Is it normal to start a caravan with the props in feather? Or was the prop pitch lever on full fine, and the prop will come out of feather once the oilpressure / prop govener is upto speed?
@lanzecki The prop normally does that on start up, as you explained with oil pressure/prop governor. Its interesting to see how it flattens out as you push up the throttle lever. Another interesting fact is that the PT6 engine once fully started is always running at the same constant speed, the difference in power settings is based on the pitch of the prop
sorry "unityfm" but thats not true... the ng is the speed of the engine itself (spins separately from the Np) And it idles at 52% at low idle which is for ground ops taxi etc. Put the condition lever to High Idle for takeoff and the Ng jumps up to 65% and changes as required to produce the power. normal flight is around 96% depending on the engine, we had one that ran around 98-99% and a fair bit hotter which reduces the power available at altitude. The Garrets though run a more constant Ng.
Cool looking effect! I agree that would be a neat option to have on the plane. Another interesting and kinda bad thing is the plane in the background (Antonov PZ-TSV) crashed in 2010. All passengers died in the accident.
I fly and maintain aircraft professionally (up to B737-800). Unless it is absolutely necessary (leak check components) stay away from large rotating objects like propellers. It appears the cowl could have been closed after shutdown.... The prop only has to hit you once. It will ALWAYS win the argument. Also this engine is a free turbine, there is no mechanical link between the prop shaft and the engine. Yes the engine does rotate independantly of the prop, air is the driving medium.
I worked as an aircraft service agent and to be that close to the blades is not as scary as you think, it is completely safe provided you don't trip LOL. but what they were doing initially looked more dangerous looks to me like someone primed the engine a bit too much, but I could be way off base, I am sure these engineers know what they are doing.
The Cessna Caravan and Pilatus Porter have been my to fav small aircraft for years. I'll never own one but I'd totaly love the chance for a flight in one.
why is he nuts? in the one in a billion chance that the prop comes off, it will only go forwards and sideways. the camera man is in the worse position lol
That's what I thought! It would make me nervous as hell to stand near that prop! Does a turboprop have a clutch or disengagement mechanism? The engine spools up before the prop starts turning. Is that how you start a turbine? Spin the compressor up to speed to get pressure in the engine core, and then light the burners? That's not bad for the turbine blades?
I believe the PT6 is a free turbine. The turbine is a two stage. One of them turning the compressor blades and the other turning the prop through the reduction gear. You could actually hold the prop still while starting it until the force would rip it from your hands. But yes the starter spins the compressor to certain speed to get the air flowing for proper pressure and cooling before fuel is added and ignited.
no that aint it. the prop isnt directly connected to the shaft. its gearing that makes the prop spin up slower. that turbine shaft is turing around 40,000 RPM. that is more than enough to destroy the prop.
you turn the battery on, hit the "start" button and when the N2 hits around 10-13% (its been years i dont remember the exact number) you move the condition lever from cutoff to low idle. thats it.
@beergut111 The PT-6 is not like the Garret/Honeywell/AirResearch or whatever they are called by now. They are full free power tubine engines. If you look at the post a few down from here, you will get the explaination. Yes, the prop is attached to the shaft, but the gearbox attached to the power turbine is 100% seperate from the compressor turbine.
The pitch you see is not how the plane flies. There are sets of weights attached to the blades, when the rpm is too low (or the prop control is pulled back) the blades feather like you see. It makes the airplane more efficient in the event of an engine failure.
Have you looked into Soloy's turbine conversion for the 185? It's been around many years. It works great, too. I can see why your buddy wants to go that route.
Haha afterburner. That's what happens with any turbine when you start it up. You should see some helicopters start up. Some look like they're on fire.
it does'nt happen every time you start one up - but i believe it sometimes happens after they've been in storage. this one was obviously being worked on prior to startup, so could the author explain what was going on?
Plane was in the shop for regular check had changed the oil and done a few other 100 hour checks. They washed the compressor blades but didn't fully flush everything out. The first start was a dud due to water still in the compressor so fuel that was sprayed collected and when the ignitors lit the second time - kapow afterburner on a Caravan!
Sure thing, it was having a 100 hr inspection. They cleaned the compressor with water and some kind of special stuff - but they didn't get all the water out. So when we started her up the remaining fuel in the compressor was not allowing the ignitors to start. We tried to start it once before but nothing, so on the second try all the fuel was left over in compressor from the ignitors and basically created
haha, yea it is - so fun to fly too although its slow as hell and you just want to go faster, would be great if it was an RG so you could at least have one lever to pull up or down, lol!
nice video, thanks unityfm; it's too bad that aviation industry don't want to make turbos/jet affordable for the average joe pilot, what a shame when the aviation pioneers dreamed of one aircraft in every household; so much for that.
True, but as we continue here things will continue to change. Theres no telling in another 5 years more then likely we should at least be able to gain a partnership for a reasonable price - just as long as user fees don't end up killing general aviation in the near future!
Check out the Lancair Evolution. It's a kit and the engine alone goes for about $500K brand new (partly why the average Joe can't afford one). Anyway, maximum cruise is expected to be 338 knots.
Any of you rocket scientists know why its called a PT-6.... yeah , the P turbo part fine but 6? Hint, its nt the 6 th version... think curves...
jbranco254 9 months ago
@jbranco254 the PT actually stands for Pump Turbine..the engine began life as a well pump and as an oil pipeline pump (still is)
they used it for a year continuously (>8000 hours) and they couldnt find anything wrong with it...to illustrate its reliability
pilotblayze 1 month ago
Is it normal to start a caravan with the props in feather? Or was the prop pitch lever on full fine, and the prop will come out of feather once the oilpressure / prop govener is upto speed?
lanzecki 9 months ago
@lanzecki The prop normally does that on start up, as you explained with oil pressure/prop governor. Its interesting to see how it flattens out as you push up the throttle lever. Another interesting fact is that the PT6 engine once fully started is always running at the same constant speed, the difference in power settings is based on the pitch of the prop
unityfm 9 months ago
sorry "unityfm" but thats not true... the ng is the speed of the engine itself (spins separately from the Np) And it idles at 52% at low idle which is for ground ops taxi etc. Put the condition lever to High Idle for takeoff and the Ng jumps up to 65% and changes as required to produce the power. normal flight is around 96% depending on the engine, we had one that ran around 98-99% and a fair bit hotter which reduces the power available at altitude. The Garrets though run a more constant Ng.
lenoro1 4 months ago
try pluging in a GPU on Metro that
is Nuts
willypro4000 10 months ago
Cool looking effect! I agree that would be a neat option to have on the plane. Another interesting and kinda bad thing is the plane in the background (Antonov PZ-TSV) crashed in 2010. All passengers died in the accident.
videoproducer100 10 months ago
Ah the Famous PT-6 turbine got to love it.
mikeramsey13 11 months ago
where was this video taken..the an-24/28 in the back looks familiar
JoblessDerrick 11 months ago
plz tell me how expensive is one of these
glennie5000 11 months ago
beautiful
9sorem9 1 year ago
all this explanation with the fuel staff and such just created whats called HOT START,
which should be avoided to prevent engine damage
stealhty1 1 year ago
Man that sound just gives me the chills.
91Racing426 1 year ago
this is the first time i've ever seen a propeller plane shoot fire.
mystiqueman366 1 year ago
Looks like a hot start.
subaruracer1 1 year ago
I fly and maintain aircraft professionally (up to B737-800). Unless it is absolutely necessary (leak check components) stay away from large rotating objects like propellers. It appears the cowl could have been closed after shutdown.... The prop only has to hit you once. It will ALWAYS win the argument. Also this engine is a free turbine, there is no mechanical link between the prop shaft and the engine. Yes the engine does rotate independantly of the prop, air is the driving medium.
airdelivery 2 years ago
Nice afterburner, lol.
muz06 2 years ago
I worked as an aircraft service agent and to be that close to the blades is not as scary as you think, it is completely safe provided you don't trip LOL. but what they were doing initially looked more dangerous looks to me like someone primed the engine a bit too much, but I could be way off base, I am sure these engineers know what they are doing.
zuludelta100 2 years ago
You don't need to wash the compressor blades. Just feed it some walnut shells,
PistolPete2 2 years ago
LOL i thought the guy at 1:05 was gunna get burned XD
tomh14567 2 years ago
I bet that wasn't good for the $500,000 PT6A-114A
SkydiveHawaiiKid 3 years ago
thats nothin- it needs JATO
gobuzzrobotics 3 years ago
LOL I'll sign up to be the test pilot for that.
spunnout 2 years ago
Wet start, love it. Great prop sound too! Thanks
bagelboi66 3 years ago
The Cessna Caravan and Pilatus Porter have been my to fav small aircraft for years. I'll never own one but I'd totaly love the chance for a flight in one.
Ahzlon 3 years ago
The guy at about 52 seconds in is nuts!
Or brave. Or just used to it.
P0werwise 3 years ago 5
why do you say that?
western227 3 years ago
why is he nuts? in the one in a billion chance that the prop comes off, it will only go forwards and sideways. the camera man is in the worse position lol
jamesmarr1995 2 years ago
That's what I thought! It would make me nervous as hell to stand near that prop! Does a turboprop have a clutch or disengagement mechanism? The engine spools up before the prop starts turning. Is that how you start a turbine? Spin the compressor up to speed to get pressure in the engine core, and then light the burners? That's not bad for the turbine blades?
justforever96 2 years ago
I believe the PT6 is a free turbine. The turbine is a two stage. One of them turning the compressor blades and the other turning the prop through the reduction gear. You could actually hold the prop still while starting it until the force would rip it from your hands. But yes the starter spins the compressor to certain speed to get the air flowing for proper pressure and cooling before fuel is added and ignited.
spunnout 2 years ago
no that aint it. the prop isnt directly connected to the shaft. its gearing that makes the prop spin up slower. that turbine shaft is turing around 40,000 RPM. that is more than enough to destroy the prop.
beergut111 1 year ago
you turn the battery on, hit the "start" button and when the N2 hits around 10-13% (its been years i dont remember the exact number) you move the condition lever from cutoff to low idle. thats it.
beergut111 1 year ago
@beergut111 The PT-6 is not like the Garret/Honeywell/AirResearch or whatever they are called by now. They are full free power tubine engines. If you look at the post a few down from here, you will get the explaination. Yes, the prop is attached to the shaft, but the gearbox attached to the power turbine is 100% seperate from the compressor turbine.
thejohnnybob 1 year ago
@P0werwise: Yeah, either one! =)
Fishnflightbum 2 years ago
love the interference
OK2BCK 3 years ago
Nice Unit
brunerjared 3 years ago
that is amazing like is that a heli motor with a flame kit or real jet propulsion? prolly the first
No29Smirnoff 3 years ago
it's a turboprop, so it always works as a 'jet' of sorts.
Jet3800 2 years ago
nope - all cessna caravans have turbine engines. the flames were just unburnt fuel. it's hapened a few times with my mate's caravan
jamesmarr1995 2 years ago
Wow...an engine turning. Where's my popcorn for this?
JamesTCA 3 years ago
sweet, how much more power did that feature add to your aircraft? and was worth it to put that feature on it?
foxtrot089 3 years ago
Check out the pitch of the prop blades.
1975Amcpacer 3 years ago
The pitch you see is not how the plane flies. There are sets of weights attached to the blades, when the rpm is too low (or the prop control is pulled back) the blades feather like you see. It makes the airplane more efficient in the event of an engine failure.
mojopilot 3 years ago
In other words, a governor? Or perhaps the throttle quadrant has a lever called "Prop/Feather"?
SenorSpode 3 years ago
My buddy wants to put that kind of feature on his cessna 185. Im pretty sure it'll put alot of stress on the frame though... nice sounding aircraft!
foxtrot089 3 years ago
Have you looked into Soloy's turbine conversion for the 185? It's been around many years. It works great, too. I can see why your buddy wants to go that route.
SenorSpode 3 years ago
jet powered cessna,
Bendziulikas 3 years ago
just bought one for myself. =D just thought I'd let all ya know. just cuz I'm really happy for myself. Awsome airplane.
POPtheoriginal 3 years ago
u got over 2 mil from where? direct me to that very same place so i can collect my caravan too.
OriginalAtomicSheep 3 years ago 3
2nd coolest sound on earth 1rst would be reg jet engine duh
just1ofgod 4 years ago
Oh yea, no doubt - seriously wish they would come out with a RG would be really great - but as it is, such a blast to fly!
unityfm 4 years ago
caravan's got to be one of my favorite airplanes.
aviator06 4 years ago 2
Haha afterburner. That's what happens with any turbine when you start it up. You should see some helicopters start up. Some look like they're on fire.
Chuckjagermeister 4 years ago
it does'nt happen every time you start one up - but i believe it sometimes happens after they've been in storage. this one was obviously being worked on prior to startup, so could the author explain what was going on?
jdustinstone 4 years ago
Plane was in the shop for regular check had changed the oil and done a few other 100 hour checks. They washed the compressor blades but didn't fully flush everything out. The first start was a dud due to water still in the compressor so fuel that was sprayed collected and when the ignitors lit the second time - kapow afterburner on a Caravan!
unityfm 4 years ago
Sure thing, it was having a 100 hr inspection. They cleaned the compressor with water and some kind of special stuff - but they didn't get all the water out. So when we started her up the remaining fuel in the compressor was not allowing the ignitors to start. We tried to start it once before but nothing, so on the second try all the fuel was left over in compressor from the ignitors and basically created
unityfm 3 years ago
got to love that turboprop.
grant2053 4 years ago
haha, yea it is - so fun to fly too although its slow as hell and you just want to go faster, would be great if it was an RG so you could at least have one lever to pull up or down, lol!
unityfm 4 years ago
one of these flew over my area really low the other day, and i have to admit, its the best fixed wing i have ever heard!
JoMo91 4 years ago
nice video, thanks unityfm; it's too bad that aviation industry don't want to make turbos/jet affordable for the average joe pilot, what a shame when the aviation pioneers dreamed of one aircraft in every household; so much for that.
guarionex15 4 years ago
True, but as we continue here things will continue to change. Theres no telling in another 5 years more then likely we should at least be able to gain a partnership for a reasonable price - just as long as user fees don't end up killing general aviation in the near future!
unityfm 4 years ago
Check out the Lancair Evolution. It's a kit and the engine alone goes for about $500K brand new (partly why the average Joe can't afford one). Anyway, maximum cruise is expected to be 338 knots.
imarocktscientst 4 years ago
Sweet!!! :)
hen737 4 years ago
sounds nice !!! love that sound
notar1 4 years ago
i'd like one
MMPbeats 4 years ago