Friday 2010-10-22 Dev. update and Discussion

[Sutts]

When Oleg says no startup procedures it really isn't as bad as it sounds.....we already have most of the items referred to in the startup procedures. In fact we already do in IL2.

Here's a quick extract from the Hellcat pilot notes I have to hand:


Set throttle approx 1/5 open - WE HAVE THIS

Mixture - Idle Cut-Off - WE HAVE MIXTURE (I hope Idle/Cutoff is selectable)

Supercharger - Neutral - WE HAVE THIS

Battery Switch - On - PROBABLY DON'T HAVE THIS

Auxiliary fuel pump - On - PROBABLY DON'T HAVE THIS

Hold primer switch on for 3-5 seconds - ALMOST CERTAINLY DON'T HAVE THIS

Ignition switch - on "Both" - WE HAVE THIS

Starter switch "On" - WE HAVE THIS

When engine fires advance mixture control to "Auto Rich" - WE HAVE MIXTURE - I hope Auto Rich and Auto Lean are now properly modelled.

Do not exceed 100 RPM until oil temperature reaches at least 40 degrees C
- I HOPE OIL TEMP TAKES A LITTLE TIME TO RISE

If the oil pressure gauge does not indicate 40 p.s.i. within 30 seconds, the engine should be stopped.
- I HOPE THERE IS A REALISTIC DELAY IN OIL PRESSURE


So as you can see, we have most of the ingredients already.

The battery switch must be quite universal to aircraft of the day and would be very easy to model. I'm sure electrical failure is already modelled.

Other things referred to in pre-start check lists include cowl flap and landing flap position, propeller controls, intercooler and oil cooler doors, tail wheel lock, fuel selector, oxygen supply and flow, trim settings.

Again, we should have almost all of those controls too. I'm hoping fuel tank selectors are included.

So not bad at all really. Now, once the engine is started there are a few additional checks that include testing mags, supercharger and propeller controls. I don't know how many of you have compared the results of these tests with the real pilot's notes in IL2 but I can tell you they are very close already in IL2 - I remember being amazed when I switched magnetos in IL2 and got an accurate mag drop. Same with exercising the propellor.

A small feature that would be REALLY NICE is being able to enter the cockpit without all the controls already being correctly set for takeoff - as an option of course. This would enable those who like to follow procedures to follow them. There was a small utility created for IL2 that enabled this cold start procedure to be followed.

I hope the above puts some of our minds at rest.