Diversions Define a Day Trip

A new engine monitor and a closed runway add unwelcome intrigue to a flight.

Les Abend

Thursday, January 04, 2024 at 04:09 PM ET

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The vibrant display of a new JPI EDM 830 engine monitor. [Les Abend]

Key Takeaways:

The pilot initiated an immediate return to the departure airport due to a rising cylinder head temperature (CHT), which was identified as a faulty probe after troubleshooting.
Despite continuing the flight with the confirmed faulty sensor, the journey faced unexpected challenges including increased fuel burn from an engine break-in and strong headwinds.
Approaching the destination, a disabled aircraft on the runway combined with "minimum fuel" forced a second diversion to a nearby airport before the flight could finally arrive.

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Only a handful of circumstances in my airline life required a return to the gate or immediate return to the airport. Never did I divert twice in one day. But on one particular trip from Flagler Executive Airport (KFIN) in Florida to Asheville Regional Airport (KAVL) in North Carolina, my wife and I unwillingly filled that square.

As we climbed into the faded-jeans color of a perfect Florida sky, I glanced at the vibrant display of a new JPI EDM 830 engine monitor. The No. 1 cylinder was indicating a steadily increasing cylinder head temperature (CHT). All other parameters were normal. I hoped the temperature would stabilize. It didn’t.