Markoz wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2010 at 2:35pm:



I can't get the engines to start, have done all you wrote here but no start.

I can hear the engine spool up but it won't ignite. It starts with ctrl+e but thats not my game to start them that way.

What have i left out? Should i see the dials move on spoolup? 

We would have to investigate which (vital) step you are currently missing, Razor.
Be aware that e. g. Mark's checklist is an altered procedure when compared to the checklist in the manual (which is the rw counterpart), but both ways should lead to running engines of course.

The main procedure is to establish external power and air, distribute it through the plane and later get self-sustaining with two engines running, starting the other two then with the power and air 'coming out' of those.
Maybe I can describe the stuff with some pictures, using the checklists from the manual (which is manual3).

Starting with loading your plane, setting up the fuel load and getting it correctly parked. So you may open the doors, apply the chocks and, very important, enable the external power and air.

As we don't have any APU available, you will need this to get power and air for your systems and the AC into your plane.

You switch your battery to on and run through the checks of the levers and switches in the cockpit, which e. g. includes setting the start levers to cutoff position and checking the flaps lever and the one for the gear.



To achieve the external power and air being distributed throughout the plane, set up these things. Note the blue 'PWR on bus' light and the switch for the external power being in the upper ON position (which needs a right click).


The air pressure readings should both be active, low and high pressure.

Make sure to have the wing valves opened or the air won't reach the engines. For starting, leave the bleed air valves off until 3&4 are running, then open them to get pressure into the system for the start of 1&2.

While on the ground and preparing your flight, the galley power can remain on and also one AC unit can run. The ones on the 707 are electrical driven, so they draw quite some power from your ground power unit.
That's one reason to turn both things off just before engine start. Equipment cooling NORM and the planned cabin altitude and temperatures can be set now.
Hydraulic pressure needed? Use this setting to e. g. get some brake pressure.


For the flight and in regard to your fuel load, set up the pumps there.

The setup on the Overhead mainly includes the lights and the engine start control switches. Also choose the LOW PRESS setting for starting.

You see the GRD position on the #3 engine switch being marked there. Don't turn the switch yet, but this is the position to choose for starting her later.

Now or just after getting power to the plane, you set up all the navigational things, align the INS, watch the charts, set the speedbugs and so on.

Getting closer to engine start, close the doors of the plane and make sure to have your INS aligned and set to NAV, the INS/Doppler to INS.



As said, before attempting to start, turn off the galley power and also any AC unit, set the beacon to on and also the passenger signs.
Then rotate the engine #3 start control switch to GRD and watch the N2 gauge to reach approx 15%.

Then switch the engine start lever from the cutoff to the idle position and wait for #3 to ignite it's fuel.

This picture was taken just after the ignition, so the N2 value is much higher than 15% there. Don't get distracted by this, please.

Ok, #3 should be running and you are still on external air supply. So you can start #4 now, in the same way. Around 15% N2 means 'fuel on'.

Now, we want to get rid of the external stuff, so we get the #3 and #4 generators online and on the buses and also make sure that those two running engines now supply our air pressure system, otherwise #1 and #2 won't start after the external air is gone.
So make sure to set the switches like this.


When done and checked, disconnect the external power and air.


You should still have some low pressure readings then (as 3 and 4 now produce pressure) and also enough power, your are self-sustaining now, so they can push you back and stuff.
Starting 2 and 1 then happens like 3 and 4 before. GRD START switch to OFF after this.

After all engines are running, set the galley power, the air compressors on, the engine bleeds off and the AC units both to on. Pressure and power are sufficient enough now.

Things like the radar, transponder, stab trim setting and all the lights are up to you. If you've used the hydraulic interconnect before, you can disable it now.

Before takeoff, turn off the #4 air compressor, turn on the ignition for all engines and also don't forget about the window and pitot heating to run. Clock:go!



At a safe height, the ignition is weather dependant, but can go to off.

Razor68 wrote on Aug 2^nd, 2011 at 1:00am:

That's really strange Razor68. I turn the knobs to GRD and release them. They stay there until the engine starts and then they switch to OFF automatically once the engine is started.

Thanks. Did you notice the TWA paint at beautiful Geneva, Lou? It fit well there.

Ok I have litterally done every single thing exactly how it has been done in the tutorials and I still cannot get more than engine 3 and 2 started.  And 2 took about 10 tries.  What gives?  FSX version of the 707, windows 7 64bit.

CoolP is correct. Also, be aware the position labeled START is an enrichment position for cold weather starts.
In all my flying we never used this position and went directly to IDLE

Make sure you move the engine start lever to IDLE as soon as the N2 gauge indicates more than 15%, don't waste time.
As soon as the N2 indication has stabilized at about 20%, it is too late and the engine will not start.

LOU:
By the way, I have been questioning myself many times, why normal procedures require to move the start levers to IDLE instead of START.
Thank you for explaining.