Grob 109B - Only One Slick Magneto?

Subject: Grob 109B one slick Magneto
From: "lchapa77"
Date: 2/27/08 5:03 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com
Hi everyone, I just bought a nice 1984 Grob 109B and did a ferry flight for 16 hours (4 legs) and enjoying it very much right now!! however I had a concern, and most noticeable when I was in the ferry flight. Why does the Grob has only 1 Magneto? how safe is that? I suppose as all aircraft , if that magneto fails engine will quit right? any experiences/comments/recommendations on that?
how when you know when the magneto fails or malfunctions ? if not loosing the engine? any warning signs?

I do not have any troube with my magneto, but feel a little worried while flying low or above not so good terrain...

any help will be appreciated

thanks

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Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] Grob 109B one slick Magneto
From: GFel640946@KG_agp82fYJy6q8N1y3nJ845qMFg2pt5DZVIH-ykMMUkNe8u_Bau93mH3xHWj2wn6jYEXWaQIKzLW-3Y-w.yahoo.invalid
Date: 2/27/08 5:10 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

I know this isn't a direct help now but Grob recognized this problem and created an option to have a 2nd magneto installed in new planes
george

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Subject: RE: [G109_Pilots] Grob 109B one slick Magneto From: "Richard Depinay"<jeplane@Yslrsr2oDjYKj0DVUVbTI0TVk2lakAWS_R210Qsl7bHli34S1ZL51ulTbx_lH1VJ2ZPV9AnUWR2FygM.yahoo.invalid> Date: 2/27/08 6:51 PM To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

I don't have all the answers to your questions, but can offer this:

- You will definitely know when the mag failed, because the engine will quit. And with the relative wind, the prop will most likely continue to spin however, and you should feather it to decrease your drag.

- As best as you can, you should always plan for the engine to quit at any moment anyway, and you can now appreciate the fact that you are flying a glider with a 27 to 1 glide ratio!

- By the same token, never put yourself in a situation while soaring, that if you are unable to restart the engine dammage will occur upon landing in a bad landing site.

- Many of my students have demonstrated that at 300'AGL a return to the airport can be made.

Bottom line, plan accordingly, but relax, enjoy, you are in a glider after and it is going to be much better than a single engine when the engine quit!!!

Richard
H36, G109b CFIGFrom: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com [mailto:G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of lchapa77
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:19 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto

thanks,
well , I hear a retrofit for the G109B , but seems not only
complicated, but expensive.

any other comments, advice?

thanks

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Subject: RE: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto From: "Don Johnston" <rvflyer@LtPKXgZ4QDX-iUBjvOpS5bVdB4W2CDb9qcGXeHmZTCPg25YkHX_jolGeIIlF6VJS4LmESgYlCiSF6_d-.yahoo.invalid> Date: 2/27/08 6:41 PM To: <G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com>

This is purely speculation, but I woul imagine that they only put one mag in because the penalty for a failure is much less with an aircraft capable of gliding and they wanted to save some weight and cost. Reassuring, no?

As for failure mode for a magneto - they can fail gradually, with a roughness noticed in the engine first, or they can fail completely with no warning. The engine will stop in the latter case.

I don't know if it would be an option legally, but you might look into the possibility of using an electronic ignition such as the Lightspeed for a second spark source. If you can get it approved, it could be the best option. Does anyone else on the list have and experience or knowledge of this option? These are common in experimentals.

Best,
Don

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Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto
From: pennyrich@XUUxZ8xWsPmpET2WxMiTIs889wF5Q1t2CoZGm_0fnZ8N9JAH8ynTI76u0kg22RFZR_k22l1NYDnV7g.yahoo.invalid
Date: 3/2/08 4:15 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

Don

How're things going? We've got to get together some time. My G109 was annualed in late November but between the lousy weather and my work schedule (it's tough to be retired and in demand) I've yet to fly it. Hopefully I can get out tomorrow.

Have done some glider instruction but that's about it. How are you coming on your CFI? If you want to get a glider ticket and or two for us, let me know.

Richard

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Subject: RE: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto
From: "Don Johnston" <rvflyer@--TziZQ4ofpAqRNz_qkN3HFohy7dQdTgvqxaTb-ngbY20pzNG1awm8AjkA1fAilESm8kRZrFvHxn-TNoIq8.yahoo.invalid>
Date: 3/3/08 12:27 PM
To: <G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com>

Hello Richard,

Good to hear from you. Your ears must have been burning. Last week I was thinking about getting back in touch with you as soon as ski patrol madness settled down. I spent the entire week preparing for a board meeting and Far West Division conference that concluded yesterday. Looks like spring is almost here, and I would love to get together. Weren't you planning a trip to South Africa or somewhere this winter/spring? Is that in the past now, or coming up?

With ski patrol and some other things going on I have not made much progress on the CFI or the RV. Hopefully that will change now that I have retired from the state. Of course, I look at the days go by sometimes and wonder what I have gotten done... lots of little things keep coming up around the house, yard and hangar! Makes me wonder how I got anything at all done when I was working - or maybe I just didn't have the time to notice all the little time suckers.

Let's get together sometime soon... I'd like to get that power glider endorsement and still interested in persuing flying tow this year.

Best,
Don

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-----Original Message-----
From: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com [mailto:G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of pennyrich@MBGPl-b_2ZjR_Sk4IbjJ0v4OzC2XgdGE3s8w0dgKXxhlLw7xibO-WiuI9BPoLQcC85P-YCeKOFvnIg.yahoo.invalid
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2008 3:16 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto

Don

How're things going? We've got to get together some time. My G109 was annualed in late November but between the lousy weather and my work schedule (it's tough to be retired and in demand) I've yet to fly it. Hopefully I can get out tomorrow.

Have done some glider instruction but that's about it. How are you coming on your CFI? If you want to get a glider ticket and or two for us, let me know.

Richard

Subject: Re: [G109_Pilots] Re: Grob 109B one slick Magneto
From: pennyrich@i-0YkW9-LnnPQ_OUt4aLSkYqBTauYOWBygeZ00G_9AKxgR0WaeFdBK3hgXzP7kPh8vOtG20B2A.yahoo.invalid
Date: 3/3/08 12:55 PM
To: G109_Pilots@yahoogroups.com

Still going to Africa in May. Want to come along? We'll even be doing some gliding in the Cape Town area.

I'm buried now with some proposals and other work things. Some retirement............

Let me get back in touch with you in a week or two.

Take Care,

Richard

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