CE-414 gouge

roundout · January 18th, 2006, 12:37

anybody got any experience flying the CE-414? i just landed a job as the co on a beautiful 414A RAM VII. i flew it once last week and it seems like it's a pretty straightforward-handling aircraft with nothing unexpected at low speeds or with various configurations. does anybody here know anything different about it?

Mr_Creepy · January 18th, 2006, 12:54

What do you want to know?

I've flown them a bit

roundout · January 18th, 2006, 19:25

any facet of flight or configuration where the airplane doesn't handle like it's "supposed to?" are there any systems issues that are fairly common (such as the CE-421C eats alternators or the CE-152 fouls plugs easily, etc)? i'm just trying to get an idea of things to look for before i go to school so i don't go in totally cold.

Mr_Creepy · January 18th, 2006, 19:39

You can pretty much translate anything from C-421 to the C-414. The only difference is the engine gearing. If I recall the Ram VII is a straight 414, with tip tanks. Hmm I'll have a go at it ...

1) The vacuum pumps are inadequate. If you lose one it's pretty much guaranteed you will lose the other within 5 or 10 minutes. Practice up on your "no gyro" approaches!

2) Do not switch to the Aux tanks until the mains are down at least half way. The fuel return line goes to the main tanks in either case and it's pretty hefty, you can easily pump fuel out the main tank overflows.

3) If you have a nacelle tank avoid filling it all the way up. It holds 20 gallons in most cases but will siphon out to 16 in level flight. For some reason, if you fill it only to 18 gallons it will not siphon.

4) In almost all models the external power receptacle is in a flap at the rear of the left engine nacelle, but once in a while you will find an older model where it is underneath the cabin door.

5) The TCM engines are crappy. There is no other word for it. Even if you avoid shock cooling and let the engines sit at idle for two minutes before shutting down, you can usually count on at least 3 or 4 cracked cylinders in every annual. I've gotten thru an annual with none, but it is the exception rather than the rule.

6) If you do not have the MEB88-3 conversion installed for the aux fuel pumps, I highly suggest you do so immediately. Search for Twin Cessna Fuel Pumps on google and you will find some interesting stories. Not sure if this link will work, you may have to fiddle with it a little bit - http://stoenworks.com/Last%20flight%...76%20Xray.html

7) If you are at altitude and you notice a gradual power loss for no apparent reason, immediately put on the alternate air. It may be that you have intake icing. The 414 does not have the automatically opening magnetic doors (in most cases.)

8) Stay out of ice! The plane may be certified for known icing but it shouldn't be, it is really under powered, especially at altitude.

I may think of more later.

roundout · January 18th, 2006, 20:48

exactly what i was looking for. thanks a lot. i'll check on that fuel pump mod ASAP.

averyrm · January 19th, 2006, 11:13

And the ram I flew was in the shop more then it was out, so lots of vacation!

roundout · January 23rd, 2006, 19:47

that's no good, i'm paid daily!

January 18th, 2006, 12:37	#1
roundout Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kads Posts: 808	CE-414 gouge anybody got any experience flying the CE-414? i just landed a job as the co on a beautiful 414A RAM VII. i flew it once last week and it seems like it's a pretty straightforward-handling aircraft with nothing unexpected at low speeds or with various configurations. does anybody here know anything different about it? __________________ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm this reference tool contains examples of the proper spellings and usages of the following words: your, you're, there, their, they're, than, then

January 18th, 2006, 12:54	#2
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	What do you want to know? I've flown them a bit __________________ "You know you're winning an argument with a liberal when they start calling you names" (insert any political group you want and stop calling me names) johntenney.com johntenneyracing.com Myspace

January 18th, 2006, 19:25	#3
roundout Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kads Posts: 808	any facet of flight or configuration where the airplane doesn't handle like it's "supposed to?" are there any systems issues that are fairly common (such as the CE-421C eats alternators or the CE-152 fouls plugs easily, etc)? i'm just trying to get an idea of things to look for before i go to school so i don't go in totally cold. __________________ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm this reference tool contains examples of the proper spellings and usages of the following words: your, you're, there, their, they're, than, then

January 18th, 2006, 19:39	#4
Mr_Creepy Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: In the O-zone Posts: 5,807	You can pretty much translate anything from C-421 to the C-414. The only difference is the engine gearing. If I recall the Ram VII is a straight 414, with tip tanks. Hmm I'll have a go at it ... 1) The vacuum pumps are inadequate. If you lose one it's pretty much guaranteed you will lose the other within 5 or 10 minutes. Practice up on your "no gyro" approaches! 2) Do not switch to the Aux tanks until the mains are down at least half way. The fuel return line goes to the main tanks in either case and it's pretty hefty, you can easily pump fuel out the main tank overflows. 3) If you have a nacelle tank avoid filling it all the way up. It holds 20 gallons in most cases but will siphon out to 16 in level flight. For some reason, if you fill it only to 18 gallons it will not siphon. 4) In almost all models the external power receptacle is in a flap at the rear of the left engine nacelle, but once in a while you will find an older model where it is underneath the cabin door. 5) The TCM engines are crappy. There is no other word for it. Even if you avoid shock cooling and let the engines sit at idle for two minutes before shutting down, you can usually count on at least 3 or 4 cracked cylinders in every annual. I've gotten thru an annual with none, but it is the exception rather than the rule. 6) If you do not have the MEB88-3 conversion installed for the aux fuel pumps, I highly suggest you do so immediately. Search for Twin Cessna Fuel Pumps on google and you will find some interesting stories. Not sure if this link will work, you may have to fiddle with it a little bit - http://stoenworks.com/Last%20flight%...76%20Xray.html 7) If you are at altitude and you notice a gradual power loss for no apparent reason, immediately put on the alternate air. It may be that you have intake icing. The 414 does not have the automatically opening magnetic doors (in most cases.) 8) Stay out of ice! The plane may be certified for known icing but it shouldn't be, it is really under powered, especially at altitude. I may think of more later. __________________ "You know you're winning an argument with a liberal when they start calling you names" (insert any political group you want and stop calling me names) johntenney.com johntenneyracing.com Myspace

January 18th, 2006, 20:48	#5
roundout Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kads Posts: 808	exactly what i was looking for. thanks a lot. i'll check on that fuel pump mod ASAP. __________________ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm this reference tool contains examples of the proper spellings and usages of the following words: your, you're, there, their, they're, than, then

January 19th, 2006, 11:13	#6
averyrm Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: LCK Posts: 1,652	And the ram I flew was in the shop more then it was out, so lots of vacation! __________________ <-- That guy with Belushi as his avitar

January 23rd, 2006, 19:47	#7
roundout Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kads Posts: 808	that's no good, i'm paid daily! __________________ http://www.m-w.com/dictionary.htm this reference tool contains examples of the proper spellings and usages of the following words: your, you're, there, their, they're, than, then

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