What am I doing wrong?

[TXSailor]

So, I've been noticing a weird behavior in the Mi-8. Often when at high speed, high power, and high-G maneuvers, I get a weird chirping sound, and then lose power to the radio altimeter, airspeed indicator, and gunsight. There may be other things losing problems, but these are the ones I see. The power comes back after a few seconds, but I'm wondering what I'm doing to cause these failures. I've tried checking to make sure my icing systems are off, to make sure I'm not drawing too much electrical power, but that doesn't seem to make a difference.

 

Also, on the icing panel, is up or down on? I haven't found a good explanation in the manual, though I haven't yet had time to read all of it.

[Esac_mirmidon]

You are asking to much power and the Mi-8 isn´t able to keep RPM constant, so you are suffering a RPM drop.

 

In this situation lower the collective to let the RPM recover.

Edited December 10, 2014 by Esac_mirmidon

[ff4life4]

RPM drop causes generators to go offline.

[SFC Tako]

Hey TXSailor!

 

About de-icing:

I ride with this configuration. Been trying it out in -20C and heavy snowfall :)

And if you're paranoid like me, switch all switches twice, y'know like "activate" them and shit.

(The whole thing means De-icing is AUTO as general systems go, but it's ON for both engines whilst just auto for windshield and system itself...or something)

[Chump]

To turn on the de-icing, you only need to turn on the left engine deicer switch. The right switch should stay in the auto position unless you need to manually operate the deicing equipment.

[TXSailor]

Thanks for the responses! I figured I was pulling too much power, but wasn't sure.

 

So for De icing, down means auto, up means manual on?

[Chump]

Up is manual, down is auto for all switches EXCEPT for the left engine. For that switch, down is off and up is on. Once the left engine deicer is turned on, the other deicing systems will automatically engage when needed.

[TXSailor]

Got it, thanks!

[SFC Tako]

Dang, thanks Chump :)

(It's one thing to believe something, another to KNOW about it)

[AlphaOneSix]

Up is manual, down is auto for all switches EXCEPT for the left engine. For that switch, down is off and up is on. Once the left engine deicer is turned on, the other deicing systems will automatically engage when needed.

 

When in AUTO, all of the de-ice systems are automatic, regardless of the left engine switch position. In other words, if icing is detected, all of the other systems will activate automatically, even if the left engine is still in the OFF position. The left engine just won't de-ice automatically, since that could cause a dual engine failure if there is a significant buildup of ice on the engine inlets.

[Ce_Zeta]

When in AUTO, all of the de-ice systems are automatic, regardless of the left engine switch position. In other words, if icing is detected, all of the other systems will activate automatically, even if the left engine is still in the OFF position. The left engine just won't de-ice automatically, since that could cause a dual engine failure if there is a significant buildup of ice on the engine inlets.

Very interesting. Thank you AlphaOneSix.

[Chump]

Thank you for the clarification, AlphaOneSix! The deicing systems do put a drain on the power output.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Chump

[AlphaOneSix]

The rotor de-ice system is the one that really draws the amps, but at any rate, as long as both generators are operating, there won't be any difference with all the anti-ice stuff on or off. The generators do not put a noticeable load on the main gearbox, no matter how much power is demanded of them. In other words, you can have every single electrical component in the aircraft running, or none of them, and there is no noticeable difference in engine or rotor rpm.

 

The generators will drop offline at 88% Nr, but that's only because of under-voltage protection and has nothing to do with the electrical load.

 

What confuses me is that the airspeed indicator was noted to have failed as well? I have not checked this myself, but if that's the case, it's a bug. The only electrical component on the airspeed indicator is the light. The indicator itself operates solely on static and ram air pressure from the pitot tubes.

[FoReIgNeR]

The rotor de-ice system is the one that really draws the amps, but at any rate, as long as both generators are operating, there won't be any difference with all the anti-ice stuff on or off. The generators do not put a noticeable load on the main gearbox, no matter how much power is demanded of them. In other words, you can have every single electrical component in the aircraft running, or none of them, and there is no noticeable difference in engine or rotor rpm.

 

The generators will drop offline at 88% Nr, but that's only because of under-voltage protection and has nothing to do with the electrical load.

 

What confuses me is that the airspeed indicator was noted to have failed as well? I have not checked this myself, but if that's the case, it's a bug. The only electrical component on the airspeed indicator is the light. The indicator itself operates solely on static and ram air pressure from the pitot tubes.

Did you switch on pitot de-icing on the right top panel (next to the lighting controls)? Blocked pitot tube or static ports prevent a correct airspeed reading.

[TXSailor]

Did you switch on pitot de-icing on the right top panel (next to the lighting controls)? Blocked pitot tube or static ports prevent a correct airspeed reading.

 

I did not have pitot De icing on, but when everything else came back on line in a few seconds, so did the airspeed indicator.