Hello everyone, here is my question: when you start the engine, or taxi, do the prop pitch levers have to be full forward? I noticed if you pull them towards you (aft), that of course slows down the plane, but maybe this manoeuvre is not correct, and instead you have to go into beta range and reverse with the power levers, to slow down the airplane.

 

One last question: the prop pitch levers can be moved into the feather position (aft); do pilots pull them into feather only when they have an engine out?

 

The king Air c90b is my first turboprop airplane, and I would appreciate if someone more knowledgeable could clarify these points, thank you and take care,

 

Enrico :smile:

I believe you can get started on this by following the links in my response to your throttle quadrant topic.

Hello fppilot, thanks for the links, they are helpful, indeed, I appreciate it,

 

Enrico :wink:

Hi Enrico,

 

the PT6 engines are pretty flexible engines. They will stand a lot of things but no extensive overtorquing.

You can start the engines in feathered or full forward prop position (but full props is demanded in the checklist befor engine-startup). But in some cases you can prefer to start the engine in the feathered position due to engine-noise or the caused strong windflow behind the aircraft, depending on the parking area (moving other airctafts and possible flying obstacles behind the plane etc.).

 

With getting the props to full forward position before engine start the props outside will NOT move (which is correctly modeled by Carenado, it often gets called a bug which is not), they will move "themselves" into full forward position after engine startup at the right pressure and rpm.

 

You have to taxi in props full forward position and I suppose the beta range is only accessable on the throttlequadrant IRL when doing so. You can pull the porps back to full feathered position during taxi for a quick kind of emergencystop or for testing but normally you will use the betarange and brakes for stopping the aircraft, but no reverse on ground < 40kts!

 

You are right, on engineout-situation it is very helpfull and indicated to get the props into feathered positon, the King Airs have a Auto-feather-system which helps to be quick enough during the "hectics" of takeoff or landing.The porps will be windmilling and thus causing lots of drag to the engineout side .... feathering the affected props will stop the windmilling effect and reduce the drag a lot.

 

You quit the engines by cutting off the conditons and then you pull the props back to feathered position which reduces again the windflow behind the aircraft and the chance to hit the props with flying debris off the ground.

 

I am no RL King Air Pilot, but my love to these planes kept me informing all the time. I hope I did NO mistake in these explanations, so please correct me if I made some!

 

Cheers!

Hello Andy, thanks for your explanation; it makes sense, the procedure is pretty much what I thought, makes sense. I did have a look at the POH, and the engine start up procedure is exactly as you say. I appreciate you input, have a great day,

 

Enrico B)