Presented to:

By:

Date: January 31, 2007

Federal AviationAdministrationFADEC

& the DPE

New regulatory guidance

Pilot Examiner Annual Meeting

Bob Jex, ASI, North Florida FSDO

Federal AviationAdministration

2FADEC & the DPEJanuary 31, 2007

Overview

• Explanation of term “FADEC”• New regulatory guidance: Notice N 8000.331

– New definition of “Complex” Airplane!

• Multi-Engine piston aircraft with FADEC• Practical Tests: Single-Engine ops• Your Questions

Federal AviationAdministration

3FADEC & the DPEJanuary 31, 2007

What is “FADEC”?

F – Full A – Authority D – Digital E – Engine C – Control

In other words:

Computerized engine control!

Federal AviationAdministration

4FADEC & the DPEJanuary 31, 2007

FAA Notice N 8000.331• New regulatory guidance, eff. Nov 2006• Redefines “Complex Airplane” two ways

– If FADEC installed:

Retractable Landing Gear

+ Flaps

+ FADEC

= Complex Airplane!– If FADEC not installed:

• Use conventional definition!

• Most significance for light piston twins

Federal AviationAdministration

5FADEC & the DPEJanuary 31, 2007

New Piston Twin with FADEC• Diamond Aircraft

DA42 “Twin Star”

– TAA– Diesel engines (typ)

• LE critical!– FADEC– G1000 Avionics– Carbon fiber– Training role

Mfr. website: www.diamondaircraft.com

Federal AviationAdministration

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DA42 “Twin Star” Cockpit

ECU Sw’s

Federal AviationAdministration

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Practical Tests: Single-engine ops in FADEC piston twins

Federal AviationAdministration

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FADEC Single-engine operations

• Troubleshooting steps are minimal– Fewer things to check: focus is back on flying– ECU doing most of the work. New Term: “ECU Swap”– Autofeather provision

• Zero-Thrust settings– Not published (yet) for DA42

Federal AviationAdministration

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Intentional feathering

• Retard thrust• ECU Sw. Off

Prop feathers!

• Restart:– Reverse steps!– Diesels use compression for ignition!

Federal AviationAdministration

10FADEC & the DPEJanuary 31, 2007

Your Questions…?