"we always start the first engine on the S76A+ with the rotor brake on, and release it at 50%N1, also at shutdown stop the rotor on the rotor brake with one engine running at ground idle before shutting it down."
Just interested as to why you always start with the brake on?
I too have flown the s76a++ for a few years and I always found the shock loading through the system at brake release can’t be doing the drive train any good at all.
(For others, it’s quite a jolt at release, right through the whole airframe…)
I only started by that method in exceptional circumstances.
Is it because you can, or another reason?
I’m sure your engineer’s cringe watching it.
