Preliminary Cockpit Preparation
Standard Operating Procedures • preliminary cockpit preparation
GENERAL
The flight crew performs the preliminary cockpit preparation to ensure that all required safety checks are completed.
These safety checks prevent the inadvertent operation of aircraft systems, danger to the aircraft, and danger to the personnel.
They should be completed before the aircraft is electrically powered.
OBJECTIVES
PCP PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Safety Checks: Press RCL for 3s to review previous warnings. Check Tech Log and MEL.
Fluid Levels: Verify HYD levels, ENG oil, and Oxygen pressure (via DOOR page).
Control Positions: Verify Slats/Flaps and Parking Brake position.
OEBs: Review all applicable Operational Engineering Bulletins.
Aircraft Setup
Do not pressurize the hydraulic systems until clearance is obtained from ground personnel.
Still nothing to do. Drink coffee 🍵
ENG 1, 2 MASTER LEVERS
ENG MODE selector
WEATHER RADAR
L/G lever
Both WIPER selectors
Batteries Check/External Power
Has the aircraft been electrically supplied during the last 6 h?
BAT 1 + 2 pb
EXT POWER (if AVAIL)
NOTES
Essentially BAT 1 & 2 go to AUTO if the aircraft has been electrically supplied within the last 6 h.
If > 6 h, verify voltage is ≥ 25.5 V before selecting to AUTO. If lower, a 20 min charging cycle is required.
APU Battery Start: If starting the APU on batteries alone, ensure the start is initiated within 30 min of selecting batteries to AUTO (after 35 min, capacity may drop below 25%).
APU Fire Test/APU Start
RMP
ACP
Do not exceed 3 seconds for the APU fire test; doing so may trigger an APU shutdown and fire bottle discharge.
APU FIRE TEST
APU START
When APU AVAIL
APU BLEED pb-sw
AIR CONDITIONING
EXT POWER
Notes
COM: The flight crew should set an appropriate radio frequency for an emergency call (e.g. APU fire).
Refuel/Defuel: APU start or shutdown is permitted during fuel operations. However, if the APU fails to start or undergoes an automatic shutdown, do not attempt to restart it. In the event of a fuel spill, perform a normal APU shutdown immediately.
Ground Air: A ground air unit is preferable in Cold or Hot weather if available.
DO NOT use APU BLEED if ground air is connected.
APU Starter Limitations: After 3 failed start attempts, a 60-minute cooling period is required.
Contamination Prevention
Standard SOP: Set APU Bleed to ON once APU is available.
Technique: Depending on APU type, odors (oil traces) may occur in the cabin when bleed is selected. To further reduce risks, you may delay APU Bleed selection for 3 min after APU start.
Rationale: This extra warm-up time allows seals to reach optimum performance and eliminates residual oil traces in the airduct.
ADIRS
All IR MODE selectors
Alignment Rules
Operational Practice
Takeover: Always perform a COMPLETE alignment.
Turnaround (No crew change / GPS available): Alignment not required unless IRS/FMGC position difference ≥ 5 NM. If ≥ 5 NM, perform a FAST align.
Cockpit Check
COCKPIT LIGHTS
COCKPIT LIGHTS
Airline Additions
Airbus SOP Baseline: The standard Airbus procedure for this phase includes only COCKPIT LIGHTS.
Common Airline Practice: Most airlines add the following checks at this point in the flow:
Cockpit Security Search: Visual inspection of the cockpit area (see OMA Chapter 10)
Emergency Equipment: Life jackets, axe, PBE, fire extinguisher, masks, torch, ropes, gloves, ELT, FAK
CB Panels: Verify no tripped CBs (no reset without MOC approval)
Rain Repellent: Check availability and condition
Gear Pins & Covers: Verify removal and stowage
Fan Cowl Flags: Verify removal
Cockpit Door System: Test locking, OPEN/FAULT lights, and mechanical override
EFB Initialization
EFB
EFB
General Information
Electronic flight bag initialization is normally completed at this point (e.g., FlySmart+).
Each airline has different procedures, setup, and layout for their EFB systems.
See your company manuals for specific actions and details regarding EFB initialization and configuration.
Aircraft Acceptance
ECAM RCL pb
LOGBOOK AND MEL/CDL ITEMS
OEB
AIRCRAFT CONFIGURATION SUMMARY
A/C ACCEPTANCE
Preliminary Performance Determination
PERFORMANCE COMPUTATION
General Information
Concept: Utilization of lower workload phase to align takeoff plan and assumptions.
Landing Weight: Satisfies legal requirement for dispatch landing weight check.
Variation: Procedures vary by EFB system; consult company manuals for specific steps.
Before Walkaround
From this phase until PARKING, labels change from CM1/CM2 to PF/PM.
Tasks are now assigned based on role rather than seating position.
ECAM OXY PRESS
ECAM HYD QTY
ECAM ENG OIL QTY
F/CTL
SPD BRK LEVER
ACCU PRESS
PARKING BRAKE
BRAKES PRESS
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
RAIN RPLNT IND
CIRCUIT BREAKERS
GEAR PINS
EXTERIOR WALKAROUND
WARNING: Yellow and Green hydraulic systems are pressurized from Yellow electric pump. Get ground crew clearance before using the electric pump.
WARNING: If flight control surface positions do not agree with control lever positions, check with maintenance crew before applying hydraulic power.