Part 1: X-Plane 11 King Air C90 autopilot tips and tricks revisited - startup and GPS departure

[@ayrib]

Very good video explaining how to simplify the auto pilot features in the Kingair. Very helpful.

[@finlayc]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@nm-pl9eo]

Hi finlayc, I thought I’d answer a couple of questions for you regarding the C90. You asked about the transfer pumps. The transfer pumps are not used during engine start. The transfer pumps do not provide any important function during startup, they only drain battery power, so are left off during engine start. You mentioned the reason for the boost pumps. The boost pump do not ‘help’ the engine-driven fuel pump. The boost pumps ‘guarantee’ fuel pressure is supplied to the engine-driven fuel pumps. (If an engine-driven fuel pump fails, the boost pump will not be any help at all.) You asked if fuel goes from the nacelles to the aux tanks or whatever. This is different in the various versions of the C90 (Straight C90, C90A, E90, etc.) From looking at your video, it seems you are flying the C90A. The fuel in the C90A flows from the wing tank to the nacelle tank. There is no ‘aux’ tank on a C90A. (The E90 has aux tanks, the C90 and C90A do not.) The transfer pumps move fuel from the wing tanks to the nacelle tanks. The boost pumps do not. The boost pumps only deal with fuel moving from the nacelle tanks to the engine-driven fuel pumps.

[@finlayc]

Thanks for the fuel systems info!

[@anng5485]

Excellent explanation. Very helpful info for a trainee pilot.

[@proudy1199]

Only 123 likes? cmon guys this is the best tutorial on youtube

[@finlayc]

Thanks! Since making this one I've picked up a few more tips from commenters who've been really helpful. This later video is probably more correct with some of the extra fuel system checks and start procedures: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eovMqHSbrdinntk

[@thomheg]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

[@bransonkody3416]

A trick : you can watch series on Flixzone. Been using them for watching all kinds of movies recently.

[@cairomitchell3552]

@Branson Kody definitely, been watching on Flixzone for since december myself :)

[@rvdareyet7201]

At low altitude, you're limited by Torque. The ITT limit is used at altitude for engine limits.

[@MrWildbil7]

could you do a video on how to bind the keyboard number pad to the actions you suggested.

[@nm-pl9eo]

Hi finlayc, It looks like I got it wrong. You are flying the C90B not the C90A. (The engine gauges are quit different.)

[@gastoncerana2651]

Thanks I just need this information!! One more thing, how do you got the AviTab charts and routes? Thanks!!

[@nm-pl9eo]

finlayc, I want to ask you about your X-plane’s boost pumps. In my way of starting a King Air engine, the first three steps are left boost pump on, right boost pump on, then master switch on. (The boost pumps do not need the master switch to be on in order to receive electricity to operate, they are hard-wired right to the battery. If you leave the boost pumps on overnight, you will run the battery down even if the master switch is turned off.) When you turn on a boost pump, you can hear it running. It is part of the starting procedure to turn on a boost pump, then listen to it to verify it is running. When you turn on your X-plane’s boost pumps, can you hear them running?

[@finlayc]

Yes, the boost pumps can be heard operating with the battery master switch off. Had to turn volume up high to hear them though! Thanks again for the info. I can understand turning on the boost pumps before doing anything else so you can hear them to verify they are operating. I guess they could then be turned off again until just before engine start if that is going to be delayed.

[@Alan_Edwards]

Nice update. I do find a lot of different "opinions" maybe, on how to start the turbo props on the King Airs, relative to the use of the generators and such. I found it helpful to get a copy of the King Air manuals for the actual plane. They are certainly more technical in nature then the manual provided by Airfoillabs and the startup procedures are not the same for sure. Nothing major though just a few little discrepancies. So I ended up creating my own startup procedure to at least be consistent in how I perform the steps. Form what I have seen the steps you take are in line for the most part. I don't think there is an issue with having the generator on when starting the second engine though. At least I did not find anything on it - but hey it works so there is that. Enjoyed the two videos mate. Good stuff as usual. AE

[@finlayc]

Thanks Alan!

[@JeffEngle_rvbuiltfortwo]

Works well with XP 12 too. Thanks

[@paulwilson8367]

It's very frustrating trying to fly this airplane with the control knobs not in view at the time you need them. I'm not having much luck using the command/shortcuts. Also the "lights" on the AP that show engaged functions are so dim as to be nearly impossible to read. I have troubles getting the A/P to engage at all, even though the annunciator light says it is. Then, entering an ILS APP course, same problem, can't see the panel from the knob. Not to mention that the EFIS is podunk at best and you can't even enter waypoints.

[@nm-pl9eo]

finlayc, I am glad to hear your emergency fuel cutoff switches work. I am not sure if you are aware, but all fuel switches receive electrical power independent of the master electrical switch. It is necessary for all fuel switches to work even if the master electrical switch is turned off. The down side of this is, if you leave a fuel pump switch on overnight, even if you turn the master electrical switch off, you will have a dead battery in the morning. I am curious if your software can perform an emergency fuel crossfeed the way a real King Air does. Can it? Have you tried testing the fuel crossfeed function?

[@finlayc]

Yep, crossfeed seems to work! I'm going to make a new video to demonstrate

[@nm-pl9eo]

@@finlayc This might be the same type of information. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qovZqHiair2Jl9E

[@finlayc]

@@nm-pl9eo Yes, thanks for the link! I have watched that some time ago but I understand it better now. I might still do a video to demonstrate crossfeed in-flight, based on the procedures described here: www.kingairmagazine.com/article/4041/

[@salomon3343]

Hi, You took off with your window open. Nice beeeze at 4000. Do pre take off check list. Excellent video Thanks

[@finlayc]

Thanks, it does look like the window is open! But the lever does not operate in X-Plane :-(

[@andrewtrovao2397]

Is there weather radar in this King Air C90 simulator cockpit configuration?

[@squawk4700]

What does the button do at 15:40?

[@nm-pl9eo]

Hey finlayc, here is another C90 feature I am wondering if your software has. I am referring to the emergency fuel cutoff switches, which are red guarded switches on the fuel panel. (I always check these during pre-flight.) The red guarded emergency fuel cutoff switches are located below the fuel gauges. When one of these switches is actuated, you can hear an electric motor run for a fraction of a second. Basically, these are little ‘guillotines’ that drop down into the fuel lines to cut off fuel in the event of an emergency landing. Do these switches work on your software? Can you hear them? (On a real airplane they are much quieter to hear than boost pumps, so they can usually only be heard inside of a quiet, closed hangar.)

[@finlayc]

Hi! The X-Plane C90 does have "firewall shut off valve" switches under the fuel gauge panel. They are guarded with red covers. The switches need battery or external power to operate. I can't hear any motor noise when operating them, just the click of the switch. They do seem to work though, if I start an engine then activate the fuel cutoff switch the engine stops

[@bdc7931]

Any ideas why my props at full forward won't go over 1900rpm? It's really got me beat

[@goldenfreddy4305]

Has anyone else noticed that the fuel for the C90 in x plane 10 is broken?

[@spotter3070]

Hey finlayc! I did everything what you said but when I take off I press AP an YD buttons and when my path is going to turn (a bit earlier) I press NAV mode but my plane still doesn't want to follow my route and it flies to another way (Way of rwy). Can you plase help me? Thanks if you will ;)

[@finlayc]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Make sure an inverter is turned on and elevator trim (on the centre console). Also make sure you have pressed CDI on the Garmin to make the autopilot follow GPS nav (should say RNV1 on the HSI)

[@nicodesanctis8696]

you want to turn one boost pump on for 5-10 seconds before starting that engine to avoid flooding the engine

[@finlayc]

Thanks for pointing that out. The boost pumps should indeed be turned on before engine start. I learned more about the C90 fuel system after making this video - here's one with better procedures for the start. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnjKkqGVgdGMgtU

[@CaribbeanSimPilot]

Where do you get the aviator tablet you use in your video?

[@finlayc]

It's avitab, you can get it here: forums.x-plane.org/index.php?/files/file/44825-avitab-vr-compatible-tablet-with-pdf-viewer-moving-maps-and-more/