Rookie airplane questions.

[Mcstealth]

1: Can you test an Auto pilot system in the hangar?

2: Owners states there is an engine heater on the Continental IO-520-K in his Bellanca. I find no reference in the POH. Where would I find type and operation of said heater. Owner has never used the heater and is worried he may blow up his panel if he plugged it in. 

David. 

[Fly Boomer]

Appears to be pilot operating handbook for an autopilot, not for Bellanca. Look in airplane POH or open cowling and look at engine.

[squeaky.stow]

Tanis is the most common manufacturer for engine preheaters. Not much to know. Just plug it in.

I found  user manual for mine here:

https://www.tanisaircraft.com/downloads-library

[Mcstealth]

44 minutes ago, Fly Boomer said:

Appears to be pilot operating handbook for an autopilot, not for Bellanca. Look in airplane POH or open cowling and look at engine.

This was in reference of my first question about auto pilots. I found this in the POH. 

[Fly Boomer]

OIC.  Apologies.

[Ragsf15e]

There’s usually a pre takeoff check for autopilots, so you can do that and make sure it engages, disconnects, turns left/right etc.  you pretty much have to fly it to be sure.  

engine heater is likely aftermarket so not in the poh, but generally includes just plugging it in.

[carusoam]

Often the POH gets an addendum for installed equipment….

Some autopilots get about a extra 30 pages describing all of their functions and how they work…

Maint. Logs probably detail the installation of the engine pre-heater….  How many heating elements and what type… some cylinder heaters go in the CHT sensor holes….

Does it have two block heaters or just the oil pan?

Does each cylinder have a heat ring on it?

Some cylinders don’t get the luxury of their own heater elements…

Got an engine monitor?  Turn it on (plug it in) check CHTs and OilT…. If they warm up, you have heat….

 

PP thoughts only,

-a-

[Mooney Dog]

2 hours ago, Mcstealth said:

1: Can you test an Auto pilot system in the hangar?

2: Owners states there is an engine heater on the Continental IO-520-K in his Bellanca. I find no reference in the POH. Where would I find type and operation of said heater. Owner has never used the heater and is worried he may blow up his panel if he plugged it in. 

 

 

1- AP tests are as easy as turning on the AP on the ground, putting it in heading mode, and seeing if it moves the controls.

2- Most engine heaters (iirc) are aftermarket and thus wont have many references in the POH. Most of them are the same as like engine block heaters, they plug in with an extension cord and just stay on as long as the cord (or internal sensor) is working. 

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, Mcstealth said:

1: Can you test an Auto pilot system in the hangar?

2: Owners states there is an engine heater on the Continental IO-520-K in his Bellanca. I find no reference in the POH. Where would I find type and operation of said heater. Owner has never used the heater and is worried he may blow up his panel if he plugged it in. 

David. 

 

Some people use this type of outlet and leave it plugged in whenever there's a chance of cold weather. 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J12Y2KV/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVkJTRjJNQjkyQVgyJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTU5OTU1MTJLMTdJUVdOWVZDMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTM3MjAxRUlJRVYyMlZGTFMzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfaHFwX3NoYXJlZCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

[GeeBee]

https://www.aviationconsumer.com/accessories/remote-heat-switching-wemo-smart-plugs-win/

Personally, I used forced hot air (AeroTherm Deuce) to keep my engine warm during winter. It heats the whole engine compartment and keeps it warm. No cold spots, no corrosion.

[Mcstealth]

On 1/22/2022 at 4:49 PM, Mooney Dog said:

1- AP tests are as easy as turning on the AP on the ground, putting it in heading mode, and seeing if it moves the controls.

2- Most engine heaters (iirc) are aftermarket and thus wont have many references in the POH. Most of them are the same as like engine block heaters, they plug in with an extension cord and just stay on as long as the cord (or internal sensor) is working. 

Okay. Look in the Century II book and see if it has ground procedures. It won't matter at all if we are on the ground, correct?

[Mooney Dog]

30 minutes ago, Mcstealth said:

Okay. Look in the Century II book and see if it has ground procedures. It won't matter at all if we are on the ground, correct?

Some may or may not have it, depending on the year it was made. For every AP though you should be able to turn them of and put them into heading mode and see if they try and chase the heading bug, and then if the AP disconnect works. That is a very simple ground test. 

[PT20J]

The two most important AP tests from a safety standpoint are to make sure all the disconnect means work properly and that you can manually overpower the servos. If it goes nuts (and sometimes they do) you need to be able to control the airplane while you shut it off.

Skip

[Mcstealth]

Another rookie question. 

What is the best way to determine if the Transponder is malfunctioning? I was at 3500ft on the altimeter but the transponder had "22" on the screen,  is why I ask. 

[KB4]

16 minutes ago, Mcstealth said:

Another rookie question. 

What is the best way to determine if the Transponder is malfunctioning? I was at 3500ft on the altimeter but the transponder had "22" on the screen,  is why I ask. 

If Garmin u will see box with “R” on right. Means it’s receiving.  Call ATC as “can you please verify you are getting my transponder data. “

[jaylw314]

5 hours ago, Mcstealth said:

Another rookie question. 

What is the best way to determine if the Transponder is malfunctioning? I was at 3500ft on the altimeter but the transponder had "22" on the screen,  is why I ask. 

What was your altimeter setting?  If it was something like 31.10 inHg it might have been accurate, your transponder outputs the current pressure altitude (that would admittedly be a pretty cold day!).  IOTW, if you set your altimeter to 29.92 inHg, the transponder and the altimeter should roughly agree.

Edited January 27, 2022 by jaylw314

[Mcstealth]

1 hour ago, jaylw314 said:

What was your altimeter setting?  If it was something like 31.10 inHg it might have been accurate, 

Well, I don't remember setting that high. Thank you for the lesson.