Europa-List Digest Archive

Thu 04/25/13


Total Messages Posted: 4



Today's Message Index:
----------------------
 
     1. 12:04 PM - Re: altimeter encoder problem (Bud Yerly)
     2. 01:56 PM - flying at what altitude (graeme bird)
     3. 02:14 PM - Re: flying at what altitude (David Joyce)
     4. 03:42 PM - Re: flying at what altitude (Paul McAllister)
 
 
 


Message 1


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    Time: 12:04:09 PM PST US
    From: "Bud Yerly" <budyerly@msn.com>
    Subject: Re: altimeter encoder problem
    David, Sorry but the encoders are normally hooked to the rest of the static instruments. However, it would be prudent to have an avionics repairman check the whole system. The encoder analog systems can be reporting properly but the Transponder itself is squirting out the wrong input due to internal problems, wiring problems such as corrosion etc. Bud ----- Original Message ----- From: David Joyce<mailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk> To: europa-list@matronics.com<mailto:europa-list@matronics.com> Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 4:33 PM Subject: Re: Europa-List: altimeter encoder problem <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk<mailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>> Bud, thanks for that. I do a lot of group flying including trips like going down over Spain at altitudes of 10,000ft or more. This has given me the chance of checking my conventional altimeter and EFIS altimeter not only with bits of passing scenery but also with my friends in formation. This has shown that both altimeters are on the ball but that the transponder gives false readings. They are all on the same static line so I am reluctant to suspect the 'plumbing' As I said there is close correspondence up to around 6000 ft and then transponder read out goes down as height on altimeter or GPS or observing scenery goes up. It is a separate encoder and from what you say it sounds a though it needs replacing, or is there some way of sorting out a duff encoder static pot? Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ On Sun, 21 Apr 2013 16:11:50 -0400 "Bud Yerly" <budyerly@msn.com<mailto:budyerly@msn.com>> wrote: > David, > Not that I am an expert on the 328, but we have a number >flying successfully. It is pretty much a plug and play >piece of equipment. > It sounds as if your altitude encoder is separate and >not part of an EFIS. > If it is encoding properly at low altitude or sea level, >but not at altitude, then your wiring is sound, it is the >encoder. You can use your Z component of your GPS to >verify that the rest of your static system is sound in >flight. > > If the altitude encoding is in error as altitude >increases only, then it is in the encoder static pot >itself. However, to be safe, check your pitot tube for >the W34 black static port attached well and secure to the >lower pitot tube also. Any leak in the system >(especially in the wing) will cause errors with speed and >angle of attack. Of course if the W34 is missing, your >static system is hooked to a pitot source which is really >bad. > > Ameriking encoders as well as ACK are quite reliable, >but if they fail, which it sounds as if it has an >internal static leak, you will need a proper pitot static >check by a qualified avionics shop to verify. > > A crude check is to disconnect the static line from the >encoder and run it to a very light suction hand pump to >check pressure vs readout. Of course you will need the >temp and atmospheric tables also to establish the proper >QNH. For the very brave, only connect the altimeter and >encoder together with a static line and use a light duty >vacuum hand pump to increase the altitude and verify the >readout on the 328 display with the altimeter. If you >pull too much suction or leave the airspeed attached, you >will break costly equipment. So as you can see, it is >best to just go to an avionics shop and get a proper >checkout as they have the calibrated equipment to do the >job quickly and correctly... If you built your panel for >easy removal, your avionics shop will appreciate it. > > Note to all, it is prudent to have the pitot static >system verified prior to first flight, and every two >years after that by a qualified avionics shop. > Altimeters, encoders, and EFIS systems do fail. It is >best to have them checked periodically. For years, I >have simply pulled one inch of vacuum on my static system >and checked the altimeter at 1000 feet increase, and the >airspeed increases to 135 KIAS, the Vertical Speed >Indicator is checked for rate of climb and the entire >system checked that it will hold for 60 seconds. > However, at altitude, our absolute indicators may have >small leaks and lie to us. I still do my 1000 foot check >just as a security blanket, but insist on a proper >certified pitot static check prior to first flight. > > > > Best Regards, > Bud Yerly > ----- Original Message ----- > From: David Joyce<mailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk<mailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>> > To: europa list<mailto:europa-list@matronics.com<mailto:europa-list@matronics.com>> > Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2013 12:47 PM > Subject: Europa-List: altimeter encoder problem > > ><davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk<mailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk<mailto:david joyce@doctors.org.uk%3Cmailto:davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>>> > > > I would be grateful for any expert avionics view out >there > on the question of the likely fault in my altitude > encoding on a Garmin GTX 328 transponder. This produces > entirely sensible altitude read outs as I climb to FL60 > and then starts to show gently diminishing read outs as >I > go higher, so may be reading something like FL50 when I > get to 10,000ft. There are 10 wires connecting encoder >to > Transponder (or at least they should be connecting!). > Would you experts feel it is most likely that I have a > wiring fault or that I have a defective encoder? It has > done this since fitted new. > Regards, David Joyce G-XSDJ > > http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List<http://www.matronics.com/N avigator?Europa-List<http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List<http: //www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List>> > http://www.matronics.com/contribution<http://www.matronics.com/contributi on<http://www.matronics.com/contribution%3Chttp://www.matronics.com/contr ibution>> > > > http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Europa-List<http://www.matronics.com/N avigator?Europa-List> http://www.matronics.com/contribution<http://www.matronics.com/contributi on>


    Message 2


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    Time: 01:56:03 PM PST US
    Subject: flying at what altitude
    From: "graeme bird" <graeme@gdbmk.co.uk>
    I notice it seems to be popular to fly at highish altitudes. I must admit even with an IMC and when I had an IMC legal plane I have always been reluctant to spend the time climbing, feels the winds are stronger higher, the scenery is less interesting and the engine performance is worse. On the other hand the air is thinner and maybe the engine performance is not so bad, though its not turbo charged. I may have it wrong, any views? -------- Graeme Bird G-UMPY Mono 912S/Woodcomp 3000/3W Newby: 55 hours 1 year g(at)gdbmk.co.uk Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399386#399386


    Message 3


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    Time: 02:14:50 PM PST US
    From: "David Joyce" <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
    Subject: Re: flying at what altitude
    Graeme, It is often much more comfortable flying above the thermal layer and if you are going a few hundred miles then climbing up to 5 or 6 thousand feet may be well worthwhile. Winds at that level are often much the same as at 2000ft., but with a GPS giving you ground speed you can always check you re not getting increased headwinds. If you have a 914 then you actually save a fair amount of fuel, although this is not the case with non turbocharged engines. Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ On Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:55:09 -0700 "graeme bird" <graeme@gdbmk.co.uk> wrote: ><graeme@gdbmk.co.uk> > > I notice it seems to be popular to fly at highish >altitudes. I must admit even with an IMC and when I had >an IMC legal plane I have always been reluctant to spend >the time climbing, feels the winds are stronger higher, >the scenery is less interesting and the engine >performance is worse. > On the other hand the air is thinner and maybe the >engine performance is not so bad, though its not turbo >charged. I may have it wrong, any views? > > -------- > Graeme Bird > G-UMPY > Mono 912S/Woodcomp 3000/3W > Newby: 55 hours 1 year > g(at)gdbmk.co.uk > > > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=399386#399386 > > > > > > > >Un/Subscription, >Forums! >Admin. > > >


    Message 4


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    Time: 03:42:14 PM PST US
    Subject: Re: flying at what altitude
    From: Paul McAllister <paul.the.aviator@gmail.com>
    Graeme, I have a 914 so I guess its a bit different for me. If I am going any distance I always climb. Since I have put oxygen in the airplane I often cruise in the 10~12,000 range, even higher if the winds are favorable. For sure it scenery isn't as interesting, but I nearly always get a smooth ride which keeps "her indoors happy" With the turbo I get to enjoy the advantage of DA so if I am not pushing into the wind it can be a pretty quick ride. Cheers, Paul




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