Condition Lever Safety Catch

[Flyfox]

I noticed that the safety catch only partly functions correctly. The Manual says: “Inadvertent movement of the condition lever to the CUT OFF is achieved by the safety catch.“ In reality, this is achieved by the shape and spring-loading of the catch. Here, it does this job, but it also prevents the condition lever from being moved forward to the RUN position. Engine start is only possible after moving it deliberately to the right. If I remember correctly, this function was correct before SP1.

[YoYo]

It was blocked also but start position of lever was after the safety catch (before SP1) now (for cold and dark) is totally off (cut off) position. Just remove it by one click. Simulation of spring (the one side only) its a nice idea.

[Flyfox]

I basically agree with you, but the function of the safety catch is supposed to be asymmetric. Thanks to its shape (triangular at the left side) moving the condition lever to the run position should be possible without releasing the catch, while moving it backwards to the CUT-OFF position requires the safety catch to be released.

I know this is a minor thing, but the fully correct function would welcome on this really great product.

[Taguilo]

In real the safety catch and the condition lever are both sync operated at startup.

The pilot moves the CL up to the bottom of the catch and then with the same hand:
- removes the safety without releasing the lever, which is possible thanks of the shape of the catch.
- increases CL to RUN position while holding the catch with some fingers of the hand.
- Keeps holding the CL AND the safety open (just in case he needs to move the CL back to Fuel Off).
- Once startup is stable, he releases both CL and the catch, which springs back to CL lock position.

All this operation could have been replicated in the sim using a combination of mouse/key but it would surely make things difficult to many users.
OTOH, there is an option in MVAMS to operate the starter as hold to ON, as it is spring back loaded as well, being more simple to handle than the above.

Tomas

[Flyfox]

I know what you mean, but based on the catch (and its shape) in your sim, there is no need to touch it, as it is moved aside by the foward moving CL. This is actually even easier to do not only in the sim but also in the real aircraft. In the sim it doesn’t even require the trick with the starter button. The function of the catch is simply to avoid moving the CL back unintentionally. So, the only situation where you operate it with your fingers is to shut-off the engine or interrupt the startup.

[Taguilo]

Don´t be confused by the catch´s shape.
This one is only spring loaded downwards. Pushing it with the lever won´t swivel it upwards.

Tomas

[Flyfox]

No, I don't. But please don't be confused by the movement of the catch. It does not move up and down but rotate around the top right corner, as it is correctly modeled and animated in this DCH-3T. Moving the CL forward rotates the catch to the right. But pulling the CL back is blocked by the (spring-held) catch. The catch needs to be rotated to the right manually in order to let the CL pass to the CUT-OFF position.

[Taguilo]

Moving the CL forward rotates the catch to the right.

As I stated before, moving the CL forward DOES not rotate the catch to the right. It does not swivel up or down to the right, it does it only down around the top right pivot corner. Period

Tomas

[Flyfox]

Interesting physics and logic indeed.

[YoYo]

This video:

https://youtu.be/j-2S6bzXZxc

[Flyfox]

Thank you, Thomas. I had watched several startup videos, but not this one. Milviz obviously did a marvelous job here! Chapeau!

The DHC-3T has meanwhile become my favorite aircraft in the sim.