P.O.S. CL-65 ECS System

[Anaconda]

those of us that have flown the cl-65 have no doubt experienced the trials and tribulations of its environmental control system. having flown it now for about six weeks, i must say i am becoming tired of the constant attention this system demands. between the calls from the f/a and having to babysit the ecs page throughout the flight, it is seriously interupting my reading of usa today.

my question is, what, if anything, can be done about it? has anyone found the secret to making this thing work in a way that strict attention to it is not required? or am i doomed to having to just suck it up and operate in the manual mode? any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[V-1]

I haven't seen anyone operate it in automatic mode except some who do when on the ground, or during takeoff/landing.

I think there are as many theories about how to operate it in manual as there are pilots.

 

[Pilot877]

Yeah, the ECS seems to be a good part of the inflight workload! I would be interested in any secrets others may have to share. Most Captains I fly with just play with it the entire flight and try to stay nice despite constant calls from F/A's because grandma is either too hot or too cold in the back. I just figured it is the price to pay to fly such a sweet aircraft.

 

[V-1]

Climbing through 10,000 feet, manual mode and 30-35 degrees seems to keep the F.A. quiet most of the time. 20-26 degrees on the flight deck keeps the second pilot quiet most of the time.

That's the most effective strategy I've seen so far. Any others?

 

[Anaconda]

one theory that was explained to me the other day which i didn't mention above is this:

prior to flight, ensure ALL of the gaspers in the cabin are fully opened. figure out where the temp sensor for the cockpit is and aim the copilots gasper at the sensor. the pilot that explained this to me even said that he rolls up a checklist and sticks it in the gasper to aim the airflow at the sensor. then, set the packs in auto and place the dial pointers at the line that is depicted on the ECS control panel. then, sit back, relax, and never worry about the F/A calling you up again.

i'm sure most of you by now are probably saying, "yeah, right". i tend to agree with you, as this technique appears to rely on the gaspers in the cabin being open all of the time, which we all know ain't gonna happen. however, this pilot swears by this technique...

 

[skypine69]

Ok boys....pull up a chair for a little RJ ground school. The secret to operating the ECS system on the RJ is to upgrade to Captain. Then make to FO do all the work while you sit back and relax reading the paper (or porn, whichever is better).

 

[rumpletumbler]

I will happily trade (not buy) my unemployment status for a chance to play with the ECS system. Any takers?

RT

 

[Anaconda]

skypine...normally i would agree with you, and while this may be a technique that you employ, in my limited experience i have found the captains to end up playing with this system more than i do - esp. the high-strung ones that can't sit still in the cockpit for more than two seconds and constantly have to have their hands doing something...

 

[skydiverdriver]

Iv'e only had one captain ask me to work the thing. Most won't let me touch it.

Honestly, I didnt' even know there was a temp sensor in the cockpit. Where is it, or is this just a joke?

 

[Anaconda]

i was told it depends on the acft number, but if you have ever noticed a small round mesh vent next to the f.o.'s seat about 1.5 inches in diameter near the mach xducer selector things, that is it...or so i'm told it could be bogus info (could be a joke like you said)

some of the acft don't have that, i don't know where it's supposed to be on other acft but i think the guy said it was behind the f.o. seat