Cera Simaircraft Bell 222 FSX SP2

[Fireball]

Something new to fly around and Paint 
http://www.cerasimaircraft.com/products.html

Looks like it is getting a thumbs up over at Hover control.
Time to break out the plastic and learn a new bird. No better place than in Misty Area.

[corbu1]

Just purchased it from Simmarket one hour ago!
3D-Model looks great! The Bell 222 is probably the most sexiest Helicopter for me......
I was waiting a long time for this Beauty. At the weekend I will fire up the engines for the first time!!

Cera creates great products which are worth the money!

For those looking for freeware-stuff:
There will be soon released a freeware Bell222.
http://www.hovercontrol.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonboard.cgi?s=bd93ee9bab3c15e9000a18557cdfe621;act=ST;f=1;t=18687;st=340

[Fireball]

Got mine tonight. having a hard time getting it started. Has an autostart feature but it does not work as advertised in the book. 

[spud]

Fireball,
just read in the Bushpounder site that you should load the C172 first or the 222 doesn't start? Don't blame me that is what he said!

[Fireball]

Thanks Spud,

I had a hard time last night. I would get one engine started then go to start # 2 and #1 would go out. So I would stop and read the book again. I thought I had lost my touch. Damn I can start everyone of my PMDG aircraft from Cold and Dark and I cant get this little helo to start. 
Glad to know it is not me. I will have a go at it again tonight. 

[jeff3163]

I was having this problem with the Bell 412.  Make sure to energize the electrical system before starting.  But you probably already know that.  Good luck.  The 412 has a pop-up window (shift+1) that you can access the electrical systems "quick start" button.  Kinda like cheating, but you'll be flying.  Otherwise, make sure your "Inverters and generators" are on.  They seem to always be "off" by default.

[corbu1]

Fireball,
just read in the Bushpounder site that you should load the C172 first or the 222 doesn't start? Don't blame me that is what he said!

Yes,That`s it getting it working!
I had some trouble first, too. As the Manual doesn`t realyy help on this I think!

I did the following and now it works:
1. Load the defaultflight with running engines
2. when your default plane is loaded, load the Cera Bell222 from FS Menubar - load Aircrafts
3. The Cera Bell222 will be loaded, but when loaded isn`t operational or Flight
4. Press Shift+1, the Animation Panel is displayed.
5. Presse -Ready to Fly- and voila the Heli is Operational immediatly
6. Alternative: Press Cold and Dark, The heli will shut down all systems, brakes active

After this procedure the heli was operational and startup/ shutdown was functional according to checklist.

One thing I noticed : The Checklist suggests Inverters to switch to OFF-Position. This must be wrong!!!
We need the Inverters ON when running up the Heli.

Once you get it started, this is a beautifull heli! Great! Great Flying! There`s also some torque induced yaw included - very nice!
when preparing for landing I noticed, that this is my first heli with landing gear. It´s good that there`s a warning light illumnating when flying slower than 55kts and landing gear is raised. without the light I would had forgotten lowering the landing gear...

[Fireball]

Finally Figured it out. Great bird to fly. To bad you have to do the dance to get it going :'(

[spud]

Never having flown the 222 can't say for sure but in most planes the generators, inverters etc. are normally OFF and battery is on for start (unless your using an APU then batt. normally off as well).  After the engines are running and things are up to speed then the electrical system is brought on line.  Prevents voltage spikes in sensitive equipment in case you forgot and left something online last hop.
 

[corbu1]

Yes,  you are Right. Start-up with BAT then Inverters are OFF.
I´m missing in the Cera222 Manual the startup-procedere with GPU. And I think then Inverters are ON. On the 212 and 412 you have to do so. So I thought with the 222 it must be similar. Cera offers a GPU but I didn`t find hint in the Manual to do the startup then in the RIGHT Manner. Sorry, I think I`d better explain my comments.....
For the Bell212 and 412 I`ve got a copy of the Rotorcraft Flight Manual. All aspects of starting up the engines are documented there very fine. But I´m missing a Flightmanual for the Bell222.

[corbu1]

Update!!!!

I found out, that you should save your Bell222 Flights with running systems.
When doing so you can reload your Flight later. You will notice that engines and rotors are running.
Ignore it and do the following:

3. load your saved 222 Flight with running engines.
4. Press Shift+1 to open Animation Panel and press Cold and Dark.
5. After engines are shut off and rotor isn`t spinning anymore you can start the 222 from Cold and Dark according to Checklist.

Everytime you land the 222 on a new site then save your Flight with running systems and repeat the procedere above from 3-5.

It seems the key is that you have to load a Flight with running engines with the 222. A default plane or heli like C172, Bell206 isn`t neccesary. Then you can start the 222 properly. So I will save my flights with the 222 with running systems...A bit Nasty, isn`t it? ....But it works for me.

[spud]

Update!!!!

I found out, that you should save your Bell222 Flights with running systems.
When doing so you can reload your Flight later. You will notice that engines and rotors are running.
Ignore it and do the following:

3. load your saved 222 Flight with running engines.
4. Press Shift+1 to open Animation Panel and press Cold and Dark.
5. After engines are shut off and rotor isn`t spinning anymore you can start the 222 from Cold and Dark according to Checklist.

Everytime you land the 222 on a new site then save your Flight with running systems and repeat the procedere above from 3-5.

It seems the key is that you have to load a Flight with running engines with the 222. A default plane or heli like C172, Bell206 isn`t neccesary. Then you can start the 222 properly. So I will save my flights with the 222 with running systems...A bit Nasty, isn`t it? ....But it works for me.

Seems strange that you have to start with the engines running when using the 222.  If so I think that certainly is a bug.  Have you tried to save a 222 flight with engines shut down and see if you can start them when you reload that flight?

I have my sim set to load the last position I was in with whatever aircraft I was using every time I end FSX.  On the deck, in the air, touching down makes no difference it just starts where I left off.  Of course I can always change that on the opening screen prior to clicking Fly Now if I so choose but normally I want to continue from my last flight anyway.
 

[corbu1]

Yes, the engines have to run. Cera mentions this also in their manual...
It´s sad, but when this heli is flying in the air, you get an amazing experience!!
It`s one of the best helis you can get for FSX!!!!
So besides this nasty startup, it`s worth the money and would buy it twice for sure!

[spud]

I hope buyers bitch long, loud and constantly at Cera until they patch such a glaring error in their product.  Although I understand it is an excellent aircraft their just is not any reason to NOT fix this one problem IMHO!
 

[Fireball]

I find easier to just load the C172 start the engine then load the Bell 222. Click on the ready for flight. It is one of the better helo's out there that is for sure. I need to figure out some of the mappings for my Couger Hotas.
I would like to map the throttles and landing lights.