condition levers

[DenisH]

What are condition levers for and how does a pilot determine their settings?  I fly the Pilatus P-12 daily and set the Condition  lever at ground  idle so the plane doesn't start rolling even with brakes on. I set it full for takeoff and then just arbitrarily ease it off 1/3. Would this be correct for all turbines?  Is it correct at all?  Thanks.

[SeanTK]

Here is an excerpt from another forum. Basically, in the case of an aircraft with an engine type such as the PT-6, as found on Twin Otters, King Airs, etc, it's a fuel flow control lever:

Condition levers control fuel flow. The condition levers in the King Air have 3 positions, Cut-off, Low-Idle, and High-Idle. By moving the condition levers to Low-Idle, you set the engine to idle at a specific speed, moving them to High-Idle allows the engine to idle at a higher speed by introducing a greater constant fuel flow. Low-idle is used for starting and taxi; High-idle is used for normal flight and any time that that extra bleed air is required (such as for the air conditioning with only one engine running). Cut-off is just that, it cuts-off fuel to the engine.


In some other aircraft, such as the ATR series, the condition lever control both fuel flow and prop pitch.

[DaveSims]

Your typical PT-6 installation, including the PC-12, will have a throttle, prop control, and condition lever.  The condition lever is as described above.  The only time you would use a reduced setting on the condition lever would be for startup and taxi.  During flight you leave it full forward. 

It is not quite like a mixture control on a piston, as the fuel control on a turbine is automatically adjusted.  You do not have to lean it out as you climb.

[DenisH]

Question answered! Thanks. 

[C]

[quote]Your typical PT-6 installation, including the PC-12, will have a throttle, prop control, and condition lever.

[-Crossfire-]

[quote][quote]Your typical PT-6 installation, including the PC-12, will have a throttle, prop control, and condition lever.

[C]

[quote]

Yes but in an engine failiure situation... I want to be reaching for something I can FEEL... like the prop lever or condition lever.

[-Crossfire-]

Personally, I like the King Air center console... I don't think it's congested at all... but I havn't flown much else.... to each his own  8-)

[C]

[quote]Personally, I like the King Air center console... I don't think it's congested at all... but I havn't flown much else.... to each his own

[Flying Trucker]

Good evening all...

I won't mention the DC4s and 6s.

But

I found the Center Console on the Douglas DC3/Dak/C47 wonderful for holding my pipe firmly in place

And

I found the roof mounted control levers on the Consolidated Canso/Catalina/PBY5A great for hanging my head gear on

DANG IT....did I type that all out....

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

[DaveSims]

Good evening all...

I won't mention the DC4s and 6s.

But

I found the Center Console on the Douglas DC3/Dak/C47 wonderful for holding my pipe firmly in place

And

I found the roof mounted control levers on the Consolidated Canso great for hanging my head gear on

DANG IT....did I type that all out....

Cheers...Happy Landings...Doug

Doug, you either just dated yourself with that post, or you are currently flying boxes around Alaska (since many of those types are still in use there).

[Flying Trucker]

Hi Dave...

Been retired twenty years or more I guess.

The 4s & 6s were okay, not as much work but I turned down two aircraft that I could have checked out in and flown.