COCKPIT PREPARATION

Disclaimer: 

▪︎This content is Not an official document and does not represent the views of Airbus or any other aviation authority.

▪︎The information provided may be incorrect or misinterpreted and should not be relied upon for decision-making. 

▪︎Always refer to official documents and consult with a qualified aviation professional before making any decisions based on the information provided in this blog post.

▪︎The information provided in this blog post is based on personal study and review.

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FMGC prepration and Walk-Around Inspection

 

If you are employed by a company that has its own procedures for FMGC (Flight Management and Guidance Computer) preparation on every departure, it can be quite convenient for the Captain, as they won't need to handle all the FMGC data entry tasks. Some companies have their own specific procedures, which delegate the FMGC preparation to the First Officers. 

Occasionally, when there is no maintenance personnel available, the Captain may be required to sign the logbook. This situation can lead to the Captain performing a walk-around inspection to ensure the aircraft's safety and subsequently signing the logbook. This might explain the rationale behind this procedure.

Having become accustomed to these procedures, I had always believed that the Captain was responsible for the exterior walk around while the First Officers were primarily in charge of FMGC preparation.

I hadn't paid much attention to the specific roles in cockpit preparation.

 

 

 

However, according to Airbus FCOM (Flight Crew Operating Manual), it is the Pilot Flying (PF) who inserts data into the FMGC, and the Pilot Monitoring (PM) who performs the exterior walk around.

Additionally, there are other responsibilities that are divided between the PF and PM in the standard operating procedures, such as overhead panel setup and security inspections.

In a smaller company, the pilots might not be too concerned about who handles FMGC preparation, but in a larger company where you interact with various colleagues,

it may create a significant first impression regarding your adherence to the prescribed procedures. This applies to both Captains and First Officers. It can influence how you are perceived as a professional pilot, irrespective of your rank.

 

PRELIMINARY COCKPIT PREPARATION

Up to the point of the Exterior Walkaround, the task sharing for PRELIMINARY COCKPIT PREPARATION is divided into CM1 or CM2, denoting the Captain and First Officer (with the possibility of an instructor on CM2).
However, once you reach the "Before Walkaround" stage, the task sharing switches to PF or PM.

 

SAFETY EXTERIOR INSPECTION

As soon as the pilots arrive at the aircraft. CM2 is supposed to do the SAFETY EXTERIOR INSPECTION. 

Safety exterior inspections ensure that the aircraft and the external environment of the aircraft are safe for operation. When the flight crew arrives at the aircraft, they must check for, or be informed of any obstructions near the aircraft, engineering activity, or refueling activity. 

 

AIRCRAFT SETUP and BATTERY CEHCK

The basic aircraft setup, which includes tasks like operating the engine master lever, weather radar, landing gear lever, and wipers, along with conducting a battery check, is typically performed by CM2. 

These are essential tasks that may have an immediate impact on the aircraft once electrical power is supplied.

Then CM2 also starts the APU after an APU FIRE TEST according to the procedures in the FCOM.

 

 

ADIRS 

then aligns the ADIRS by CM2

 

setup the cockpit lights. by CM1 and CM2.

 

 

EFB ACARS INITIALIZATION

Then start the EFB and verify the engine and aircraft type settings on the FMGS.

It's important to note that the insertion of the flight number and FROM/TO information is typically done by CM1 (usually the Captain).

In my personal opinion, correctly inputting the callsign in the flight number field is crucial, as any error can lead to air traffic controllers seeing a different callsign on their screens.

Whether the Captain (CM1) is the PF or PM, it remains CM1's responsibility to ensure the correct Flight number is inserted into the FMGS.

This is typically one of the first tasks that CM1 needs to perform upon entering the cockpit.

 

AIRCRAFT ACCEPTANCE (checking aircraft logbook),  PRELIMINARY PERFORMANCE DETERMINATION

 

Next, CM1 recalls all the warnings from the last flight and checks the aircraft logbook, reviews the aircraft configuration summary in the QRH, and goes through any relevant OEBs.

At this stage, the aircraft is typically in the process of refueling, so aircraft acceptance can be performed later, 

continuing until the end of cockpit preparation.

 and Each flight crewmember independently computes the preliminary performance data in accordance with the technical condition of the aircraft

 

 

BEFORE WALKAROUND

According to the FCOM, at the 'before walkaround' stage, the PM is supposed to check DOOR, HYD, ENG system pages, flight control, parking brake, emergency equipment, rain repellent, circuit breakers, and landing gear pins.

However, the FCOM does not specify whether the PM or PF should conduct the actual walkaround inspection. 

It only mentions PM in 'before walkaround' stage.

On my personal opinion. it could mean that the PM is responsible for both the 'before walkaround' stage and the walkaround, or it might suggest that the 'before walkaround' stage is performed by the PM, while the walkaround can be conducted by either the Captain or as per company regulations.

One certainty is that whether it is the PM or Captain performing the walkaround, the Captain, typically the one signing the logbook, is responsible for checking the doors, hydraulic systems, and engine system pages to assess the aircraft's status. The specific division of responsibilities could depend on the company's procedures

 

 

OVERHEAD PANEL and FMGS PREPARATION by PF.

After the walkaround, most of the cockpit preparation, starting from the overhead panel to the lateral console, is typically carried out by the PF (Pilot Flying). This includes the FMGS (Flight Management and Guidance System) preparation.

In some companies, FMGS preparation is assigned to the First Officers while the Captain performs the walkaround. However, when following Airbus procedures, it is the PF's responsibility to set up the FMGS. including takeoff data. (V-speeds)