Having trouble with cold and dark start

[sharpless281]

I am going through the check list in the KA350i user guide very carefully. Everything thing seems ok. After flying about 10 minutes one or both engines fail. If I pick ready to start all is fine. I also have the King Air EFIS 85 Operation Handbook and it has basically the same check list.

So I started Cold and Dark and did the before starting the engine checklist, except turning on the battery. The flight from Santa Ana to San Diego went fine.

One of the YouTube on the product page talk about the firewall. He closes the firewall, turns on the standby pumps, then opens the firewall, then turns off the pumps. The check list does not appear to say anything about turning them on so maybe that is the mistake I am making as I type this. Anyway, the engine always fails so I must be doing something wrong. So if the checklist in the user guide is correct, which I do not see why it would not be, I will stick with that. I plan to print and laminate the checklist. Thanks for all the documentaion

[Raptor]

Can you post the link to the video?

Watch the engine parameters. Dont push the power all the way up. That will kill your engines. Also, make sure you reset the engines in MVAMS

[sharpless281]

Thanks, I will watch out for that. Usually after take off and 1000 feet AGL I pull back the throttle so torque is about 75%, then the props to 1600, and adjust to 80% until at cruise then torque at 85%, still at 1600 or so. I have been having better luck now, something was wrong, LOL

[Slayer]

I don't think you need the condition levers all the way forward the whole time either that helps.

[Raptor]

I don't think you need the condition levers all the way forward the whole time either that helps.

Correct. Condition Levers stay at Low Idle the whole time

[Victory103]

sharpless281, not sure of the vid you are referencing, but the fuel system check is a expanded procedure normally done for the 1st flight of the day, part of the pre-flight. Might be in the support forum, but generally the after take-off checklist happens at 1500' AGL with the prop rpm reduction to 1600rpm. On take-off you are watching torque and ITT, after that in the climb torque will continue to drop off and one should be watching ITT up to cruise altitude (785 is recommended cruise climb ITT). Using FLC on the climb schedule which I also posted, and continually adjust power levers as you climb. The condition levers only need to be in HIGH IDLE after the 1st engine start on battery, and if you want max reverse thrust on landing(both runways in your flight are plenty long enough).

[sharpless281]

Thank you for all the information guys. I did not know to leave the condition levers on idle which I suspect helps the engines stay happy. When I climb around 1500 i pull back the throttle until ITT drops to about 80% (what ever number that is) and then bring props down to 16000. On take off do I need to prevent the ITT getting to 100%. Did a flight from KSNA to KPSP and KVMAS reported engines ok These tips will really help.

Oddly enough my engine fails when I close and then open the firewall. Seems like every time, if I pick only the right engine, it quits. The left close and open, it quits. So I am not doing that any more until I understand exactly what all that means. But I have flows like 12 hours so far and trying to keep the engines good in KVAMS afterwards. I need to review the correct descent and landing now. (where the props should be, ITT, things like that)

[Victory103]

The firewall shut off valves are working as they should, they close off fuel to the engines. The standby pumps are there if the engine driven pumps fail. You only need to touch those on the pre-flight check once you initially get in the cockpit without engines running. All other times, no need to touch those switches. Engine start and shutdown are controlled with the condition levers.

No real limitations on ITT on the way down from cruise, you can keep the props at 1500 until short final (my employer had us go props high prior to dropping the gear). The props are excellent speed brakes.

[sharpless281]

Thank you, that information was very useful