Engine Idle when on ground possible?

[monkie]

Just curious and this is not based on actual operation, but is it possible to "idle" the engine on the ground say around 30,000 RPM? I was able to do this once after landing but the other times I tried the second I move the fuel control lever back just a bit the engine completely shuts down and I need to restart.

 

I kind of like idling the engine while the helo is rearmed, even if it's not prototypical.

 

Thoughts?

[nomdeplume]

Should be possible. Only time I reduce the fuel flow is when I'm shutting down after landing and what that feeling of completeness, but whenever I do that it always smoothly reduces the flow rate.

 

Just tried it now and it worked fine. Connected ground power before reducing fuel flow to maintain NADIR and gyros etc., no problems. Possibly you had a bit of a glitch with your fuel flow axis?

[monkie]

I'm very glad I asked, after trying again to bring the power back to idle on the ground and failing I realized the error in my ways.

 

I had the engine starter key set to "ON" vs "Up". So basically I was flying around with the starter in the middle position which will kill the engine the minute you bring the fuel lever out of full forward position.

 

I had assumed this starter toggle switch was spring loaded into the middle position and only needed to be in the Up/Start position for initial start.

 

Thanks for the reply, I can enjoy idling on the ground for hours on end now :)

[BaD CrC]

Just remember that autopilot will disengage when idling. Don't forget to check it out before taking off.

[Skulleader]

I had the engine starter key set to "ON" vs "Up". So basically I was flying around with the starter in the middle position which will kill the engine the minute you bring the fuel lever out of full forward position.

For me during the rampstart my swith is UP position (DEM) and just before to takeoff my switch is MIDDLE position (A). After when I'm the ground if I want idle the engine I swith to UP position and no problem.

Just the electical power is OFF, no more 28v.

[Drakoz]

On the SA341, the switch is pushed full up to start the engine and then moved back to the middle position for normal flight. But on the DCS SA342, this does not seem to be the case as down is VENT and middle is OFF. So you should fly with the start switch in the UP position.

 

Also, consider, if you want to practice an auto-rotation, if the switch is not UP, you will kill the engine when you close the fuel flow lever.

 

Video example by Chuck Owl:

 

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Regards,

Michael