"Flight" Timers

[vlittle]

Dynon's interpretation of Flight Time in the SkyView seems to be at odds with common usage, at least in Canada.

My interpretation is:
Air time commences when the aircraft leaves the supporting surface and terminates when it touches the supporting surface at the next point of landing.

Flight time commences the moment an aircraft first moves under its own power for the purpose of taking off until the moment it comes to rest at the end of the flight. Note that this includes taxiing.

The SkyView Pilot's Guide says:
The Flight Timer - labeled FLT TIME when displayed on an Engine Page - runs any time SkyView determines the aircraft is in flight. SkyView uses the presence of significant airspeed or GPS speed to decide whether the aircraft is flying. Resets with “RUN TIME”, the first time engine is started after SkyView is powered on.

Isn't what the SkyView calls Flight Timer actually an Air Timer?  This was flagged by Transport Canada official today in my HR-II.

 

[MCRider]

This is what I have on my EMS screen (Version 6.2):

• "FLIGHT": Total time spent in the air
• "HOBBS": Total engine run time
• "FLT TIME": Same as "FLIGHT" but for the current flight only (automatically reset if engine is running, i.e. oil pressure goes from 0 to a minimum value I don't remember)
• "RUN TIME": Same as "HOBBS", but only for current flight
• "FLT TRIP": Similar to "FLIGHT", can be reset manually in ENGINE menu
• "TRIP RUN": Similar to "HOBBS", can be reset manually

Maybe that helps...

MCRider

 

[vlittle]

Nope, you are just confirming that Dynon's interpretation is contrary to common usage.
Dynon's "Flight" time is called "Air" time by ICAO
Dynon does not provide the equivalent of the ICAO "Flight" time, but Hobbs time is close and is commonly used.

 

[RVDan]

BY FAA part 1 definitions- the time from takeoff to landing is "time in service" which is what is required to be recorded for maintenance. "Flight time" is what we as pilots log and is as ICAO defines it.

A bit confusing given the Dynon application of terms.

Dan

 

[MCRider]

I think the timer you are looking for (most people would call it "block time") is not that easy to implement. You need a reliable indication that the aircraft is moving (slowly). Airspeed does not work (wind can be faster that taxiing speed) and the GPS position is jumpy sometimes (pretending a movement). And you have to determine the time of last stop before the engine is shut down.

But maybe the Dynon guys will also find a way to archieve that.

I agree that the various terms are a bit confusing...

 

[mmarien]

Sounds a bit OCD. I been using the Dynon's flight time (ICAO air time) and just add 0.2 hours to determine what I record as flight time. Am I going to get arrested if I get ramp checked? Here in Canada our Senators are way more creative than that in calculating their expenses and they don't seem to get arrested.

 

[vlittle]

Yes a bit ocd, but if a feature is implemented, why not do it right? Just rename it to Air Time and the confusion is eliminated.

 

[Bruno]

''Here in Canada our Senators are way more creative than that in calculating their expenses and they don't seem to get arrested. Angry ',
-------------------------
At least in Saskatchewan...

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

Sorry about the thread drift...

Bruno