Start the FSS E190 cold and dark in MSFS with the correct battery, GPU, APU, bleed-air and FADEC sequence, plus fixes for failed starts.
To start the FSS E190 cold and dark in Microsoft Flight Simulator, set both batteries to AUTO, use GPU power if available, start the APU and open APU bleed, switch the beacon on, then start engine 2 followed by engine 1 with the thrust levers idle. Monitor N2, ITT and oil pressure while the FADEC completes each start.
What is the correct FSS E190 cold-and-dark sequence?
The FlightSim Studio E190 uses an automated FADEC start, so you supply electrical power and bleed air, select START and monitor the engine rather than introducing fuel manually. Tablet labels and ground-service controls can vary between FSS package revisions, but the underlying sequence remains the same.
- Load at a parking stand. A runway position normally loads the aircraft ready to depart rather than cold and dark. Select the cold-and-dark aircraft state on the EFB if necessary, then set the chocks and parking brake. If you are creating the flight through the World Map, our guide to starting from a parking stand and checking route transfer explains the relevant planner choices.
- Make the cockpit safe. Confirm both engine START/STOP selectors are at STOP, the thrust levers are fully idle and sufficient fuel is aboard. Check that physical starter, mixture or fuel-cut-off controls are not sending conflicting commands.
- Establish electrical power. Set BAT 1 and BAT 2 to AUTO. If using a GPU, connect it through the EFB or available ground-service control, wait for the external-power indication and then place external power on the buses. Batteries alone can start the APU, but they are not the pneumatic source for a normal main-engine start.
- Bring the cockpit systems online. Arm the emergency lights, switch on navigation lights and set the passenger signs as required. Place the inertial-reference selectors in NAV and initialise their position through the FMS. Alignment is not required to crank an engine, but it should be completed before taxi.
- Start the APU. Move the APU selector through START and allow it to return to its running position. Wait for the APU-available indication, confirm the APU generator has taken the electrical buses, and select APU bleed open or on. An audible APU does not by itself confirm that electrical and pneumatic power are available.
- Prepare for engine start. Leave the fuel pumps, engine bleeds, crossbleed and packs in their normal or automatic positions unless the checklist supplied with your installed FSS build says otherwise. Complete the FMS and take-off data, close the doors, remove the GPU only after confirming APU electrical power, and switch the red beacon on. Radios are now available for obtaining clearance; our guide to using the in-sim ATC controls for ATIS and clearance covers that stage.
- Start engine 2. Move the ENG 2 START/STOP selector momentarily to START with the thrust levers idle. The FADEC should command the starter, ignition and fuel automatically. Verify N2 rotation, followed by fuel flow, an ITT rise and oil pressure, then wait for a stable idle and a normal RUN indication.
- Start engine 1. Repeat the same process with the ENG 1 selector. Starting engine 2 first is the normal convention, although either engine can be started first when an operating procedure requires it.
- Complete the after-start flow. Confirm both engine generators are powering their buses, switch off APU bleed and then shut down the APU when it is no longer needed. Check hydraulic indications, flight controls, trims, flaps, spoilers, anti-ice, exterior lights and transponder before releasing the parking brake.
Do not use Ctrl+E halfway through this procedure. The simulator command can leave the FSS aircraft's custom switch state, fuel controls and engine logic out of agreement even when an engine appears to start.
Do you need external power to start the FSS E190?
External power is optional, but the main engines still need a source of pneumatic start air, normally the APU.
| Power arrangement | When to use it | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| GPU followed by APU | Normal gate preparation | The GPU powers the cockpit while the APU is still off; start the APU before engine start to provide bleed air. |
| APU started from batteries | No GPU is available | This is a valid self-contained start, but avoid leaving the aircraft on battery power longer than necessary. |
| Batteries only | Initial checks and APU start | Battery power alone does not provide pneumatic air to crank a main engine. |
Keep the GPU connected until the APU generator has accepted the electrical load. Removing it as soon as the APU begins making noise is a common cause of dark displays and interrupted setup.
Why will the FSS E190 engines not start?
The indication at which the start stops usually identifies the missing system.
- No N2 rotation: confirm the APU is available, APU bleed is open, the crossbleed system is in its normal position and the engine selector actually received the START command.
- N2 rises but there is no ITT rise: check fuel quantity, fuel-pump configuration and the engine START/STOP selector. A hardware mixture or fuel-cut-off binding can block fuel even though the E190 does not use that control in its normal cockpit flow.
- The engine lights and then dies: look for a controller repeatedly commanding STOP, a lost fuel supply or an assistance feature changing the controls. Remove duplicate starter and mixture assignments before trying again.
- The start becomes hot or hangs: return the affected selector to STOP, allow the engine to spool down and correct the missing air or fuel condition before another attempt. Repeated immediate attempts can leave residual fuel and confusing indications.
- The avionics remain dark: verify both batteries, the selected GPU or APU generator and the electrical synoptic rather than concentrating on display brightness alone. Our electrical checks for blank MSFS avionics cover the usual bus-power faults.
If the switches appear correct but the engine still ignores START, work through our starter, fuel, assistance and controller-binding troubleshooting. Conflicting generic MSFS assignments are especially likely when the same throttle profile is shared between piston aircraft and the E190.
What should be checked after both engines are running?
A successful engine start does not mean the E190 is ready to taxi.
- Both engines are stable at idle with normal oil-pressure and temperature indications.
- GEN 1 and GEN 2 are connected and no relevant electrical warning remains.
- The GPU is disconnected, the APU bleed is closed and the APU is shut down unless operationally required.
- Hydraulic systems and flight controls show normal operation.
- Flaps, pitch trim and rudder trim match the calculated take-off data.
- Spoilers, anti-ice, lights, transponder and radios are configured for the departure.
- Chocks are removed and pushback is complete before the parking brake is released.