Expert: James Bell - 9/6/2007

Question
QUESTION: Dear James Bell,


Could you please explain me what does the phrase "RAN UP THE ENGINE" mean exactly in this context?
What does " SHAFT HORSEPOWER" mean?


I found the word above in the text below:


"CONTROLLING THE PLANE FROM THE REAR,LIEUTENANT NELSON RAN UP THE ENGINE FOR TEMPERATURE, SHAFT HORSEPOWER, AND RPM CHECKS, AND THEN GOT OUR TAKEOFF CLEARANCE FROM THE TOWER."


         Thank you.
         Take care.
         Giuliano
         



ANSWER: Greetings Giuliano -

To "RUN UP THE ENGINE" means you push the throttles up to takeoff power to verify that the engine is operating within normal parameters.  You want to make sure there is nothing out of the ordinary that would indicate possible engine failure.

SHAFT HORSEPOWER is very similar to a car engine's horsepower.  It is measured at the shaft leading to the propeller.

I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
James Bell


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear James Bell,

In the context is written that Lieutenant Nelson ran up the engine from the rear. It seems somewhat strange,since that the lever to push the throttles up and other levers and buttons are located inside the cockpit and not on the rear of the plane. The book author is referring to the plane model T-34C; it was a Turbomentor.
Could you please clarify this?

         Thank you.
         Giuliano  

Answer
Greetings again -

That's an easy one.  If you look online for a picture of the plane, you will see it was a tandem seat trainer.  Tandem means that the two pilots sit one in front of the other, instead of side by side.  The student usually sat in the front, and the instructor sat in the back, or rear.  Both pilot seats have a full set of controls.  Therefore, Lt Nelson was acting as instructor, sitting in the rear seat of the plane and ran the throttles up from the rear (seat).

It makes a lot more sense when you see a picture of the plane.  My parents flew one from Kansas to Texas shortly after they got married.  My dad flew the plane from the front seat, while my mom flew in the rear.

I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
James