Learn how to start an aircraft engine in FlightGear using Autostart or a cold-and-dark procedure, and fix fuel, battery and starter faults.
In FlightGear, set the aircraft’s fuel, mixture or condition lever, electrical power and ignition correctly, then hold the starter—s is the usual default—until the engine fires. For a quicker start, use the model’s Autostart command when provided. Procedures differ between piston, turboprop and jet aircraft.
What is the quickest way to start a FlightGear engine?
The quickest method is the aircraft model’s own Autostart or Start Engines command. Look in the top menu for an aircraft-specific entry; its location and availability depend on the model.
If there is no Autostart option, the default s key normally operates the starter for the selected engine. It is not a complete automatic-start command: fuel, mixture, ignition and electrical switches may still need configuring. Our FlightGear keyboard-control reference covers the standard starter, throttle and aircraft bindings.
How do I start a piston aircraft from cold and dark?
A cold-and-dark piston start requires fuel, electrical power, ignition and the correct mixture before engaging the starter.
- Secure the aircraft: Set the parking brake, keep the throttle nearly closed and check that any connected throttle or mixture controls are not sending unwanted inputs.
- Turn on the fuel: Select a usable tank or
BOTH, open any fuel shut-off valve and use the fuel pump or primer only if the aircraft’s checklist requires it. - Apply electrical power: Switch on the battery or master switch. Set the alternator or generator according to the model’s checklist.
- Set the engine controls: For a typical normally aspirated piston aircraft, set the mixture rich and crack the throttle open slightly. High-altitude, hot and flooded starts may require a different mixture position.
- Enable ignition: Select both magnetos or the aircraft’s normal start-ignition position.
- Engage the starter: Hold the cockpit starter switch in
START, or holds, until the engine catches. Release it promptly; spring-loaded cockpit switches may need to be held with the mouse. - Stabilise the engine: Set a low idle speed and check oil pressure, electrical output and engine indications before increasing power.
On a common Cessna-style panel, that usually means fuel selector to BOTH, master on, mixture rich, throttle slightly open and the magneto key held at START. It should return to BOTH when released. Pressing Ctrl+C reveals clickable controls in many FlightGear cockpits if the switches are hard to locate.
How are turboprop and jet starts different?
Turbine engines must be rotating before fuel is introduced, with temperature and rotational speed monitored throughout the start.
| Engine type | Typical start sequence | Indications to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Piston | Fuel on, mixture set, ignition on, then starter | RPM, oil pressure and electrical output |
| Turboprop | Starter engaged, rotation confirmed, then condition lever or fuel introduced at the checklist point | Ng or N1, ITT or TOT, and oil pressure |
| Jet | Start air or modelled starter, ignition, rotation confirmed, then fuel introduced | N2 or N3, EGT, oil pressure and a stable idle |
Do not use those steps as a substitute for the aircraft’s checklist. Some FlightGear models simplify the entire process, while others reproduce batteries, fuel pumps, APU bleed air, ignition channels and hot-start limits. This difference in fidelity is part of why FlightGear aircraft vary so much in system depth.
Why does the engine crank but not start?
An engine that turns but does not fire is usually missing fuel, ignition or a usable mixture setting.
- The starter does nothing: Check the battery and master switches, battery charge, engine selection and the spring-loaded starter control.
- The engine cranks without firing: Confirm that the tank contains fuel, the selector and shut-off valve are open, the mixture is not at idle cut-off, and the magnetos or ignition are enabled.
- The engine starts and immediately dies: Open the throttle slightly, check the fuel pump or condition lever, and look for a hardware mixture axis forcing the cockpit lever back to cut-off.
- The cockpit lever keeps moving: A joystick axis can continuously override mouse movements. Centre, recalibrate or temporarily disconnect the conflicting throttle, mixture or propeller control.
- The piston engine may be flooded: Stop adding primer and use the aircraft’s flooded-start checklist. Repeated cranking can drain the battery in models that simulate electrical capacity.
A mistake we see constantly is holding s while leaving the mixture at cut-off or the magnetos off. The starter is working in that case; the engine simply has no combustible mixture or ignition.
How do I start one engine on a multi-engine aircraft?
Start an individual engine by selecting it or using its dedicated starter switch, then repeat the aircraft’s sequence for the remaining engines.
On detailed twins and airliners, use the cockpit’s engine-specific controls rather than assuming the keyboard starter will operate the intended engine. Confirm the correct fuel valve, pump, ignition channel and condition lever before each start. An aircraft-specific Autostart command may start every engine together, while the manual procedure often requires a defined engine order.