Page 33 - Volume 15 Number 7

The procedure repeats for the remaining engine; if cold, some careful pumping and persuasion with the throttle lever may be required to wake up all nine jugs. Unlike the automated start of a turbine powerplant, motivating a radial engine takes active participation, leaving a well-earned sense of accomplishment in its wake. Craig says manipulating the primer, starter and ignition switches is like playing a piano.With avionics switched on, cabin environment taken care of and the taxi path cleared of lesser equipment, a nudge of the middle levers rolls the H18 away. An early brake check would be advised, just to establish who’s boss. Steering with brake is only necessary at low speed, when the rudders are bereft of relative wind or differential power is not applied.The run-up confirms control action, trim and instrument settings, fuel on proper tanks, pumps as needed and avionics set up. If the oil is up to temperature, the engines are probably good to go; if not, warming up with shutters and cowl flaps closed is necessary. The H18 has a thermostatically controlled oil system that brings the engines up to temperature more quickly.The tri-gear Beech’s takeoff procedure is less demanding than a tailwheel version, with no lock to be engaged after lining up and steering from the rudders available earlyGreat Lakes AeroProducts QuarterQuarter Page 4/C Adon. The fat wing wants to fly before a lightly loaded Twin Beech reaches Vmc, so the aircraft must be persuaded to stay on the ground until a safe speed is reached. Even so, single-engine performance is nothing to take for granted while still low, slow and dirty, particularly with the H18’s massive gross weight. Max power is marked at 36.5 inches MP and 35.5 is the top of the green arc.Once established in a 135-mph climb, power is pulled back to 31 inches and RPM reduced to 2100 from the 2300 used for takeoff. Craig expects a 1,200 FPM climb rate unless the day is hot, and wastes no time getting up to the airplane’s best working altitude of around 10,000 feet. In cruise, power is left at full throttle, usually 27 inches or so with the 10:1 superchargers on the H18’s engines, and rpm goes down to 1,900 RPM, a quietSelect AirpartsPage 4/C AdJULY 2011TWIN & TURBINE • 31As 1,000 cubic inches of radial powerplant roar to glorious life, the deep rumble and light wreath of smoke announces to all the world that something worth watching has occurred.