This could apply to any Boeing aircraft.

 

I mostly fly the 737NGX, at the moment. I use FS2Crew, which I must admit is really great.

 

Every so often, despite getting the check list done, I forget to arm the A/T. I did this today, and I only released when I was airborne, and my speed was a bit hot.

 

This item isn't in the BEFORE TAXI or BEFORE TAKE OFF checklist.  Maybe it isn't regarded as a major safety item? But is annoying forgetting to arm this switch.

 

How do you remember this item?  I am thinking of modifying my own checklist and incorporate this into the BEFORE TAXI check list.

How are you using the TOGA button without arming the AT?  You wont be going anywhere, that should remind you :-)

How are you using the TOGA button without arming the AT?  You wont be going anywhere, that should remind you :-)

 

 

The trouble is, that I did go somewhere :mellow:

 

 

I advanced to 40%. Yes I used the TOGA and it still worked.(or at least I thought I was)  I pretty sure toga still worked.  Obviously with flight sim controls you have to advance the throttle, but toga worked.  Hmmmm that is a bit strange.  It doesn't happen all the time.

 

It seemed like it was powering up on its own, but maybe I'm mistaken. Maybe it was my own force on the throttle, and the sound of the TOGA click. Which made me think it worked?   Oh well I ill have to remember that one.

How are you using the TOGA button without arming the AT?  You wont be going anywhere, that should remind you :-)

And if you don't use TO/GA?

Oh I see whats happening. Your clicking TOGA and then advancing the throttles 100% as you should do but they should be dead , so you are taking off anyway

Oh I see whats happening. Your clicking TOGA and then advancing the throttles 100% as you should do but they should be dead , so you are taking off anyway

 

Well even 87% as it was meant to be set, on this take off. The thing is that it would of been more text book if I hadn't forgotten the A/T.

 

Because of the limitations of FSX, and it not being a powered throttle this problem could easily happen. But you should be able to take off anyway if you choose to not use the A/T?

If you dialing in the numbers in The MCP as you should do eg . F/D speed/altitude runway hdg then its going to be hard to miss the A/T

If you dialing in the numbers in The MCP as you should do eg . altitude runway hdg then its going to be hard to miss the A/T

 

Well I'm sorry to say I did.

 

In the BEFORE START CHECKLIST there is a bit on the MCP, I dial in the settings, but that is way too early for the A/T? 

 

Often on videos you see crews have a quick review before take off, where they check their flight modes on the PFD, but this is not necessarily part of a checklist.

good point! I also forgot it a lot but now my final check is when Applying TOGA I wait until the 737/777 throttles advance way beyond 40% before following through with the throttles

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I due believe that in the 737 you arm the auto throttle during the MCP set up before push back.

Arming A/T and LNAV and VNAV are a part of the before takeoff flows, if I'm not mistaken. 

I can't dispute the take-off flows no doubt written by people much more advanced in rw flying than I am, but in a Level D sim observing a real recurrent checkout by a real flight crew (on a B757, so differences may apply to the 737), A/T was only applied when lined up and cleared for TO. When I asked about this I was told that the last thing you wanted was an accidental TOGA when taxying around....... or around a ramp area (if A/T was turned on in a "before taxi" flow).

 

Bruce.

I can't dispute the take-off flows no doubt written by people much more advanced in rw flying than I am, but in a Level D sim observing a real recurrent checkout by a real flight crew (on a B757, so differences may apply to the 737), A/T was only applied when lined up and cleared for TO. When I asked about this I was told that the last thing you wanted was an accidental TOGA when taxying around....... or around a ramp area (if A/T was turned on in a "before taxi" flow).

 

Bruce.

 

This happened to me in the MD-11. It seemed to happen more, because of the methodology. So I had to scramble and  idle the throttles, before a unpleasant smash occurred.

 

In the 737NGX I have been turning it on taxi. This hasn't been a problem.

If I could offer some advice.

 

 

Ryanair, arm the autothrottle when taxiing onto the active runway. It is a procedure that aims to eliminate any accidental press of the TOGA button. This is easier to remember as you can glance on the mcp as you taxi onto the active.

 

 

We at my airline arm the autothrottle with delivery of the clearance. I like to coincide this in the sim with the moment the IRS align (Put the mode on realistic). This will also help you.

 

Alex

Ryanair, arm the autothrottle when taxiing onto the active runway. It is a procedure that aims to eliminate any accidental press of the TOGA button. This is easier to remember as you can glance on the mcp as you taxi onto the active.

 

I can confirm this. It's part of the flow we do when cleared onto the runway, along with the transponder, LNAV, strobes and seating the cabin crew. It's an SOP that you do 4 times a day - you never forget - or at least shouldn't....

 

Adam