Monthly Archives: February 2013

HXT Engine Replacement Options

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A decision has to be made as to which engine option shall be chosen for HXT to allow for a smooth transition once it will no longer run on condition.

The Aircraft Maintenance Committee met to discuss the various options.  After a discussion, the following two options were the most popular with Option 1 with the 180hp conversion being selected as first choice by the majority of committee members.

  • Option 1: Air Plains 180hp conversion.  All new parts, Zero time, 2yr warranty.  2550lb gross, 1050lb useful load.  Factory new propeller.
  • Option 2: Factory rebuilt 150hp engine.  Rebuilt to new spec, Zero time, 2yr warranty.  2300lb gross, 834 useful load.

The following provides more information on each option, providing advantages of each.

Option 1: Air Plains 180hp Conversion which includes a factory-new 180hp O-360 Lycoming, conversion kit and STC.

  • The 180hp engine is a brand new factory engine and factory-new propeller.  It’s the same engine conversion as was installed in ZHQ over 20 years ago when the club acquired it.  However, this new engine features roller-tappets which enhance reliability.
  • Useful load increases from 834 lbs to approximately 1050 lbs, similar to ZHQ’s usefulThis comes via the gross weight increase from 2300lbs to 2550lbs.  As members gain weight, the extra load will be more tolerant and allow more flexibility.

Reference: The current useful load of HXT is 832 pounds.  The average weight of an AFC member is over 200 pounds.  With full complement of passengers, this leaves room for approximately 34lbs of fuel (slightly over 1/2hr) with no baggage or survival gear.  With full fuel of 288 pounds (over 4hrs), the remaining useful load of HXT with the existing 2300lb gross weight and 150hp engine is around 544 pounds for passengers and baggage.  With a 150hp engine, HXT is essentially a 2 or 3-person aircraft, depending on mission flown and passenger weights.

  • For any given payload up to HXT’s existing limit, the 180hp option can offer a higher cruise speed, better climb rate and shorter take-off due to the extra 30hp.
  • The additional 30hp and gross weight increase to 2550lbs gives a direct increase the aircraft’s capabilities:
  • Better performance makes the aircraft safer to fly in the mountains and short strips with obstacles such as Rowena’s.
  • HXT comes with long-range fuel tanks which would work well with the 180hp option and increased gross weight.
  • Increased aircraft capability could translate into increased use such as longer cross-country trips.
  • Aircraft could realize an increase in value as a result of its increased capability.

Option 2: Factory Zero-time Rebuilt 150hp Engine

  • The 150hp engine is a factory Zero Time Rebuilt engine (rebuilt to new specifications) that includes a 2-year warranty.
  • Going with the 150hp rebuilt engine would save the club $20,000 versus going with the 180hp option.
  • With the 150hp engine, the hull value is lower by approximately $20,000 which will make insurance slightly cheaper.
  • At max power setting, the fuel burn of the 150hp engine is lower than the 180hp engine. Estimates based on historical experience show the savings to be approximately 1 gph, depending on how the engine is managed in flight.  However, if each engine is operated at same power output, fuel burn should be virtually identical.

Considerations for Purchasing in the Short Term (as of Feb. 2013)

Potential Tax Savings by March 31

  • Given updates to the way tax is charged and billed in BC, the club may save approximately $2800 on tax if the purchase is made by March 31st.  This is based on the approximate figure of $50,000 for the purchase.

NOTE:  The above figures are not exact and are approximations for purpose of illustration only.

Current Club Finances

  • The club has a relatively low cash reserve right now as a result of being impacted by the unexpected replacement of ZHQ’s engine.  The low reserve only has an impact if the engine purchase is to be made before the club can build the reserves back up to cover potential liabilities such as prepaid hangar rent.  If that is the case, the 150hp option would impact the finances less than the 180hp option.  However, waiting for the reserves to reach a higher level may be worth consideration if the 180hp option is the popular choice.

References:

Aircraft Ditching, Underwater Egress & Sea Survival Training

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AFC members and other pilots in the area regularly fly over open water.  Many of us have enjoyed the views of the ocean while flying for a quick hop over to Victoria or Nanaimo, or the rivers or lakes below us while flying inland.  However, how many of us are really prepared if something goes wrong over the water?

“Underwater egress training is invaluable for any pilot who flies regularly over water, regardless of the type of aircraft flown. As a matter of fact, passengers or non pilot crews who also fly regularly over water should consider underwater escape training”.

Transport Canada Aviation Safety Letter, Issue 2/98

“Given that the physical impediments associated with escaping from a submerged seaplane are often not insurmountable, it is likely that many people do not escape because they are not adequately prepared to do so.”

Damien Lawson, Transportation Safety Board

In order to help support safe flying, the Abbotsford Flying Club, in conjunction with Pro Aviation of Langley, is pleased to arrange for group training in Aircraft Ditching , Underwater, and Sea Survival Egress training.  

The intent of this course is to prepare you for a water landing, using a realistic, but safe and controlled, simulated environment.  Note that this training is not just of benefit to pilots – if you are a passenger in a small aircraft that flies over water, we encourage you to attend! 

Course Content: 

Morning – Classroom Lecture

– Ditching scenarios, controlled / uncontrolled

– Ditching procedures and techniques

– Aircraft egress, dry and wet

– Survival equipment (aircraft and personal)

– Sea survival techniques

– Passenger safety

– Escape trainer briefing

 

Afternoon – Pool Exercises

– Life vest demo             – inflation          

-swimming 

– Life raft drill                  -inflation             

-boarding

-equipment and use       

-righting from inverted position 

– Underwater escape trainer – inverted scenarios:

-normal egress, door removed

-normal egress, door installed

-one exit inoperable       

 -night ditching

 

Dates:

We currently have sessions booked for April 7th and 14th.  Depending on the demand from members and others, there may be additional sessions added. 

 

Cost:

The tuition is $270 + H.S.T. per person. 

 

Location:

All sessions will be held in Langley. The morning classroom session will start at 8:30 a.m. in the Murrayville Community Room, located at 100-22071 48 Avenue, between the Murrayville Library and liquor store. The afternoon pool session will be held one block away, at the W.C. Blair Recreation Centre located at 22200 Fraser Highway in Langley. 

 

Note for pilots – For private pilots, the classroom presentation is approved by Transport Canada to satisfy the Canadian Aviation Regulations CARs 401.05 (2)(a) Recency Requirement for recurrent training. 

 

Session Notes:

Participants MUST be in good health and physically capable to participate in pool exercises.

During the pool exercises, participants are asked to wear what they would normally wear in the aircraft. They should bring either a flight suit or jeans and a sweatshirt, clean footwear, a towel and plastic bag to store the clothes in afterwards. The pool session starts after lunch so there is no need to bring pool clothes to the morning session.

There is an approximately one hour break for lunch. Participants are responsible for their own lunch and there are numerous restaurants close by (one block away) like A & W, Quiznos, Panago Pizza, Ricky’s, and a deli at the IGA Marketplace.

 

References:

A video from Discovery Channel, covering the course, is available here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fhy672t-ks&feature=BFa&list=UL4pA01NVUPuw&index=2

 

More information on the course is available here:  http://www.proaviation.ca/Egress.html

 

Please use the Add Comment form below if interested and specify your preferred date (April 7 or April 14) :