Flugwerk FW-190 troubles

[Dan K]

As reported elsewhere, Christophe Jacquard's Flugwerk FW-190 suffered a complete electrical failure while airborne last week.

Pilot and aircraft are fine, and apparently the source of trouble has already been detected. The aircraft has been grounded for the time being as upgrades to the electrical system are planned.

[FAFG_Xav]

I saw the plane at La Ferte Alais Airshow this week end, she was in a hangar, with people seem working on the right landing gear.
She made an engine run on sunday in front of the public on sunday (h**l of a noise !!!) too bad we couldn't see her fly.
Consider she flies for just a few weeks, a lot of work to be done yet !

By the way, this bird is a brutal beauty !!!!!

[jet1]

that those things were robust enough to fight in WW II. The survivors seem to have constant troubles.

[Matt Gunsch]

that those things were robust enough to fight in WW II. The survivors seem to have constant troubles.

These are not survivors, they are replicas,
and a electrical failure is not a major deal unless you are flying a fly by wire plane, or it is a ignition electrical failure.

[Baldeagle]

Anybody know what happened to the Jurca Fw-190 replica (full size, wood wing, steel tube fuselage frame) that was flying in Europe a few years ago (w/ C-47 engine I think?)? It had an u/c collapse but didn't look badly damaged.




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[RyanShort1]

Didn't the FW-190 have an electronic throttle and engine control system?

Ryan

[Matt Gunsch]

I am not sure if it was electrical, but I seem to remember that it was a single lever plane.

[airnutz]

I am not sure if it was electrical, but I seem to remember that it was a single lever plane.

A mechanical computer, the Kommandagerat, which regulated RPM, prop pitch, timing, blower speed...all in relation to altitude.

Don't go in here unless you can spare the time..I love this website ..scroll down just past 1/2 way..
www.white1foundation.org/restoration_engine.htm

[JDK]

that those things were robust enough to fight in WW II. The survivors seem to have constant troubles.

As has been said, this is a copy with a lot of technical differences and a non original engine type.

Secondly don't underestimate the wastage rate in wartime. Wartime training and tech losses (not combat) translated to today's warbird scene would dispose of every warbird (and a lot of pilots) within a year, I guess.

[A2C]

Electrical is not a big deal, mostly lightbulbs in the cockpit. The engine will still run on the mags. The only possible problem that I can think of would be the regulator going out, and somehow causing the battery to blow up. I doubt that would even happen. I think using the term "grounding" in this case is a little silly or extreme.

[JDK]

I think using the term "grounding" in this case is a little silly or extreme.

I understand from Xavier Meal that the decision to 'ground' the aircraft was taken by the pilot and owner - presumably they feel that the issue is not therefore a one off, but something to sort properly. As a new design, it's clear there are teething problems to be straightened out - not surprising, and best fixed properly with the a/c on the ground.

Without knowing all the facts to call people taking a cautious approach 'silly' is a bit much, don't you think?

Regards,

[Moonlight]

Teething problems...ugh. I fly a Falcon 7X...I know teething problems. Doesn't matter if it's a $20K J-3, a new warbird, or a 50M business jet, it still pisses you off. Hope they get things figured out. It'd sure be great to see that bird in the air sometime.

[JDK]

Hope they get things figured out. It'd sure be great to see that bird in the air sometime.

I just hope they reckon they're too far in to quit!

[Bruce]

Electrical failure on an all electric airplane is a big deal!

Gear is electric, Flaps are electric, trim is electric. On the real deal, an awful lot more is electric too.

The only hydraulics are the brakes.

I think its better off in the hangar until they can sort it out.


Bruce

[T J Johansen]

I had the chance to see the a/c when it arrived on Friday with its gear down. Impressive looking thing, and it sure sounded good. He did a couple of passes before landing. Hopefully it will fly before too long.

T J