Once again, this is from the legal department at AOPA, and fuel flow indication is required on the KOEL. I can’t say I like the situation either.
It is absolutely true. It is illegal to fly without it working. But there is a big difference between what is legal and what is safe. And I know of no case where anyone got “busted” for flying with it inop. But, keep in min d, the FAA tends to leave you alone until something bad happens. Then they can take an issue like this and use it against you.
Is there any rationale for it to be mandatory on the KOEL list other than lawyers and CYA?
I don’t know any rationale. If anyone out there does I would like to know.
I’m not sure but at least in the NA aircraft there is a placard with a fuel flow based leaning protocol which could not be followed without a fuel flow indicator. The fact that most of us lean using EGT is irrelevant.
I think you nailed it, Jerry.
Of course there is the fact that the fuel totalizer and remaining fuel calculations showing on the MFD depend upon an operating fuel flow sensor. If the fuel flow sensor fails then all those indications would have to be placarded or removed from the MFD as a condition of getting a ferry permit.
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Had my second fuel flow transducer failure in 6 months which causes the loss of fuel flow + % power reading (two different airplanes!) .
Reminder to everyone to not only know your % power settings but also the manifold pressure they coincide with.
Also practice leaning the engine with just the deceleration feeling from going LoP (aka the big red pull) and then watching the EGTs rise/fall.
It was a non issue today in IMC because I took the time to get those two tricks down after my first failure. Don’t let yourself get caught surprised!