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Re: IO-550 operation
Last week, a mention was made about landing the LIV in a leaned condition. My view on this is that it a dangerous thing to do.
My recommendation is that prior to descent the engine is always brought to full rich-for several reasons.
Firstly, it takes the guesswork of engine management out of the picture at a time when the pilot will have other more intense issues to keep track of.
Secondly, it makes sure all of the horses are available at a critical time if needed. I can remember at least two go-arounds with full flaps in which I had to go full power and full rudder to get out of bad situations. If I had leaned out my engine, I would be history...
Someone has mentioned that they were witness to a pilot who had landed a plane in a leaned-out condition which resulted in a powerless dead engine. If you do this in a LIV with the 550 engine, you will, sooner or later, become an example mentioned in conjunction with Darwin's Theory- you will have proved the theory.
As for power management on departure, I always use 31.5 MP, or more, and full prop. Full rich unless adjusting for higher airports. Mention of less MP or power on departure makes me shudder. After all, altitude is our friend, isn't it? To gain altitude quickly on departure, you need all the power you can get. Choking back the engine on departure again brings up the subject of Darwin again.
The last subject I wish to touch upon is the mention of engine and prop speed. For the life of me, I fail to understand why someone would fly a $400,000 plane
at less than its capability. If you want to fly 24 squared, buy a Mooney. The 550 engine, in its certification has to run full speed in the test stand for the duration of the test time-in our case about 1700 hours. If I had a prop that had any doubt about its capability to fly at 2690 for an unlimited time, I would not get into the plane. You have spent the huge bucks to fly a fast plane. Running it at less than its full output is a waste of money and capability, in my unhumble opinion.
David Jones
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