Didn’t really know how to write the title. I’m ready to learn how to start cold and dark. I been watching a lot of videos that show how to start a plane from cold and dark but I have yet to find one that explains why those buttons are pushed in the order they’re in. I just see people clicking away. I don’t want to just follow along, I want to understand what I’m doing and what the plane is doing as a result of my actions.For example what is the reason the external battery is clicked and what is actually happening with the plane? Then what? etc.
Just want to get into the science of how planes work, especially airliners like the A380. Anyone know a good video to watch or a good read to get a deeper understanding on planes systems? Is there a common thing to look for among all planes or plane types when it comes to start up?
i don’t really have videos to share with you but when it comes to airliners, in a nutshell, first they usually need to be powered electrically, from batteries or from an external source, then you usually have to configure or align some flavor of navigation and positioning system, usually inertial, then program your flight in the fms, and then usually you need air to start the engines, which can come from an onboard apu or, again, from an external source, and power your fuel and hydraulic pumps
There are a lot of ways this can go. If you’re not familiar with the general principles of electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, internal combustion, programming logic, aerodynamics and other general mechanics, you’re probably going to want to start with the very basics of each of those.
Then, start stepping up to applying it to aircraft. You said A380 and that’s probably one of the most complex orders you can ask for out of the gate. I’d start with the electronic components of a light trainer - learn how batteries, alternators, generators, relays, solenoids, circuit breakers, fuses, and buss bars work. There is some training software out there specific to certain aircraft that allow you to visualize the electrical connections you’re making when you throw switches. What’s really awesome is there are several aircraft in the sim that incorporate an EFB that allows you to visualize this and other aspects of systems. The A2A Comanche, Just Flight Tomahawk, Black Square TBM850 and Duke all have that.
Batteries: the first thing you hit to power all the electrical components.
APU: the 2nd thing you turn on. The batteries only last a short time in MFS. Maybe around 10 to 15 mins depending on the type of aircraft.
GPU: if you need more time, you can ask ATC to send a “Ground Power Unit” and once it connects to your aircraft, there should be a button called “EXT Power”. Just remember to ask ATC again to disconnect the truck from your aircraft and hit the button again.
While the APU is on, it will allow you to start your engines and after the engine starting process is completed, you can turn off the APU and that should complete the Cold and Dark process.
Most cold and dark procedures can be boiled down to this order of operations. Obviously the procedure varies from plane to plane so this is more generalized:
Electrical power
Avionics
Hydraulic power
Fuel
Engines
Whilst this is an earlier era of airliner, it’s analog systems are a great place to start.
You need not purchase it (however, it is one of the best available for the sim), but you can download the Operations Manual and read the very detailed tutorial section that includes powering up the aircraft and configuring it for flight. You’ll learn quite a bit about the process and the what for.
It honestly depends on which is producing more line voltage. Theoretically, a light aircraft’s battery should produce ~12 volts, up to about 12.5 for a newer battery at full charge.
The alternator will usually produce around 14v when it’s online at and above a reasonable RPM, which serves to charge the battery and power the electrical bus. So when it’s producing 14v, the whole circuit is also 14v. If the engine RPM is very low, the alternator might be producing less than the battery. Or the alternator can break or go offline. In that case the battery is depleting (the rate depending on the current being drawn) and the line voltage will be that of the higher of the two, which in that scenario is the battery. This is why we start turning non or less-essential systems off when the alternator breaks.
When A2A brought out the Comanche for MSFS they did a number of videos on the basics of the aircraft. Here’s the video on starting the Comanche - worth watching as is all the others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtAKfSZ46HY
Its a nice topic. Thanks. When I was flying I was always paranoid about the batteries so I would always start with Ground power if it was available.
If no ground power then its batteries, beacon, APU, APU generator, Avionics, Flight computer, radios, ATIS, comms, IFR permissions, taxi permissions, pushback, engines, engine generators, APU off, transponder… but always follow the checklist!! Good luck.
I have been simming for about 2 years now.
Still enjoying the smaller aircraft such as the 172, tbm and king air. Spend most of my time with helicopters.
As with all aircraft,it’s practice practice practice so that takes up a lot of time, and time goes by fast!
Now it’s probably time to try an airliner as I am still fascinated by them. I guess I wanted to save some experiences for later plus I just haven’t gotten around to it.
The sim can keep one busy for sure!
Additionally to the electrical sorcery, I have seen everything of how to even start a reciprocal engine. From “Mixture rich, Mags on, vrooom” to “Mixture cutoff, Mags on, spool a bit, Mixture rich” to procesures with concurrent additional primers and boosters and what not that require you to have more arms than a spider has legs.
So there are also some contraptions that are simply engineered in a way that requires a certain procedure. In radial engines oil can gather in the lower cylinders. To eject the oil, the engine has to be turned a few revolutions without spark or else they would be destroyed. That would be a thing based on construction and physics that only comes into play when damage is simulated and if it is, you’d feel the consequence instead of the standard planes where youncan do it all in reverse order and still be successful.