Vector Online - In category Engines and engine failure

Read our special 'online' Vector stories here. Some are unique to the website, and some have featured in print issues of Vector.

Note: This archive dates back to 2015. So, the advice in some of the earlier articles may have changed.

Subscribe to Vector Online to receive an email notification each time we post a new story.

The value of an electronic CO detector

By NZAAL CFI, Celroy Mascarenhas Installing electronic CO detectors across the entire training fleet wasn’t cheap – but we believe that almost immediately, one saved two lives.

Posted in Engineering and maintenance, Engines and engine failure, General safety;

Posted 4 months ago

I learned about distraction from this. And stress. And workload.

A busy chief engineer, pulled in too many directions, with too many interruptions, experiences the inevitable.

Posted in Engineering and maintenance, Engines and engine failure, When things go wrong, General safety, Health and human factors;

Posted 19 months ago

Hydraulic lock doesn't affect just radial engines

You need to be careful when you’re priming horizontally opposed engines because excess fuel can cause a hydraulic lock. Read the articleHydraulic lock doesn't affect just radial engines

Posted in Engines and engine failure;

Posted 4 years ago

Keeping low-use radial engines safe and serviceable

Recent occurrences linked to the maintenance and operation of low-use radial engines in New Zealand have generated an industry discussion about how best to keep such engines functioning safely.

Posted in Aircraft owner and aircraft, Engineering and maintenance, Engines and engine failure;

Posted 4 years ago

Performance checking of supercharged radial engines

Proper performance checking of supercharged radial engines – whether pre- or post-maintenance, or preflight – is a critical task, which requires care, training and a good knowledge of what the procedure seeks to achieve.

Posted in Aircraft owner and aircraft, Engineering and maintenance, Engines and engine failure;

Posted 4 years ago

Lycoming valves

Any time the valves in a piston engine stick, even intermittently, it’s a serious problem.

Surviving 'engine out' in a helicopter

It’s the scenario nobody likes to think will happen to them. But if it does, a clear head makes all the difference.

Posted in Engines and engine failure, Rotary operations;

Posted 7 years ago

Not flying much? Beat the rust

Piston engines function best when flown regularly, but how to keep them in good condition if you don’t get into the air so often? Read the articleNot flying much? Beat the…

Posted in Engines and engine failure;

Posted 7 years ago

Not necessarily twice as safe

When one of two engines dies after takeoff, and an unseasoned pilot makes a couple of crucial errors, it takes all the experience of the training pilot to get everyone…

Posted in Engines and engine failure, Instruction instructors and training;

Posted 8 years ago

Turbine gas path washing

When it comes to engine health, cleanliness is next to airworthiness. To prevent turbine engine corrosion and sulphidation, you should follow the manufacturer’s washing recommendations.

Posted in Engines and engine failure;

Posted 9 years ago

1 2 →