AW 139: Two Questions

[Wing_Z]

I know there was some interest in this excellent helicopter, so perhaps you can help.

I generally start a helo by dropping it out of slew mode, a few feet above the ground.
This works around the (mostly quirky and often incomplete) systems often modelled, which make starting a headache.

However, given this is such a clever bird, I had a go at "from the manual" cold starting.
I'm pretty sure I do everything as per book, but those turbines will not light.
I let go the starter at 25 bar oil pressure, set to idle, and watch them fade away.
Anyone managed this?

And #2: because the thing has a genuine working autopilot, I set out on a 50nm flight to see what I could see. Halfway there I ran out of fuel!
Inspecting the fuel flow gauge confirms the thing is drinking at a prodigious rate, something like 60gpm.
This won't get you out of the back yard...any ideas?

 

[Wing_Z]

OK I can answer my questions...
The first time, I did not set the engine control levers to "On"

The second time, I had the collective slightly up and this also kills the start!
But I now have it sorted, and could depart on my IFR jaunt from Munich to the skifields of Innsbruck.

The second question really follows from the first; if you don't follow the correct start-up procedure, the FADEC isn't properly initialised, and the fuel flows into a Black Hole.
We arrived at LOWI with enough to go on to Vienna and back if required

@Warhorse: shutting down is faster if, after you've switched everything off, you pull on the collective.
It acts as a rotor brake.

This thing is the Aeroworx Kingair of the helicopter world.
I am so pleased I stuck with it!
Next: the FMS...

 

[WarHorse47]

@Warhorse: shutting down is faster if, after you've switched everything off, you pull on the collective.
It acts as a rotor brake.

Yep. I figured it out in time. Great bird.

--WH