I have seen so many cockpit pics of 757/767's and sometimes the left/right starter switches are in the "auto" position, and sometimes in the "off" position. What dictates which position they should be in while at the gate between flights?? :)Thanks!Neil

AUTO is what I saw on Dec 31 ACA B763 after arrival at CYYZAs to why this is....queue the experts...Rob.

In PIC when you start from a cold and dark cockpit and start the engines, you move the ENG Starter switch from OFF to GND. When the engine has started the switch automatically moves to the AUTO position. I don't think many of the pics on airliners.net of the overhead with the ENG starter switch in the AUTO postion are taken with the engines running. This would then mean that they were taken ata) End of Flight, before crew complete all checklist items.:( During Turnaround - If the same crew are taking the same aircraft, they will probably have a set position for switches that they can leave them in to save having to do the full after flight checklist.Rob - You got your computer fixed yet.

HelloThe engine starters are normally left to AUTO even when powering down the cockpit.When starting, the switch is moved to GND from where it will pop back to AUTO after succesful startup. No need to move it to OFF after flight.Tero

Hey FYI: The starters are normally left in "AUTO" after the termination of the flight. Selecting the off position just deenergizes the ignition system. The checklist is still mandatory between each flight. It might be to that specific airline's stantards to position the starters to "OFF", but not normal procedure. There are other things that also dictate the position of the switch. The positions are OFF, GND, FLT, and CONT. The "GND" position is used for ground starts as usual. The "FLT" position is used during inflight restarts. The "CONT" position is used during heavy rain,moderate/severe turbulence, and when using FLAPS 5 for t/o. This position continously energizes the ignition sytem which helps to prevent flameouts, especially during periods of heavy rain or moderate/severe turbulence.

"There are other things that also dictate the position of the switch. The positions are OFF, GND, FLT, and CONT. The "GND" position is used for ground starts as usual. The "FLT" position is used during inflight restarts."Also, "GND" can be used to restart an engine in flight if the EICAS message X-BLD is displayed ;-) (See PIC Non-Normal Checklists)Cheers.Ian.

Thanks to all who responded. I am pretty familiar with the functionality of the toggled positions, but I was just confused as to why some planes (at the gate between flights) showed the starters in the "off", however most were in the "auto" which is the standard position..maybe in the maintanance hangers after a full "dark" situation, they are "off"Have a great day! :)