I've been trying for a couple of days now using the idiots guide (doesn't bode well!) on chapter 12 to do a ramp startup...and it doesn't seem to work.

2 things are immediately noticeable
1. When I get to the second step (I literally mean the second item in the process) - the ALMAZ Voice message system check - it says to press and underneath it says Messag System in operate - but I hear nothing (yep - speakers are on ;-) ) and from that process on, it doesn't sem like I have electrical power at all - for example there's another control you operate and underneath it says Message Lamps Check - and I have no lights anywhere!
2. The keys do not seem to be bound as per the manual - the control in the manual says to press [LSHIFT-P] for Rear Fuel Tank Pumps - but that operates my pitch button - and I am 99.9% sure I have NOT modified any controls - I've hardly played this enough to have an understanding of all the controls and what keys I prefer - I generally never change keys unless it's absolutely essential

So - I don't realy know what I'm doing wrong - or if the manual is wrong...so I'd appreciate someone taking the time to follow the controls as laid out in Chapter 12 of the manual - so I can rule out the manual being wrong and me just being a klutz!

I am admitting here though that I am totally starting at Chapter 12...

Thanks for your time.

It could be a key mapping problem, have you checked the key assignments ?

Also, instead of using the key strokes, do you get the same problem when clicking the actual switches inside the virtual cockpit?

I do get the same "ultimate" problem - I don't seem to have any electrics. No lights when the manual says I should have - no noise testing when the manual says I should have.

The last time I tried I manually activated all the buttons and I asked the ground crew for power and got an acknowledgement - but although I heard the generator - I didn't hear any noises or see any dials moving.

As far as I can tell I am following it to the letter...

I suppose I should ask - I am starting on Chapter 12 - but starting at the Engine Startup bit - should I be following Chapter 12 from the start?

Normaly you don`t need the ground crew to provide you with power. If I where you, I would leave all these lamp checks and system testing behind and just start the engines and so on. Just use a abbreviated start-up sequence. The ground crew make sure you have a fully working Shark everytime.

That's the thing though Eagle Eye - I don't seem to be getting any power using the startup sequence from the manual...nothing. The mention of the lights check etc - are actually in the Engine Startup sequence.

I just cannot seem to start the Shark ona ramp!

So, let me get this straight. You skipped the very first section of the check list which is titled "ENABLE ELECTRICAL POWER AND INTERCOM" and now you're confused as to why you have no electrical power?

Let me start by saying that Chapter 12 is not an idiot's guide to starting a KA-50. It's a very realistic and detailed start-up procedure that requires intricate systems knowledge to complete. For a beginner to just try to skim though it and cherry pick the systems they think they want to start-up is going to create serious problems. The check list is in the order it is in for a reason. Many systems are codependent on others. Starting up a random sequence of systems is going to end in failure to start the helicopter and frustration for the user.

If you're really in such a hurry to start your helicopter that you're willing to skip the entire first half of the check list why don't you just use the "Windows Key + Home" shortcut to auto start the helicopter? Barring that there are approximately an infinite number of videos on youtube demonstrating both abbreviated and full start-up procedures. That would be a good place to start if you just really don't want to read the manual. However, without reading the manual your lack of systems knowledge is going to cripple you in the sim.

BTW, I suggest watching every single video on this page http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=32511
Even if you read the entire manual front to back these videos are very helpful.

It won't do to just go ahead and try to start the APU and the engines without electrical power.

Read through chapter 9, which explains the startup sequence in more detail than the very concise checklists in chapter 12.

If you insist on using the checklists in chapter 12, you will need to start at the very beginning. However, some of the tables there require either external power or running generators, so you might want to postpone these after engine startup (or not do them at all, if you just want to fly).

As to the instrument tests: if you disabled "random failures", you do not have to do all the instrument and gauge checks.

I can't be bothered. Thx Jaximus - for...well for replying if nothing else. And I get it - it's a sim - not a game.

OlafM - that's exactly what I was looking for and thank you very much for the helpful post - and for what it's worth Jaximus - your instruction was on the money too - he just put it nice. And you don't have to worry, I won't be taking up real flying anytime soon - you're all safe

Just a wee bit of info for you - I have extremely bad memory retention - so yeah - I didn't read the manual. My bad.

oh - and thanks for the link - I will watch them.

Well thanks to OlafM and Jaximus I was able to start the machine from cold. For some reason the ABRIS did not fire and the auto pilot functions were not working - maybe I missed a step - so when I took off, I crashed immediately! :-)

But anyway - the experience was - erm, an experience. I think it took close to an hour - most definitely at least 30 mins - and I can't even call it an achievement because not everything was working.

I'll have to maybe look to the quick startup - because I'm not sure I want to spend my limited time in this sim with 1 hour of startup before I fly. I'd much rather learn the weapons employment

We'll see.

Cheers

It takes 3-4 min to start up once you know how.