Engine Fire
View Time= 4:46
Now for a situation no one wants to ever get into; an Engine Fire. This is perhaps the scariest thing that could happen to a pilot. Learn how to put out the fire and land safely… and fast!
Aviator90 Episode 44
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice one Chris, enjoyed it. Though there’s a twinge of regret that this is the last training episode – A90 has become a regular part of my evening’s viewing!
I never knew FSX modelled an engine fire like that, either!
One question: what if you’re too low to do the dive as you demonstrate here? Any tips? I assume it’s just too bad, you have to land as soon as you can.
Hey Paul,
No problem there! AviatorPro will pick up right where Aviator90 left off
FSX didn’t model that. It was some special effects. Sure convincing, though!
In this particular situation, if I was lower and the mixture and fuel cutoff didn’t stop the fire pretty quick, I’d still make for the beach and if it wasn’t out by that time, I’d head for shallow water.
That way the fire could get put out in the water (most likely).
I’d rather drown than burn alive. Sounds morbid, but that would seem like the lesser of two evils.
No water? I’d just get it down and get out ASAP. Usually the fuel cutoff will take care of this and the fuel up there would burn out pretty quick.
Anyway. That’s all just improv thoughts on the matter.
Wow, sad! But great episode!
I have really enjoyed these episodes! Thank you Chris!
What if you have an engine fire over woods and there is no way to get past the woods… would you try to restart then?
Let me answer you question with a question: Would you rather burn alive or take your chances with a tree?
Hmmm…that’s hard…. burn alive???
jk I guess I didn’t think about the wind factor… 
Great, I jumped in my Archer and set failures for engine fire 4 – 5 min in, and took off. Sure enough, SMOKE and FLAMES pouring out the bottom of my Piper. I did not have enough ALT to hit the red line. I did every thing else and glided back and got off the runway and opened the door. I am just glad I did not use my regular plane.
I will really miss AVIATOR 90.
Thank for an excellent series to learn some new FS stuff.
I love fly alongs and sight seeing flight like Hamburger Flights to anywhere…
…On to AVIATOR PRO
Tom
Bring on AviatorPro! It can only get better from here.
What addon actually shows it like that? That sounds cool.
At the Free Flight screen of Flight Sim in the middle right is “Failures”. In this find ENGINE and then FIRE set you random time and BOOM. You can set just about any flying failure.
Tom
Why didn’t I know about this?…. All this time and I’ve never known it was there?…. wow.
Glad to give back even just a tiny bit.
Excellent finish to the training section, and I’ll definitely watch the final video to see what comes next.
Can I say a big thank you Chris? I’m sure lots of us have learnt a whole load of stuff from this great free resource, and I really hope there’s a pay off for you and AoA in the future from all the good will this series must have generated!
Cheers,
Mark
I really appreciate that, Mark. It’s seriously been such a huge pleasure to do. I can’t wait for it to continue to pay off in the future for many, because it can only go on and on.
Thanks for being here to comment and encourage me along the way! It’s been a LOT of hard work. Just ask my wife! I owe her something awesome.
But really, thanks for being here.
Hi Chris!
Another great video! Just a question… What´s that fire effect? Is that an FSX addon? Or just some video edition?
Cheers
It’s something I did in post. Kind of a cool effect! I was surprised I was able to make it. Looked convincing and scary, though!
Now there is something I have not thought of… as soon as a find a new yoke, Im going to try this.
Thanks Chris
Gerhard
Go for Saitek. Certainly my recommendation!
Great episode Chris. Next episode re the future will be intersting! A question, I’ve often wondered why no extinguisher is built into the engine bay the aircraft,
Bruce
All GA planes have to have an extinguisher in the cabin. As for the idea of a fire suppression system in a GA plane’s engine, I don’t have any sources to quote but I would guess cost, added weight and it may not work anyway. Almost all GA engines are air cooled so a lot of wind blows through the baffles which would quickly blow off any halon or other fire suppression chemical.
That said, I’m sure something could be engineered but new GA planes are extremely expensive so adding to the cost might not help sales… Today’s engines have a less chance of catching fire anyway.
Chris, a big thank you for the great series! I’ve learned so much and I’m looking forward to Aviator Pro.
Question about the beach landing – sure, beats burning to death
– but in a real-life unfortunate event, wouldn’t soft sand provide too much resistance on the wheels (which would probably break at that time) and tip over the plane? It’s just a thought, I’ve never heard anything about this stuff before. I guess it’s mostly luck at that point.
Tome
There really wasn’t a great option.
One thing has to be clear.
At the time of a huge issue like this keep one thing in mind: SAVE YOURSELF. Forget about trying to save your pretty little airplane. Land at the best place possible.
It’s really that simple.
Insurance will pay for a new airplane, but they can’t bring you back to life.
As Chris says, in emergencies it can come down to 1. what’s you available; 2. your training; and, 3. personal choices. Personally, I’d take land over water especially in a high wing and welded wheels – guaranteed sudden stop and violent flip and its not about saving the plane but its occupants (a gear up low wing Bonanza might fair better if you don’t clip a wing tip). Egressing a submerged plane is extremely difficult without training. “Reports from aviation publications state that 90% of people that end up in the water while flying, drowned needlessly. This indicates that they survived the impact but succumbed to drowning when they did not exit the aircraft.” http://www.dunk-you.com/index.html
Tomes, to land on a beach, you land near the water line along the surf (if there’s room). That is where the sand is damp, flat and quite firm. Soft sand is, as you say, tricky at best.
As for every emergency, there is no correct “procedure” except the ones you survive so Chris’ decisions he demonstrates are just as valid as anyone’s so I am not trying to contradict Chris at all. I thought I’d add a different perspective to the discussion in the spirit of fun discussions. I am lucky not to have had an engine fire so I am no expert!
Chris, thanks again for all the effort and time you put into the series. I applaud your dedication to promoting aviation! It is a personal goal of mine to introduce as many people to aviation as possible and get more pilots flying. Everyone can fly – all it takes is dedication, time and resourcefulness. Many people think aviation is only a rich person’s game – it isn’t.
So to everyone out there – keep up the simming, go to your local airport, meet pilots, join the many groups out there (like the EAA http://www.eaa.org), get a introductory flight… in other words – THROTTLE ON!
Here’s how you land on a beach – note the sand by the surf is quite compact and hard…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t59LvZGZybU
That looked like Tundra tires on a 206. If I had to fly in bush, I would not fly without Tundra. They look like they could just about land on anything! But ya. That sand looked solid for sure. I guess if you had to choose between trees and water though, water would be the safest bet I would guess. In my head it comes out that way.
Here’s to hoping we (or anyone we know) never have to be associated with this kind of emergency.
C.
It’s been an excellent course Chris. I was away for two weeks and a little under the weather this week so I have a lot to catch up. I’m looking forward to what’s next.