After trying for a week (yes a week!!) I still cannot start the engines. I have seen and used the feathering tip. The left engine does start and it takes about three minutes to stabilise but then the engine cuts out and cannot be restarted. Same with the right.Before I kill the cat out of sheer frustration, is there a way of entering FSX with this aircraft and the engines running please? Yes - I've given up! CTRL-E does not work.ThanksAidan

Aidan,Full name please!There are a multitude of threads about trouble starting engines. Solutions range from following the correct procedure (unfeathering, insufficient battery volts, fuel pumps, etc...) to the manner in which you load the J41 (default cessna first, straight from the Create a Flight screen, reloading the a/c once in the game, etc...).There's not enough information in your post to be able to tell exactly what your problem is. Can you be more specific?

After trying for a week (yes a week!!) I still cannot start the engines. I have seen and used the feathering tip. The left engine does start and it takes about three minutes to stabilise but then the engine cuts out and cannot be restarted. Same with the right.Before I kill the cat out of sheer frustration, is there a way of entering FSX with this aircraft and the engines running please? Yes - I've given up! CTRL-E does not work.ThanksAidan

Aidan,1. Full names in this forum, please, per forum rules.2. The recommended way to start the bird is to load a default aircraft first (many use the trike, I use the CRJ or Baron), and then "change the aircraft" to the J41. (This goofy approach is because apparently FSX plays better when a default aircraft is loaded first.) But, when this is done, the engines should be running, so to answer your question, the default position would be for the engines to be running. 3. Assuming the engines aren't running, I'm not sure you've given quite enough information here as to why it hasn't started. Clearly something is wrong if they don't stablize in three minutes. Some questions I have: Did you make sure the throttles were in the correct position for start-up? Did you do everything in the checklist (such as fuel)? When you say they don't restart, are they on fire? Do you touch anything else (electrical, lights, air) before the engine stops? Have you tried the tutorial (where the engine is default in the off mode, if that's how you got there)? Give the bird a chance.

Thanks for the replies. I'm not going to bother with the start procedure (I have been following the procedure to the letter)I'll use your advice about selecting another aircraft and then switching.ThanksAidan Vincent Bartley

Definitely start with another aircraft then switch, I've had this issue where the engines appeared running when I started with the plane but they were doing some odd thing on the starter and were actually buggered (they cut out then can't be started).I've made a cold and dark setup which I have saved and use now for this reason (saved flight, locatio can be changed after it's loaded).

I had a problem starting the engines around a week ago.The problem seemed to stem from the blades not going to non-feather with the switch.I then noticed I wasn't running in DX10 preview, I'd recently had the PC upgraded.Not sure if it will help but it's something you may like to try anyway.Cheers

Thanks Graham - the blades are feathering. I've been through the tutorial about 30 times and the engines start but then cutout - I have to give up as life is too short.Thanks for your replyMr. Aidan Vincent Bartley

...the blades are feathering.

Aidan,When the J41 first came out - and for a while thereafter - there were many people who SWORE they were doing everything correctly but that the engines wouldn't start. Those people eventually found that one of two things was happening: 1) the airplane wasn't initializing properly, and was fixed by loading the default cessna before switching to the J41.or;2) They really WEREN'T doing everything correctly, and once they followed the correct procedure, everything worked as advertised.I assume you tried loading the cessna first as suggested above, and that it didn't work? If so, then I would take a few minutes to review exactly what steps you're taking during start. The reason I say that is because your quote above indicates that you're doing something wrong.I'm not sure if it was just a typo or not, but if your props are in fact feathered, then your engines will crank for an excessive duration, parameters will stabilize at sub-idle levels, and after about 3 minutes, the torque shaft will shear and the engine will fail.Before you give up (and before I run through the entire procedure), would you mind posting exactly what steps you're taking. Don't just copy the procedure you're reading from, instead, give us your interpretation of each step. That might help indicate where you're going wrong. There are times when I'm positive I'm reading instructions correctly, and performing every step correctly, and am so frustrated that "the damn thing won't work right!", that I'm always surprised when someone points out the obvious mistake I'm making. It happens to the best of us...So if you've got some patience left, give it shot, and let's see if we can get you going.

Hi NickFirstly thank-you - I really appreciate your time and input.I would never be so arrogant as to say I've done everything correctly although I have tried this over 30 times.I'm following the Pilot's tutorial documentation as supplied with the software - it's this I've been attempting. Having tried about 20 times I found this forum and came across the feathering posting - I applied that too and have been for the last ten or so times and yes, they are feathering as I watch them turn.So effectively I get to the point in the tutorial where it tells me to wait until the left engine stabilises - it says it should take about 30 secs - it really takes about three minutes but then I may not know what a stable engine looks like. After three minutes the engine cuts off and cannot be restarted. If that is not enough detail I'm happy to do it again and note down any specifics if you request any and if your kindness continues - I'a always amazed at you guys who give up their time and share their knowledge.I can start with a different plane and then change to the J41 and that works but I really want to follow through the tutorial flight from start to finish, especially as I have no experiecen at all of FMS's.Have to say though that it's a joy to fly - have mastered the basics and have done a few short hops from Carlise to Newcastle with satisfactory landings - an amazing bit of software!Thanks again NickKind regardsAidan Bartley

Aidan,It's no problem. That's what we're here for.I have one clarification to make, and a few quick things for you to try. I'll make a more in depth post later tonight that incorporates any feedback you give between now and then. First, to clarify:The props should be UNfeathered, not feathered. If your statement was just a typo then disregard, but if you're unsure, here's what to do:With Battery and GPU power on, set the left Power Lever to Max Reverse. Operate the unfeathering pump switch to the left (#1) position. It will take about 45 seconds for the prop to fully unfeather. Once the blades are fully unfeathered, return the left Power Lever to Ground Idle. This will place the prop on the Start Lock, which is abolutely essential before starting the engine. Repeat for the right engine. If there is any lingering doubt as to whether your props are properly unfeathered, I'd be happy to take some screenshots of what it should look like.If that does not work, then I have one additional clarification to make:The point of loading the default Cessna first is actually to start from a clean slate. Doing this does not require that you load the J41 with the engines already running. Here's what you do:Load the Cessna. Shutdown the engine, turn off the battery, and turn off the avionics switches. Now load the J41. The engines should be off (though you may hear the shutdown sound effects upon initial load), and this state is one that fixes the "no-start" issue for a lot of folks.So give that a shot and see if it works. If not, then we can take a look at your step by step procedure, and rule out any errors or omissions there.

Hi NickFirstly thank-you - I really appreciate your time and input.I would never be so arrogant as to say I've done everything correctly although I have tried this over 30 times.I'm following the Pilot's tutorial documentation as supplied with the software - it's this I've been attempting. Having tried about 20 times I found this forum and came across the feathering posting - I applied that too and have been for the last ten or so times and yes, they are feathering as I watch them turn.So effectively I get to the point in the tutorial where it tells me to wait until the left engine stabilises - it says it should take about 30 secs - it really takes about three minutes but then I may not know what a stable engine looks like. After three minutes the engine cuts off and cannot be restarted. If that is not enough detail I'm happy to do it again and note down any specifics if you request any and if your kindness continues - I'a always amazed at you guys who give up their time and share their knowledge.I can start with a different plane and then change to the J41 and that works but I really want to follow through the tutorial flight from start to finish, especially as I have no experiecen at all of FMS's.Have to say though that it's a joy to fly - have mastered the basics and have done a few short hops from Carlise to Newcastle with satisfactory landings - an amazing bit of software!Thanks again NickKind regardsAidan Bartley

Aidan,Don't feel bad or give up. I went through exactly the same thing you did for two weeks and finally figured out what I was doing wrong.I started up FSX and went to Create a Flight.Select the Cessna 172SP and any airport. I didn't use the default airport because I wound up it the air.Click "FLY NOW"When the Cessna opens press F10 to get the 2D panelClick Master/Alt Batt to OFFClick Rotating Beacon Light to OFFClick Magnetos to OFFClick Avionics to OFFClick Red Fuel Shut to OFFNow here is where I was going wrongI was going back to Create a Flight to open and click the LOAD that is there to open the JS-41. WRONG.Instead, click on the File Menu at the top of the Cessna screen and select LOADThis works for me and you won't have to mess with feathering or unfeathering the props.Another tip. When the engines crank up the START light will go off. This is not the engines shutting down so let the keep running.If you are having problems in steps after this sequence, post back here and I'll will be glad to help. Roy Warren

Thanks to everyone who has offered support especially Nick and Roy - yes it worked! - I set up for a Cessna first and then everything worked first time - what a relief! I started the engines by following the tutorial but I missed out the FMC- I'm hoping I go back with the engines started and configure the FMC.One minor disappointment is engine sound. When I'm right up next to an engine (outside view) and crank up the gas there is no discernible change in sound - is this normal please?Again thanks to you all - I'm really grateful.Kind regardsAidan Bartley

Thanks to everyone who has offered support especially Nick and Roy - yes it worked! - I set up for a Cessna first and then everything worked first time - what a relief! I started the engines by following the tutorial but I missed out the FMC- I'm hoping I go back with the engines started and configure the FMC.One minor disappointment is engine sound. When I'm right up next to an engine (outside view) and crank up the gas there is no discernible change in sound - is this normal please?Again thanks to you all - I'm really grateful.Kind regardsAidan Bartley

Aidan,Glad you got it going. One more tip for you.When you start it with the FMS don't start the FMS until after the engines are up and running.Do it after you have turned the avionics back on.I do it after I have returned the power levers back from the "locks removed" poisition, then F1 to idle.If you do it in the sequence the Tutorial says, they will shut down when you cut off the avionics.Roy Warren

One minor disappointment is engine sound. When I'm right up next to an engine (outside view) and crank up the gas there is no discernible change in sound - is this normal please?

Thats normal, the engines run at fixed RPM's controlled by the condition levers, so increasing throttle really just changes the tone but not the speed, you get more sound change from moving the condition levers as that changes the engine speed.

Aidan,Glad you got it going. One more tip for you.When you start it with the FMS don't start the FMS until after the engines are up and running.Do it after you have turned the avionics back on.I do it after I have returned the power levers back from the "locks removed" poisition, then F1 to idle.If you do it in the sequence the Tutorial says, they will shut down when you cut off the avionics.Roy Warren

Thanks Roy!RegardsAidan Bartley

Thats normal, the engines run at fixed RPM's controlled by the condition levers, so increasing throttle really just changes the tone but not the speed, you get more sound change from moving the condition levers as that changes the engine speed.

Thanks for that.Kind regardsAidan Bartley