When pushing back when is a good time to start my engines? I know real life ground crew gives the “Ok” when to start your engines.
Is there a certain line that you need to pass before doing it? Or how does it work.
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Hey there!
It’s down to personal preference. I tend to start my engines once I’m clear of the gate and turning backwards onto the taxiway. I start them one at a time - starting the second engine when the first reaches around 10% N1, of course repeated on 3- and 4-engined aircraft.
We don’t have jet blast simulated in Infinite Flight so it doesn’t really matter when you do it during the pushback sequence.
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I pretty much do the same as @BennyBoy_Alpha but I wait till 20% to start my #2, mainly because it lengthens the startup time, a hair closer to the real life time. As for quads I do the same as well, except I like to wait until I’m pushed onto the taxiway. Not sure why lol. But on dual engines I do it a few seconds into push as well.
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Good to know, thanks for putting down what your personal preference is!
I do the same as @Anthony_Gulluscio but I sometimes change the start up sequence according to some aircraft for example one aircraft may start #2 before #1 or vice versa. Same for quad jet aircraft. I normally wait until I’m a few seconds into the push depending on how much time I have in my hands and also depending on the airport (some are busier than others).
According the “a330 driver” on youtube, you start your engines when you have crossed the road markings.
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That’s when I generally do mine, I never knew that was a general rule I just went of a hunch and observations when I’m in planes.
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Not every airport has that tho so idk if I’d use that as a source of knowledge lol
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Normally engine start is during pushback. Unless ground crew tells you otherwise. For example a 737-800 starts their engine when pushing, first engine one and then two. This is a normaal procedure, when there are icing conditions engine start will be happening after the pushback, so when pushbacktruck disconnected and all ground crew clear.
On a 737 you can start your engine during your pushback, but like a 787 you’re able to start your engines one and two at the same time so you can start them later then the engines of a 737.
These are just the most common procedures.
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As an avgeek who wants to fly the 737 in the future, engine two starts first then engine 1. Now you know! The 787 does not have a bleed air system which makes it very interesting.
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Oh yeah, lol I told otherwise. When I am on the sim I start with the right (engine two) but now in my head I have right is 1 lol. But indeed your right
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Incorrect. Boeing SOP and FCOM procedures dictate engine 1 starts first followed by engine 2. However, the majority of pilots will start 2 followed by 1 purely because starting 2 provides A/C to the cabin.
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If the majority of the pilots start engine 2 first, then why not start it first in the sim.
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I’m not entirely sure, but I believe it depends on the airport’s procedures (if you’re trying to be realistic.) I usually start my engines after push back and tug detach when flying commercial, and start in sequence while pushing back on all other flights
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This is correct, some airports will allow engine start at gate if requested at discretion of ATC pending what’s around them.
IRL story, when I was on the plane (A380) to Dubai from San Francisco I was listening to Ramp ATC and the pilot requested engine start at gate. I heard the approval and voila they started 2 engines while we were still at the gate.
On the other hand in Dubai, engines are always started after pushback, I am pretty sure that is their standard procedure that they stick to.
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Yep. To add on to this, München an airport I am familiar with, their ground procedure states engine start in sequence after push back completion. Thanks!
its better to start them when parked at gate tbh
INOP APU Engine Starts :D
Now we just need air carts as a new GSE item.
basically we can add a start up clearance call for the ground. sometimes you dont push back. just taxi direct feels weird. Also a check in at ground would be adequate
Not saying you can’t do that, but the official procedure outlined by the manufacturer is different than what you claim to be the “correct” method. Airlines and pilots modified it purely to increase pax comfort - I was merely pointing out that your claim was a bit of a stretch if we’re going by Boeing’s operating handbook.
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