Hello Kestral,
The start-up checklists are worth a look, although they are probably more accurate than the sim they do give a lot of help for the procedures:
http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3342810/Aircraft_Operations_Checklists.htmlAs you've probably already found, there are some good youtube guides on at least starting up. Jimbo has a good channel to search through here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/jimbosmith123As for general advice, as mentioned it helps to get grounded on one aircraft first and then just learn the oddness of each as you go. Here's what I do on the Spit II
- Fuel cocks on
- Magnetos both on
- Throttle 15%
- Ignite!
- Wait for 3 or 4 minutes for the oil to warm up
- Step up the throttle until it sounds Merliny, say 30%
- Open water radiator to 50% ( a bit early, but it's just to be cautious)
- Taxi out and take off
- Adjust prop pitch to keep RPM's about 23/24
- Watch temps and open/close water radiator as I go - if feeling lazy and in no rush then leave it fully open
- Lean the mixture when getting higher, but otherwise don't worry for now
Anyone else got better tips or a link to a reference not mentioned?