On March 9, 2010, the author completed the Pratt & Whitney Canada (PWC) online PW615F General Familiarization Course, which is the engine exclusively used on the Mustang. There are equivalent courses for the PW610 (Eclipse) and PW617F (Embraer Phenom 100).

This is an entirely online US$300 course, primarily using Flash animation. Since it is a general familiarization course, it is addressed to pilots as well as mechanics. Mechanics will go on to take the more advanced courses.

The course covers the major engine components such as the fuel, oil and ignition systems. The FADEC (PWC labels it "EEC") has a complete chapter devoted to it.  Some basic "need to know" items are also covered like required publications and logging rules.

The course is valuable for any Mustang / PW600 pilot as it contains information not found in any Cessna material. Some sample facts:

• The high pressure fuel  pump is used to hydraulically control a Bleed Valve Actuator that reduces the chances of compressor stalls.
• Oil is cooled by bypass air, not just the Fuel Oil Heat Exchanger
• FADEC starts are performed on one channel and then switched to other the channel just before the engine is in stabilized idle to ensure that both channels are working.
• In Take Off power setting, the FADEC will not limit fuel flow to prevent ITT exceedances. Presumably, in Take Off power, you want maximum thrust.

The course is full of important facts spread throughout. Since this is the same introductory course used by mechanics, the parts that are field replaceable are mentioned which is useful for a pilot to know as well.

There are some limitations to the extensive use of Flash / multimedia such as the material is not searchable. It's not possible to cut'n'paste or print the material for future reference. There is no way to skip ahead if there is future chapter that is particularly interesting - the course must be followed in a pre-determined sequence. Some of the animations are used too repetitively.

The course is listed as taking 4 hours, though it felt significantly longer due to the material and use of animation.

Course Errata

There are minor errors in the PW615F course.

1. On page 6-10, the diagram shows TT0 as pitot static ports. This should be the engine T2 probe as in 6-3(L)
2. P&WC states "PMA is primary source of EEC power at high power". As long as the aircraft bus is at 28 volts, the regular DC electrical system supplies power to the EECs. If for any reason (such as loss of both generators and battery power draining), the voltage drops below that, the PMA will provide the 28 volts. An example would be if the plane lost both generators and was on emergency power.  In normal cruise, the aircraft bus supplying the power to the EECs.
3. P&WC states "moving the Ignition Switch to ON provides continuous sparking in the combustor. This function is used for flight in adverse weather conditions."  Igniters are not to be turned on for any reason. On older model aircraft this was necessary in visible moisture, etc.
   1. The EEC provides flameout detection- it will light the igniters if necessary.
   2. The relight would happen before the pilot recognized the initial issue.
   3. The switches are more for maintenance function than anything.

The errata are there due to Pratt & Whitney using generalized statements that apply to the engine, but not necessarily to the specific Mustang application. Thanks to Team Mustang for clarifying these errors.

Conclusion:

Overall, this course is highly recommended for the Mustang / PW600 pilot. I'd rate it as 4/5, losing points for the overly repetitive use of the same Flash animations and lack of searching. Most valuable is the manufacturer information that is useful to the pilot that cannot be found elsewhere. I plan on taking the 5 hour subsequent online course even if it is targeted primarily at mechanics and technicians.