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Many people preflight the machine, and leave the blades tied down because they are not taking off for some time. Don't let it happen to you! Not only do you need to release the blades, but the process of untying them and walking them round (backwards) to the lateral position also ensures that the rotor disk will be in a wide enough space for you to start. The reason you go backwards is to listen for and squeaks and squeals coming from the labyrinth seal in the turbine.
Prestart
This check tries to follow a logical order of going round the cockpit, starting with the collective, along and up the instrument panel to the overhead console. Many other people do it the other way round. Naturally, some switches and instruments will be in vastly different places in some machines, so adapt them to your own.
No Item Action
1 Hatches/ Harnesses Secure. Your passengers should already have been briefed, and the DI done with the blades undone.
2 Frictions, Throttle Take off the frictions, and cycle the controls through their complete ranges of movement. Don’t be gentle with this – I once had a cyclic stick snap off at the root during this check – if it’s going to break, now is when you want it to happen. This check includes the throttle – ensure it is fully closed, or you will get a really hot start, especially if duals are fitted, as it is possible to fit the collective so the throttle opens but does not close.
3 Landing lights The switch is on the collective, at the left hand side of the box on the end. It should be off.
4 Engine anti-ice Usually underneath the end of the collective on the horizontal extension of the instrument panel, in a little grey panel. It should be off for starting.
5 Hydraulic switch Next to the anti-ice switch. Switch it on
6 Electrics/Radios Off. These may be controlled by a Master Avionics switch in the roof console.
7 Fuel Valve Usually at the bottom right of the instrument panel. It should be on, with the guard
No Item Action
closed to keep it that way.
8 Instruments Check condition, that is, no smashed glass, stuck needles, etc. If the machine has
been used before, note the residual readings. Check the altimeter by twisting the
setting knob and ensuring that the needle moves in the correct sense. Set as
required.
9 Floats Could be anywhere. Off.
10 Rotor Brake On the overhead console. Off.
11 Wander light Between front seats, about halfway down. Turn Off.
12 Battery On, but keep off if using external power. Having said that, there’s no problem with
keeping the switch on with an external battery fitted, which can be used as a
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