353 System Failure Decision Making and Choosing the Best Airport to Land

Aviation News Talk podcast

Max talks about how to respond to system failures, including those not covered in the POH. The process starts with assessing the severity of the failure—whether it’s a minor inconvenience or a threat to safety. Pilots should determine if they can substitute other instruments or indicators for the failed system and assess if the issue could lead to cascading failures, such as an engine fire after a turbocharger malfunction.

Choosing the right place to land is also crucial. Not all failures require an immediate landing, so if time permits, pilots should consider airports with better repair facilities.

The episode compares the redundancy in the Cirrus SR22, with its dual alternators and batteries, to the Diamond DA40NG, which has less backup, making electrical failures more critical. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding your aircraft's systems and being prepared for emergencies.

A real-life example of a failure involving engine sensors in a Cirrus highlights the importance of redundancy and system knowledge, underscoring the episode’s key takeaway: know your aircraft, understand potential failures, and always be prepared to act decisively in flight.

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