Seated in the Cockpit: seat belt(s) secure, relaxed, ready to start
Loosen frictions
Check all controls full and free. Don’t only move the
cyclic in a circular motion – move it full forward and then full
rear followed by full left and then full right. This gives you a
“feel” of each servo’s travel in each direction.
Re Tighten
all frictions.
Take care not to over-tighten the collective friction as you may
easily strip the thread on the friction retaining nut.
Fuel valve – on.
Mixture - full rich.
CARB heat - cold.
Circuit breakers
- in (include starter – check boost pump. Leave
landing lamp off for day VFR)
Master switch and
generator switch
- on.
Magneto switch:
check - off.
Check all gauges for
normality.
R.P.M. on zero (both needles together) other gauges as required
(check temps against OAT if 1st start of day)
Check Main Rotor blades are untied
and @ 11 o’clock position
Recheck harness, headset, doors, passenger
Call “clear to start?”
(do not prime if hot engine)
1st
start of day – cold engine
- lift collective up 50% up - open throttle fully and shut – 3 times
– then:
Collective down – Check throttle fully closed
and then to start dentent.
This stops you getting a quick start and burning your clutch or
breaking the top piston rings due to thermal shock if the throttle
cam box is worn or rigged wrong and the throttle is past the detent
for the start.
Push start button
– count 3 compressions – then:
Turn magneto switch to "both".
As engine starts,
immediately check that the oil pressure
is rising thru 30 Psi and engine revs maintain 1700
and check rotor revs
climbing.
As
the main rotor revs hit 1500,
close the throttle – marry the tacho needles and then throttle to maintain 1750 ERPM
until the cylinder head temp goes through 50 degrees (about 90
seconds with a cold engine).
Then slowly bring ERPM up to 2400
normal idle to ensure positive clutch engagement and turbo spinning.
Avionics
- on.
Warm up is a minimum
of 5 minutes
from engine start at any start engine temperature to stabilise turbo
operating temp.
After min 5 Minutes warm up
- Slowly take ERPM. to 3100
System
integrity checks after the 5 minutes engine warm up from engine
start:
Use the following method to ensure engine &
transmission o.k. (lubed plus warm) before take off:
(Touch all gauges
with a finger to confirm what your eyes are seeing)
Check tacho needles for
any clutch slip.
Check mags
Left & Right then back to Both. Do NOT switch to Off
at this RPM for any reason except an emergency stop!
If you accidently
switch to OFF - wait at least 30 seconds before
next attempt to start as any sudden shock loads can
damage the main transmission shear bolts
Check M.A.P. for flat pitch figure @ 3100 ERPM - do
this at every start as an engine/system health check.
Check oil pressure in
the green.
Check fuel pressure.
Check engine and
transmission oil temps.
Turn
hydraulics off – motor power cylinders fore and aft, left and right etc. (check each cylinder operation both ways rather than stir
stick!)
Slowly close the throttle at a rate which splits the
needles to check that the Sprague clutch is
working
as indicated by a tacho needle split. Snapping the throttle shut can
be detrimental to the crankshaft
Idle at 2400 ERPM – then pre take off checks.
Remember to check Hydraulics ON
Engine Stop procedure: (at
any time except emergencies)
Idle for 5 mins (MIN)
to reduce oil temps and stabilise turbo core temps ( less than 5
mins causes the turbo scroll/casting to warp increasing
clearances which allow gases to escape giving poor turbo
performance.
Smoothly roll the throttle fully shut
As ERPM decays through 2100
– turn the magneto switch to OFF slowly to check each mag for
a dead cut or rough running.
Safe flying
T C
