I am all for realism, but I just blew an hour of my night trying to start the Baron. I mean really? Did the checklist. Maybe there are people who like this sort of thing but come on. At least add an easy start option. 

Wasted night. 

Okay this could be user error. I can get the planes to fire up eventually in socal but not in Colorado. The manual mentions heating the engine for 10 minutes before starting it, so i need to try that when cold. 

Looks interesting. I don't own those aircraft 😕

Could it be the engine / oil / ... are way too cold ? If that's the case that means they did it with attention to details...

The trickiest part is usually priming the engines. You can open the engine page in the EFB to see how much fuel is already in the cylinders. This helped me figure out the right amount of priming for different climate conditions.

5 hours ago, RobJC said:

Okay this could be user error. I can get the planes to fire up eventually in socal but not in Colorado. The manual mentions heating the engine for 10 minutes before starting it, so i need to try that when cold. 

Fuel injected piston planes like the Baron and Bonanza can be "interesting" to start IRL, particularly when warm so you do need to get used to how this all works.  That said, I have never had an issue with either the Baron or Bo Professional when following procedures properly.  A couple of hints may help.

When starting cold for the first flight of the day regardless of OAT, you really do need to be sure you've given the engines a good prime.  Mixture full rich, throttle full, fuel pump to hi.  The checklist says about 3 seconds IIRC, but I've found closer to 5 or 6 seems to work best in most conditions, however... don't be shy about using the tablet graphics to actually see the fuel entering the cylinders to get a better feel for things while you get used to how it works.  You need to visually see a bit of fuel entering into the combustion chambers.  Then throttle to about an inch or so and it should fire pretty reliably when you crank.  Sometimes a bit of movement (opening and closing the throttle a small amount while cranking) can help if it doesn't light right off as this can help you find the proper position.  A small amount, not stop to stop.  After a few times you'll get a good feel for how much throttle to start with.

As for pre-heat, this is mostly suggested to prevent engine wear due to cold oil and thermal stress when starting in cold wx.  My guess on your cold weather starting issue is that you're not priming long enough to get the fuel into the combustion chambers in the colder air.

Hope that helps,

 

Scott

Edited January 31Jan 31 by tttocs

34 minutes ago, tttocs said:

don't be shy about using the tablet graphics 

This is the best advice @RobJC, never try to count the seconds if you have not previously used the EFB, visually you need to see (1) the oil (in brown) having gone around the whole engine circuit, (2) the fuel (in blue) to reach the top portion of the spark plugs (but not beyond), then having followed @tttocs recommendations above, you should not have a problem. 

Edited January 31Jan 31 by Bernard Ducret

What's the engine condition % on the tablet?

1 hour ago, tttocs said:

Fuel injected piston planes like the Baron and Bonanza can be "interesting" to start IRL, particularly when warm so you do need to get used to how this all works.  That said, I have never had an issue with either the Baron or Bo Professional when following procedures properly.  A couple of hints may help.

When starting cold for the first flight of the day regardless of OAT, you really do need to be sure you've given the engines a good prime.  Mixture full rich, throttle full, fuel pump to hi.  The checklist says about 3 seconds IIRC, but I've found closer to 5 or 6 seems to work best in most conditions, however... don't be shy about using the tablet graphics to actually see the fuel entering the cylinders to get a better feel for things while you get used to how it works.  You need to visually see a bit of fuel entering into the combustion chambers.  Then throttle to about an inch or so and it should fire pretty reliably when you crank.  Sometimes a bit of movement (opening and closing the throttle a small amount while cranking) can help if it doesn't light right off as this can help you find the proper position.  A small amount, not stop to stop.  After a few times you'll get a good feel for how much throttle to start with.

As for pre-heat, this is mostly suggested to prevent engine wear due to cold oil and thermal stress when starting in cold wx.  My guess on your cold weather starting issue is that you're not priming long enough to get the fuel into the combustion chambers in the colder air.

Hope that helps,

 

Scott

Okay thanks Scott. I will try those tips. 

35 minutes ago, outermarker said:

What's the engine condition % on the tablet?

100%

6 hours ago, jcomm said:

Looks interesting. I don't own those aircraft 😕

Could it be the engine / oil / ... are way too cold ? If that's the case that means they did it with attention to details...

I think that was it. 

  

10 hours ago, RobJC said:

Okay this could be user error

No offence, but it 100% will be.

If you'd followed the procedures in the manual (and watched Black Square's excellent vids on the JF YouTube channel), you'd have the engines starting immediately.

No point in raging about the product - it's exceptionally well made and engine start is modelled realistically.    It's not a default aircraft - it won't work if you just shove the mixture lever up and turn the key.

You're having a heck of a lot of grief with the sim at the moment!

Edited January 31Jan 31 by JYW

2 hours ago, JYW said:

  

No offence, but it 100% will be.

If you'd followed the procedures in the manual (and watched Black Square's excellent vids on the JF YouTube channel), you'd have the engines starting immediately.

No point in raging about the product - it's exceptionally well made and engine start is modelled realistically.    It's not a default aircraft - it won't work if you just shove the mixture lever up and turn the key.

You're having a heck of a lot of grief with the sim at the moment!

I admitted my mistake. I was using the checklist in the tablet but that was on me. BTW, I am actually loving this sim. Sure, there are some issues to sort out but overall great experience! I figured out the AI AP trying to kill me. Got the BS planes starting (thanks everyone), and I have ILS and VNAV down. The best part is I haven't had a PC or Sim crash since SU4. I could barely make it through loading the sim before. That's progress imo. 

10 hours ago, RobJC said:

I admitted my mistake. I was using the checklist in the tablet but that was on me. BTW, I am actually loving this sim. Sure, there are some issues to sort out but overall great experience! I figured out the AI AP trying to kill me. Got the BS planes starting (thanks everyone), and I have ILS and VNAV down. The best part is I haven't had a PC or Sim crash since SU4. I could barely make it through loading the sim before. That's progress imo. 

MSFS is The Sim of the Century!!!

It is by no way the best, there's no such thing because it strongly depends on one's preferences and likings, but it's for sure the platform that brought the biggest innovation in many fronts, and has been "spreading the word" across players of a wide range of ages and interests, even casual players.

Love MSFS 2024 too !!! I can even say I Love ASOBO 😍although I honestly would opt for a sexy French gal instead...