Radio help please

[kibo55]

Hi there guys,

How are you all doing? Just a quick question. As i'm sure you all know, in real airport procedures the Captain of an aircraft requests permission to start his engines during or after pushback. This obviously means that he has already requested clearance and permission to pushback. I know FSX does not yet enable you to request push back (seperate from requesting taxi clearance) but it does enable you to request clearance. Like many of you i'm sure, i start my flight with a "cold & dark" cockpit for added realism.

I was wondering if any of you knew if there is a way to Request Clearance (using the radios obviously) WITHOUT having to start the engines first. I have tried putting the APU on first but this still has not worked. It would just give that added touch of realism if i was able to start my engines as i am being pushed back.

Many thanks guys!!

[budreiser]

Seems we should have some RWP or 1st Officer on the forum to answer this one. I've always wondered whether I do an engine start before pushback or after, but never during. Common sense seems to start engines a ways back from the terminal and perhaps after pushback. In real life, if something went wrong, like an engine fire or a stuck throttle, you'd have a little space to rectify the problem. But what do I know, I'm just an old man?

[kibo55]

Indeed. I just hate starting my engines while at the gate but there seems to be no way around this at the moment. :(

[Roked]

Have you tried putting on your avionics master? I used the Saitek switch panel, put on my batteries then the avionics master switch and the radios come alive with the engines off.

[Blackrat]

Hi Guys, I am not a pilot but from observation when going on holiday the engines are often started during the pushback or just before the push back ends. With a two engine jet one of the engines will be running by the time the brakes are put on at the end of the push back.
I stress I am not a pilot and dont know if this is the correct proceedure but I know this has happened on flights out of London Heathrow and London Gatwick where due to heavy traffic I imagine they don't waste much time in trying to get to the runway queue.
Blackrat

[kennyhall]

Hi there guys,

How are you all doing? Just a quick question. As i'm sure you all know, in real airport procedures the Captain of an aircraft requests permission to start his engines during or after pushback. This obviously means that he has already requested clearance and permission to pushback. I know FSX does not yet enable you to request push back (seperate from requesting taxi clearance) but it does enable you to request clearance. Like many of you i'm sure, i start my flight with a "cold & dark" cockpit for added realism.

I was wondering if any of you knew if there is a way to Request Clearance (using the radios obviously) WITHOUT having to start the engines first. I have tried putting the APU on first but this still has not worked. It would just give that added touch of realism if i was able to start my engines as i am being pushed back.

Many thanks guys!!

You could, of course, purchase the EXCELLENT add-on Radar Contact:D
This programme will take you through all the procedures from obtaining ATIS information, Clearance, push-back and taxi before you even manage to start rolling;)
I wouldn't attempt to fly without it:)

The freeware Push-back utility from Rob Bar**** (sorry!) with the full audio running gives you a recording of the whole procedure of Brakes on, pin inserted, release brakes............start engine on the left side............
Very impressive:D

Plenty there to choose from:cool:

Ken.

[kibo55]

You know, i think i might just go ahead and install Radar Contact. I have been thinking about it for a while now anyway. Only thing is, will it work with my add-on AI traffic? I'm using Traffic X at the moment.

[kibo55]

Okay i just went ahead and did i short flight in the Cessna Skyhawk and lo and behold by pressing the avionics master switch i was able to talk to ATC before tunring on the engine. now all i need to do is do this in commercial jets. I can't remember what the Avionics Master Switch key assingment is set to because many jets dont have a buttion as obvious as the Cessna does...

[n4gix]

Look on your kneeboard! Nearly all of the keyboard shortcuts are listed...

[kennyhall]

You know, i think i might just go ahead and install Radar Contact. I have been thinking about it for a while now anyway. Only thing is, will it work with my add-on AI traffic? I'm using Traffic X at the moment.

Go for it:D

RC works in conjunction with all the AI traffic add-ons (I'm using Ultimate Traffic).
You will be able to hear "Centre" speaking to the AI traffic that is on the same frequency as you are and then the AI pilots' responses - how cool is that:cool:
In addition there is an option to have "Chatter" which gives you random voice packs from other aircraft in the area where you are at that moment. For example - departing EGSS I hear chatter from inbound and outbound traffic to/from Heathgrow, London City, Luton, Stansted and helicopter traffic in and around the general area. Overflying France and Spain I hear random recordings from within those areas etc, etc. All of that in addition to the actual AI traffic in the Sim...............Mega!

I see from your later post that you have sorted your initial query - I would still recommend RC to everybody (and frequently do:p)

Happy chatting,

Ken.

[Stanner1953]

After Clearance Delivery accepts flight plan, and gives you preliminary data as to initial altitude, heading etc., you set up auto pilot and your FMC.

When ready you request permission for start up and push back. When permission is granted, you will be pushed back. Then AFTER push back, and away from the gate you start your engines. Then request permission to Taxi. The ground controller will give you the runway, and taxi route to the holding point. Then you follow the taxi instructions to the holding point.

In FS9 permission for start up push back and taxi are combined.

In actual practice, engines CANNOT BE STARTED AT THE GATE!

Stanner