English Electric Lightning F53 (53-671) Engine Run - 5th August 2017 - Gatwick Aviation Museum

* Noise warning! This video gets very loud! *

A brief run description from one of 53-671's crew and senior engineers Milt Roach, is given here:

"Well the first engine start was number 2, (we always start with this engine so that number 1 bay and engine are cold) which failed to light due to a faulty ignition lead misbehaving itself today. This is due to be replaced during this September's maintenance schedule, starting next week. At this point number 1 engine was started instead, to allow number 2 starter to cool down.

Number 1 was taken up to 80% and the hydraulic systems then exercised, along with the air turbine gearbox.

Standard practice for us is to run one engine at various power settings for four minutes, before starting the second engine up, where both then run together for a couple of minutes. At this point we then shut the first engine down (number 2) to conserve fuel, as well as keep the stress levels and airframe heat soak to a minimum, plus it keeps the workload down in the cockpit for whom ever is pilot on the day.

There is a quite a bit to do in the cockpit with checking various settings, indicators, as well as taking notes on temperatures, RPMs, fuel consumption, times etc for the run records and engine log cards.

Number 2 engine start was a little "wet start" due to unburned fuel hanging around in the jet pipe after the first failed start five minutes earlier, this does the engine or aeroplane no harm and soon burns off as we saw. Again, this engine was taken to just over 80% and the hydraulics, plus gearbox checked for correct function.

Unfortunately towards the end of the run on number 2, she threw us a little snag, whereby the air turbine gearbox alternator oil seal failed, allowing some small amount of oil to escape, this was the smoke seen at the end of the run, before an immediate shut down was called. Any smoke or gas leaks on a Lightning mean instant shut down for safety. It's an easy fix for us, now that 671 goes in for her scheduled end summer maintenance next week.

Other than those two snags, 671 behaved perfectly and did as asked on the day. For those wondering, yes she will do re-heat runs, once we are happy that she is ready, and significant concrete ground works have been done. I hope you all enjoyed it, and see you next time!"

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Видео English Electric Lightning F53 (53-671) Engine Run - 5th August 2017 - Gatwick Aviation Museum канала Miles Audio Visual