructions at
http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/main_nf.htm. The ASRS program analyzes reports of
hazardous situations in order to figure out how to improve aviation safety.
(Their limited-immunity policy is an extra incentive to file reports when
pilots inadvertantly violate the FARs, but that aspect isn't pertinent in
this case.)

Yes I was below 700 feet when I cancelled my IFR plan. Thanks again!!

Cool. Pilots often get that wrong, canceling before they have the required
VFR cloud clearance in controlled airspace, and sometimes get busted for it.

--Gary

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner

Gary Drescher wrote:

"Jon Kraus" wrote in message
...

Glad it worked out. It would be useful to file an ASRS report of the
event.


Really after I "calmed" down and the AI started acting correctly I didn't
have any problems navigating in the clouds. I shot the ILS 36 and broke
out 1000 feet above the runway, canceled my IFR flight plan and made an
uneventful landing.


I hope you waited until you were below 700' AGL before canceling IFR. (If
not, that's another good reason for the ASRS report.)

--Gary

Once I calmed myself down it was "kinda" fun. I would have preferred to
have this happen after many flights in IMC though..

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner

Wizard of Draws wrote:

On 1/2/05 8:46 AM, in article , "Jon
Kraus" wrote:


Here is what I'll do different next time:

1. Make sure that I have had the vacuum indicator "in the green" for
several minutes before departing to ensure that the gyros are spooled up.

2. Have the approach for returning to the airport loaded or in standby
just in case you need to return quickly. I did not do this and it added
needless stress loading everything.

It is true what they say:
"It is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, then
being in the air wishing you were on the ground"

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner



Congratulations Jon! Sounds like a "fun" flight.
We should all remember that aviation quotes are first written in blood and
tears.

It seems you're like me, you learn a few good items to add to that checklist
every time you fly. Happy new year and fly safe.

On Sun, 02 Jan 2005 15:35:59 GMT, Jon Kraus wrote:

Thanks for the advice Gary. I am familiar with what a ASRS report is but
was wondering how to file one and why one is needed?

Hey Jon,

Go to http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/forms.htm for the form and instructions on
how to file one.

Allen

Gary Drescher wrote:
Cool. Pilots often get that wrong, canceling before they have the required
VFR cloud clearance in controlled airspace, and sometimes get busted for
it.

I hear it here (SJC) at bunch. GA plane gets a IFR to VFR on top, and
reports: "OK, we just broke out, tops 2400, cancel IFR" - something like
that. When I get that clearance, I feel bad spending more than a minute in
perfect visibility while the 'big iron' sits on the ground at SJC, but it's
the rules and it does prevent one of those 'big-irons' climbing into me (or
at least helps prevents it).

Hilton

My guess is you have a failing vacuum pump. It might have been acting up
then corrected itself during flight once you had full RPM. Even if the
vacuum is below green during idle, it should not take more than a few
seconds to bring the gryos to full speed at takeoff power. I would
definitely have the vacuum system checked out.





(Paul Tomblin) wrote in news:cr8uan$4n2$1
@allhats.xcski.com:

In a previous article, Jon Kraus said:
1. Make sure that I have had the vacuum indicator "in the green" for
several minutes before departing to ensure that the gyros are spooled up.

2. Have the approach for returning to the airport loaded or in standby
just in case you need to return quickly. I did not do this and it added
needless stress loading everything.

It couldn't hurt to have a mechanic look at your vacuum system.

"Gary Drescher" wrote in message =
...
"Jon Kraus" wrote in message=20
=20
Yes I was below 700 feet when I cancelled my IFR plan. Thanks again!!
=20
Cool. Pilots often get that wrong, canceling before they have the =
required=20
VFR cloud clearance in controlled airspace, and sometimes get busted =
for it.
=20
--Gary


You might be referencing that odious piece of fiction from (I think) =
IFR.
Someone (I forget who) fabricated such a circumstance and wrote a
magazine article about it as though it really happened a couple years =
ago.
I think that was unforgivably dishonest journalism.
It's OK to write about observing rules concerning IFR cancellations,
but I object to sensationalizing *fictitious* enforcement actions.

Dry vacuum pumps normally fail catastrophically by shattering their
graphite vanes. Personally, I've never detected warning signs other =
than
gradually accumulating carbon dust around the pump outlets.
When I see that, I schedule pump replacement without waiting for =
failure.

Jon's doing right by getting the whole vacuum system checked.
He could have a clogged filter, a small leak, or even a bad gyro =
bearing.

"Andrew Sarangan" wrote in message =
1...
=20
My guess is you have a failing vacuum pump. It might have been acting =
up=20
then corrected itself during flight once you had full RPM. Even if =
the=20
vacuum is below green during idle, it should not take more than a few=20
seconds to bring the gryos to full speed at takeoff power. I would=20
definitely have the vacuum system checked out.

(Paul Tomblin) wrote in news:cr8uan$4n2$1
@allhats.xcski.com:
=20
In a previous article, Jon Kraus said:
1. Make sure that I have had the vacuum indicator "in the green" for =

several minutes before departing to ensure that the gyros are spooled =
up.

2. Have the approach for returning to the airport loaded or in =
standby=20
just in case you need to return quickly. I did not do this and it =
added=20
needless stress loading everything.
=20
It couldn't hurt to have a mechanic look at your vacuum system.
=20

I think I'll get this IFR thing more practice first. This incident
helped cement the fact that I don't know diddly about IFR flight. But
for the grace of God that I got down safely. Have you been solo IMC yet.
It is quite a rush (even without the instrument issue)

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner

Cecil Chapman wrote:
GREAT JOB!!! Sounds like you did just fine despite having 'this is NOT a
simulation' flashing in your brain GRIN

So, when are you going to get your CFII... sounds like your instructor did
you right! :0)

I think I'll get this IFR thing more practice first. This incident
helped cement the fact that I don't know diddly about IFR flight. But
for the grace of God that I got down safely. Have you been solo IMC yet?
It is quite a rush (even without the instrument issue)

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
Student Mooney Owner

Cecil Chapman wrote:
GREAT JOB!!! Sounds like you did just fine despite having 'this is NOT a
simulation' flashing in your brain GRIN

So, when are you going to get your CFII... sounds like your instructor did
you right! :0)