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Startup Comms Question

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:39 am
by Evans
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

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 3:52 am
by Panther
It is a flight control test where as each call out is a different position on the controls.

Example:
On the call "Ready 1 Release" all pilots are pulling aft on the stick, then it's a left stick input on 2, right stick input on 3, rudder left on 4, and rudder right on 5 and releasing.

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:32 pm
by Lawndart
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."
    1. Full aft
    2. Full left
    3. Full right
    4. Rudder full left
    5. 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.)

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 12:36 pm
by Evans
Thanks alot LD and Panther, I knew that they said it twice with the DBU on and off, but finally someone who knows the answer to the reasoning behind it, thanks again.

Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 2:30 pm
by Lawndart
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:
Flight Controls...... CHECKED

Check for the following on the EICAS FLT Control Page:
  1. Aileron and spoileron for full travel and correct indications.
  2. Elevator for full travel.
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!