Newbie questions regarding engine startup.

[Funduro]

I am getting the hang of doing the full engine startup procedure but was wondering how often the full tests for EPU, FLCS and SEC would be carried out in reality. I assume they do not occur at the start of every flight so would they just come under some maintenance procedure and carried out by the ground crew. Also in the second tutorial we are shown how to manually input coordinates for latitude and longitude for steerpoints in flight to compensate for drift within the INS system. Once the INS has aligned, I assume these coordinates could be input at the ramp rather than in flight. Just wondering how all this works in the real world. Thanks in advance.

[Boxer]

We only implement the pilot initiated Built In Tests (BIT). In general the rule is you do them every time the checklist says to do them. For flight critical systems like the ones you mention, you wouldn’t want to leave the ground without knowing the systems are working properly for sure and these items have prominent places in the start up checklist as a result.

[drtbkj]

@Funduro:

I am getting the hang of doing the full engine startup procedure but was wondering how often the full tests for EPU, FLCS and SEC would be carried out in reality. I assume they do not occur at the start of every flight so would they just come under some maintenance procedure and carried out by the ground crew. Also in the second tutorial we are shown how to manually input coordinates for latitude and longitude for steerpoints in flight to compensate for drift within the INS system. Once the INS has aligned, I assume these coordinates could be input at the ramp rather than in flight. Just wondering how all this works in the real world. Thanks in advance.

Firstly, Funduro, welcome, or welcome back as the case may be. If you’re talking real life, as Boxer wrote, these procedures are done before every flight , in the Viper. In the F-18 it’s just BIT. In BMS, you can get off the ground without doing any of them. So, it’s up to you , whatever pleases your 'Immersion Factor". IMHO, try them, you’ll like them. The one thing to note that if you do the BIT Test, reset FLCS first. Otherwise , you’ll get BIT Fails.

[Boxer]

FWIW, a reset on the FLCS does not influence the chances of a FLCS BIT failure in the BMS implementation; can’t say either way for a real jet on that specific point but as noted, a RW F-16 pilot is going to run all the various BIT tests on the various systems before taking off every time.

[Funduro]

Thanks for all the info and warm welcome. The tests seem to consume a lot of time at first but I think I will stick with the test procedures for full immersion factor. I have had a few failed attempts at getting into this sim mainly due to lack of time. I can appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this project and fully intend to at least complete the tutorial missions.

[Icer]

@Funduro:

Thanks for all the info and warm welcome. The tests seem to consume a lot of time at first but I think I will stick with the test procedures for full immersion factor. I have had a few failed attempts at getting into this sim mainly due to lack of time. I can appreciate the amount of work that has gone into this project and fully intend to at least complete the tutorial missions.

If the time you have to actually fly is an issue don’t feel like you “need” to do Ramp starts every time. It is satisfying to start a cold jet (especially at first) but there is SO much to learn in this sim don’t get wound up about Ramp starts and spend so much time with them you don’t have time to actually fly missions! Nothing wrong with clicking “Taxi” in a campaign mission (Runway starts can cause timing issues, or so i’m told). Just my $.02!

[airtex2019]

+1 to what Icer said … the Training missions are in obvious logical order, but I recommend most people skip TR#1 ramp-start and come back to it later, once they’ve learned basic flight / navigation / weapons systems…

People new (or returning) to BMS are already task-saturated figuring out graphics settings, keyboard and HOTAS setup, and head-tracking etc. Not to mention the entirety of the campaign engine…

[Ferde]

I have to confess I like the ramp start. I find it calming somehow… hehehe. I started skipping the “non mandatory tests”, but now I do them all. When I have little time to play, I do the ground ops mission :mrgreen:

[airtex2019]

I’ve heard a few people say that … I kinda get it. It certainly helps develop a sense of ownership and control, over the jet. In addition to the increased immersion-factor

[Icer]

@airtex2019:

I’ve heard a few people say that … I kinda get it. It certainly helps develop a sense of ownership and control, over the jet. In addition to the increased immersion-factor

I can see that, and I remember the 1st time the jet fired up from cold and the feeling of “wow, I just started an F16!” but as I play only Campaigns now (and as many MP Campaign missions as possible) I need to capitalize on what time is available. More important to me is mission briefing/planning, proper arming and fueling, and the sometimes very long missions themselves. I use Taxi all the time now, get systems set to go in my already warmed up jet, and fly! Whatever makes you happy, do it!