Ok is my instructor messing with me?

[ce750drvr]

It just sounded like you were saying that knowing the systems was pointless which, coming from an ATP I was like "wtf?" But along the same lines, ya knowing the number of "resevoirs" for the hyd systems is bascially just trivial (I refuse to say it's pointless though!)... luckily for me a situation that becomes unmanagable I can just pull a handle, which I got today on an EP sim with a trim runaway, which turned into a hyd leak somehow, which turned into a fire... screw this I'm getting out....

Knowing the systems is not pointless, in my eyes it is a must to have a working knowledge. Some have better memory than others, so learning EVERYTHING is impossible for most. That is why FSI wants you to learn annunciators, memory items and limitations. So, learning stuff like "how many tanks" just serves to take up memory of a one gigabyte brain like mine.

I understand where you are coming from though, it just boils down to technique and opinion of what you choose to learn and choose to teach. As long as the end result is the same and the PTS are flown within limits, teach away my friend.

Take care.

 

[rcsimpson]

Ok, how many systems on the 172S function by hydraulics? If any, name them.

I'm not being a wise ass, I too was asked this after being grilled for an hour about EVERYTHING on the 172S. Every antenna, hole, rivet, etc.

By the way, I got the answer right . . . .

 

[bobbysamd]

172 Fuel System

Two fuel tanks, one in each wing. And, a 172 has but two wings. I never flew an "S" model 172.

I never heard of a "collector" tank in a 172, after learning to fly in one, having umpteen hundreds of hours in them instructing and otherwise, and having given hypertechnical ERAU stage checks in them.

Asking questions about total and usable fuel is entirely legitimate.

Some Riddle stage check pilots asked about rivets, but I never did. A better question would be would you fly the airplane if it was missing rivets or Dzus fasteners.

 

[JediNein]

Yeah yeah yeah, the CFI is an idiot.

Next question after the student returns with the answer from the POH (and only certain models of 172s have the third tank, 182s and 206s do):

Is there a potential problem if we drain the fuel vent before the wing fuel tanks?

Answer: Yes. Water in the wing tanks can be drawn into the reservoir tank by sumping the vent before the wings. This could cause engine roughness in the runup, or, a complete engine failure on takeoff. Great fun.

Yep. That CFI is an absolute idiot for asking the first question and an even larger one for asking the second one. He asked a question that might, someday, be really important to one of his students. His current student owes the CFI a 6-pack.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[N4niner206]

One has to ask.... do those OTHER ERAU check pilots count the rivets before each flight during their preflight?? I agree totally with your point... the more valid question revolves around WHAT-IF one of those rivets was missing.

Some questions I agree can be beneficial in the learning environment. But when it comes to the number or rivets... thats about as trivial as they come! If a rivet was missing, you'd notice without having to count them. Doubt that number is even published in a POH or PIM.

My favorite question I ever heard from an instructor... back before my first flight in a Piper Arrow... was "What is this thing?" (pointing to the little knob on the right side of the rear fuselage, which was actually a hook-point to latch the strap which holds up the baggage compartment door). I remember when I did not know, my instructor jokingly claimed that it was the "valve stem" on which the pilot could blow on, to "pressurize" the cabin.

I'd be lying if I didn't 'recycle' that little joke on new students myself

 

[Lead Sled]

After racking my brain.. the only thing I can think of would be the shimmy dampener... but I don't know if that had hyd fluid in it..

Whats the answer?

Patmack...
Don't forget the brakes.

'Sled

 

[rcsimpson]

Bingo. Lead Sled nailed it . . . You smush on the pedal that smushes on the fluid that makes your calipers "calip" . . .

 

[ROB-x38]

Could you classify the nosewheel oleo as hydraulic or is it pneumatic?

 

[Goose Egg]

Geeze folks, do we all have an aversion to looking stuff up? Some of us are getting awfully defensive about actually having to know things about airplanes.

Now, the question itself was sort of ambiguous (which is not entirely a bad thing), but it should be viewed as an opportunity to learn. Incomplete knowledge can be hazardous.

-Goose

 

[bobbysamd]

172 nose strut

Could you classify the nosewheel oleo as hydraulic or is it pneumatic?

Bearing in mind what Goose wrote above, I'd say pneumatic. For one thing, you have to inflate it. Secondly, no fluids are being pushed through lines to make it operate.