Page 14 - Volume 18 Number 3

The power quadrant is located high in the center of the panel. Why are the throttles in the middle, with propeller levers on the left? Because that’s the way the Model 18 Twin Beech had them, copied from the DC-3 and other transports, giving copilots equal access. That’s the same reason the landing gear switch is to the right of the pedestal; it was the copilot’s job to raise the gear at the captain’s command.Starting the pressure-carburetor Lycomings requires mixtures in idle-cutoff, left magneto and boost pump on, pushing the start button and tickling the primer switch if needed. Once the engine fires, push the mixture rich and turn on the other mag. Starting the left engine first and spooling it up to generate electrical power aids stair retraction during the right engine start.A smooth warmup at 1,300 rpm or more keeps the geared engines happy; taxiing is elephantine, owing to the aircraft’s impressive size. However, nosegear steering is light and positive, allowing up to 45-degree deflection with brake application. Pretakeoff runup is performed at 2,600 rpm; no feather check is done, just a pitch-change exercise. There are no cowl flaps to verify. Fuel selectors are on the 44-gallon mains for takeoff and landing, and must stay there for the first hour of flight, because excess return fuel from the carburetors goes into the main tanks. Only the auxiliary tanks areYour Source for King Air Landing Gear• Inspect • Overhaul • Exchange • Install• CompleteShipSets• KingAirAircraftMaintenance601-936-3599 • www.traceaviation.com12 • TWIN & TURBINEMARCH 2014