AIRCRAFT OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS – VIRUS 912 S-LSA GLIDER
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7.6.3 Carburetor Ice.
First noticeable signs of carburetor icing are rough engine running
and gradual loss of power. Carburetor icing may occur even at temperatures as high as
50°F (10°C) , provided the air humidity is increased. The carburetor air-intake in the Virus
912 LSA is preheated, running over the water cooling radiator before entering the
carburetors. Therefore, you are unlikely to experience Carburetor icing in your Pipistrel.
Should you suspect carburetor ice, descend immediately into warmer and/or less humid
air! In case of complete power loss, perform emergency landing procedure.
7.6.4 Icing, pneumatic instrument failure.
Maintain VFR flight!
1.
Turn back or change altitude to exit icing conditions. Consider lateral or vertical
path reversal to return to last “known good” flight conditions.
2.
Set cabin heating ON and Pitot heat (optional) ON.
3.
Watch for signs of icing on the pitot tube.
4.
In case of pneumatic instrument failures, use the GPS (optional) information to
reference to approximate ground speed.
5.
Plan the landing at the nearest airport, or a suitable off airport landing site in
case of an extremely rapid ice build-up.
6.
Maneuver the airplane gently and leave the wing flaps retracted. (When ice is
built up at the horizontal stabilizer, the change of pitching moment due to flaps
extension may result of loss of elevator control.)
7.
Approach at elevated speeds (70 kts, also if using the GPS as a reference).
WARNING!
Failure to act quickly may result in an unrecoverable icing encounter.
7.6.5 Bird strike.
Reduce speed, land at nearest airfield to assess damage. If prop may be
damaged, reduce throttle to idle and prepare for emergency landing. Decide to use
GRS chute if aircraft cannot be controlled to a safe landing site.
7.6.6 Structural failure.
Structural damage to an aircraft may be caused by several factors:
Collision with another aircraft, or a bird
Flutter
Over stressing – either positive or negative g’s
Control surface failure due to improper inspection or maintenance
Regardless of cause, check airspeed, assess controllability and land immediately if
you are able to control the aircraft. If aircraft is uncontrollable, deploy GRS rescue
chute (see 7.6.8 below).
WARNING!
At low altitude, there may not be time to fully assess your situation. In this
case when there is no place to land straight ahead, pull activation handle for GRS rescue
system.
7.6.7 Electrical Failure
. The engine will continue to function due to the onboard alternator
and battery. In case of battery failure, be aware that the engine can keep running, however
a re-start will not be possible. In event of alternator failure, the battery will support the
onboard avionics. In event of double power source failure, use analogue on-board
instruments and land normally.
