Disregard the checklist!!!

[apcooper]

I've noticed a lot of the early model Apaches and Aztec's only have one alternator and one Vac pump which make me think that the engine failure checklist could actually mislead you if your flying in IMC and you lose the engine that the vac pump is on. If you feather the prop then in addition to losing the engine you also would lose vac suction and therefore in IMC you would be flying single engine partial panel. If seems to be in this case it would be better to have a windmilling prop and accept a very slow driftdown since the windmilling prop probably could provide sufficient vac pressure. Am a going wrong. Have any of you ever thought about this or even had it happen. This seems like arare example of when following the checklist would hurt instead of help?

 

[Oakum_Boy]

In IMC, yeah. But a windmilling prop can kill you faster than not having a gyro. I wou;d put my money on the partial panel, knowing which instruments are going to fail, and when. Besides, a twin with an unfeathered prop will drop like a rock, won't it?

 

[apcooper]

I have found a windmilling prop creates slightly less drag than extended landing gear. Therefore if flying at 5000ft (around the S.E. ceiling) you probably will get about a 250fpm descent rate at the most. At VYSE of around 90 knots you will drift down at 250fpm and travel about 30nm. Actually you probably will a lot go a lot further since the 250fpm will only be initially and will steadily lessen as the air becomes thicker and the remaining engine puts out more power.

 

[Headwind]

My personal plane is an E model Aztec and owned a C model before. Been flying them over 15 years and have never seen one without 2 vac. pumps and 2 alternators. Not saying you're not correct, but never seen this. Some have only one hyd. pump. If Piper did make an Aztec like this who would buy it?

HEADWIND

 

[OrphicSeth]

The Apache! HA!

Expect a descent, feathered or windwilling. Windmilling will only compound your problems with an increased descent, airspeed loss, and increased yawing tendency. Oakum's got it.

Better yet, just stay outta the Apache in IMC.

 

[Cat Driver]

Unless your Apache is the Seguin Geronimo conversion then you can fly safely on one, unless you are in the mountains and then you may have drift down.

 

[Art Vandalay]

Better yet, just stay outta the Apache in IMC.

BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eric]

My Aztec C model only has one hydraulic pump, and it is on the left engine. I have never heard of an Aztec with only one alternator or vac. pump though.

who knows?

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

I had one, duel alts and vacuum. Only one hyd pump(Left). If you lost one very low, pull the power and land as in a single. If you had some altitude to play with, you had to let the prop windmill until the gear was up, then feather it. Had to have the altitude to trade for getting the gear up. (Worked in single engine practice with at least 500 feet to work with when you knew it was coming, In actual failure conditions I doubt I would try the retraction and go senario with less than 1000 feet or so AGL. Just use the good engine to control the off field touchdown.)

Mine was a 160 hp model with low time engines. It would climb on one if you were near sea level......very very slowly. When the book said vyse was a number...it meant that number, 2 or 3 knots (Or MPH as was the case in mine) either way and it would not do a thing. It did teach airspeed control on one engine for sure.

Slow beast, but lots of room and big comfy seats.......kind of like grandmas 1950's chair in the living room!!