I've tried 5 times now and I can't get the apu started before I get hit by enemy fire. I get the aircraft repair message and can't proceed with the start. Is that normal? I go right straight to getting the apu online when I get in the cockpit. Is there a way to get the aircraft started after it gets hit?

I've gotten hit with small arms and seen the "repair" message. It never affected my startup though. Stupid question - but you have the fuel tanks and APU fuel shutoff switches open prior to hitting the APU button right?

Yes, I've double checked my switch positions. I've had the APU going and then it spools down like a fuel problem. A couple of times I couldn't get it going even it says repair is finished. I hit the start button and nothing happens. I'm doing a battery start for the speed. Could that be it?

Duh! I think it might have been a combination of not having the fuel pumps on or not releasing the rotor brake, depending on the attempt. I just completed the mission successfully.

Great. Glad you got it sorted. It is always frustrating when you can't find that "aha!" moment where a switch is out of place (I searched for 15 minutes once for why I couldn't arm my weapons...then realized I had forgotten the "weapons system" switch on that right subpanel.

Doh!

Thanks. I'm enjoying the complexity of this sim, but it can be a challenge at times.