A330-300 EGR - Engine Ground Run

Days have been busy for me lately, and will continue to be busy till God knows when. Am currently down in the hangar production line, working my way up to be a good apprentice. Urgh, there's just so much to learn, but am liking it.



There're plenty of shoft forms in the aviation world, and EGR stands for Engine Ground Run. From the name, we can understand that it is a test for the engine while on ground. Just a simple explanation, details and pics will come later.

I've been working on the Aisbus 330-300 with the registeration of 9M-MKF for the past few days on night shift. I have to say night shift is something different from usual, and it's pretty interesting.

Why is it interesting? well when everyone is sleeping, u r wide awake, holding a spannar in your hands working under the high-mast spot lights, in addition with a mag-lite in between your lips, enjoying (but sometimes not) the cold breeze under the moon.

And also, as apprentices, we'll be given more work and more responsibilities because of the lack of manpower during night shift, and that's when u get to learn and feel the real thing. Of course, after finishing a job, u feel satisfied and valued for being able to contribute to the maintenance of the aircraft. It's great!


Day time - Final touch on the PW4168


0236 hrs. Push back into the EGR Bay


0245 hrs. In the cockpit

LAE: Good morning Control Tower, this is 9-Mike-Mike-Kilo-Fox (9M-MKF)
CT: Good morning Kilo-Fox
LAE: Kilo-Fox currently in EGR bay, in front of hangar 0-2, request for permission for EGR for 6-0 minutes. Will inform upon completion of test.
CT: OK.

Just a simple information to alert CT of what's happening around the airport. Just in case something happens (ie: fire), then CT will despatch the airport BOMBA and things like that la. It's part of the protocol when u move or do something in the airport.


0246 hrs. Ground Crew on the head set

LAE: Ground?
Crew: yea?
LAE: Ready for Engine start. Chokes in?
Crew: Chokes in. Park Brakes ON?
LAE: OK. Park Brakes ON. Ready for spin.
.
.
.
.
Crew: Light up. (u can see from the vapors exiting the exhaust)
LAE: OK.
Crew: N1 positive rotation. (N1 is the big fan blade at the front of engine)
Lae: OK.


0250hrs: Checking on N1 rotation

MAY THE FUN BEGIN! PUT ON YOUR EAR PLUGS! WEAR AN EAR MUFF AS 2ND LAYER PROTECTION IS POSSIBLE! IT'S LOUD... REALLY LOUD.

Put on your ear plugs. If possible, wear an ear muff as 2nd layer protection


0303 hrs. Engine #2 - generationg a vortex vertically from ground


0303 hrs. Engine #1 - a greater vortex (means running at higher speed)


0310-0340 hrs. ZzzzZZzzzzz......boring + loud + VERY LOUD


Engine Parameters on the central display.

So what is EGR all about? It's where the LAEs check the functionality and serviceability of the engine. Engine VIB (vibration) is a main concern.

LAEs will push the throttle to max with the brakes ON (1 engine at full throttle only, the other at a lower level, or else the brakes cant take it), check for N1, N2, VIB, FF (fuel flow), EGT (Exhaust Gas Temperature).... for a certain time.

The whole plane would be shaking as if there was a 6 magnitude earthquake, especially in the cockpit. U will be bouncing up and down, left and right on your seat. Imagine OSIM's i-gallop? yea... add that with left and right and you'll dance hip-hop!


0400hrs. EGR FAIL. Found high VIB in Engine #1. Did some servicing and went for another round of EGR! BORINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.


0430hrs. EGR successful. LAEs exit cockpit through secret hole.


0435hrs. Finally, boring hours finish.


0500hrs. Refuelling to 10300kg.


0500-0530hrs. Boring... very boring... superbly boring! ZZzzz...


0600hrs. I need an ice-cold beer to reward myself for the night.

CHEERS!

0800hrs. Take-off from Subang (SZB) to KLIA (KUL) to pickup passengers.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.... i need to sleep.