AC is an absolute necessity in Houston for the IV-P Turboprop.  I routinely depart with pressurization off until I get to 10k feet and then start feeding it in.  AC unit keeps temps ok (80-85 inside) when outside temps even exceed 100 degrees.  That said, when temps outside are in the mid-90s and you have one passenger, I’ve had a problem with my AC not working.  In that instance, as you descend from altitude, temps build to point where moisture inside cabin condenses inside the windows like you have been making out with your high school sweetheart.  It was so bad, on approach, sweat was dripping off my nose, running into my eyes, etc. and sweat was almost running off my arm. I believe cabin temp was over 125 degrees by time I landed and have to say from a safety perspective, it wasn’t a very good situation as someone could stroke out pretty fast under those conditions.

 

One problem that I discovered and we fixed was with a “fence” setting up and not enabling the AC to work once we started flying fast.  The air flow stopped the ac unit from being able to bring new air past condenser and to get rid of the hot air.  The solution was to put a ¼ inch high turbulator on leading edge of the two AC holes.  AC worked fine then.  Could perhaps improve things with 2 NACA holes tied to the AC unit, but didn’t want to go to that expense. 

 

Regards,

 

 

West Griffin

Chief Financial Officer

Energy XXI

Cell:713-819-1792

Phone: 713-351-3003

Fax: 713-351-3303