New BDFA aircraft G-BZLH: first impressions of a student, from Brian Catchpoole
14/07/07 10:49
The New Addition to Our Fleet
First Impressions of a Student
The first hint of a possible addition to our fleet came at this years AGM, but knowing just how much time this sort of think can take, I didn’t hold my breath. So it came as somewhat of a surprise a few weeks later, when at our Lasham ‘bash’ I enquired of our Chairman as to progress. In his characteristically laid back way Mike replied ‘O yes, it’s over there” and directed me to PA28 Warrior G-BZLH. As I trundled off to have a look, he shouted after me “did I mention it’s a diesel”?
The first thing I noticed was the third side window that indicates extra hold space. I didn’t get to try it out, but this has to be good news for those of us who carry a wheelchair. Otherwise, on the outside, it looks pretty standard, complete with our BDFA logo. The Visionair hand control had yet to be fitted, but I am assured that will have been remedied by the time you read this.
Summer was playing its usual trick of alternating rain and sun, so I had to wait until early evening for a flight; finally climbing aboard with instructor Alan Meredith for the last sortie of the day. Once in the cockpit I noted that the Tachometer is replaced by a power meter (calibrated 0 to 100%). ‘Just treat it as you would a rev counter’ was Alan’s advise, and with the blind acceptance that only a student can offer this certainly worked.
Now, presumably because diesel engines have no spark plugs, there’s no dual magneto system to check on start-up. The engine has an electronic management system, and start checks included pressing the appropriate button and ensuring the correct lights are illuminated. Otherwise it’s pretty much standard.
So with my instructor working as a proxy Visionair control we taxied away noting that Lima Hotel is a very quiet machine. I understand that established thinking is that diesel powered aircraft are underpowered, but I am in no position to intelligently join the debate. What I do know, is that despite spending most of the lesson practising climbing and descending, this student noticed no tangible difference between this machine and its conventional cousin. And the bonus, its vastly reduced fuel consumption, this has to be the way ahead, and I for one heartily approve.
Brian Catchpoole
First Impressions of a Student
The first hint of a possible addition to our fleet came at this years AGM, but knowing just how much time this sort of think can take, I didn’t hold my breath. So it came as somewhat of a surprise a few weeks later, when at our Lasham ‘bash’ I enquired of our Chairman as to progress. In his characteristically laid back way Mike replied ‘O yes, it’s over there” and directed me to PA28 Warrior G-BZLH. As I trundled off to have a look, he shouted after me “did I mention it’s a diesel”?
The first thing I noticed was the third side window that indicates extra hold space. I didn’t get to try it out, but this has to be good news for those of us who carry a wheelchair. Otherwise, on the outside, it looks pretty standard, complete with our BDFA logo. The Visionair hand control had yet to be fitted, but I am assured that will have been remedied by the time you read this.
Summer was playing its usual trick of alternating rain and sun, so I had to wait until early evening for a flight; finally climbing aboard with instructor Alan Meredith for the last sortie of the day. Once in the cockpit I noted that the Tachometer is replaced by a power meter (calibrated 0 to 100%). ‘Just treat it as you would a rev counter’ was Alan’s advise, and with the blind acceptance that only a student can offer this certainly worked.
Now, presumably because diesel engines have no spark plugs, there’s no dual magneto system to check on start-up. The engine has an electronic management system, and start checks included pressing the appropriate button and ensuring the correct lights are illuminated. Otherwise it’s pretty much standard.
So with my instructor working as a proxy Visionair control we taxied away noting that Lima Hotel is a very quiet machine. I understand that established thinking is that diesel powered aircraft are underpowered, but I am in no position to intelligently join the debate. What I do know, is that despite spending most of the lesson practising climbing and descending, this student noticed no tangible difference between this machine and its conventional cousin. And the bonus, its vastly reduced fuel consumption, this has to be the way ahead, and I for one heartily approve.
Brian Catchpoole