When I load the tutorial flight the aircraft is sitting on the ramp, doors closed, no baggage cart, pylons, or ground power unit attached, props in the fine pitch position, cockpit on battery power, yellow alert light on, with that lovely altimeter clicking noise running.

 

Since I like to start with the cockpit cold and dark I imagined I could simply shut off the avionics and battery power, secure the cockpit, save the flight with a new name, and use it as my default setup. What I have found however is that no matter what I do I cannot get the cocpit to load in a cold and dark state.

 

The second and I presume related part of my quandry is the fact that any action I take after loading the flight, such as opening the Ramp Manager and attaching the external power unit, or switching the avionics and battery power to the off position, causes the props to move into the feathered position. After unfeathering the props, starting the engines, and slowly moving each of the power levers into reverse as instructed, I do not get the announcement indicating that the start locks are removed. Taxi and take-off proceed normally regardless. I've seen other posts that refer to FS Crew in relation the the start lock announcement but it isn't a factor since I don't have it on my machine.

 

None of this keeps me from flying and enjoying the aircraft but I would still appreciate any advice I can get on ironing out these annoying little bugs.

Why don't you just load the tutorial?...it's cold and dark. Then just move the airplane to where ever you want to depart. In terms of the start locks announcement...dunno. I was one of those with FS2Crew issues. I have often asked what makes the copilot so capable of making that call...some unknown psychic connection to the airplane..LOL. In any case, they do unlock when you follow the procedures.

 

Gregg

Make sure you pull both thrust levers far enough back, and do it fairly slowly. You should hear the announcement about the Start Levers Unlocked as you do.

 

On the C&D start, that one eludes me too. I generally have the APU running although the engines aren't. I still have to change some switch positions, but at least the aircraft is more or less ready as one might receive it if the flight wasn't originating from that location. Still, except for loading the tutorial, that one is a bit of a mystery to me as well.

When I load the tutorial flight the aircraft is sitting on the ramp, doors closed, no baggage cart, pylons, or ground power unit attached, props in the fine pitch position, cockpit on battery power, yellow alert light on, with that lovely altimeter clicking noise running.

 

Since I like to start with the cockpit cold and dark I imagined I could simply shut off the avionics and battery power, secure the cockpit, save the flight with a new name, and use it as my default setup. What I have found however is that no matter what I do I cannot get the cocpit to load in a cold and dark state.

 

The second and I presume related part of my quandry is the fact that any action I take after loading the flight, such as opening the Ramp Manager and attaching the external power unit, or switching the avionics and battery power to the off position, causes the props to move into the feathered position. After unfeathering the props, starting the engines, and slowly moving each of the power levers into reverse as instructed, I do not get the announcement indicating that the start locks are removed. Taxi and take-off proceed normally regardless. I've seen other posts that refer to FS Crew in relation the the start lock announcement but it isn't a factor since I don't have it on my machine.

 

None of this keeps me from flying and enjoying the aircraft but I would still appreciate any advice I can get on ironing out these annoying little bugs.

 

Hi David,

 

Some time ago someone made a little program. If you click it the J41 turns cold and dark. (must run in windowed mode if you want to use the program)

I can't find it on the forum now, but if you sent me your emailadress I sent it to you. (it is very small)

 

Eric

Some time ago someone made a little program. If you click it the J41 turns cold and dark. (must run in windowed mode if you want to use the program)

 

LINDA will do that but you have to have FSUIPC registered for it to work.

Hi David.

 

For cold n dark, the best solution is a licenced copy of FSUIPC and a freeware goodie called LINDA. LINDA uses LUA files and you can assign a joystick button to initiate cold and dark, and this INCLUDES feathering the props. To do it manually, with engines running, as you press the STOP button for each engine pull the throttle back into reverse as the engine spools down... this engages the start locks, then go through the flow to shut the rest of the cockpit down - avionics OFF x2, lights, all off, anti-ice, all off, ground power off, batteries off, gust lock engaged. I think it's in the tutorial. One point though. I have found that for some reason, the start locks don't always stay engaged. You can tell by looking out of the window at the prop blades. (capt side first) if the blades appear flat - edge on, you're OK. If not, you need to use the feather pump switch on the lower console just aft of the throttle levers - push it toward the engine you want to feather, and watch as the pitch of the blades "unwinds". Then jump across to the first office VC view, pan right to get a view of the right prop, and do the same. Again, with FSUIPC and LINDA, you can assign a button to these tasks. I tend to....

 

1) switch both avionics switches to OFF to prevent a power surge damaging anything when the plug the GPU in. Shut down the right engine and feather the prop/engage the start lock.

2) press SHIFT-2 to open the ground services view, attach the GPU - which attaches to the aft of the right engine nacelle - hence shut the engine down first so you don't risk injuring the ramp staff while the plug the GPU in. While this is happening, the left engine is generating power to the aircraft.

3) on the over head, switch to ground power (button half of the button) and switch L and R generators to OFF.

4) Shut down the left engine and feather the prop.

5) in ground services view you can now chock the wheels and open the doors for the ground crew

6) follow the shut down check-list and switch off the electrics, anti-ice, lights, pneumatics

 

Hope that helps.

Good summary from Drew. Also, before starting make sure your mixture control is set to rich. I'm pretty sure it's an FSX bug, but, for some folks, the engines either won't start or will suddenly cut off on you if you don't.

 

Gregg

Greg, there is no mixture control on the JS4100. Do you mean the Condition levers? Move them above taxi position?

 

Cheers

MIke Kear

Greg, there is no mixture control on the JS4100. Do you mean the Condition levers? Move them above taxi position?

 

No. If you have a mixture control set it to full rich and forget about it. I don't know if it's a bug or what but I was having engine cutoffs and they stopped when I moved them full forward. Weird.

 

Gregg

I think Gregg means if you're loading a default aircraft (like the 172 for example) prior to loading the J41.

I think Gregg means if you're loading a default aircraft (like the 172 for example) prior to loading the J41.

 

I don't know if that's it or not. All I know is that if I was running through the start up on the J41 and had the engines running they would fairly frequently cut off. After a few very frustrating times at this and having no clue what would have caused it, I noticed that my mixture levers (which are default for mixture on my sim) were all the way back. On a lark I moved them forward. Why not? Never had the problem again. Shouldn't matter...but *shrugs*.

Ahh I understand. On your throttle quadrant. Got it!