FLIGHT FOL N°: 170-061/16

DATE: APR 20, 2016

OPERATIONS Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
LETTER

DOCUMENT EFFECTIVITY: EMBRAER 190/195 MODELS

EQUIPPED WITH FADEC 5.50 OR
PREVIOUS VERSIONS

This document does not constitute an operational approval. If Local

Regulatory Authority approval is required, it should be obtained by the
Operator.

In case of any conflict between this FOL and any mandatory

requirements issued by the Local Regulatory Authority, including but
not limited to Airworthiness Directives, the Local Regulatory Authority
document/orientation shall prevail.

SUBJECT: ENGINE NO LIGHT-OFF ON GROUND STARTS

REASON: To provide recommendations to deal with engine “no

light-off” during engine starts.

DESCRIPTION:
An engine no light-off start happens when the fuel applied to the
combustor chamber fails to ignite after the ignition is turned on.

1. Logic for engine start cycle on ground

The FADEC provides automatic sequencing of the starter,
ignition, and fuel. The starter control valve opens at the initiation
of the start sequence. The FADEC initiates:
- the ignition at approximately 7% N2, and
- the fuel flow (metering valve opens) from 20% to 25% N2,
depending on the engine start altitude.
If no light off is detected within 15 seconds of fuel on, FADEC
automatically:
- turns off ignition and fuel,
- annunciates the applicable dispatch message on EICAS -
ENG 1(2) NO DISPATCH when ignition A was used or
ENG 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH when ignition B was used,
- continues dry motoring for 30 seconds, then
- turns on both igniters and turns on fuel again.

Page 1 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br
FOL N°: 170-061/16 FLIGHT
DATE: APR 20, 2016
Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
OPERATIONS
LETTER

If no light off is detected after the reintroduction of fuel, the

FADEC will not turn off again fuel or ignition. In this case, the start
must be manually aborted 15 seconds after the reintroduction of
fuel flow or start duty limit, whichever occurs first.
The following figure illustrates the complete start cycle in case of
no light off.

NOTE: The FADEC uses dual ignition on both automatic engine

start attempts for:
- cold soak condition (ground start with ambient
temperature lower than -5°C and decreasing or lower
than -2°C), or
- ground starts at high altitude airports (above
8000 ft).
CAUTION: IF ENGINE DOES NOT LIGHT-OFF ON THESE
CONDITIONS AND ANY EICAS MESSAGE IS
DISPLAYED, THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS
FOL ARE NOT APPLICABLE. RETURN TO GATE
AND REPORT TO MAINTENANCE.

2. Pilot actions during engine ground start

For every engine ground start, pilots shall allow the FADEC to run
the complete engine start cycle as described in item 1. The crew
must only abort the start manually (START/STOP switch to
STOP), in case any of the following conditions occur:
- No positive indication of oil pressure within 10 seconds after
N2 speed starts to increase,
- During engine start with tailwind, if a positive increase of N1
is not indicated before starter cutout (50% N2). In this case,
minimize tailwind effects by repositioning the airplane,

Page 2 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br
 FLIGHT FOL N°: 170-061/16
DATE: APR 20, 2016
OPERATIONS Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
LETTER

- No ITT indication within 1 minute after fuel is applied (15

seconds after fuel is reapplied),
- End of the time limit for start duty cycle (90 seconds),
- ITT exceeds start limit (Hot Start) of 740°C,
- If oil pressure stabilizes below the engine limits,
- Either or both N1 and N2 failing to accelerate to stable idle
speed (Hung Start),
- An intermittent electrical pneumatic or starter malfunction
occurs before the starter disengagement.
Even if ENG 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH or
ENG 1(2) NO DISPATCH messages is displayed after the FADEC
automatically turns off ignition and fuel, pilots shall allow the
FADEC to run the complete engine start cycle.
NOTE: 1) Maintenance must investigate and take appropriate
correction actions before further start if:
- automatic abort occurs, or
- the crew manually aborts the start due to the
abnormal engine indications listed before. The only
exception for maintenance action is the condition of
no ITT indication within 1 minute after fuel application
(15 seconds after fuel is reapplied), or.
2) For airplanes equipped with FADEC 5.50 or later
versions, two more engine starts are allowed in case of
automatic abort due to engine hot start.

3. Limits for duty cycle of engine starter on ground

Motoring Number Maximum Time Cool-Down Time
1 and 2 90 Seconds 10 Seconds
3 through to 5 90 Seconds 5 Minutes
For ground starts, the maximum cumulative time for a starter run
is 90 seconds per start try (motoring plus start time).

4. FADEC self reset

Before each start attempt, the N2 speed must be below 5% on
ground for the FADEC to self reset. This condition clears the
ENG 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH and ENG 1(2) NO DISPATCH
EICAS messages.

Page 3 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br
FOL N°: 170-061/16 FLIGHT
DATE: APR 20, 2016
Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
OPERATIONS
LETTER

5. Engine no light-off
Many factors can cause an engine no light-off including, but not
limited to, failures or degradation on:
- the ignition system (igniter, exciter, leads, cables),
- airflow (combustor wear out, starter, compressor bleed, flow
path obstructions),
- fuel system (fuel pump, fuel manifold, fuel nozzle), and
- control logic (fuel flow rate, fuel “on” time).
In addition, ambient conditions such as cold temperature and high
altitude aggravate the occurrences of no light-offs.

OPERATING INFORMATION:
RECOMMENDED PILOTS FLOW TO DEAL WITH ENGINE NO
LIGHT-OFFS:
Start Engine and let the FADEC run the complete engine start cycle as
presented in items 1 and 2. If ENG 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH or
ENG 1(2) NO DISPATCH is displayed, apply the Ground Reset
procedures presented in this FOL.
Observe the fault conditions presented in the Ground Reset
procedures contained in this FOL.
CAUTION: IF THE FAULT CONDITION OBSERVED BY THE PILOT
IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONES PRESENTED, THIS
FOL IS NOT APPLICABLE. RETURN TO GATE AND
REPORT TO MAINTENANCE.

Page 4 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br
 FLIGHT FOL N°: 170-061/16
DATE: APR 20, 2016
OPERATIONS Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
LETTER

ENGINE 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH

DURING ENGINE START ON GROUND
EFFECTIVITY: EMBRAER 190 equipped with FADEC 5.50 or previous versions.
FAULT CONDITION 1: After FADEC automatically turns off ignition and fuel, and pilot
manually aborts the start due to no ITT indication within 1
minute after fuel is applied (15 seconds after fuel is reapplied).
FAULT CONDITION 2: After the FADEC automatically turns off ignition and fuel, but
after the complete engine start cycle, the engine lights-off.

No
ENGINE LIGHTED-OFF AND IS STILL RUNNING?

Yes
Dispatch the aircraft as per MMEL 73-21-01.

Engine START/STOP Switch

(shutdown the engine if it is running) .................................... STOP
N2 below 5% ................................................................................... WAIT
Starter duty cycle limit ................................................................... CHECK
Engine Start.................................................................................... PERFORM
No
ENGINE LIGHTS-OFF WITHOUT EICAS MESSAGE?

Yes
Engine START/STOP Switch ......................................................... STOP
N2 below 5% ................................................................................... WAIT
Starter Duty Cycle Limit ................................................................. CHECK
Engine Start.................................................................................... PERFORM
No
ENGINE LIGHTS-OFF?
Yes
Yes
No
ENG 1(2) SHORT DISPATCH DISPLAYED?
Yes
Dispatch the aircraft as per MMEL 73-21-01.
END

Dispatch the airplane.

END

Return to gate and report to maintenance.

END

Page 5 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br
FOL N°: 170-061/16 FLIGHT
DATE: APR 20, 2016
Revision 3 - AUG 31, 2017
OPERATIONS
LETTER

ENGINE 1(2) NO DISPATCH

DURING ENGINE START ON GROUND
EFFECTIVITY: EMBRAER 190 equipped with FADEC 5.50 or previous versions.
FAULT CONDITION 1: After FADEC automatically turns off ignition and fuel, and pilot
manually aborts the start due to no ITT indication within 1
minute after fuel is applied (15 seconds after fuel is reapplied).
FAULT CONDITION 2: After the FADEC automatically turns off ignition and fuel, but
after the complete engine start cycle, the engine lights-off.

Engine START/STOP Switch

(shutdown the engine if it is running) ................................... STOP
N2 below 5%................................................................................... WAIT
Starter duty cycle limit................................................................... CHECK
Engine start .................................................................................... PERFORM

No
ENGINE LIGHTS-OFF WITHOUT EICAS MESSAGE?

Yes
Engine START/STOP switch (shutdown the engine)................... STOP
N2 below 5%................................................................................... WAIT
Starter duty cycle limit................................................................... CHECK
Engine start .................................................................................... PERFORM

No
ENGINE LIGHTS-OFF WITHOUT EICAS MESSAGE?
Yes

Dispatch the airplane.

END

Return to gate and report to maintenance.

END

Page 6 of 6

EMBRAER S.A.
Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 2170 − CEP 12227-901 – S. J. dos Campos – Brasil
PHONE: (55 12) 3927-1706 – E-Mail: opereng@embraer.com.br