Is Fuel Flow "MEL'able"

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03-28-2015, 03:30 AM

StudentsScareMe

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Is Fuel Flow "MEL'able"

Hey guys,

I fly a Cessna Caravan. The other day we had an issue with our fuel flow indicator, it was reading low or 0 after startup, turns out the cannon plug was corroded. Mx had the problem fixed after a couple minutes of scrubbing some corrosion off the fuel flow indicator cannon plug. However it happened 2 or 3 days in a row. Our chief maintenance guy said that once we get an MEL for the Caravan we'll be able to go with inoperative Fuel Flow Indicator. I think he's full of ******. Does anybody know if a Fuel Flow Indicator is MEL'able on a Cessna Caravan? Common sense tells me no, it's rather important with a turbine.

Thanks!

03-28-2015, 03:35 AM

BoilerUP

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http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?...20CE-208%20R11

03-28-2015, 12:05 PM

Adlerdriver

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Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentsScareMe

Common sense tells me no, it's rather important with a turbine. Thanks!

Meh. Is your engine running? If yes, then it's using fuel. Do you regularly use the rate your fuel is being burned for something? If you need that, hack the clock, check total gas, check total gas in 15 minutes, fuel used x 4 equals fuel flow per hour. Not that big a deal, IMO.

03-28-2015, 12:43 PM

Packrat

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What does your MEL say? If its not in the book, its NOT MELable.

03-28-2015, 03:31 PM

Adlerdriver

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Packrat

What does your MEL say? If its not in the book, its NOT MELable.

According to the link posted above, it is an MEL item.

04-26-2015, 01:02 PM

Jato

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Maybe it's not a big deal in the 208, but in bigger turbines it's a big deal. Usually fuel flow readings come directly from a pickup on a impeller, it works or it doesn't. the other indications for the engine, ether TIT, or EGT use thermocouples, after years of use they wear out and can indicate your engine is running cooler when it's really not. Thermocouples also wear out when they are exposed to high temps and sand contamination as well.