Start checklist question

[Will]

Some airlines (including, I believe, BA and Virgin) have a "Before Start Checklist" that includes or precedes a "Cleared for Start" checklist.

Can anyone clarify how these are used? Are all the items done sequentially with no pause?

Or is there a break between the first part ("Before Start Checklist") and the second part ("Cleared for Start Checklist")? If some activity takes place between the two items, or if there is a pause of some kind, what happens, how long is the pause, and what's the cue to continue? Is the pause literally to wait until the start clearance is received with the crew doing nothing except sitting there and waiting... or is there some other activity done while awaiting the clearance?

Thanks.

[Britjet]

Hi Will,

The BA procedure that is in use now follows the Boeing philosophy of a Procedure followed by a Checklist of the same title.
The procedure is done in a continuous flow pattern by the P2 without intervention or checking by the P1, as soon as it is obvious that it can be accomplished (doors closed etc). For Example, the "Before start procedure".

This is then followed by the "Before Start checklist" which is much shorter and is called for by the P1 when all the procedure items are accomplished.

The philosophy is to keep essential items only on the checklist and if anything is missed in the Procedure, it is either not important or will be announced by EICAS..

Peter

[Will]

Thanks Peter. Let me phrase it another way. In PSX, when using the pilot BAW1 ("Sarah"), there are two start-related checklists that the virtual pilot will read. One is the "Before Start Checklist," and the next one is the "Cleared for Start Checklist."

Are those typically done as one continuous item? Or are they split into two, with tasks (silent perhaps) performed between them?

Thanks.

[Britjet]

Hi Will

I see what you are getting at - the PSX checklist is no longer aligned to current BA operations, and I don't use it, but the "Before Start Checklist" in PSX would now be called the "Pre-Flight Checklist" which would be called for at any time once the scan checks by both pilots are completed. There is no set chronology, buy typically 20 minutes before departure to enable time for crew briefing.

The PSX "Before Start Checklist" is then carried out immediately before push-back or start (ie when cleared for start).

Peter

[Will]

Got it, Peter. Thanks, that's very helpful and just what I was looking for.