Q400 Start Up

wrghflyrnc

wrghflyrnc

New Member
I was connecting at EWR this morning and the second leg of my trip had me on a Colgan Q400 from EWR to RDU.

Just before we pushed back, it seemed like the right starter was engaged. Guessing maybe brought the engine up to 15%. This configuration was maintained for over 5 minutes. There didn't seem to be the normal ignition. I have some King Air time and I was just wondering what the purpose of engaging the starter is for such a long time before ignition.

As I mentioned, about 5 minutes later, normal ignition occurred. Just wondering if this is some specific procedure on the Q400 and if anyone knows why?
 
When I was a FA on the Q200 they would fire up the engines in a feather/start config and would push in that config. Then they would throw the props forward right before the taxi.
 
They were probably in feather.

We do the same on the Saab. No need to have a prop out of feather while under push, and Im sure its not even allowed to have them out of feather while under push.
 
wrghflyrnc said:
I was connecting at EWR this morning and the second leg of my trip had me on a Colgan Q400 from EWR to RDU.

Just before we pushed back, it seemed like the right starter was engaged. Guessing maybe brought the engine up to 15%. This configuration was maintained for over 5 minutes. There didn't seem to be the normal ignition. I have some King Air time and I was just wondering what the purpose of engaging the starter is for such a long time before ignition.

As I mentioned, about 5 minutes later, normal ignition occurred. Just wondering if this is some specific procedure on the Q400 and if anyone knows why?
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I'm confused...how did you know the start lasted 5 minutes? I'm unfamiliar with the Q400's starting procedures, but I'd really doubt they could have a start that long without damaging something.

As others have said, ignition had already occurred and they probably left it feathered for the push.
 
No no. There is no starter. There a couple hamsters in the engine that "get her going". Captain probably dropped the carrot early because they were heavy on carrots. Sometimes if you can get the carrot weight down you can get an extra passenger onboard.

Nothing to worry about.
 
jynxyjoe said:
No no. There is no starter. There a couple hamsters in the engine that "get her going". Captain probably dropped the carrot early because they were heavy on carrots. Sometimes if you can get the carrot weight down you can get an extra passenger onboard.

Nothing to worry about.
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see, the carrots have been replaced by lettuce, it's lighter.

thats probably why it took so long though, they had to get used to it.
 
Thanks for the info. I guess that makes sense about firing them up in feather and then putting the props to full forward just before taxi.

It was my first Q400 ride and I was just curious.

Thanks.
 
DPApilot said:
see, the carrots have been replaced by lettuce, it's lighter.

thats probably why it took so long though, they had to get used to it.
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Yeah I'm not typed in the 400. We have carrots on the Saab I assumed it was the same. Didn't realize that lettuce STC was approved. Maybe we can get that on the Saab.
 
wrghflyrnc said:
Thanks for the info. I guess that makes sense about firing them up in feather and then putting the props to full forward just before taxi.

It was my first Q400 ride and I was just curious.

Thanks.
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How did you like the megawhacker as a passenger standpoint?
 
The hamsters will hit about 29-34% nh (don't ask how i know), but with the ANVS in the Q, depending where you sit, you won't really hear the engine, just the prop noise in feather... Which can make it seem like it hasn't started yet.

If it doesn't light off, the airplane def. lets you know after 16 seconds or so:rolleyes: (No itt within 8 seconds of fuel flow, CDS notes a fault, and fadec switches to the other ignitor. If after 16 seconds no ITT rise, it will cut fuel flow, and start chiming at you)

Unfortunately for the hamsters, the Fadec doesn't care about them, and will keep then running as fast as possible, so the pilots actually have to reach in an grab the letuce out, before they burn up.
 
So is Cologan using carrots or lettuce?

In order to save money, Horizon is using bulk baby carrots...smaller with lighter weight...hamsters don't seem to mind either way, as long as it's something to munch on.
 
SurferLucas said:
So is Cologan using carrots or lettuce?

In order to save money, Horizon is using bulk baby carrots...smaller with lighter weight...hamsters don't seem to mind either way, as long as it's something to munch on.
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I tell ya, I'm still a fan of hand proping. Tough to get her started midair though on the saab.
 
Good thing they weren't using that recalled lettuce from a few years ago!

From a pax standpoint, it was fine. We were light, so almost everyone had a row to themselves.

The Low that was dominating the East Coast yesterday made for a rough ride. At FL 240, we were still in the soup. We broke out around the NC/VA line, but it was light to moderate chop 80% of the way.

The other thing I noticed - for a turboprop, surprisingly quiet in cruise.
 
jynxyjoe said:
I tell ya, I'm still a fan of hand proping. Tough to get her started midair though on the saab.
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I know a guy that hand propped a -1 garret. He got it running and didn't burn it up either. I guess that thing is still going strong today. This was about fifteen years ago. Don't you know he had to be spinning that thing.
 
t-cart said:
I know a guy that hand propped a -1 garret. He got it running and didn't burn it up either. I guess that thing is still going strong today. This was about fifteen years ago. Don't you know he had to be spinning that thing.
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garret gernade?

Better him than me
 
I loved the Q when I worked at Horizon. The GF also liked working on the Q's better then the CRJs. So much quieter inside of that airplane.
 
I have never flown a 400, but I can speak about the 100/200/300. The PW100 series engines are started in feather. There is a 1 minute limitation on the starter, They would have seriously damaged the starter if it was running for 5 minutes.

The props are generally left in feather until the pushback is complete and the ground crew moves away from the aircraft. This is just to keep the props at the lowest possible rpm while the ground crews are nearby.
 
smig said:
I have never flown a 400, but I can speak about the 100/200/300. The PW100 series engines are started in feather. There is a 1 minute limitation on the starter, They would have seriously damaged the starter if it was running for 5 minutes.

The props are generally left in feather until the pushback is complete and the ground crew moves away from the aircraft. This is just to keep the props at the lowest possible rpm while the ground crews are nearby.
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Well once the 400 is brought out of feather the nose comes down and bucks around a little bit. I couldn't imagine one of those lektros being powerful enough to overcome the idle thrust of a 400 during push back.
 
t-cart said:
I know a guy that hand propped a -1 garret. He got it running and didn't burn it up either. I guess that thing is still going strong today. This was about fifteen years ago. Don't you know he had to be spinning that thing.
Click to expand...

I'd love to see the video of that one.

"Clear prop....hold my beer and watch this!!"
 
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