Why do you need to press so many buttons to start a plane? Can’t there be just one button to start everything in sequence automatically?
In: Technology
Tldr: It’s more or less a checklist to make sure all systems are working properly.
Some of it may include adjusting the instruments on the dash so the readings are correct based on weather conditions and compass readings from the ground. Radio check on all the radios. Listening to the weather forecast and writing it down. Depending on the aircraft, you may need to prime the engine, start it up, check and make sure it acts as expected when you adjust things. Make sure back up systems are working well. Make sure all the control surfaces, flaps, evelons, rudder is working. Check the exterior lights work. Check to make sure all the sensors, radars, and other equipment is working. Hydraulics and back up hydraulics. Cabbin compression, emergency equipment. Navigation equipment.
That’s about all I can think of, but it’s quite a lot.
Almost every thing on a commercial plane is going to have main systems and back up systems. You want to check it all out before flying.
Even after the plane starts moving you have to check a few other things, like the brakes and throttle.
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