Abstract: A method for reliably starting a gas turbine engine includes commanding a rapid transient enrichment of the fuel quantity delivered to the engine combustion chamber, maintaining the fuel quantity at the enriched level while operating the engine's ignition system, and, upon the expiration of a fixed time interval or an indication of successful ignition, commanding a derichment to a fuel quantity equal to that which would be obtained during a conventional startup procedure. The degree of transient enrichment depends on the operating environment and operational state of the engine. In one embodiment of the invention the rate of enrichment corresponds to a virtual step change in the commanded fuel quantity and the rate of derichment is less than the rate of enrichment.