Tips-n-tricks

[coastdog]

When refuelling the ASTAR ... with those locking caps that need the small key to open and close ...

 

(A) after removing the cap place it inside the foothole on the transmission deck. If you forget to put it back on and fly away (!!?!) chances are it will still be there when you land. If you place it in the outside foot step (right beside the filler) it WILL be gone.

( tie a brightly colored bit of string or flagging tape to the key and keep it in the passenger-side ashtray (gotta love those French - lol) with the string hanging out and make it part of your pre takeoff check (cap on, key in cockpit - check!) :up:

[kjw57]

Stuck with a GPI that won't take a prime and start pumping? Turn the filter cannister (s) up to drain fuel from cannisters to prime pump. Good idea with dual element filters to keep the sediment bowl reasonably clean if your going to be stuck with a crappy pump fo awhile.

[transientorque2]

Stuck with a GPI that won't take a prime and start pumping? Turn the filter cannister (s) up to drain fuel from cannisters to prime pump. Good idea with dual element filters to keep the sediment bowl reasonably clean if your going to be stuck with a crappy pump fo awhile.

 

 

Or just disconnect the filter from the pump and give your pump a few toggles and you will hear the pump prime or untill the fuel come out(a little bit tricky), reinstall the filter quicly and turn on your pump.

 

When refuelling the ASTAR ... with those locking caps that need the small key to open and close ...

 

(A) after removing the cap place it inside the foothole on the transmission deck. If you forget to put it back on and fly away (!!?!) chances are it will still be there when you land. If you place it in the outside foot step (right beside the filler) it WILL be gone.

( tie a brightly colored bit of string or flagging tape to the key and keep it in the passenger-side ashtray (gotta love those French - lol) with the string hanging out and make it part of your pre takeoff check (cap on, key in cockpit - check!) :up:

 

I do the same. The cap on the trans foothold deck. Or put it on the floor on the passenger side. As for the key some companies put a key on a bungy cord and leave it in the side hold. Not always good if the bungy is too long. The best is have a spare on your car/truck key chain. There is nothing worse than flying 2 hours+ to the fuel cache and no way of opening that dam cap and your too far away to fly back to base and no cell phone coverage! :shock:

[Skids Up]

Many years ago, we put the key for the fuel cap on a "retractable keychain thingy" and mounted it inside the side pouch. Cap hung on the chain while refueling and key was always available and couldn't be left "outside" the aircraft after fueling.

 

Plus your cross shift couldn't put it in his/her pocket...!

[oopsydaisy]

When doing prolonged longline work (seismic) in an A-Star, after a cycle jump out and loop your line around pilot door handle before you go to the truck to watch movies. Its the first thing you see prior to any trip! On the topic of movies and or video gaming in vehicle it is good to have an abundance of garbage bags and tape to darken said vehicle for a true theatre experience!! No garbage bags! no problem! winter covers do the trick. How about a bathroom? Rather than cooling off your under carriage or chapping the odd bum cheek, a 5 gallon pail, some glad kitchen catchers and a toilet seat do wonders in any utility trailer just be sure to take buddy heaters and place them strategically in trailer for personal comfort. A sign outside might also be nice so your engineer doesnt get a rude awakening.

 

Oops

[snark]

The sort version: If you value your life, limbs and respect of your engineer....never, ever, wreck a dump-valve.... and Grant S, if you are reading this....I have a very long memory!! Two in a week and 4 buckets in one tour is beyond the pale

 

 

IF you are involved in changing one of these, PLEASE DO NOT FART into the opening when your engineer is stuck inside helplessly flailing about. NOT FUNNY RBL.

[transientorque2]

When doing prolonged longline work (seismic) in an A-Star, after a cycle jump out and loop your line around pilot door handle before you go to the truck to watch movies. Its the first thing you see prior to any trip! On the topic of movies and or video gaming in vehicle it is good to have an abundance of garbage bags and tape to darken said vehicle for a true theatre experience!! No garbage bags! no problem! winter covers do the trick. How about a bathroom? Rather than cooling off your under carriage or chapping the odd bum cheek, a 5 gallon pail, some glad kitchen catchers and a toilet seat do wonders in any utility trailer just be sure to take buddy heaters and place them strategically in trailer for personal comfort. A sign outside might also be nice so your engineer doesnt get a rude awakening.

 

Oops

 

 

looping your line around the handle is a good one. !st I've heard of it. GOOD idea. I'll use that one for sure in the future :up:

[Skidz]

When refuelling the ASTAR ... with those locking caps that need the small key to open and close ...

 

(A) after removing the cap place it inside the foothole on the transmission deck. If you forget to put it back on and fly away (!!?!) chances are it will still be there when you land. If you place it in the outside foot step (right beside the filler) it WILL be gone.

( tie a brightly colored bit of string or flagging tape to the key and keep it in the passenger-side ashtray (gotta love those French - lol) with the string hanging out and make it part of your pre takeoff check (cap on, key in cockpit - check!) :up:

 

When refueling an Astar, ALWAYS replace the cap as soon as you pull the nozzle out of the hole. I flew 10 miles with the fuel cap in the outside footwell once this past summer :shock: ... and it was still there when I landed (very delicately)... :up:

 

Our keys are always hung on the air vent knob, and most of our machines have a spare in the MGB compartment on the front firewall on the left side, where Aerospatiale conveniently provided a place to clip and ty-wrap one...

[helimat]

Upon receiving a rental Allison 250 gearbox from Stillborne, might as well change ALL the output seals before installation! :rant:

[Superwrench]

I like to see a cable from the MGB cowl to the deck of an A-star. Make sure that cowl doesn't fly up during ground run. And as for the fuel cap I found that installing a ( not sure the correct name of them but it retracking key holder) in the baggage compartment. The cap stays on the key. I know it can be a pain is the a## to open the baggage door, but you don't have to worry about cap falling out foot rest and moving on the transmission deck into a place you don't want it to be. An other tip i have seen is to install a aux pwr plug on the transmission deck, for you refueling pump on a 206's.

 

And don't forget.......KEEP WATERING THE ENGINEERS....we dry up easly

 

SW