Dust Filters/Protectors

[Alpenwolf]

According to the start-up procedure in the training mission, the dust filters are turned off once the helicopter is airborne. Why is that? I've been flying the Ka-50 and the Mi-8 ever since they were released and if the dust filters are off, especially when airborne, at some point the engines' performance/power will start decreasing. Is that changed now? I remember this very well back in the day when I was learning how to fly the Ka-50, that it took me a while to figure out what was causing the problem.

If it's all snowy and only then, the dust filters are switched to off, otherwise they're always on as far as I know.

[Mins]

11 minutes ago, Alpenwolf said:

According to the start-up procedure in the training mission, the dust filters are turned off once the helicopter is airborne. Why is that? I've been flying the Ka-50 and the Mi-8 ever since they were released and if the dust filters are off, especially when airborne, at some point the engines' performance/power will start decreasing. Is that changed now? I remember this very well back in the day when I was learning how to fly the Ka-50, that it took me a while to figure out what was causing the problem.

If it's all snowy and only then, the dust filters are switched to off, otherwise they're always on as far as I know.

When the dust filters are turned on, the engine power is reduced because less air mixture is passing through the engine. Filters must be turned on during takeoff and landing on unpaved airfields, where there is no special platform so that dust and dirt does not get into the engine. 

[Mins]

And if dust and dirt gets into the engine, then the engine resource will decrease, the filters will turn off in flight, because there is no dirt and dust there. There is only next to the ground. I think that you misunderstood the manual of the mi-8, ka-50. This is the same for all helicopters with an engine dust shield installed

Edited August 18, 2021 by Mins

[RaisedByWolves]

Is the performance hit with dust filters actually modeled?

[AeriaGloria]

Yes, it’s cumulative. More time near unpaved surfaces greater the chance of engine fire  

[Alpenwolf]

7 hours ago, Mins said:

When the dust filters are turned on, the engine power is reduced because less air mixture is passing through the engine. Filters must be turned on during takeoff and landing on unpaved airfields, where there is no special platform so that dust and dirt does not get into the engine. 

 

Well, I was right after all then. I mostly fly very low hugging the ground to avoid being detected by enemy fighters. That being said, the dust filters have to remain on, otherwise I wouldn't be having any engine issues as mentioned above. On the hand, the Mi-24 doesn't require that as it seems and that was the confusing part for me.

[admiki]

If you are flying faster than 30 kph, you will leave dust cloud behind, so you don't need dust protection on. And are you sure that engine performance is decreasing after switching it off? 

They way it works is to take part of compressor flow and use it to blow dust away from intake. 

[Alpenwolf]

4 hours ago, admiki said:

If you are flying faster than 30 kph, you will leave dust cloud behind, so you don't need dust protection on. And are you sure that engine performance is decreasing after switching it off? 

They way it works is to take part of compressor flow and use it to blow dust away from intake. 

 

Makes sense, and I've been leaving the dust filters switched to on in the Ka-50 and Mi-8 for years now. I'll have to double check. On the other hand, when flying the Ka-50, I do fly at speeds less than 30 kph and sometimes even hover while scanning for targets.