Start up in cold weather: Helicopters

[unstable load]

I am guessing that a jet turbine engine pulls in more air than is needed for combustion because the extra air keeps the fuel-fed burn away from the sides of the combustion chamber and therefore reduces the heat load on the expensive shiny bits. When the battery is down on power the starter generator does not reach the required speed so the volume of air pulled into the combustion chamber is below the designed flow and the burn is not kept away from the expensive bits, which then overheat and stop being shiny.

In a nutshell.

[MightyGem]

Am I the only one who thinks that perhaps the OP meant minus 15 degrees? I can't really think of plus 15 as being cold.

[AnFI]

+15 is cold in (OP's) India and also in F ... but he does say C. Otherwise it sounds suspiciously close to ISA'a standard sea level temperature

One may be able to start in exceptionally cold conditions but it does not mean it's ok since it can damage components which become dimensionally changed (tight)

[paco]

That's why you start the engine every couple of hours in Arctic conditions.

Phil

[thechopper]

or keep it in a hangar in even colder environs

[vfr440]

A hangar (I wish!)

Northern Quebec/Labrador, SEBJ project, fly-survey of Great Whale river, Bell 206, 1974/5. Hmmm - no hangar within 500 miles. Just put the covers on (all of them) and take the battery to bed - no, seriously.


Why do you think I returned to the sandpit! - VFR

[Tynecastle]

Or the 61's and 212's in the Western Arctic, -40 C/F. No hangar, just covers, Battery blankets, and a good Herman Nelson Heater.
When Herman went u/s you were definitely AOG

[vfr440]

U/S Herman

[AnFI]

anyone here use this?:

Tanis Aircraft Products - Aircraft Preheat Systems

does it work for you?

[fijdor]

Tanis heaters are great, Add to it a electric batterie blanket, winter covers and your in business. Don't need anything else. We use that system on Astars and B205s up in Northern Canada and it can get cold there let me tell you.

JD