DA20-C1 Cold Weather Starting Procedures


As happens every year in the Fall, the temperatures in the morning are starting to get cooler which typically leads to an increase in either missed or EPU starts. We would like to highlight some procedures & general knowledge that should help make your first starts of the day a little easier: 

  • For the first start of the day, it is recommended that the aircraft be primed for 12 seconds maximum

  • It is crucial that, after the required cold start priming has been completed, the starter is engaged without delay (any delay engaging the starter after the priming has been completed = more fuel into the engine = a flooded engine = missed start)

  • If the engine does not start for any reason after the first attempt, it is recommended that the Master switch be turned off immediately to stop any further priming of fuel into the engine (even before you turn off the fuel pump & fuel prime switches) as this will help preserve the battery for the next start attempt which is crucial during cold weather operations

  • Please know that as long as the fuel pump and fuel prime are on (with the Master switch on), fuel is being sent into the engine - even when the mixture is set to the Idle-Cutoff position (which many pilots do not know or understand)

  • If the engine fires during the start attempt: this means that there was some form of ignition and some fuel was consumed which means that additional priming may be required on the next start attempt

  • If the engine fails to fire during the start attempt: this means that fuel was not consumed which means that additional priming is not required on the next start attempt

  • Starter should not be engaged more than 10 seconds maximum per start attempt

  • Cooldown between attempts 20 seconds (per the checklist)

  • EPU must be connected after 3 start attempts to preserve the battery

  • It is important to understand that a flooded start does not necessarily guarantee that the engine is going to start. If too much priming has occurred, there is a good chance that the spark plugs are wet with fuel & the aircraft is going to have to sit for some time for the fuel to evaporate before another start can be attempted. In the winter, spark plugs can frost over which will prevent starting... this usually means the aircraft requires 20-30 minutes of heat be applied to the engine before another engine start can be attempted

  • Please keep in mind that every start attempt depletes the starter vibrator battery and that battery is only charged when the engine is running (EPU start only helps the main ship battery). If the starter vibrator battery gets depleted, a start will not be possible (this battery will either have to be charged or replaced)