How to Fix an Air Conditioning System on the PC-12 Aircraft

Today we learn how to fix the vapor cycle air conditioning system on a Surf Air Pilatus PC-12. Follow along as I change the DC electric motor that drives the compressor for the VCCS. Stick around to the end for a few updates.

[@pdc451]

James when I retire next year, I am sending you all my avionics tools.

[@JamesSullivans]

I'll pay shipping. That would be hugely appreciated.

[@VAX1970]

Better than his bargain basement toolkit, i'm amazed the employer doesn't supply them or offer them with an allowance.

[@pdc451]

no worries bro, i remember when i first started working at the regionals, low wages and barely could afford the proper tooling for the job. Keep up the videos I do enjoy watching them.

[@lecointre25]

Did you guys actually do it after?

[@lecointre25]

pdc451 It’s been a year after all

[@henrycervantezzz5566]

Rest in peace my man. You will be missed by many.

[@RobtheAviator]

RIP James. Fly high

[@richie2544]

James thank you man your videos always motivated me to get my a&p licence and luckily i get it on 2020. And please come back.

[@muazothman7416]

I'm amazed by how you know your stuff so well!

[@mauritzploeg1087]

Watching your vlogs makes me remember of one the best times in my life, working on PC12's. Still have a soft spot for Pilatus products...!!

[@clem29120]

Wow that's a brand new 2016 PC12. And the VCCS is already down ... I smiled also when I was told why the rear hatch is like that. Nice video !

[@JamesSullivans]

It's from 2014! About 630 hours on the motor at time of failure

[@Steven9675]

My younger brother is a major fan of that car. Drove the wheels off of two of them, good investment.

[@paultaylor9939]

Great videos and explanation of what goes off at your work place James keep them coming and thanks

[@lsullivan0202]

I know I'll never win but more giveaways for sure. Setting up the table scene...perfect edit :) Love the no takeoff sound clip on your high-speed taxi.

[@jonblaze1607]

Just got a job at a regional airline working on erj175 can't wait to start, watches these videos to see how it is working thanks

[@JoshT-rb9gq]

Jon bLaze compass? Skywest?

[@Lets-Crusade-1095]

Great video! I've been doing aircraft maintenance in the Air Force for 5 years in Northern California. I enjoy watching your videos as I will be entering the civilian work force next year as a a&p

[@JamesSullivans]

Congrats Tyler! Thanks for your service and I wish you a successful civilian career

[@william9385]

Go to your local FAA office and see if you can get airframe or powerplant signed off based off your experience in the Air Force. I hope im not too late.

[@stevenrodriguez2882]

Hey how has the transition been? I am just about to go in to follow the same path!

[@thomashvnmusic]

Excellent job James. I loved that propane soldering pen you did the shrinking tube with. Can't wait to begin my A&P in September. I love your videos and hopefully if time allows, it i would been glad to see more future uploads on your channel. Best regards

[@JamesSullivans]

Thanks Thomas and good luck with school. Unfortunately I've been too busy to make videos lately. Hopefully things slow down soon and i can catch up on some editing!

[@praveenjunglee1570]

Doing a great job James!!Will help inspire a lot of people out there! 👍

[@bcordoba555]

The amount of detail was great James! Thanks for another great video! Giveaways are great!

[@itsthehutleinme8633]

Dude I’m from Detroit keep posting videos Im going to school and I need this!!!!

[@maikolramos7721]

im you from 2 years ago rn

[@jasonjudy9926]

Thank you for this content! I fly them,bit seriously appreciate learning more about the aircraft I fly

[@Shayvick09]

Your videos are superb mate! Hope all's going wonderfully in your life!!

[@belalex677]

Hi James, As an Avionics student, I found it really fascinating and very helpful . I will be On-Job Training(OJ T) in a week time. I can't wait for that moment. Great video....keep it up. Thanks, all the way from Papua New Guinea.

[@LightWaIker]

Excellent​ video man! Thanks for adding more technical details. Stoked to get into A&P school next year! Thank you again the advice you gave me.

[@brunofalcao8552]

Cool video. Reminded me that I replaced a identical motor couple weeks ago on a Cessna M2, but the reason was that his thermal switch was damaged and we couldn't swap to a brand new since only the manufacturer can open the drive motor and replace inside parts. Nice recording James, and excellent explanation during the task, you're videos are awesome! Cheers from Brazil, my friend.

[@Thomasgm490]

Future A&P (Just got into airframe!) Love these videos, keeps me inspired hope one day I can work somewhere as cool as Surf air

[@jameshunt1221]

You know you are not supposed to stand on the top of the ladder. You are nice to make these videos for students.

[@speedylegs8]

litterally just finished my hydraulics and air conditioning unit and saw this video come out ahaha , keep up the good work james!

[@sidneylopes3783]

Great video. Record more videos explaning the systems of pc12, its easier to see the system working itself than just reading in the manuals, with specifics words than most of time we dont understand. 🙏🏼

[@ethandsmyth9767]

As always, awesome video James! Learned a lot and am looking forward to the next one!

[@johnelliott4521]

You obviously love your job. Love the videos

[@jeetpalsingh3165]

nicely explained the replacement of motor.When will the pressure switch operate?.

[@TheFlick175]

Hey thanks fixed the air conditioning on my plane thanks to this video!

[@robertspitzer7777]

Hi James, you forgot to tell the audience while replacing the motor it is a good idea to inspect the fan blade and clean due to motor brush black dust residue. Also, clean the area and cover prior installing motor. I noticed the black lines on the back of your arms. Clean, clean, clean... 🤪

[@richardprokopczyk9255]

very good mechanic work ,i also had a 97 civic best car i ever owned

[@MrYabber]

This is so cool. Thank you for sharing this James, I really admire you bro. I’m trying to obtain an information packet from a college near me to learn more about becoming an Aircraft Mechanic. I know a couple of things because of you, but I’ve never worked with tools in my life... But I know I have finesse and the willingness to learn so I think I could really have a shot at this. With all that being said, I have a couple questions. Were you in a similar situation to me, or were you already experienced somehow before attending the college program? I guess what I’m really asking is, does college teach you everything? I just don’t want to be that guy who’s unprepared lol.

[@samiisokallio717]

Hey James! Do you still post your work content somewhere? I find your aircraft maintenance videos very educating and interesting. I am also applying for aircraft technician school in my country and I hope by using your knowledge in videos, I will get in there! :)

[@JamesSullivans]

Hey Sami! I've stopped posting videos for now (I'll be back at some point) right now focusing on my flying career.

[@topofthegreen]

thank you for the awesome videos, I learn so much from these.

[@laxxebiloumisterstev]

Hello, I'm watching from France, and I really like your videos, I'll try to help translate so french people can acess your videos in an easiest way (As I'm bilingual it's easy for me)

[@JamesSullivans]

That's awesome! Thank you!

[@Bortnoone]

Watched some of your old videos. I’m sure you are really busy as a pilot but I just wanted to say I really miss them whether mechanics, travel or Shawarma Factory, and hope there will be more in the future, but mostly,Happy New Year

[@JamesSullivans]

+Bart Noone thanks Bart I'll really try to get back to it. Never guessed my following would miss me so much. You guys rock!

[@Bortnoone]

James Sullivan thanks for replying. I totally understand why you don’t have time to do more videos. I just wanted to add that what I enjoyed most was how positively you interacted with people, whether giving flowers to the ladies in the plaza in Ecuador with your brother, suggesting to Vince he may have omitted a valve when describing some sort of air system, giving some room to the employee who clearly didn’t like cleaning the leading edge of the wing, or telling the airline agent in Denver? That she was beautiful in your eyes. Many thanks

[@JamesSullivans]

+Bart Noone thanks Bart I really appreciate that. My parents taught me to make the world a better place by being kind. And you're right, it's lots of small positive interactions that make a great impact in the long run.

[@bradwillman877]

Nice video! Have changed the same motor many times on Beechjets. Pain in the butt especially with the lack room to work in the back. Keep up the good work brotha! Enjoying your videos.

[@JamesSullivans]

Yeah glad to know we aren't the only ones going through a lot of motors. With our quick turns they run almost .5 hours per flight our and seem to wear out quickly.

[@bradwillman877]

Right. And god forbid you don't get the belt drive gear adjusted just right. The belt will shred within an hour of runtime or so. And really frustrate the hell out of you 🤦‍♂️

[@JamesSullivans]

Yupppp can't stress the importance of an ops check and post inspection to new guys enough

[@Helibeaver]

Really enjoy the extra information . Alot I didnt know about .

[@lsullivan0202]

Today I learned that the black box is orange? And there is more room to work in the hell hole than anywhere else on the plane that I have seen so far. Also cute haircut babe. Miss you bro. Love the videos. Sorry I'm so slow to watch them now a days. Farm life.

[@JamesSullivans]

haircut was particularly awful this time around. yeah its orange not black. trump orange. and youre right, the hell hole is pretty comfy on this plane

[@jocrp6]

That's a bad ass little A/C unit,,, would like one for my hot rod.

[@brandtridgway6721]

James! I’m currently in A&P school right now thanks to you. I watched these videos years ago and just remembered about your channel. Is there an Instagram or something that I can follow you on to keep up with your career? Thanks!

[@trestonmaurer7276]

N819SA is currently at our hangar in Rock Hill SC!

[@JamesSullivans]

Awesome! Who's operating it?

[@haripermadi1549]

Hi James, nice video by the way. Just wondering how does the toilet in the PC12 secured, is it a seat rail holding it in place or there any other brackets if it doesn't involve any seat rails? Appreciated your help

[@creamjawn]

Hey James, I'm an A&P student in Eugene Oregon and I've been binge watching your videos. After watching most of them I'm a little overwhelmed with all that you know and work on. Im kind of worried about if i will need to remember everything from school or not. I mean you would probably know first hand about what you need to know and remember from A&P school. Should i just continue on with school and focus on one certain thing once i get a job or an internship? because im not sure ill be able to remember everything. your advice would be awesome. Love the videos, theyre all im watching right now. Take care.

[@BIGSTUD89]

What's up dude. Did you ever get out of school? Are you looking for work? There's a lot of opportunities in the AP world right now. I'm currently trying to find people to fill some positions in the Cincinnati OH area and Vegas.

[@marie3321]

Really great video thank you!

[@brucechou1107]

I really like your videos ,keep going . Mechanic from Taiwan

[@Joshua_Ayala]

awesome guy, thanks for sharing these maintenance videos

[@307Aviator]

Hey man! What’s been your experience with a flaps CAWS that won’t extinguish even after QRH procedure in flight and on the ground including the reset behind the copilots seat? Thank you, love your vids!

[@jho466]

Thank you for explanation if possible could you explain for us the electrical system of pc 12 /45? thank you

[@angelreading5098]

Another good job James.

[@worsttintentions]

You okay, man? It seems like you are being pressured to make a step-by-step video. where as you normally get all artsy with it and gloss over most of the details. Either way, I appreciate what you are doing and giving us all inspiration. Thanks!

[@JamesSullivans]

Haha just trying something new. I've had a lot of requests for more technical details. Maybe I over did it a bit though.

[@bizbuildershawaii1719]

Did u take the aircraft joy riding at end of vid? Awesome!

[@josueamparo1677]

Awesome video!!! I have a question though, Is there a manual that tells you what to do and how to do stuff?

[@JamesSullivans]

Yeah the AMM, EMM or CMM details most of what we need.

[@mikercflyer7383]

Great video. By all means do more giveaways from parts old tools anything connected to your trade. Keep the videos coming.

[@Will-gd9dx]

Pilatus design looks well thought out with good access and placement, not like the king airs where the vapour cycle system is in the nose.. cant imagine lifting that battery into the fuselage though..

[@JamesSullivans]

Yeah the battery is a bit tricky

[@Will-gd9dx]

im interested to see the difference between the new cessna and the pilatus, given it is likely something i will be working on in the future. must be nice working on relatively new a/c rather than rattly old tin cans from the 80's!

[@JamesSullivans]

Im interested too. They both look so similar. Don't worry I have plenty of fun working on fabric buckets from the 40s at my side job

[@ronneliotarug1573]

Hi a watching your vlog can u us u something. Wat is the standard refrigerant pressure for the aircraft. Thnks I like your vlog pls help me if I us u something about aircraft.

[@_steveeeb]

I’m 16 and trying to get a head start on air craft mechanic what do you suggest I do, also can I attend any university and still try to go after this career

[@BOMAco856]

I trust you as an aircraft mechanic👍🏻

[@loganbjork104]

Love your videos man, keep going!

[@JPSalamat]

Enjoyed the video. Did you mention in a previous video why you had to buy a new car?

[@JamesSullivans]

I think I may have just mentioned that I sold my old one. It became more expensive to fix than what it was worth.

[@cristianzderich4477]

Hey Jsmes...wath about a video related with flight control actuators....

[@jenok3034]

How long have you been a mechanic James? Love your videos!

[@JamesSullivans]

I've had my license for about 4 years

[@johnsecret2322]

love your videos man!

[@williammoffatt946]

I own the exact same car! 97 Civic dx sedan in silver with a 5 speed

[@neilrampersad4291]

great video as usual.

[@andrewperez5926]

There may have been some arching with the brushes I feel like the generator springs were not holding It down correctly

[@crosseyedpilot]

Great video! I believe we have a similar vapor cycle conditioning system in the nose of the King Air 90 that I fly. Our mechanics always look for skinny guys like us to get in the hell hole of the King Air. Wicked cramped in there

[@JamesSullivans]

yeah ours isnt bad at all. plenty of room

[@yogib37]

yeah sometimes being on the bigger side has it advantages. :D when I worked on the 727 one supervisor gave me a card to put LPS3 down the vertical of the tail you had to climb in it and mind you they were less then 2 ft big, you had to be flexable, anothr one said he cant get in there.. LOL

[@crosseyedpilot]

Oh, and giveaways are always good.

[@gregpdx]

Great videos man. And sweet new ride. :)

[@conquest7563]

can you do a video on stick shaker test. thanks

[@davidlamour1069]

keep it up bro love your videos you is my motivation bro

[@JamesSullivans]

thanks bro!

[@drgreene1013]

Are those grade 5 automotive bolts on an aircraft at 9:37?

[@siwintor6853]

Hi bro! Nice video.... this one is good for sharing knowledge in our field. I'll try to make a good video like yours.. this one is a good inspiration...😉

[@danielc82]

Great job

[@RandomJensen]

Nice vid man

[@addischelseacherkose5426]

Nice video James..... I'm fresh AIM school. Please can u show me safty wire staff ?

[@singlespeedman]

I miss working on aircraft sometimes, they are so much simpler and easier to work on than heavy equipment. I won't even talk about how much cleaner they are.

[@JamesSullivans]

Yeah it's a pretty kush job. I hate working on my car

[@singlespeedman]

Cars....I work part time as an auto-big truck mechanic. I help a friend out at his shop. Birds are waaaaay better. I spent ten years working on Bell 206 and 407. It was a weird experience the first time I re-used an o-ring. I have to use large hammers now, often and even a cutting torch. Can you imagine using a cutting torch to loosen a bolt on one of your birds?

[@JamesSullivans]

Haha nope. Cutting torches stay far away from our birds. Biggest hammer I use is maybe a pound

[@jaymiami5813]

Whatever happened to this guy very very smart

[@gc7782]

Great! Thank you!

[@jamespacganon3414]

Thank you bro free tutorial

[@matanchen8300]

Did you ship the old motor to Pilatus or to the manufacture? This motor definitely caught fire and they need to check it

[@JamesSullivans]

Back to the manufacture

[@AirplaneDoctor_]

Try working on a Twin Otter in the middle of nowhere at 3 in the morning in January during a snow storm, that’s when your A&P skills are put to the test. Sunny CA at an FBO, child’s play.......

[@JamesSullivans]

I spent some time working as an AOG engine tech in Detroit... I'll pass on that

[@barbarawalker499]

What do you enjoy most about the job ?

[@mikehatley9393]

nice car, I have a 97 Toyota Camry. My wife has the nicer car, but being a mechanic mine is way more reliable. good job on not getting a brand new car. btw great videos. I'm working at a dealership now in Memphis, while going to AMT school at night. we may work together in the future.

[@JamesSullivans]

Thats awesome Mike! I respect your motivation working and taking night classes. Thats a busy schedule. You'll love working on planes - generally speaking they are a lot easier than cars. Just my opinion

[@peterwakeman9930]

good work

[@diegozambrano37]

You my boy James!

[@N10457]

I need a rebuilt motor for my pc12 air conditioner. where is the best place to get one?

[@almarasco7101]

James are you still working at the same company miss your videos.

[@emmanuealshaju9373]

So you have MAINTENANCE ENGINEER LICENCE and PILOT LICENCE TOO....that's great...bring up new skills and knowledge abt ame

[@AlphabravoUP]

I like your videos man!! But i like more the music !! ;)

[@IvanEng747]

Hello. Are you working now on Pilatus?

[@JamesSullivans]

Yeah occasionally

[@OLSAChannel]

My Guess is the pilots left that motor on above 18K feet and the thin air caused arcing. Just my 2 cents.

[@MrYega-zq7rz]

Man where are you? 5 years ago was your last video.

[@gutz9866]

I remember you said you were doing an annual on that piper, do you have your i.a

[@JamesSullivans]

Yep. Got it about a year ago

[@AngelTaylorgang809]

Thank you sir !! :D

[@junaxcabz1811]

Bro.im aircraft maintenance..i wish to apply ur company..

[@AaronBarthol]

Heck yeah man! More giveaways!

[@jameshunt1221]

I do not know if you do; but students need to see your maintenance manual instructions for the repair you are doing. FAA requires that, correct. take care.

[@user-ow1ud7nw5x]

Hey what's up brother I'm an A&P looking for work do u guys have any openings

[@JamesSullivans]

Not currently, sorry.

[@Texaviator]

Are you planning on working up to MX at a major?

[@JamesSullivans]

Not sure my long term plans yet although I'm not really interested in working for the airlines

[@Texaviator]

I don't blame you there. I work at Southwest here in Dallas and when I was an ops agent at DAL watching those line mechanics come out at midnight and work all night in all kinds of weather did not look fun.

[@JamesSullivans]

I interned with southwest and loved the culture. That is one of the few majors I would consider although probably be interested in an office job over mechanic.

[@Texaviator]

They just closed a records tech position here in Dallas. I will inbox you the link to the corp page of job listings. I will keep an eye out on the internal side as well. Several buddies work over in MX in all kinds of positions.

[@JamesSullivans]

Thanks. I don't think I'm ready to fly a desk just yet but never hurts to be looking. Do you know Paul Mart? Hes a buddy of mine from college who works in maintenance compliance. I think something to do with weight and balance.

[@alvinmendoza6701]

Im an Airframe Tech based in san carlos would love to link up and get some pointers ? alvin

[@JamesSullivans]

Alvin just shoot me an email. My address is on the about page of the channel. I'd be happy to speak with you or even fly up and we can speak in person.