Craymer's Counsel

The modular design of the PT6 has been documented and discussed in previous articles. We have talked about the rear module and the gas generator. Now let's turn our attention to the front of the engine, called the power section. The power section does precisely that; it turns the air...

There are certain accessories on the PT6 engine that people are familiar with for both good and bad reasons. The fuel control unit, or FCU, is probably number one. We have adjusted them, repaired them, and overhauled them. Almost everyone that has owned or operated a PT6 has had to...

Over the past months, I have laid out several important items for maintaining your PT6A engine. We have discussed borescope inspections, hot section inspections, engine washing, fuel nozzles, performance, etc. I have been asked, "what are some of the results if we decide not to heed any of this advice?"...

I have written before about unscheduled events (exceedances). This time under the title of unscheduled events, I will look at prop strikes and sudden stoppage. These two events are interconnected in the engine maintenance manuals, although there are some differences once we get into the overhaul manual. Here are a...

Many have asked this question when the days get hot and long. I get many calls wondering why an engine is not making "full power." As the outside air temperature rises, an engine's performance can take the brunt. How do we determine if your engine is performing like expected? For...

I have fielded a few calls over the past couple of weeks about oil coming out of the inlet case after motoring the engine. The presence of oil caused concern for the customers. The best way to show what is going on is to explore the oil tank and what...

I was speaking with a customer, and we were discussing how much cheaper it is to do preventative and scheduled maintenance than wait until there is an issue. With a bit of planning and preparation, the care of your engine can be far less “painful.” It is easier to spend...

The PT6A is a modular engine. One benefit of a modular design is that maintenance and troubleshooting are easier.  Most instructions and directions are provided from the pilot’s point of view. Looking at an engine from the pilot’s perspective, the first module you come to is the accessory gearbox (AGB)....

I like to talk about unscheduled events on the PT6A engine from time to time. Unscheduled events are the incidents that none of us want or need, but they happen despite our best efforts. There is a pretty extensive list of events that Pratt & Whitney Canada describes as unscheduled...

Please wash your hands. Our parents made this request when we were young children. We are also hearing and seeing signs about washing our hands in our current situation—something so simple but can have a profound effect. Washing can work wonders.