Start the Quest Kodiak REP from cold and dark in X-Plane 12, with the correct PT6 sequence plus fixes for hot starts, no light-off and dead batteries.
To start the Quest Kodiak with REP from cold and dark in X-Plane 12, configure the cockpit, power the battery and beacon, engage the fuel pump, starter and ignition, then move the condition lever from cutoff to low idle only after Ng is stable. Monitor ITT and oil pressure throughout.
What must be set before starting the Kodiak?
Load the Kodiak with Start with engines running disabled, then select a cold-and-dark state through REP if required. If X-Plane keeps loading aircraft already powered, the simulator-side principles in our cold-and-dark loading checklist for X-Plane 11 still apply, although X-Plane 12 may place controls differently.
- Complete the REP walkaround and remove inlet covers, tie-downs and other external items.
- Set the parking brake and keep the avionics and unnecessary electrical loads off.
- Set the fuel selector to BOTH.
- Place the power lever at idle, the propeller lever fully forward and the condition lever at CUTOFF.
- Confirm that the emergency power lever is in its normal position.
- Set the inertial separator as directed by the aircraft checklist for ground operation.
Move any physical throttle-quadrant levers to the same positions before touching the cockpit controls. An assigned mixture or condition-lever axis can otherwise pull the virtual lever out of cutoff or low idle without warning.
Quest Kodiak REP cold-start procedure
The safe PT6 start sequence is starter rotation first, fuel introduction only after adequate Ng, then close monitoring until the engine becomes self-sustaining.
- Power the aircraft: Switch the battery on, check the available voltage and turn on the beacon. Leave the avionics buses off.
- Prepare the fuel system: Turn on the fuel pump and confirm that fuel is available. Keep the condition lever at cutoff.
- Engage the starter: Verify that the propeller turns and that Ng, the gas-generator speed, rises steadily. Switch the ignition on as prescribed by the REP checklist.
- Introduce fuel: Once Ng has reached the minimum shown on the installed checklist—normally in the low-teens range—move the condition lever positively to LOW IDLE. Do not introduce fuel while Ng is stalled or rising sluggishly.
- Watch the light-off: ITT should rise promptly, followed by oil pressure. Move the condition lever back to cutoff immediately if ITT approaches its limit, Ng stops increasing or oil pressure fails to appear within the checklist allowance.
- Release the starter: Disengage it at the checklist value, roughly around 50% Ng, rather than leaving it energised after the engine is self-sustaining.
- Configure after start: Once the idle is stable, return the ignition and fuel pump to their normal post-start positions. Bring the generator and standby alternator online, then power the avionics buses.
The limitations printed in the installed REP or aircraft checklist take precedence over rounded figures given here. REP revisions and different Kodiak cockpit packages can change switch behaviour and the precise starter cut-out point.
Why does the REP Kodiak crank but not start?
A cranking PT6 needs adequate starter speed, ignition and an uninterrupted fuel supply; the symptom usually identifies which part is missing.
| Symptom | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Starter does nothing | Check the battery switch, battery charge, starter control and REP maintenance state. A saved REP electrical failure can persist after reloading. |
| Ng rises very slowly | The battery may be weak or the engine extremely cold. Keep the condition lever at cutoff and use the aircraft's supported battery-service or ground-power option if available. |
| Normal Ng but no ITT rise | Check the ignition, fuel pump, fuel quantity, selector position and condition lever. No ITT rise means there has been no light-off. |
| ITT rises too rapidly | Cut off fuel immediately. Common causes are introducing fuel too early, inadequate starter speed or residual fuel from a previous attempt. |
| Engine dies when starter is released | The starter was released too early, the condition lever did not remain at low idle or the fuel supply was interrupted. |
| Lever moves back by itself | A hardware axis is overriding the mouse. Recalibrate it and check the throttle, propeller and mixture or condition-lever assignments. |
| Generator stays offline | Allow the engine to stabilise at idle, check the generator control and inspect REP for an electrical fault. Keep the avionics off until electrical power is stable. |
What should I do after a hot or failed start?
Move the condition lever to CUTOFF immediately and turn off the ignition and fuel pump. If the checklist permits, keep motoring the engine with the starter to clear residual fuel and draw cooling air through it, while respecting the starter's operating and cooling limits.
Do not attempt an immediate relight simply because ITT has begun falling. Let the engine and starter recover, confirm adequate battery voltage, then repeat the sequence from cutoff. REP can model battery depletion, starter wear and engine damage, so repeated poor starts may create a second fault.
When is the Kodiak ready for avionics and taxi?
The Kodiak is ready for avionics once the idle is stable, oil pressure is normal and the generator or alternator indications show a healthy electrical supply. Power the G1000 only after that point; our X-Plane 12 G1000 operating guide covers flight-plan entry, navigation and common display problems.
Leave the condition lever at low idle during the initial warm-up and avoid substantial power until the engine indications are within the checklist ranges. Before taxiing, remove the chocks through REP, confirm the flight controls and brakes, and complete the aircraft's before-taxi checklist.