Lombardo covers business aviation maintenance-related issues. He is also a writer and on-air reporter for AINtv. He has over 3000 articles published and is the author of several books on aircraft systems for pilots and on the topic of flight simulation.
He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in education from the University of Illinois, has taught aviation for over 35 years in industry and as a university professor and academic dean at three different universities. He is also a frequent seminar and after-dinner motivational speaker.&nbsp;
Lombardo holds an A&amp;P Certificate, ATP, CFI and Ground Instructor ratings. He was a corporate pilot and was a research pilot and flight instructor at the University of Illinois. An FAA Safety Counselor for over 25 years, he was one of the original 13 Counselors appointed to the FAA’s Airworthiness Safety Program for maintenance technicians.&nbsp;

Contributor

David A. Lombardo

StandardAero has introduced a new custom solution for operators of Rolls-Royce M250-C47 engines to improve starting performance by lowering starting temperatures on engines that are experiencing warm starting conditions.&nbsp;The solution, a custom overhauled hydromechanical unit (HMU), was designed by StandardAero engineers to optimize the performance of M250-C47 engines.

 


“Some M250 Series IV Fadec engine operators flying in hot and/or high conditions are experiencing elevated starting temperatures.&nbsp;This causes operators to resort to alternate starting procedures,” said Manny Atwal, vice president of StandardAero's helicopters business unit.&nbsp; “StandardAero engineers have determined the root cause of elevated start temperatures and have developed new inspection, build and test procedures that help identify and reduce engine starting temperatures and prevent starting problems.”

 


The custom overhauled HMU solution is currently in use on more than 20 helicopters.&nbsp;Engine start data provided by those operators confirmed that average start temperatures range between 725 degrees C and 735 degrees C, reducing starting temperatures by as much as 120 degrees C in some cases, according to StandardAero. “There will be no additional down time or incremental cost to the operator to have this approach taken,” Atwal told AIN. Exchange units are possible with some advance notice and all work is performed at StandardAero’s Winnipeg, Canada location.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

StandardAero Improves R-R M250 Warm Engine Starting

Overhauled HMU improves performance by lowering starting temperatures.

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

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