there is something i do not quite understand. isn't it bad pilot technique if a pilot gets a hot start because of a weak/bad battery? was the pilot paying attention? no, i don't think so. yes, the ticking should give you a hint, but also how fast (!) the needle increases after introducing fuel (a little earlier for cold weather turbomeca operations). also, having flown the machine before, it should give you a hint that something MIGHT be wrong?????