NAME YOUR BRIEF

1
E-2C NATOPS UPDATE (NFM IC5 MISC)
LT Matt Noodle Ventimiglia E-2C Pilot Program
Manager 4 August 2008
2
Procedural Updates

• NFM IC5 / PCL IC2 / FCFCL IC4
• Fail to Feather
• Airstart Prop Failed to Unfeather
• Trim click/tactile feedback
• Pitch Feel System Malfunction
• Runaway Longitudinal Trim
• Controllability Check
• Misc
• Future updates/issues

3
Fail to Feather

• New memory items
• Try to exercise every linkage electrical means
  of feather then try override last so EPC aux pump
  cutout logic doesnt hose you
• Discuss when to execute Not in NATOPS at the
  end of each shutdown procedure One or Two prop
  pump lights but think of it as such

4
Fail to Feather

• Understand difference between Fail to Fx with a
  pressurized system vs. unpressurized prop system
• If system is unpressurized, windmilling prop
  characteristics in Chapter 12 are still valid
  (based on aero model only)
• If system is pressurized, expect the worst, a
  hydraulically locked and unknown blade angle
  (Chapter 12 description in work)

5
Fail to Feather

• Procedure does not differentiate between
  pressurized vs. unpressurized, but it cant hurt
  to try either way
• Altitudes are based on pilot concurrence, not
  engineering data
• Exercising CBs cleans contacts (Warning still
  valid for popped CBs)

6
Fail to Feather (last warning clarification)

• If unable to perform controllability check,
  turning aircraft into windmilling engine not
  recommend b/c could mask Vmc issues
• Could make a controlled turn but then not be able
  to roll out from it
• If in extremis to maneuver, you could turn into
  windmilling engine ( use this to your advantage)
  but be careful understand what youre getting
  yourself into
• VAW-125 may not have made runway if turn to final
  was a right turn

7
Airstart Prop Failed to Unfeather

• Overhead CBs matter too
• FEATHER SOL CB (OVHD) goes to aux pump control
  relay
• PROP FEATHER CB (MPDP/MPDB) goes to aux pump
  itself
• FEATHER CB (OVHD) goes to Cond Lvr Fx, Cond Lvr
  Airstart, T-handle Fx relays

8
Trim Click/Tactile Feedback

• Click not just a nice to have, it is a design
  spec of switch
• Click is means of verifying switch integrity
  proper metal-to-metal contact within the switch
• Switches without click have increased likelihood
  of complete failure/runaway
• Still fly to fail (i.e. not replaced during
  phase), but now only being replaced with new
  switches

9
Pitch Feel System Malfunction

• 80 kt delta recognition understanding very
  important
• Only problems when PF airspeed more than 80 kts
  slower than IAS
• Light longitudinal control forces leading to
  over-control, reduced pitch damping, and/or
  uncommanded oscillations in warning are due to
  nature of control linkages, bungees, feel
  springs, etc.

10
Pitch Feel System Malfunction

• To keep plane flying as normal as possible,
  match airspeeds in all regimes of flight
  neutralize forces with elevator trim.
• Unbacklit in Step 3 Note means normal video
• Thought this to be easiest language to understand
  in emergency, let me know if its confusing

11
Pitch Feel System Malfunction

• Per current MESM, PF working in manual only is
  considered full up aircraft
• There is no NATOPS procedure on how to safely
  execute a takeoff with PF in manual (in
  development)
• At SEG in July, decision was made to L code
  (day/VMC only) PF working in manual in next MESM
  (awaiting AIR FORCES CNO approval)

12
Runaway Longitudinal Trim

• Adds the 80 kt PF/IAS split warning
• If PF airspeeds above 220 kts are required to
  neutralize control forces, its possible to run
  it up that high without engaging the 2 degree
  stops (pull MAX RUD CONT CB in OVHD CB panel)

13
Controllability Check

• Although the basic principles are understood,
  this serves to aid aircrew in duress
• Many military civilian procedures were
  referenced
• Understanding 1st sentence is key
• Purpose of check is to determine safe, acceptable
  approach configuration landing airspeed, not
  Vmc.

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Controllability Check

• The term VFR in step 2 was used instead of VMC
  (visual meteorological conditions) so that VMC
  wasnt confused with Minimum Control Airspeed.
• If there are specific things to consider (Vmc for
  windmilling prop, longitudinal forces with PF as
  elevator trim), they are in the specific
  procedure, not the controllability check.

15
Controllability Check

• VAW-120 is developing procedures for a Vmc
  demonstration
• Pilots have reported that although the
  indications were what they expected during the
  demo, that they felt they would sooner recognize
  an actual situation where Vmc is reached better
  recover from it
• Will pass procedures to fleet soon

16
Straight-in PEL

• Specific numbers not in NATOPS may never be due
  to number of variables
• If you do a straight-in PEL for a controllability
  issue (probably better idea than doing a circling
  PEL), recommend that the goal be to use minimum
  power, not no power
• Dont turn emergency landing into bigger
  emergency by crossing threshold higher/faster
  than determined/required

17
Straight-in PEL

• Try a few
• A decent starting point for training 1,500 ft
  for every 2.5 DME (5 NM, 3,000 feet)
• Considerations
• If you get very high/fast on profile, changing
  configuration and/or slipping will likely
  exacerbate controllability issue
• Winds
• Fuel State
• A-gear
• Rwy Length
• Weather
• GNS-530 VNAV function to help

18
Mechanical Feather

• After shutdown, if 12 sec elapses from time
  you turn PROP BATT switch on until you push in
  the FEATHER SOL CB, will need to use the FEATH
  ORIDE switch to override the 12 second aux pump
  cutout logic (change in work)
• Some have voiced concern about turbine wear I
  assure you this question was raised all
  engineers confirm no more wear than normal LSGI
  shutdown

19
Future Updates/Issues

• Safety coupling description
• Chapter 12 Windmilling Propeller
  Characteristics with a Pressurized Propeller
  System
• Better Flight Control Malfunction Procedure

20
Questions / Feedback / Ideas

• Contact LT Matt Ventimiglia
• matthew.ventimiglia_at_navy.mil
• Work 757-445-4549
• Cell 757-575-8280
• Updates can be downloaded from Airworthiness
  website (NFM, PCL, FCFCL have been updated)
• https//airworthiness.navair.navy.mil/