Section 7
Description of the Airplane and Systems
Columbia 400 (LC41-550FG)
RC050002
Initial Issue of Manual: November 10, 2004
7-50
Latest Revision Level/Date: -/11-10-2004
NOTE
Consider using the autopilot to reduce workload. Use GPSS mode to
maintain flight plan route.
Figure 7 - 14
HOUR METER
General
– The hour meter is located on the right knee bolster, next to the auxiliary power outlet
and ELT remote switch. Two conditions are required for the hour meter to operate. The airplane
must have an indicated speed of approximately 60 knots to activate the air switch, and oil
pressure must be present at a sufficient level to activate the oil pressure switch. The oil pressure
switch is integrated to preclude inadvertent operation of the hour meter when the airplane is
secured on the ground during extremely high wind conditions.
The hour meter will run even if the master switches are turned off during flight operations. The
hour meter is provided to record time in service, which is the basis for routine maintenance,
maintenance inspections, and the time between overhaul (TBO) on the engine and other airplane
components.
PITOT-STATIC SYSTEM
The pitot-static system, as the name suggests, has two components, ram air from the pitot tube
and ambient air from the static air vent. The amount of ram compression depends on air density
and the rate of travel through the air. The ram air, in conjunction with static air, operates the
airspeed indicator. The static system also provides ambient uncompressed air for the altimeter,
vertical speed information on the PFD, and the blind encoder that is integrated with the
airplane’s transponder. (See page 7-28 for a discussion of the static system instruments.)