@IchiTrois Bascially yes. There is an emergency exit on the opposite side (above the right side executive table). Some cargo models have been modified to allow the flight crew to enter/exit through the copilot's side window after the cabin has been filled with cargo.
@dave0mary Acutally the MU2 is a champ in icing. I was in some day before yesterday as a matter of fact. Keep your speed up (>180) and use your equipment correctly and I don't know of a plane that does better. Also, any airplane with boots will benefit from applying ICE-X prior to any flight where ice may be encountered.
awesome I love this plane and I know you have a series on it...well done! Is it true it has the same landing gear set up as an f15? ( thank Flying for that tid bit...lol) You and Greg Mink are ambassadors to the MU2...keep flying and shooting vids! cheers T
1:45 you show the instruments that are 2 across and 5 in height and say Torque Gauges EGT/Exhaust Gas Temperature Fuel Flow RPM Oil Temperature What does Torque Gauges measure? The amount of torque I assume. Does Torque measure the amount of bite/pitch the propeller takes to the air? What are the different readings during the different parts of flight of that gauge? How does that differ than RPM?
Torque is a measure of the twisting force being applied to the prop by the engine. Both the prop (1591 RPM) and the engine (41,700 RPM) are generally operating at a constant speed so when in flight mode (Prop Governing Mode) an increase in power setting causes the props to take a bigger bite of air and produce more thrust. The pilot can adjust prop RPM between 96 and 100 percent (of the 1591) but this is done for cabin noise and fuel efficiency purposes primarily. It is typically set once per flight based on pilot preference and then left alone.
mtnairpilot Once you move away from the starting area and are underway, (taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing) does the RPM of the propellers remain close to the 1,591 and the turbine at 41,700? The only thing that changes is the pitch of the propellers which is used to increase or decrease speed? It looks like in the video there are 4 throttle type levers, 2 with black handles on the left and 2 with blue handles on the right. Are the two on the right the engine RPM and the 2 on the left the prop pitch?
SanFranciscoBay The answer to your question is actually quite complicated. The two black levers are power levers, and what they control is determined by whether they are in front of (flight mode or Prop Governor (PG) mode) or behind (ground mode or beta mode) the flight idle gate. The two black levers are condition levers which control prop speed and also feather the props in the event of an engine failure. Look for some YT vids or do a Google search on Garrett 331 engine operation for more details.
mtnairpilot I think I found it here: "The TPE331 is a pilot’s engine; it is simple to operate and easy to manage. Unlike other engine makes, which require the manipulation of three and even four power management controls (levers), the TPE331 engine has only two: a Power Lever and a Speed Lever. The Power Lever of the TPE331 engine is primarily used to control output power. Whether it be fuel or torque depends upon the MODE of operation (TPE331 Training Guide, TSG--134, published 1/1/89, page 2-2). That is, when advanced forward from the flight idle gate, the Power Lever controls fuel flow, similar to a reciprocating engine throttle. During this mode, the propeller governor automatically maintains set engine speed by varying propeller blade angles in response to changing flight conditions and/or power. On the ground (only), the Power Lever, when retarded behind the flight idle gate, controls propeller blade angle directly. This mode, power lever range from flight idle to reverse, is called beta mode. During beta mode of operation, the Underspeed Fuel Governor maintains selected engine speed by assuming control over fuel flow. Warning: In-flight beta mode (Power Lever behind Flight Idle) is prohibited (unless the airplane is certified for in-flight beta mode). The use of beta mode in-flight is prohibited because placing one or more power levers below the Flight Idle gate sets the corresponding propeller blades at an angle lower than certified for in-flight conditions. Moreover, setting one or more Power Levers below Flight Idle in-flight produces high-drag conditions (resulting in an excessive airspeed deceleration), may induce an uncontrollable roll rate (due to asymmetric thrust and drag), and could block elevator airflow, which would inhibit stall avoidance and recovery. Refer also to Pilot Advisory Letter: PAL PA331-06, August 5, 1996 for a detailed description of why in-flight beta mode is prohibited. The Speed Lever, sometimes called the Condition Lever (when linked to the manual feather valve and fuel solenoid manual shut-off lever) or RPM Lever, basically serves one function: to select the engine operating speed. Normal Speed Lever positions are: High, Cruise, and Low. The RPM selected is according to the flight or ground condition, and once set, requires resetting only when the flight condition changes. High (100%) RPM is used for takeoff and landing, Cruise (96-97%) RPM for normal climb/cruise/descent operations, and Low (65-73%) RPM for engine starting and ground or taxi operations." Here is the link: www.flightlevelsonline.com/issues/spring10/article/flying-the-engine.html
