ECS? What is that?

[Mdiaz380]

Hi I am flying for a while this fantastic plane, the SAAB 340A.

Now I want to go to more realistic procedures, and I have a doubt:

I see on performance charts that some of them depends on having ECS ON or OFF, but I don’t know what is this and how I can switch it ON or OFF.

(I just know that is the acroym for Environmental Control System)

Thanks for your help.

[mmerelles]

It is basically the air conditioning system, when running you need pressurized air for the packs to run the conditioning system, but it comes with a thrust cost %, thus many airlines requires ECS OFF for takeoff when a short or contaminated runway, etc.

 

the aircraft will perform different having ECS on vs off thus the split charts

[Mdiaz380]

Thaaaanks.

So, basically, is almost always on? And is ON just having the A/C ON? I mean that by default is going to be ON. Right?

 

Thanks again.