Do lower numbers really mean a lesser product? Is an iPhone 6 really better than an iPhone 5? Is a PT6-35 really better than a PT6-34? Is a 4-blade prop better than a 3-blade prop or a 2-blade prop? And is a Continental 550 really better than a Continental 520? The answer is to all…
We’ve all heard it said…”reduce the throttle by no more than 1-inch every minutes to ensure you don’t shock-cool your engine”. Does this advice apply to a PA46 engine? Can a PA46 engine (Lycoming 540 or Continental 520/550) really be shock-cooled? How should the engine temperature be managed? Metals expand and contract with temperature, and…
One of the really cool aspects of my work is the ability to work alongside the super-neat people that own/operate a PA46. Those that own PA46’s tend to be interesting and successful people with a special business niche in the American marketplace. Recently I got to train someone that I found particularly interesting…MMOPA past president…
As most know, I love the Continental-Powered Malibu, but today I had my first true engine failure in a Malibu (the other was in a Lycoming-powered Mirage about a decade ago). Bottom line (to ease the drama of the unknown)…all is well…the airplane is fine…I’m fine…and no insurance company will be contacted. It was a…
Let there be no doubt about it…the greatest danger that faces your PT6 engine (and consequently, your wallet size) is the potential of a hot start. So, knowing exactly how to start your PT6 is critical. Here’s the noteworthy points of an engine start that I recommend you consider when starting your PT6-powered PA-46: 1.) Check battery…
When PA-46 piston drivers asks me about the operational costs of a turbine PA-46, I tell them the cost associated with a turbine on a comparative-trip-basis are very similar to operating a piston. But, I always include one caveat…turbines are cheap to operate as long as the pilot doesn’t do stupid things. Stupid in a…
The PT6 engine that’s found on the Jetprop and Meridian is designated a -21, -34,-35, or a -42A. The Continental engine on a Malibu is either a TSIO 520 or a 550. What’s the difference? Why should I care? Most pilots don’t understand the difference, but it’s pretty easy to understand…and it’s all about breathing.…
During M-Class KSEE (July 2014), we found a turbo charger on a Mirage that showed signs of being too hot. On the same day, another Mirage made an emergency landing at KSEE with a complete turbo charger failure, including a nearly-complete loss of oil and subsequent loss of oil pressure. The turbo charger failure and subsequent…
I recently had the pleasure of helping a customer buy a Jetprop. We found a fabulous mid-90’s model with a -34 engine and they’ve been thrilled with the performance and reliability. The customer wanted to have a few other pilots trained in the Jetprop to ensure 100% of the missions could be handled. So, I…
On a really clear, perfect day for flying without a cloud in the sky, I had a flight from Cherokee County (KJSO) up to Auburn, IN (KGWB), which is about a 4 hour flight in the Malibu. I’ve flown this flight literally hundreds of times, but this day I would not get out of Texas.…