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Bill Lind wrote:
> Heres my plan. I plan to install a Precise Flight vac warning indicator > between my AI & DG,... > Im also equipped with a Century I, single axis autopilot. This simple > autopilot has heading hold or will track off a vor or the loran. Its > single best feature in my opinion is that its completely electric and will > continue to function after a vac failure. Theres my redundancy for now. > > Two questions > 1. Anyone use the Precise Flight indicator, do you like it? We have a Precise Flight standby vacuum system (SVS) which includes an indicator light. I can state from firsthand experience that the indicator works and is very successful at grabbing your attention. Since I was VMC during my "firsthand experience" I had no need to actually activate the SVS. Our plane also has a "LOW VAC" light as part of the standard set of annunciators. I really noticed when they both lit up! In case you dont know, the indicator light (at least the one that I have) actually flashes during low vac, rather than just staying on. Presumably this was done to draw more attention to itself. It works! > 2. Is my reasoning sound? Not so sure about your autopilot reasoning. The Century autopilots, even in nav mode, take their heading information from your planes DG. So although the autopilot will continue to receive power and attempt to control the ailerons after a vacuum failure, it will not function properly. My Century 21 autopilot became completely useless when my vacuum pump went. The S-Tec autopilots run off the TC, which is electric in most planes. I would expect it to continue to function correctly after a vacuum failure, but I cant say for certain. But I think adding the indicator light is an excellent idea. Anyone who does lots of cloud flying should have one on their panel. -- William LeFebvre Mooney 4074H wnl@groupsys.com |
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