Circuit Breakers

[ivo]

I have noticed that there are circuit breakers(I think that's what they're called) behind the pilot and copilot's seat.Do they actually need to
know how to use it or do only the aircraft mechanics use it?

[WBHoenig]

I have no clue.

[Cydon Prax]

got me

[kvuo]

yes they know how to use em

[ivo]

but do they actually use them during the flight or is it just ground stuff?

[Jason]

The Flight Engineer is typically the aircrew expert of the circut breakers. The pilots will know exactly where the crucial ones are, for
example the guages and AC/DC power converter circut breakers. The ones that are unsafe or are not in use are typically pulled and
then "collared". You can purchase actual collars but I found that most of the time we had to use white zip ties. This keeps the breaker
from being pushed in. Also some of the more common ones that get yanked on the ground (both for safety and noise reduction) are
marked with nail polish or paint.

But yes the pilots know quite a bit about the circut breaker panels, maybe not as much as an E & E (electronics and environmental) guy
but I can assure you that pilots can hold their own with the important ones.

[WBHoenig]

But 99% of the time nowadays, there is no FE to be the expert.

[ivo]

One of the pilots has to be able to perform the duties of the Flight Engineer.

[Ryanamur]

If in flight you have a problem with an electrical component, you usually check the breaker... they're all labelled. If one is popped, you can
see the white showing. Then you just turn the equipment off, push the breaker in, turn the equipment on again. If it pops again, you know
you have a real problem!

Depending on the location of the breaker, it could be a real nightmare to check them. That's why they're usually in a "good" location for
either you, or your co-pilot, to look at them.

I'm sure someone who's a bit more current then I am will probably contribute more to this question but, from memory, that's about right.

Phil

[KenG]

Phil,

That sounds about right. As breakers are part of the electrical system pilots do have to have a working knowledge of which breakers are on which panel
and what breakers can be reset in flight. Each airplane is different and the OPSPEC for the company you are flying for or the aircraft's Flight
Operations Manual will give you the specifics. While there are some rules of thumb I caution to give them due to the above, again every airplane is
different and what is a rule of thumb in a Cessna or King Air may not even be considered an option in the B747.

[CowlFlapsOpen]

There is an interesting NTSB report on a charter that crashed. The charter was carrying a portion of a basketball team and staff (Ohio State I
think). The aircraft had an electrical short midflight in IMC and, although backup instruments were available on the co-pilot's side, the pilot
became disoriented and made a death spiral. There was no FO but the passenger in the right seat was a pilot riding along to gain some time in that
type of ac. They are not sure but the evidence points to that fact that the pilot (and presumably the passenger/pilot) became preoccupied with the
circuit breakers and fuses while trying to fix the problem and forgot the number 1 rule of in-flight emergencies: Aviate. I guess the moral is:
Know your circuit breakers and how to fix them quickly.

[Ryanamur]

Yes, that rule number 1 is not just for emergencies. You should always fly the aircraft and then navigate or deal with other stuff... bottom of
the list is always communicate!

Phil

[Ryanamur]

KenG wrote:
Phil,

That sounds about right. As breakers are part of the electrical system pilots do have to have a working knowledge of which breakers are
on which panel
and what breakers can be reset in flight. Each airplane is different and the OPSPEC for the company you are flying for or the aircraft's
Flight
Operations Manual will give you the specifics. While there are some rules of thumb I caution to give them due to the above, again every
airplane is
different and what is a rule of thumb in a Cessna or King Air may not even be considered an option in the B747.

Thanks Ken, I guess there are only two safe rules of thumb that we can share: #1 "fly the aircraft at all times" and # 2, "when in doubt
apply rule number 1 again!"

Phil