I have the Saitek Throttle Quadrant with the three Levers...I have one programmed for Throttle, one for Prop (rpm) and one for Mixture...When starting a single engine turboprop, I believe I should do it like this:Mixture lever all the way lean (down)Throttle lever to idle (all the way down)Prop (rpm) at what position?Engage StarterWhen the rpm reaches aprox 15%, Mixture to Full (forward)I guess my question is: What should I be doing with the RPM lever during the start procedure?Hope this question is clear...Thanks!Steve

The RPM lever should be on full RPM.

Hi Steve. You need to differentiate between piston and turbo-prop aircraft to get a handle on this one.If you are flying a piston engine aircraft the three levers have the following function and position for start:1. Throttle - Idle 2. Propellor (fully forward) for fine pitch and 3. Mixture Lever (fully forward) for rich mixture.If you are flying a turbo prop aircraft the levers have slightly different functions and positions. My understanding (happy to stand corrected) is as follows:1. Throttle (Power) - idle 2. Propellor RPM (fully forward) for fine pitch and 3. Condition lever (essentially a fuel shut off) closed, press start button and move to start position, (sometimes called ground idle although flight idle will do) once rotation is observed. Most turbo prop engines operate at constant speed so once started the propellor and condition levers will be fully forward. Application of the power lever provides more fuel to the engine however above a certain point in the range more power will result in an automatic pitch adjustment thereby controlling constant speed. This is sometimes referred to as 'constant speed, variable noise'!See also Turbine Duke Condition LeverRgds - Roger

On any free turbine (PT-6 et al) the prop is held in feather until just before taxi. That's what we do in real life anyway. Although fs can't simulate it, when the engine is off, there is no oil pressure to force the prop to fine pitch, so the blades automatically feather. Because of this, it's sop to leave them feathered until you're ready to taxi. Keeps the noise levels down and keeps the prop wash to a minimum so the rampys don't get blasted.

Just the info I needed! Thanks a lot...Steve

On any free turbine (PT-6 et al) the prop is held in feather until just before taxi. That's what we do in real life anyway. Although fs can't simulate it, when the engine is off, there is no oil pressure to force the prop to fine pitch, so the blades automatically feather. Because of this, it's sop to leave them feathered until you're ready to taxi. Keeps the noise levels down and keeps the prop wash to a minimum so the rampys don't get blasted.

Thanks Nick for that information.

On any free turbine (PT-6 et al) the prop is held in feather until just before taxi. That's what we do in real life anyway. Although fs can't simulate it, when the engine is off, there is no oil pressure to force the prop to fine pitch, so the blades automatically feather. Because of this, it's sop to leave them feathered until you're ready to taxi. Keeps the noise levels down and keeps the prop wash to a minimum so the rampys don't get blasted.

That all depends. On a 30 degree day and the props in feather you are going ot heat up the fuselage very quickly from the hot exhaust gases especially in the 1900D. For the prop in fine/feather for take off, as usual in aviation, it's situation depending.

On any free turbine (PT-6 et al) the prop is held in feather until just before taxi. That's what we do in real life anyway. Although fs can't simulate it, when the engine is off, there is no oil pressure to force the prop to fine pitch, so the blades automatically feather. Because of this, it's sop to leave them feathered until you're ready to taxi. Keeps the noise levels down and keeps the prop wash to a minimum so the rampys don't get blasted.

I think you may be confused on this. Every PT6A (-21,-28,-42(A),-67(B&D)) I have personally flown (IA & Airline) requires the prop control set to full fine on start as part of the pre-start checklist. This serves several purposes including keeping hot exhaust gases from milling around the intake potentially causing heat related issues since the PT6 is a reverse flow turbine. Insufficient airflow and hot exhaust is a terrific way to over-temp the core if you aren't careful. You may be thinking of the PW100 series powerplants found on ATR's and Dash 8's. Those can be started and kept in feather until taxi. Most SOP's for Dash 8's require the props remain in feather until the towbar and/or external power is removed. John

Nope. I'm thinking PT-6's. Our 1900's and Caravans would start with the props in fine, but the King Air 200's, 350's, and Cheyenne all had props to feather on the prestart checklist. It's a matter of SOP like I stated in my original post. A free turbine doesn't really care either way. The TPE's on the other hand... ;)