Page 33 - COPA_July2023

The electronic ignition systems many of us have installed does not use an impulse coupling. I’m most familiar with the SureFly SIM I installed on my SR22 a couple of years ago. The electrical power source for the SIM is hard-wired to the aircraft’s main bat- tery, so it always has access to enough electrons to produce a full power spark. By design, the SIM needs to rotate a few times to determine if its rotation direction is correct and where the top center is for cylinder #1. It isn’t likely to fire just by moving the prop a few degrees to attach the tow bar. That said, the other ignition is still the old magneto with impulse coupling.
You’ve probably heard that turning the engine backward might damage the pneumatic pump. This is an incredibly remote possibility for most airplanes. Fortunately, it’s impossible on our Cirrus aircraft that don’t have pneumatic pumps. If you happen to be operating a plane with a pneumatic pump, and turning the prop backward damages the pump, you should be thankful that it failed on the ground. If it was in such bad shape that it would fail from turn- ing backward by hand, it was almost certain to fail during the next flight. I have a show-and-tell vacuum pump that I’ve been spinning backward for years, and it hasn’t failed yet. Turning the engine backward by hand will not harm the engine or engage the impulse coupling. Most importantly, it won’t do any harm to you.
Flight safety isn’t just about what is done while flying. It includes flight plan- ning, weather, preflight, maintenance, fueling, ground handling and everything about the event. An airplane is a compli- cated machine with a big spinning blade on the front that demands respect. My lesson learned, and now presented to you, is to avoid turning the prop. But if you must, please only turn it backward.
Copyright © Paul New 2023. All rights reserved.
4016490443
JETSHADES.COM
ULTRA-THINS FOR CIRRUS SR SERIES
For use while flying AND on the ramp!
Feel Confident Flying
in the Sun
Jet Shades
Gold standard sun protection for pilots, passengers, and your investment.
View from Outside
Plug & Play
Easy install. Reduce temps by15-25°F. No more foil guards when parked.
Coming to OSH‘23? Stop by for Show Specials!
View from Inside
booth
MADE IN THE USA
#3046 hangar c
Summer Flying in Total Comfort!
TO ADVERTISE IN
COPA Pilot
CONTACT
JENNA REID,
Advertising Sales Director
816-699-8634
[email protected]
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 7 31
TRACVOELPOAGUEC O RMNcEDRaniel
«