tips for flying the Caravan

[Princedietrich]

I think ive heard that story...

You probably have, I would imagine it's an Airnet legend by this point.

It's also the reason why the CP has a permanent place of honor at the top of my s#!^ list.

 

[Princedietrich]

Regarding the posting from Prince deitrick (sorry if I spelled it wrong) I am sure he has a story behind that statement. However, remember there are also spoilers on top of the wing assisting the lateral movement of the aircraft. lets face it, look at the bird, she is big and bulky, but she handles absolutely fine. You will find her harder to turn on the high end of the airspeed indicator. but you shouldnt be nose diving it into the runway at red line while turning anyway.

Yeah, perhaps I should have used different wording there. How about this: if you are used to flying more agile planes like Barons, do not try to fly a Van the same way you'd fly a Baron. I used to liken it to going from driving a sports care to driving a loaded Mack truck.

 

[BGSM]

C-208

Thanks for all the input, I was offered the job right after the flight!The van flys just like a C-182 very simple. I was going to try and hold out for an FO position in the corporate world but being unemployed and needing a job is another thing.Plus it seems like a great place to work the CP and owner were very nice and made sure that they stressed safety during the interview which I liked. The run is very very short so I won't build a lot of turbine time. I am not sure how well single turbine time will help me later down the road but I think its going to a good place to work!

 

[Princedietrich]

Congrats! Have a cold one! :beer:

 

[Flybet3]

Thanks for all the input, I was offered the job right after the flight!The van flys just like a C-182 very simple. I was going to try and hold out for an FO position in the corporate world but being unemployed and needing a job is another thing.Plus it seems like a great place to work the CP and owner were very nice and made sure that they stressed safety during the interview which I liked. The run is very very short so I won't build a lot of turbine time. I am not sure how well single turbine time will help me later down the road but I think its going to a good place to work!

Congrats!!! You'll love the Caravan, I know I did. I remember ever engine start, aahhh. Never got tired of that sound. Oh yeah, remember to keep fuel balance. And double check your flight controls.

 

[skydivinguy]

huh?

There is indeed, and it is an integral part of the reason why I'm a retired freight dawg now. For a case of beer I'll share it.


One more pearl of wisdom to BGSM. I'm not sure how in depth they're going to get in this flight check you're going to take, but keep a keen eye on that annunciator panel. If you see, or if the person administering the flight check mentions that you see, either the "Reservoir Fuel Low" light or the "Chip Detector" light there is only one acceptable course of action for either one. Drop whatever you are doing at that particular moment, declare an emergency, and get your butt to an airport NOW! There are good reasons why those particular indicators are refered to as the "OH S$%@!" lights.

You should probably pay attention to the warning horns before you get the res. low light.

I'm a mechanic with 13 years on Caravan only experience most with a Fedex feeder operation and have never heard of a chip light illuminating (outside of testing them on phases). PT6's are not metal makers like Garrett 331's.

 

[Princedietrich]

You should probably pay attention to the warning horns before you get the res. low light.

I'm a mechanic with 13 years on Caravan only experience most with a Fedex feeder operation and have never heard of a chip light illuminating (outside of testing them on phases). PT6's are not metal makers like Garrett 331's.

Couple of years ago there was a Caravan that went down near Omaha, the chip detector light blinked for a split second but it was enough to spook the pilot into doing an about-face back to the airport. As soon as he'd finished the turn the engine crapped out completely and he made a perfect deadstick landing onto a highway. From what I heard later, his accessory drive gave up and siezed the engine.

And the res low light isn't caused exclusively by poor fuel management. Murphy loves to find ways to block off those ports into the res tank, either completely cutting off flow or creating enough of a blockage so that it drains faster than it refills.

In short, never say never.

 

[skydivinguy]

That might do it (chip light), gear failure. It would take a piece of a gear or a serialized part to bridge the chip detector poles.....lol!

I've seen remnants of red rags in the firewall fuel filter too but the engine performance wasn't affected.

But I'll agree, never say never.

 

[Princedietrich]

Those were always my favorite two abnormals to throw out in the simulator. Sometimes the reactions to them are rather comical.

I gave one guy a chip detector light and he immediately started to deploy the standby flaps. After a couple seconds of headscratching I paused the sim and asked what on earth he was doing. "Well I've got a flap failure light," as he pointed at the amber annunciator staring him in the face. To give him credit, only the right half of the annunciator was lit up (it was one of those 2 sensor setups) so all he saw was P ECTOR

 

[fokkers&beer]

The Caravans alot of fun. As for the Single engine Turbine Time, well you know the old addage. A buck and a half and all that turbine time will buy a SMALL cup of coffee at Starbucks.
And pay attention to Skydivingguy, he knows his Caravans. He is the Caravan GURU in my book.