Survived Engine Out this morning.

[Magnifan]

Hi Len, I wasn't meaning to be critical at all, I think that you handled the situation amazingly well. I just believe that the whole idea of having this forum is for us all to learn from events such as these.

It is always difficult to decide when to call off a flight especially when you are with a group of other aircraft all warmed up and ready to go. I remember in Botswana when my Gyro gave me a few warning signs that something was wrong and it took an aborted take-off 5m from the crocodiles to discover that one of my mags was dead, not to speak of setting off for Carnarvon with a dead radio despite the fact that I had not heard anyone transmitting and a Cessna had overshot me on finals when I came in to land at Morningstar. I'd better stop now or I might ground myself!

[Vertical Tango]

Few years back, I had a Magni as well as someone else I was sharing a hangar with. The other Magni occured a bent crankshaft on take-off due to the Turbo opening and closing constantly with 2 or 3 secs cycles. He managed to land back and could not turn the prop by hand. Typical symptom of a bent crankshaft. R70,000 later (8 years ago !), the serviced engine was installed back, first take-off same scenario ! Noone checked the electronics ! It turned out to be a connector fault and an expensive lesson. Since that day, every 50 hours at service time, every connector that I can see and reach is unplugged, sprayed with a water repulsive oil spray, reconnected many times to brake up any corrosion that might be there, sprayed again to flush out any dirt. It is may be an extra hour in your service routine, but very worthwhile. We forget that the 914 is very electronic and a lack of signal creates a mechanical confusion.
I am surprised that in Len's case, the error in wiring in the TCU lights with the Charger light could not be noticed long ago. The TCU lights switch on and off at ignition after few seconds and the servo cycle, while the Charge light switches off only when the engine is running. Unless I misunderstood ?

[Spatzi69]

Let me get this straight! A 914 does not have a mechanical fuel pump?

[Magnifan]

'fraid so!

[Spatzi69]

Why not a mechanical backup at least? Rattex weet jy, well my new aerie has got one in again, guess its my own fault then!

[FO Gyro]

See page 1 of this thread discussing why no mechanical fuel pump on a 914.

[Gyronaut]

Hi Len, I wasn't meaning to be critical at all

Jonathan, I have flown too many hours with you, had too many intelligent discussions with you (well intelligent from your side ) had too many drinks with you and had too many memorable times with you to even begin to contemplate your comments as critical mate.

I agree with you, the purpose of this forum is for all of us to continue learning, which I believe we do!

Viva Aviation Comrades, Viva the forum and Viva Gyro's

[Spatzi69]

Hey Len
If you ever get tierd of you gyro, you know who to phone !

Cheers guys, enjoy and be safe!