I have the Carenado C208B Grand Caravan and I'd like to learn more about how to manage its power system. Specifically:

 

* is there any benefit to adjusting the prop lever during flight?

* what parameters do I target for a typical fuel efficient cruise (re: fuel flow, torque, Ng, prop rpm)?

* do I always leave the fuel condition at full while in flight? (I think I read somewhere that you don't "lean" a turbine)

* when/how do you use "emergency power"? Together with throttle? Instead? Any implications?

 

Thanks

Clark

As a rule of thumb. Keep her in the middle of the greens. Condition always full for flight. Preference but I usually cruise at 90% N1, 1700RPM and 1600lbs trq. Climb @ 95% N1 1800 lbs trq. TAT will effect theses numbers considerably! Always keeping EEG in the green 680 degrees. This is the Carenado C208 w/FDE mod. The default 208 may be different.

Thanks Rendi!

You can download the POH from Cessna. It will tell you everything you need to know:

 

http://www.cessna.com/caravan/grand-caravan/grand-caravan-documents.html

I spent time in the co-pilot's seat (strictly as a passenger) of the real deal 2 years back in northern Kenya, of all places. This aircraft is Kenya's version of the NYC taxicab.

 

On the 1-3 hour hops we made, the pilot kept the condition lever full even during cruise, and he pegged torque and RPM at 1900 the whole time.

Thanks simhead! Good idea.

 

Wayne: I have heard that its very durable

 

I really love the sound of the Carenado version when its start up. You can really hear the howl of the gases flowing through the power ducts. :biggrin:

Hey Clark,

 

Just to add to what others have said, I used to have a document, or it was on a post I bookmarked here at AvSim, from a RW C208 pilot. Unfortunately a search here and at the Unofficial Carenado Support Forum and on my computer has come up empty. He talked quite a bit about handling the C208, and day-to-day ops. He said the most common two power settings in cruise that he personally used were 1700lbs/1750 RPM, and 16 squared. The main benefits being it's much quieter, and uses less fuel.

On the 1-3 hour hops we made, the pilot kept the condition lever full even during cruise, and he pegged torque and RPM at 1900 the whole time.

 

He must not be footing the fuel and maintenance bill.

 

BTW, I know a few RW PT6 drivers with hours in the thousands who have never touched two things on the throttle quadrant, the emergency power handle and the high idle position for the fuel valve.

 

regards,

Joe

If you haven't done so already I'd highly reccommend downloading the "optional Patch" from Carenado - http://www.carenado.com/CarSite/Portal/index.php?accion=update it's essentially a new FDE from Bernte Stolle which improves the handling no end.

 

Personally having checked the POH I look to have the prop at ~1900 RPM for most conditions and the fuel flow at about 306pph whilst cruising, no doubt that's not exactly correct but .......