Former FAA aviation safety inspector thoughts

The point of Standy by Vac & electrical is very valid! I have
investigated many IFR accidents with no indication as to WHY!

No radio calls no nothing!

On site investigations show the engine(s) making plenty of power
trees with prop gashes in them so we know that the aircraft had
engine power! but the airplane in in a heap of twisted aluminum!

Reviewing the pilots log books and speaking with instructors showed
them competent.
yet a big hole in the ground and guts everywhere!

(I myself have had TWO total electrical outages in aircraft and TWO
vac pump outages! : when a Vac pump hits about 500 hours....watch
out!)


To this VERY DAY is still wonder what happened! the crashes with NO
ANSWERS! I think more pilots get smoked with the above outages
more than anything!

Couple heavy rain, bouncing around, corroded /loose connections and
you have a very serious problem!

Hand held GPS is good??? but when the suction cup antenna falls off
and your fumbling in the cockpit trying to reinstall it, weak
batteries /changing batteries YOU !! are asking BEGGING for
unusual attitudes and Vertigo!

Partial panel is a JOKE! as most turn Coordinators flop around the
damping fluid is dried up
the rotor is not up to speed

Reviewing many crash log books I can tell you that the 'lowly'
Turn Coordinator get changed only when its DEAD!

Yet when the Vac system is out YOUR life depends on an instrument
that gets almost no attention...... unless its DEAD!

As an aside, when was the last time ALL of the tubing in the Vaccum
system was replaced??? ALL TUBING! and flexible hoses????
filters????? the VAC pump????

Do you send out the Gyros for regular overhauls???

YOUR LIFE IS ON THE LINE...don't be CHEAP!

Have you EVER had a REAL true case of Vertigo!!!!!! in REAL
IFR?????

No heads down, 5 minute worth training bull****!! ....... FOR
REAL!!!! ..... it last a LONG time and produces exceedingly STRONG
feelings when you get it for REAL!

Let me tell you when you get a REAL good 'TRUE TO LIFE' case of
it......... Vertigo you are in the fight of your life! now throw
in some partial panel, portable GPS falling on the floor, suction
cup pops off the windshield and STRESS Your Pax asking questions
and getting ALARMED and agitated....... puking all over the place
You manage to get upside down

( only takes seconds) and you have HAD IT!...the Turn coordinator
will show wings LEVEL! yet the airspeed is going UP !!! altimeter
unwinding FAST You pull back and the airspeed INCREASES! now
Confusion??????????? brain lock??? panic... then VNE ...


Them some FAA & NTSB inspector like me at the crash site WONDERING
what happened!

If you fly IFR get a stand by vac system installed! no bull
****!..... get it done!

Even a $ 60 Venturi ( be aware of icing) system driving a second
Horizion gyro is BETTER than partial panel!

Thoughts????

Please: No 'macho' pilots... Just REAL pilots who understand
this stuff is serious!