Screens go black!

mrivc211

mrivc211

Well-Known Member
So you're on a descent into XYZ airport. Due to the temperature, your performance numbers say that an APU assisted go around is needed. In other words, in the event that you would need to go around, you would be limited in torque/thrust setting due to the temps. Using the APU would give you slightly better performance capabilities since air needed to pressurize the cabin would be coming from the APU and not taken from the engine bleeds, thus giving you more power.
So descending through 10,000ft you've slowed the plane to the appropriate limitation for an APU start in flight. As your FO reaches for the start contactor and engages it, your EFIS screens(attitude indicators/HSI) goes black. Nothing. Zip. Your now running off of your peanut gyro and compass. Your 35 miles from the airport. What would you do?
 
"Due to the temperature, your performance numbers say that an APU assisted go around is needed"

What kinda wussy airplane would have to do that? Never even heard of that before.

Anyway, if you're on standby power you have 30 minutes. I'd run the checklist and hope to get the APU generator on line. If you got nothing, you do a standby power approach if the wx is bad. I just did a pretty good one in the sim less than a month ago. Let the F/O work the thrust levers (human autothrottle) It's kinda like flying a old 172 panel with a non-standard instrument setup. You gotta look all over but the info is there. Shouldn't be a big deal for a guy with some solid, little airplane, IFR time.
 
Let's say that the APU gen came online, yet the screens still remained black. All the Main and aux gens are running fine.
 
No need for a block altitude...they still have the altimeters. Then time to brush off the dust on the partial panel skills.
 
pa31350pilot said:
No need for a block altitude...they still have the altimeters. Then time to brush off the dust on the partial panel skills.
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Oops, sorry, thought we had a full glass panel.
 
txpilot said:
You're VMC, 35 miles out, and are having problems landing the airplane?? Just curious, don't they go over that stuff in the Sim??:confused: :)
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Just out of curiousity, where does it say that the problem is with landing the airplane?

This forum is a arena of hypotheical scenarios. You seemed to of made up a problem onto the one stated. Am I missing something here?
 
mrivc211 said:
Just out of curiousity, where does it say that the problem is with landing the airplane?

This forum is a arena of hypotheical scenarios. You seemed to of made up a problem onto the one stated. Am I missing something here?
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Sorry, misread it. Carry on. But, as for your first question...WWYD: run the abnormal checklist and land the plane.:confused: :)
 
We have a switch that will select the alternate symbol generator if you have blank screens. Not much else you can do other than check for a popped CB. If it's VMC, I'd ask ATC for vectors to a visual. It's no big deal.
 
Well, 35 miles from the airport in vmc with no glass?

I'd land at the airport and switch out planes.

I think what txpilot is getting at is, what's the big deal? It's still flying and you can see in front of you, and I'm assuming the radios are still working plus 35 miles takes what, like 10 mins?
 
averyrm said:
Well, 35 miles from the airport in vmc with no glass?

I'd land at the airport and switch out planes.

I think what txpilot is getting at is, what's the big deal? It's still flying and you can see in front of you, and I'm assuming the radios are still working plus 35 miles takes what, like 10 mins?
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Ok, now lets switch it up a bit. It's IMC, you've been given direct to a VOR prior to the problem happening.

Remember, you can't use the VOR's since they are displayed on the HSDI.
 
mrivc211 said:
Ok, now lets switch it up a bit. It's IMC, you've been given direct to a VOR prior to the problem happening.

Remember, you can't use the VOR's since they are displayed on the HSDI.
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What are the bases at? Where is VFR located if you did the proper preflight planning (more talking to freight dawgs, since you airline people have it done for you, have people on the ground that can find out for you)? Tell ATC you need vectors for the VOR, troubleshooting in progress, fuel and souls on board, will advise if you need any further help...if you can't get to VFR, DECLARE EMERGENCY. If VFR is possible, see above.
 
If VMC, land.

If IMC, ask for a no gyro ASR approach or get yourself to some VFR weather. The radio's still working? Did the screens just die or did ALL the electrical go out too? If you don't have any radio's, you are IMC and you don't have ANY instrumentation then you'd better climb above any terrain in the area, get VFR fast and figure out a place to go.

Chances of it all going tango uniform? Slim to not frigging happening.
 
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