DCS Mi-8: Cold Start Tutorial

[@numbynum]

As a siryan reabel, i would like to thank you. I just manged to start up the mi-8 that we captuerd, hope i wont crash with it. Wish me luck.

[@DeadRabbit86]

Aircraft mech here, just have to chime in on the APU bit. An APU is a mini turbine engine in and of it self, usually of the centrifugal variety. Once on speed they usually pressurize a bleed air manifold (not so much a tank). Indeed this high pressure air is then used to start the larger main engines. Also on some aircraft (usually larger ones) that have Air conditioning packs bleed air from the APU can be used to run the A/C on the ground when the main engines are off. Also they tend to have generators attached to them as a means of backup power should a main generator fail. That's probably way more than you wanted to know about APU's lol . Anyways, great videos on the Mi-8 and keep up the good work!

[@WardogDCS]

First Mi-8 tutorial Ive watched and I also see the Erusean Flag. A man of culture as well 👍🏻

[@Tritium1775]

4 years later I can't thank you enough. I thought I was going to skip over things quickly but you're a solid teacher. The rhythm you go through the cockpit with really made things click and make 152 switches and doodads into a pretty easy 8 step process.

[@721MrG]

This was so satisfying to watch and listen. Really clear and detailed tutorial for us beginners.

[@vsTerminus]

Excellent! That was the goal. Enjoy the series :)

[@irvinglukas3500]

Top lights rheostat next to flight engineer controls 50% of lights intensity on central console and 100% of lights intensity of G-meter and backup gyroscope. Love your tutorials.

[@nickbarnes9966]

Thank you so much for these tutorials! I really appreciate how you explain why you do something.

[@rgargente]

Excellent stuff, thanks for doing this! The depth is greatly appreciated

[@brianjay7504]

Thank you for these excellent, in-depth tutorials! It's one thing to know where to click and when, but it's best to also understand why! Makes it really satisfying to fly.

[@snaggletooth1773]

Picked up the routine immediately after watching this. Love your videos man they really help. Excited to start learning the Hip.

[@ratsac]

Just been learning the Mi24. This thing is so similar!

[@ashwinderchadha1261]

I was searching for this video on youtube since when.I got good to learn. thankiyou sir

[@LtRiot]

Clear and concise. Made me want to dust off the old hip and take her for a spin. Instasubscribed

[@CommanderSteinsch]

Same here. Great stuff, love the concept of the series.

[@rudelchw]

Excellent Tutorial, thanks a lot for taking the time to create this video. Very toughtful to include both Battery Start and Ground Power start chapters.

[@Scipio219]

Great tutorial series. Thanks for the info and annotations.

[@SsgtHolland]

Excellent video, great voice for tutorials! Subbed.

[@skypickle29]

Excellent presentation. And the voice is so podcasty-smooth and resdnant. Can I request a series on another chopper> Or if you are specializing in soviet aircraft, any of the sukhois?

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

I'd just like to sit in silence and watch the rain fall down the windscreen. New to DCS, and just got myself reasonably confident in the Gazelle. Bought this one a few hours ago and… this isn't the Gazelle is it!

[@Iriton1]

Great! Thx! By the way: "Mike" is a correct abbreviation for microphone.

[@HarryMcW]

Great, very well explained and clear.

[@audax333]

I think you missed the batteries in the ground power section of the video. They should be enabled in case of an engine failure.

[@Croc212]

I've had this module since 2013 and only just got confident flying it. The discussion on engine condition levers was very useful (thanks). I was playing through the campaigns and had to use them when taking off heavy from a helipad. I still don't fully understand it though because a few times I've set the levers back to normal and raised the throttle, only to get instant engine failure. Maybe I was pushing it too hard or something, even though I was trying to be careful getting the translational lift.

[@TheUnhappyTroll]

small corrections. according to my sources: 1. The reserve (APU) generator should be turn on after initial APU start and cooling (1 min) for instruments and subsystems checks - to remove the strain from batteries. Although it is only 3kWt, so not everything can be checked immediately, usually you will do one check at a time. 2. The reserve (APU) generator should be _turned_off_ before each engine start (it could be turned back on after starter switched off), so the APU won't be overloaded. After generators is online (on right correction), it can be switched off for a duration of the flight. OFC, this being only sim, and not doing checks you can start without even bother to switch it altogether. 3. According to Russian Ministry of Air Transport, aeronavigational lights on helicopters should be used only in night, or dusk, or IFR conditions, or if day visibility is less than 2 km. Except the anticollision light, that one should be turned on before APU start. So in clear daylight you usually don't need light breakers to be turned on (if only for checks at the first start of the day). 4. In cold conditions, right correction should be enabled only if engines temperature is more than 30 deg C, and main reduction drive oil temperature not less then -15 deg C; but no more than 20 min of engines running without enabling correction is allowed. 5. Before enabling GYRO HOR switch, button on the instrument itself should be pushed to uncage and reset it. 6. You don't need to move the indicator in the radar altimeter gauche all the way to the 0, there is no need to reset it. 7. Autopilot should be turned on only straight before hover check, taxiing should be done without it.

[@eagle17711]

Great Mi-8 Tutorial! I will be heading out to fly the real thing in a couple of months, I’m hoping there won’t be much difference…What is your aviation background? Great tutorial, great instructor…you should be doing this for a living (if you’re not doing it already)…Keep up the good work…

[@vsTerminus]

Wow that's exciting! I'd love the chance to fly the real thing some day. I have no aviation background. I don't hold any kind of pilot license. The real thing is too expensive so I settle for virtual aviation instead. Anyway thank you for the kind words and good luck! I'd love to hear your thoughts on how DCS compares to the real thing at some point!

[@eagle17711]

@@vsTerminus if you ever come to Europe hit me up. Is it possible for you to do an NVG tutorial on the Mi8?

[@facethefaceandmore44]

The front half of the right hand fuel tank actually contains the air conditioning unit, not kerosene. The whole helicopter runs on kerosene, not just the air conditioning unit. The cutaway in the Chuck's Guide calls it the 'система кондиционирования (по отдельному заказу)' which translates as 'air conditioning system (by separate order)'. Funny to hear of it as an optional upgrade, just like buying a car.

[@98based30]

Very good videos my man, helped a lot.

[@PolTen72]

I don't know if you have it planned for a future video, but a shutdown tutorial would be nice

[@peterwassmuth4014]

ThX awesome tutorials!

[@bosigard]

I love your channel!!

[@paulf1389]

Thank you for the great video. I am beginning to get a better idea of DCS rotary wing flying now. I did however notice that during the start using ground power, you didn’t turn on the batteries. I know you don’t really need them when the power is coming from somewhere else but I would assume they do need to be turned on for charging reasons. I may be wrong, given that I am not conversant with the Mi8, but I was wondering if there was a reason for you missing them?

[@RodrigoVerdugo]

@vsTerminus Hello and ty for the video. I just wondering if in the seconds way to start the heli, the batteries switch should be turn on?

[@eszpipeti]

My question is same: Not necessary turn on the batterys in the end of second procedure?

[@HarryMcW]

The regular english cockpit mod has that control say "MIC" so it is peculiar to this cockpit.

[@pabletesoy]

Hello, this is the best play Mi-8 list in youtube. It would be possible another one dedicated to the UH_1H?

[@littlekaboom3297]

I’m newbie to helos but in my personal experience with the Huey (uh 1h) the chucks guide is enough although you can look for more on yt

[@Borednerds]

Great video. One thing for some reason is not clear for me is this. How come with throttle to the max and collective up nothing happens ? I mean why you're not taking off at that point.

[@Ryan-ed1lq]

That's probably the most demanding parts of flying a helicopter on the engines. You're using close to max power.

[@Borednerds]

@@Ryan-ed1lq I am sorry, what? If you're saying you need almost full throttle to lift your maximum weight that is totally correct especially if temps are high but what does this have to do with my question? My question was this. At some point in the video OP maxed out RPM (normal procedure) and when maxed out a collective (I think), and at that time two things should have happened. One - liftoff, or if it's really maxed out both generators should have failed and stopped briefly until collective is returned to normal liftoff position whatever it is in his circumstances.

[@Ryan-ed1lq]

@@Borednerds I really don't know what your question is in this video then. That should not happen.

[@Tacticaviator7]

I'm a year late but in case you're still interested, he pauses the game before moving the throttles/collective, it is the special pause that stops physics but lets everything else function normally.

[@vsTerminus]

It's called "Active Pause" and it's a very useful tool for this kind of thing, and for practicing with targeting pods and other stuff that require you to be heads down while flying.

[@bartacomuskidd775]

Hey man, this is really helping. Can i leave pitch limit tail rotor for more tail authority? (in the tutorial missions the helo flies acrobatically. in my first missions, she just wants to lurch backward, and even with full tail rotor it wouldnt even turn in that direction.)

[@dart_q8]

Thanks for the great tutorial simple and easy, i have a question regarding the front panel of Co-pilot there is like a navigation system LCD panel is that a special mod?

[@vsTerminus]

That is the "NS-430" GPS navigation unit. Unfortunately it's a paid addon you can find in the DCS shop. There are two things: One is the core NS-430 module, and the other is the 3d model you see in the cockpit. You need the core module, but you don't need the in-world model to use it. You can bind a key to pop it up as an overlay and control it from there. Either way I wouldn't buy it until it's on sale. I will have a video on the NS-430 in the future, but you can see some of its functionality in my Multiplayer vids where I used it to navigate around.

[@Lb8068]

Uh, are those Erusean patches?

[@AdmiralQuality]

Jet fuel *is* kerosene. The front half of the right side pod is the kerosene *heater*, which uses the same fuel the rest of the helicopter uses.

[@vsTerminus]

I was actually just reading about this a couple days ago. Seems the Russians like to just say "Kerosene" when they mean "Any Kerosene-based fuel", which as you say includes Jet Fuel. Thanks for the clarification!

[@AdmiralQuality]

@@vsTerminus Think of it this way. You can put jet fuel in the kerosene heater no problem. Kerosene in your jet engine, not so much. (Will work, but won't burn at the right temperature and/or cleanly enough and will damage it.)

[@Welther47]

You forgot to turn off APU at the very last, I think :) But great video!

[@alejandroabrahante7542]

Very usefull👍

[@Skidjit]

Great tutorial, threw up a like and sub.

[@TurtleV1]

Any recommendations for sling loading missions?

[@vsTerminus]

What kind of recommendations? I did a video on sling loading, what are you having trouble with?

[@TurtleV1]

Just seeing if you have any missions to fly in that have sling loading in them, setting up missions is not my best skill. But all of your videos have been amazing for learning the Mi-8 :)

[@vsTerminus]

@@TurtleV1 Oh, I get it now! I definitely recommend the "Oilfields" campaign. DCS should be having their fall sale right away, I would pick that one up. It'll give you a bunch of sling loading missions to fly.

[@shaneferguson5931]

Just a note, mike is also an accepted abbreviation of microphone. grammarist.com/spelling/mic-mike/

[@jtwarrior]

Hello nice video ! But When i click on the autopilot, the light stay OFF.... Why ? :'(

[@GrandViz786]

Make sure the generator is on

[@markslandingsandaviationvi3123]

Where was this startup located? Is it on the Caucasus Map?

[@vsTerminus]

It's either Normandy or The Channel (I forget which), way out on the East side of the map along a large river.

[@Maceoneone]

You know it’s hard when the video is 38 mins and bro starts with explaining the fundamentals of starting up an aircraft 💀

[@vsTerminus]

It's not that hard, I'm just long winded and trying make sure that when you're done you don't just have a list of steps memorized but an understanding of what each step does and why it's important. That's just my style. The actual startup can be done in about a minute and a half.

[@Maceoneone]

@@vsTerminus fair enough, I understand and respect your method of explaining. I bought the module today and I will use your videos to learn how to use it. Thanks a lot for the great videos!

[@vendigrothianv2997]

You don't want to start the second engine with the APU generator turned on. Also there is no need to drain the batteries with having all three fuel pumps on before the main generators and inverters are operational. Leaving anti-ice circuit breakers off is only advisable when starting in the actual icing conditions as the automatic anti-ice valve on the right engine can cause it to surge during startup. Otherwise both the anti-ice system and kerosene heater have their own panels and do not drain electricity or fuel when only their circuit breakers are on. Also engine condition levers are strictly for an engine testing on the ground and single engine training/engine failure flight. There is a reason helicopter's do a hover check before departure. Unless there is a zombie apocalypse and you absolutely need to get off the ground, you don't attempt to fly an overloaded helicopter that way.

[@vsTerminus]

Great info, thank you!!

[@vendigrothianv2997]

@@vsTerminus You are welcome. It is amazing how detailed the Mi8 is in dcs and you are doing a good job explaining it.

[@Pekins]

I cant seem to turn on the auto pilot for some reason :/

[@vsTerminus]

Which channel(s)? If you've got all the circuit breakers on and the generators on you should at the bare minimum be able to turn on the center channel. You can do that while on the ground and parked. Try it in a hot-started Mi-8, and if it works there you've probably missed something in the startup process or you're just trying to turn A/P on before the generators are active. The left (yaw) channel only activates if you have neutral pedal input. It will turn off if you try to override it. The right (altitude) channel only activates if you are flying high enough and your climb rate is near zero.

[@Pekins]

@@vsTerminus it was the center channel, I was clicking on it but no light was coming up, then I figured you have to rotate that button first to see its light, it works now but I can seem to be able to turn it off? Clicking on it and nothing happens.

[@tomaszwota1465]

That's a lot of switches. F/A18C suddenly looks much easier.

[@Cesko_Plny_Fialovejch_Zmrdu]

What you even talk about? F18 is literally easiest plane to start in DCS

[@vsTerminus]

F-86 is like two switches. Battery and starter.

[@pefington]

"No wind, I typically start with the right engine" ಠ_ಠ Aviation would like a word with you. Nice tutorial thanks :)

[@vsTerminus]

lol I start the right engine first because in the Tomcat that engine is tied to your hydraulics and is the one you normally start first. I have no idea what's normal elsewhere (obviously), it's just a habit I carried over from the F-14.

[@pefington]

@@vsTerminus Oh I see. Fair enough. Typically left then right, but as you mention, there are exceptions. The APU would take care of hydraulics if there is one.

[@xeels2708]

@@vsTerminus Well the Hornet is the same way, you're not alone I always start right first too!

[@Maximususs]

@@vsTerminus In commercial jets you tend to start the right engine first too, so in general, that's correct :P

[@DanSlotea]

Check out this video. It's right engine first kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYjMiHdvf6qspas

[@khajaja]

huh. the start switch needs to be set to "Crank" for it to work

[@lllEduardollll]

Wrong, in aviation we do a "crank" only for maintenace purposes like a compressor wash for example, a crank is is when you don't want to start the engine.

[@khajaja]

@@lllEduardollll damn bro that was one hard necro

[@BuckingHorse-Bull]

i dont even own the game and i watched this

[@vsTerminus]

Just for curiosity's sake, how'd you even stumble onto the video? I think it's great you watched it and maybe you'll pick it up one day :) It's even on sale right now lol

[@BuckingHorse-Bull]

@@vsTerminus on the steam workshop for American Truck Simulator. Some engine mod i DL'd had a youtube link to give you thanks

[@vsTerminus]

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you!

[@bloom8156]

More sun next time. I saw nothing😁

[@bloom8156]

Too dark

[@OlderSpud]

Okay, now I have to jack one from nearby airfield in Moscow...