"A Grand"

[TFaudree_ERAU]

So, today I accomplished two milestones in my aviation career, both relating to "a grand".

1) I broke "a grand" TT, flying a 2007 Cirrus SR22 G3, first from TYS to ORF and then an attempt to go from ORF to RDU.

2) I was "a grand" marshal of a 3 truck ARFF parade, in that same SR22, on the ATTEMPT to go to RDU. We're still waiting to hear what the mechanics find as the culprit of an erroneous RPM indication that caused us to return to ORF. On climb out from ORF, the RPM gauge started fluctuating between 2400 and 2900, but there was no discernible change in the sound of the engine and all the other instruments were showing normal indications. We leveled off at 4,000, and I pulled the power back to a normal cruise setting and the problem subsided. I told the passenger (part owner of the plane) that I was positive that it was just a faulty indication and the flight could be completed safely, but let him make his input on whether or not to continue. He didn't feel comfortable enough to continue, so we informed Approach that we were going to return to land.

Well, to my surprise when I checked in with tower, I was queried about fuel remaining and souls on board, as well as being told that the "equipment" was waiting by the runway. After we cleared, tower asked if we could taxi under our own power to the ramp, which of course we could, so we were cleared to do so. As I shut down on the ramp, I saw three big green trucks rolling in behind me. WTF! I didn't want all this attention. Oh well, they just had a few simple questions about the problem, checked out the airplane (not for safety reasons, just for kicks) and I went on inside to find the mechanic.

In recollection, I can't believe how much the freight dawg in me showed itself. Had it been a 210, on a dark night in Florida, with slightly low oil pressure AND the tach showing erroneous indications, I probably would have continued on. Now that I've got passengers and their comfort to tend to, its a whole different story. And on top of that, they're right there watching everything you do. So with that being said, I give props to the SATSair guys who do it on a daily basis.

P.S. Stupid Avidyne electronic crap. It ain't built to take all that jiggling.

[USMCmech]

Congrats back at ya!

[GregCollins2]

Congrats on reaching 1000!
The tach on the SR-22 receives it's information directly from a sensor on the right magneto, the Avidyne would not be the source of the false indication.

[TFaudree_ERAU]

Thats what it was, the mag sensor...but still, its an electronic relay TO the Avidyne. I wasn't dissing the Avidyne display directly, but more the entire (electronic) system.