Automatic Engine Management and the A-20B

[AgroAlba]

So, trying to fly the A-20B and I just cannot get any thrust out of the engines.

 

I'm using auto engine management (mixture prop, etc.), and despite having the throttle axis mapped to the engine throttle (and both engines selected), I cannot get any power out of the A-20B. When I move the throttle only 2 of the 6 levers in the cockpit move. On the ground, I can't get RPM above about 1k. With an airstart even though the RPMs go up to 3k, I can't get any thrust out of the engines, and soon after starting I just lose speed and fall to earth. I tested the P-39 and the engine works like a charm. What am I missing?

[AgroAlba]

Lookin' for some help here.

[Art-J]

Not much you can now do apart from going non-auto. People have reported in a few threads A-20 doesn't like auto settings, they cause various issues (especially auro-RPM it seems).

[BOO]

Hi

I had the same yesterday but after a reboot its all ok - tomorrow it mat be back as it was. Toggling off the binding for the RPM limiter has help some but I noticed in game today that gave me the message "engine assist off" so go figure. 

 

non auto (or semi auto) isn't so scary in the Boston - you can leave the auto rads and even the auto mixture. Rpm wise 1700 (cruise) to 2300 (max continuous) and throttles to set you manifold pressure to between 30 and 35 seems a good way to begin to get used to it. 

 

[Stryker07]

Seems pretty hard to break the A-20's engines. I fly it like I fly any american aircraft, set my RPM and then pretty much leave em alone until it's time to land. 

[AgroAlba]

Thanks y'all. I guess I'll have to give manual a try until they get the auto stuff sorted. Hope it's soon! Thanks again!

[AgroAlba]

So I've just come back after over a year, and I still can't seem to get this to work. I've just bought the Havoc over Kuban campaign during the sale, and I am surprised this is still an issue?

Edited September 13, 2019 by AgroAlba

[Cpt_Siddy]

On 3/15/2018 at 12:17 AM, AgroAlba said:

So, trying to fly the A-20B and I just cannot get any thrust out of the engines.

 

I'm using auto engine management (mixture prop, etc.), and despite having the throttle axis mapped to the engine throttle (and both engines selected), I cannot get any power out of the A-20B. When I move the throttle only 2 of the 6 levers in the cockpit move. On the ground, I can't get RPM above about 1k. With an airstart even though the RPMs go up to 3k, I can't get any thrust out of the engines, and soon after starting I just lose speed and fall to earth. I tested the P-39 and the engine works like a charm. What am I missing?

 

If you have no real limitations to use manual (disability or lack of control equipment), i suggest you use manual engine operation.

The A-20 has some issues in the techno-chat department, It shows the engine overheating when they are not, so there is one thing you want to look at the temperature gauges and not techno-chat. Flying the plane on manual according to the rated limits is best way to do it.  However, if all else fail, binding RPM to throttle is not totally wrong way to do it, because you will generate more than enough thrust even when operating the engines in sub optimal regime. Leaving mixture to auto rich, operating the thortle/RMP lever so that you don't over rev the engines and using the second stage supercharger little bit later than usual should make it manageable to fly even in full load.

 

 

[ShamrockOneFive]

I've flown it on both auto and manual with no issues at all. I did testing for the A-20 Havoc over the Caucasus map so I spent some time with that campaign as well and no issues with thrust... Not unless something happened in a recent patch.

 

When you push the throttle forward, can you tell us what you're reading for RPM and manifold pressure? This second one is going to be important too.

[AgroAlba]

17 minutes ago, ShamrockOneFive said:

I've flown it on both auto and manual with no issues at all. I did testing for the A-20 Havoc over the Caucasus map so I spent some time with that campaign as well and no issues with thrust... Not unless something happened in a recent patch.

 

When you push the throttle forward, can you tell us what you're reading for RPM and manifold pressure? This second one is going to be important too.

 

Heya Shamrock! I really appreciate you saying you've actually flown it on auto. It spurred me to think outside my "This is a bug" mindset and into a "What have I missed?" mindset. I had been flying with Engine Auto Control and Radiator Assist, but leaving Throttle Auto Limit off. I figured I still wanted to manage not blowing up the engine by diving too fast. However, I think that meant that the only thing left for my throttle to control was the RPMs. Toggling Throttle Auto Limit, Engine Auto Control, and Radiator Assist corrected the issue, and as such I can fly this campaign on auto! Quite excited!

 

34 minutes ago, Cpt_Siddy said:

 

If you have no real limitations to use manual (disability or lack of control equipment), i suggest you use manual engine operation.

The A-20 has some issues in the techno-chat department, It shows the engine overheating when they are not, so there is one thing you want to look at the temperature gauges and not techno-chat. Flying the plane on manual according to the rated limits is best way to do it.  However, if all else fail, binding RPM to throttle is not totally wrong way to do it, because you will generate more than enough thrust even when operating the engines in sub optimal regime. Leaving mixture to auto rich, operating the thortle/RMP lever so that you don't over rev the engines and using the second stage supercharger little bit later than usual should make it manageable to fly even in full load.

 

 

 

Thanks Cpt. Siddy. Some day I may try doing manual operation. For some reason or another complex engine management is just something that has never interested me too much. I do really appreciate the tips, and if I do step outside my comfort zone, I'll definitely check this thread again! Much appreciated!

 

----------------------

 

Incase anyone else comes looking for a solution to my particular issue... Toggling all three settings, Throttle Auto Limit, Engine Auto Control, and Radiator Assist corrected the issue, and as such I can fly this campaign on auto. 

[BlitzPig_EL]

One thing I have noticed is that when I fly with my buddies, and they are on auto with the A 20, and I am flying manually, I will always outrun them, except on takeoff, but that is because they have the thing firewalled all the time and I climb out with some thought to saving my engines for when I need them.  On straight and level cruise I am faster, and use less fuel as well on manual.

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

Have fun with the HS129.

[BlitzPig_EL]

51 minutes ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

Have fun with the HS129.

 

What a horrid thing it is.

[Soilworker]

9 hours ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

Have fun with the HS129.

 

You just reminded me that I dreamt I was flying a real HS129 last night. I had to be careful not to hit my head with the armour plate when closing the canopy. ?

[Zippy-do-dar]

17 hours ago, hrafnkolbrandr said:

Have fun with the HS129.

 

16 hours ago, BlitzPig_EL said:

 

What a horrid thing it is.

Once you get to grips with the HS129 its a fun aircraft same as the P40

Make a small mistake and HS129 will kill you though in a blink of an eye

All aspects of flight are a challenge thats why i like it

[CIA_Yankee_]

5 hours ago, Zippy-do-dar said:

 

Once you get to grips with the HS129 its a fun aircraft same as the P40

Make a small mistake and HS129 will kill you though in a blink of an eye

All aspects of flight are a challenge thats why i like it

 

I've certainly come to appreciate the P40, since I started flying it for real. It definitely grows on you, and eventually you come to learn to manage its engine by sound alone, knowing when to push it, when to cut back, and get the best of it.

 

Still sucks when you have to climb and get to your objective at its lacklustre continuous power though. Always great to see that Lagg-3 outclimbing you, with its Klimov going full-bore.

[US63_SpadLivesMatter]

The P40 is great.

 

My problem with the HS129 is that as a ground attack aircraft, I don't always have a goat or chicken on hand to sacrifice in case an engine gets hit and I need to fly on the other one.

[Talon_]

On 9/17/2019 at 7:37 PM, BlitzPig_EL said:

One thing I have noticed is that when I fly with my buddies, and they are on auto with the A 20, and I am flying manually, I will always outrun them, except on takeoff, but that is because they have the thing firewalled all the time and I climb out with some thought to saving my engines for when I need them.  On straight and level cruise I am faster, and use less fuel as well on manual.

 

The A-20 has some really fun engine quirks. At low altitude you can overboost it to north of 60" MAP and outclimb Bf109s for a kill shot!

[BlitzPig_EL]

Done it.  ?