I noticed that when the Thunderbirds are going through their startup procedures they say this phrase "Standby flight controls, ready 1 release, 2 release, 3 release, 4 release, 5 let her go!" I just wanted to gather some more information on this topic. Does it have to do anything with recentering the flight stick so all pilots are operating on the same page, or is it something to do with realigning another aspect of the aircraft.
Thanks,
Evans
Startup Comms Question
To piggyback on what Panther said, here's the complete startup sequence:
- Engine start; TEFs deploy
- TEFs automatically come down shortly after the call to close the canopy during the startup sequence. This is tied to engine spool-up (automatically):
- FLCS BIT test
- TEFs raise, LEFs go from -2 deg to 0 deg
- Rudder 50% left, Elevons and TEFs schedule down 50% then back up and shake out
- LEFs schedule full down then back to -2 deg
- TEFs and Elevons schedule full up, Rudder full right
- TEFs and Elevons schedule full down, Rudder full left, shake out
- FLCS returns to neutral, then TEFs schedule down
- Pilots cycle speed brakes
- Cadence: "Standby brakes, speed brakes down ready now... speed brakes up ready now."
- Pilots perform their flight controls test
- Cadence: "Standby flight controls, ready... 1 release, 2 release, 3 release, 4 release, 5 let 'er go."
- Full aft
- Full left
- Full right
- Rudder full left
- Rudder full right
It's done twice... (Once with DBU ON and once with DBU OFF).
The only difference in the comms is the first time around (with DBU ON) Boss says "5 release" instead of "5 let 'er go" (e.g. "... 5 release... DUB OFF ready now... flight controls, ready... 1 release..." etc.)
The reason for all flight controls checks is "full and free movement" before every flight. At the airlines we perform a flight controls check prior to every takeoff as part of our taxi checklist:
Then there are a bunch of notes regarding flutter dampers, hydraulic fluid levels and conditions when indications may disappear during full deflection. Checking for full and free movement before flight is very important, which is why we always do it!Flight Controls...... CHECKED
Check for the following on the EICAS FLT Control Page:
- Aileron and spoileron for full travel and correct indications.
- Elevator for full travel.