Could anyone please share their knowledge on the requirements of fuel gauges in Helicopters for VFR flight?
I am aware of 20.18 appendix VI.
I am looking for any other regs that state whether or not a fuel gauge is required.
If anyone could share any regulation numbers to look for would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Aircraft Requirements
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- Silver Wings
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- Joined: Sep 2015
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- Gold Wings
- Posts: 181
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Re: Aircraft Requirements
The flight manual has the answer
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- Silver Wings
- Posts: 10
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Re: Aircraft Requirements
Where?
-R44
-206
-R44
-206
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- Gold Wings
- Posts: 181
- Joined: Dec 2017
Re: Aircraft Requirements
Look in the limitations section of the flight manual.
I have not got access to those flight manuals, but from memory the 206 shows a fuel gauge with numbers , because its in the limitations its has to be complied with.
No fuel gauge no fly...
I assume the robbie will be similar
On a side note....Why would you want to fly a helicopter with no fuel gauge ?
I have not got access to those flight manuals, but from memory the 206 shows a fuel gauge with numbers , because its in the limitations its has to be complied with.
No fuel gauge no fly...
I assume the robbie will be similar
On a side note....Why would you want to fly a helicopter with no fuel gauge ?
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- Silver Wings
- Posts: 10
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Re: Aircraft Requirements
I agree with what you say and I don't want to fly without a fuel gauge.
I'm not looking for the answer as such im looking for the regulation that says I can't do it for the reasons you have just explained.
I'm not looking for the answer as such im looking for the regulation that says I can't do it for the reasons you have just explained.
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- Silver Wings
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Oct 2016
Re: Aircraft Requirements
Civil Aviation Order 20.18 (Aircraft equipment — basic operational requirements) Instrument 2014 (as amended)
3 Instrumentation for flight under the Visual Flight Rules (the V.F.R.)
RPT aeroplanes and large charter aeroplanes
3.1 An aeroplane engaged in:
(a) a regular public transport (RPT) operation; or
(b) a charter operation that has maximum take-off weight exceeding 5 700 kg — a charter operation;
may only be operated under the V.F.R. if it is equipped with the following:
(c) the instruments specified in Appendix II;
(d) any other instruments and indicators specified in the aeroplane’s flight manual.
Note V.F.R. and flight manual are defined in subregulation 2 (1) of CAR 1988.
Helicopters
3.2 Subject to paragraph 3A.1, a helicopter may only be operated under the V.F.R. by day if it is equipped with the following:
(a) the instruments specified in Appendix VI;
(b) any other instruments and indicators specified in the helicopter’s flight manual.
3.2A A helicopter may only be operated under the V.F.R. at night if:
(a) it is equipped with the instruments specified in Appendix VIII; and
(b) it is equipped with any other instruments and indicators specified in the helicopter’s flight manual;
(c) for flights under V.F.R. at night which involve flights over land or water where the helicopter’s attitude cannot be maintained by the use of visual external surface cues as a result of lights on the ground or celestial illumination:
(i) the helicopter is equipped in accordance with subparagraph 4.2 (d) of this Order; or
(ii) the helicopter is operated by a qualified 2 pilot crew, each with access to flight controls.
3 Instrumentation for flight under the Visual Flight Rules (the V.F.R.)
RPT aeroplanes and large charter aeroplanes
3.1 An aeroplane engaged in:
(a) a regular public transport (RPT) operation; or
(b) a charter operation that has maximum take-off weight exceeding 5 700 kg — a charter operation;
may only be operated under the V.F.R. if it is equipped with the following:
(c) the instruments specified in Appendix II;
(d) any other instruments and indicators specified in the aeroplane’s flight manual.
Note V.F.R. and flight manual are defined in subregulation 2 (1) of CAR 1988.
Helicopters
3.2 Subject to paragraph 3A.1, a helicopter may only be operated under the V.F.R. by day if it is equipped with the following:
(a) the instruments specified in Appendix VI;
(b) any other instruments and indicators specified in the helicopter’s flight manual.
3.2A A helicopter may only be operated under the V.F.R. at night if:
(a) it is equipped with the instruments specified in Appendix VIII; and
(b) it is equipped with any other instruments and indicators specified in the helicopter’s flight manual;
(c) for flights under V.F.R. at night which involve flights over land or water where the helicopter’s attitude cannot be maintained by the use of visual external surface cues as a result of lights on the ground or celestial illumination:
(i) the helicopter is equipped in accordance with subparagraph 4.2 (d) of this Order; or
(ii) the helicopter is operated by a qualified 2 pilot crew, each with access to flight controls.
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- Silver Wings
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Re: Aircraft Requirements
I did my whole CPL course in a heli that didnt have a working fuel guage. We just made sure we checked the fuel manually before each flight and did regular in flight fuel burn calculations. I was told it was all “legal”. Maybe check the ops manual for the conpany also to see what they expect.
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- Silver Wings
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- Joined: Sep 2015
Re: Aircraft Requirements
Thanks
My question is not an operational question and is regarding a CASA exam question.
Thanks again
My question is not an operational question and is regarding a CASA exam question.
Thanks again
- Eric Hunt
- 3rd Dan
- Posts: 914
- Joined: Sep 2006
Re: Aircraft Requirements
We just made sure we checked the fuel manually before each flight and did regular in flight fuel burn calculations
Puzzled. If the gauge didn't work, and you were in flight, how did you dip the tanks to work out consumption? Or were there regular stops where you landed and dipped?
- Skid Marks
- Silver Wings
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- Joined: Mar 2011
Re: Aircraft Requirements
Problem with dips and fuel burn calcs is that it is assumed that all fuel is going through the engine.
If something's sprung a leak then the calcs go out the window.
If something's sprung a leak then the calcs go out the window.
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