Hi. I''ve tried for several hours to get the engines started on this thing since I upgrade to it with no luck. I'm older and my vision isn't the best and this panel dosen't help since some buttons have tool tips and some don't, and the panels aren't the easiest to read. Here again tool tips would help. So if anyone who has got this flying knows an easy way to get this fired up and can help I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for the help. I got the engines started but never got off the ground. I realized why I don't fly any airplanes with this 3D cockpit only. Plus I'm not tring to be a real pilot so I don't need to study hours before I can fly the thing. To much like work. I un-installed this airplane and went back to the buff model with my panel that I can fly with the time I have. The money lost on this is a lesson learned. Thanks again.

The trusty old default CTRL+E will get your engines started if you don't want to do it the way I mentioned earlier. I just thought that you meant a manual engine start. There are probably still a few switches that you need to turn on or you might have problems.

These are the GYRO POWER switches for Pilot and Co-Pilot, MACH IND, YAW and PITCH ENGAGE switches and the FLIGHT DIRECTOR switch. I can't think of any others that MUST be ON. ANTI SKID should be ON but it flies fine if it is OFF (I don't know about landing without it).

Just keep trying. You will get there.

Mark

I've put together a video that shows one method of an engine starting sequence.
There is NO SOUND in the video! Maybe I'll fix that later  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J_H4vWD57M

I have found two important things I have to do to start the engines.

When you first get into the B-52, pull the throttles all the way back. Hold F2 until they stop (I can get by with just tapping the F2 key to pull the throttle levers below 0%).
As I start each engine, I must move the throttle forward beyond the Stop position.

Here is the way I do it.

Starting engine #3 first (not sure if it is the correct checklist procedure).
I press the "E" key followed by the "3" key. Once it reaches 20% N2, I press F1 then F3. I really only need to tap both of those keys once. Once the engine is running I press F1 again to bring the throttle lever back to 0%.
I do this for engines #4, #2 & #1.

"E" key followed by "4" key for engine #4.
"E" key followed by "2" key for engine #2.
"E" key followed by "1" key for engine #1.

To get control of ALL the engines I press the "E" key followed by "1" "2" "3" "4" keys (in quick succession).

If you have a Yoke or Joystick with throttle reverser, I would think that you should be able start your engines easily.

I can start my engines first time very time using that method.

Mark

Just recheked, engines starting up OK. From our cold flight it runs with Ctrl+E like a charm.

Most likely all issues here have been caused by wrong throttle/cutoff positions.

This is a magic formula from Bill Gates:
Ctrl+Shift+F4  then F1  then Ctrl+E

You can start engines short way (using FSX hotkeys) of a long way (using cockpit controls), whatever it is but fuel cutoff must be OFF (Ctrl+Shift+F4) and trottle at IDLE (F1) BEFORE ignition.

Again, most likely all issues mentioned here have been caused by wrong throttle/fuel cutoff valve positions.

I've added a new video that shows a fast start from Cold-n-Dark (there's audio this time!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkZppl-3KWo