Lancair Legacy, Pilot'S Operating Handbook And Flight Manual

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VII-14 February 2008
Legacy
VII-15 February 2008
Legacy
WARNING
The Lancair does not lend itself to hand starting
(propping) due to its low profile and tricycle gear.
This practice is very dangerous.
Accessories
All engines are equipped with an alternator as a source of electrical power to
charge the battery and operate various items during flight. Proper operation of the
charging system is evident if the running system voltage is between 14.2 and 14.8
volts dc. Since a charged lead-acid battery has a voltage of
≈
12.1 to 12.4 volts the
battery should be continuously charged while the engine is running. If no volt-
age measurement is available, an amp meter may show discharge (-) at low rpm
conditions (indicating that current for operating the aircrafts equipment is coming
from the battery) and charge (+) at higher engine rpm’s indicating that the battery
is being charged.
Another accessory you may have installed is a vacuum pump for operating cer-
tain flight instruments such as gyros. Its operation may be assessed by the level
of vacuum it maintains. This should generally be between 4.8 and 5.2 inches of
mercury. For IFR flying a small gauge is available for monitoring this vacuum
and is highly recommended. Vacuum pump failures, like many others occur at
just the wrong time and are often insidious as the gyro may just slowly wind down
to become useless.
Fire Detection/Extinguishing
Built in fire detection is not provided nor is an extinguishing system. It is prudent
to carry a fire extinguisher in your aircraft. It should be checked regularly as any
extinguisher, and kept handy in case of need. Starting an over primed engine is
the most likely time you may need the unit. If the engine backfires and catches
fire, continue cranking the engine and attempt to draw the fire back into the en-
gine where it belongs. If the radio is on, advise of your situation. If cranking the
engine fails or cranking is not possible for some reason, introduce the contents of
the extinguisher into the engine compartment via the cooling air outlets. After ex-
hauating the extinguisher, remain clear of the aircraft. While your aircraft is made
of fire resistant materials and its fumes are essentially non-toxic, it is nonetheless
a flying fuel tank and must be treated as such.