Nothing but
PROBLEMS By Lt. Jordan Riggs, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron, VX-1
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WE WERE SCHEDULED FOR A FOUR-HOUR ROUND-ROBIN PROFICIENCY FLIGHT. AN EARLY LOOK AT THE WEATHER THE PREVIOUS EVENING INDICATED THAT CONDITIONS FOR THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT WOULD PREVAIL DURING OUR FLIGHT WINDOW, MAKING ROUTE SELECTION A CHALLENGE.
T
he morning of the brief, my copilot and I checked the weather again and selected a route to Charleston, South Carolina, and back, which would keep us separated from two large storm systems to the east and west.
However, just before brief time, a convective significant meteorological information (SIGMET) advisory popped up just south of Charleston indicating a cell moving north. We elected to change our destination to Columbia, South Carolina, approximately 80 miles northwest of the convective activity. We had also learned that Maintainers were troubleshooting a recurring fault with the right engine’s fuel control unit (FPMU). We held our NATOPS brief and discussed these issues among
the crew. The troubleshooting by Maintenance delayed our walk time by approximately 15 minutes, as the FPMU fault reappeared after removing and reapplying all power to the aircraft. Having seen this fault crop up on a recent flight, I was concerned that it indicated an impending failure of the FPMU and was inclined to down the aircraft for further troubleshooting. However, after speaking with the Aviation Machinist`s Mates (AD), I was assured that there was little further troubleshooting that could be performed, short of replacing the entire engine control unit (PCMU), and that there was minimal concern of any actual failure or malfunction as long as engine and fuel flow indications appeared normal after start.
>>> U.S. Navy photo courtesy of the French navy by Chief Petty Officer Bruno Gaudry
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