Cold and Dark start - when it is dark outside

[SquadronLeader 62]

When flying the PMDG 737-800 or the Fenix A320 - I often want to do a cold and dark start when it is pitch black outside - and hence I cannot see any of the switches on the overhead panels to start the process. Is there a way of simulating a flashlight/torch? - or is there another way? - other than temporarily advancing the time of day.

[Glenn Fitzpatrick 3,799]

There is a head mounted flashlight in game. Usually CTRL-Alt-L on PC .

 

[MarcG 3,050]

I also recommend the Red Light torch on flightsim.to

 

https://flightsim.to/file/918/red-flashlight-night-mod

[SquadronLeader 62]

Brilliant Gents

Many thanks

[garydpoole 183]

6 hours ago, SquadronLeader said:

When flying the PMDG 737-800 or the Fenix A320 - I often want to do a cold and dark start when it is pitch black outside - and hence I cannot see any of the switches on the overhead panels to start the process. Is there a way of simulating a flashlight/torch? - or is there another way? - other than temporarily advancing the time of day.

I'm curious to know how this would be achieved in reality - I'm sure that it wouldn't involve the use of a torch! 

[orchestra_nl 971]

37 minutes ago, garydpoole said:

I'm curious to know how this would be achieved in reality - I'm sure that it wouldn't involve the use of a torch! 

Interesting question.I would guess that for smaller aircraft, both GA and commercial aviation, pilots will still use torches, either their own of borrowed from ground crew.
Large airliners might have their internal lights already switched on by ground crew but I am not sure about that.

[JimBrown 596]

1 hour ago, garydpoole said:

I'm curious to know how this would be achieved in reality - I'm sure that it wouldn't involve the use of a torch! 

Today's smartphones have a flashlight capability. Would be good enough to get the batteries on and a dome light on.

...jim

[sd_flyer 6,108]

35 minutes ago, JimBrown said:

Today's smartphones have a flashlight capability. Would be good enough to get the batteries on and a dome light on.

...jim

That is exactly what I do at night! LOL It appears that phone is much easier and faster to get that flashlight from flight bag! 

[Glenn Fitzpatrick 3,799]

1 hour ago, garydpoole said:

I'm curious to know how this would be achieved in reality - I'm sure that it wouldn't involve the use of a torch! 

If your asking if any aircraft have a courtesy light that comes on when you open the door like your car does, not that I am aware of.  At least none have that I have ever come across.

If your parked in a hangar or well lit apron there will be enough light to see what you are doing anyway. 

In the unlikely event that it is a moonless night and your A380 is parked in a cow paddock miles from any street lighting, I assume a torch is as good as anything.

Edited January 19, 2023 by Glenn Fitzpatrick

[ailchim 216]

2 hours ago, orchestra_nl said:

Interesting question.I would guess that for smaller aircraft, both GA and commercial aviation, pilots will still use torches, either their own of borrowed from ground crew.
Large airliners might have their internal lights already switched on by ground crew but I am not sure about that.

I think that's right - in that I've read something from someone knowledgeable - flight crew would not normally start from cold & dark as ground crew do the basic preparation.  For one thing, crew's daily flight time is limited by regulation so it wouldn't be wise to waste it for fear of not having the hours to make the last leg home......

Edited January 19, 2023 by ailchim
Improved wording

[FishBowlMan 56]

11 hours ago, Glenn Fitzpatrick said:

There is a head mounted flashlight in game. Usually CTRL-Alt-L on PC .

Thank you, Glenn. I knew that option was available but couldn't remember the key strokes needed.

[Peter Z KCLE_EDDN 336]

5 hours ago, garydpoole said:

I'm curious to know how this would be achieved in reality - I'm sure that it wouldn't involve the use of a torch! 

Just like in this sim, just a real flashlight. At least that’s what I use when flying at night.

[dobee51 349]

The other night I started a flight in Brussels with the Fenix A320, and couldn't find a keymap for the flashlight. I think they may have disabled it.

I wonder if someone could make a Flow Script to turn on some of the cockpit lights.

[Farlis 2,328]

30 minutes ago, dobee51 said:

I think they may have disabled it.

They did not.

It's ALT+L not Ctrl+Alt+L like someone said in this thread.

[Sylle 49]

3 hours ago, ailchim said:

I think that's right - in that I've read something from someone knowledgeable - flight crew would not normally start from cold & dark as ground crew do the basic preparation.  For one thing, crew's daily flight time is limited by regulation so it wouldn't be wise to waste it for fear of not having the hours to make the last leg home......

Depends on the airline I guess…

Not every operator has sufficient maintenance personnel available to power up all aircraft and wait for the operating crews to arrive.
Maintrnance might have done the daily inspection hours before departure. In that particular case it is not uncommon to fully power down the aircraft again. 
Catering and cleaning can power up the cabin separately from the Flightdeck for their duties.

The electrical power up and preliminary preflight procedure ons 737 takes about 5min to complete at maximum so it‘s not really wasting a part of the duty times to be honest.  
 

Cheers,
Sylvain

Edited January 19, 2023 by Sylle