If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Inside the Cowling Fire / Heat Detector?
How about your nose?
Fortunately, I've never had a fire in an airplane - flying or not. However, a few years ago I was flying along at economy cruise (fairly low altitude, as I was enjoying the scenery), when suddenly something smelled hot. No smoke, but something obviously was amiss. Of course I headed for the nearest airport. After landing and shutting down, an inspection soon revealed the source of the smell - scorched paint on the cowling. It seems that the left exhaust collector had blown out a hole the size of a quarter on the side nearest the cowling. Needless to say, that event could have produced much more excitement than it did. Another time on a trip in severe clear weather I decided to descend - once again to get a better look at the scenery. After leveling off (at 2500 feet, as I recall), I noticed that it had suddenly become very hot in the airplane. It smelled hot - and the air coming out of the footwell vents was too hot to hold my hand in front of. Again, I headed for the nearest airport and landed - and took off the top cowling to see what was going on. There was nothing wrong with the airplane. It seems that I had descended into an inversion layer that must have had temps of 110 degrees or more (believe it or not this was in Oregon, and I landed at Astoria). That day it was 114 in Portland! It was so hot in the motel I stayed in (no air conditioning - they don't need it there - ha ha), that everybody sat outside until late in the evening. Bottom line - if something is too hot in the engine compartment of a single (front engine, of course), you will know about it at once! David Johnson |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
David Johnson wrote: How about your nose? I started smoking at about 15. Quit at about 40. After that, a skunk can walk by and I won't know it. George Patterson None of us is as dumb as all of us. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message ...
David Johnson wrote: How about your nose? I started smoking at about 15. Quit at about 40. After that, a skunk can walk by and I won't know it. Someday the FAA will refuse to give medicals to people with Tobacco additions just as they do to people with heroin additions. At least heroin is easier to kick. -Robert |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Painting and air cooled motor? | CitizenX | Home Built | 5 | June 30th 04 12:47 PM |
Inside the Cowling Fire / Heat Detector? | George Sconyers | Aviation Marketplace | 4 | May 31st 04 01:40 AM |
Inside the Cowling Fire / Heat Detector? | George Sconyers | Owning | 5 | May 30th 04 07:04 PM |
My Engine Fire!! | [email protected] | Owning | 1 | March 31st 04 01:41 PM |