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.
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
Batteries Check/External Power
Has the aircraft been electrically supplied during the last 6 h?
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
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
The flight crew should set an appropriate radio frequency for an emergency call, if necessary (e.g. APU fire).
Air Conditioning
AIR COND panel
Ground air unit is preferable in Cold or Hot weather if available.
DO NOT use APU BLEED if ground air is connected.
Check BLEED SD page for pressure to confirm HP ground air connection.
Leave APU Bleed and PACKS off until immediately prior to engine start if cabin environment is comfortable.
Keeping EXT PWR ON with APU BLEED enables increased bleed air flow and efficiency.
Technique to reduce APU bleed air/pack contamination events:
• Delay APU Bleed for 1 min after APU start.
• Delay PACK selection for 1 min after APU Bleed ON.
ADIRS
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
EMER EQPT
COCKPIT DOOR LOCKING SYSTEM
Requirements not detailed here for security. See OMA Chapter 10.
CM2 carries out search but may delegate specific areas where convenient.
May be completed together with Emergency Equipment check.
EFB Initialization
EFF RETRIEVED OFP
Aircraft iPad: Check Flight Safe Mode & Battery (>80%). Report failures in Tech Log (as per MEL).
Pilot iPad: Check battery charge. If unserviceable, use Aircraft iPad for performance/eQRH.
See OMB 2.4.92
OFP: Both pilots crosscheck downloaded OFP.
Version: Verify updated and crosscheck version number with other pilot.
Select registration via eQRH (preferred) or My Flight.
Crosscheck selected registration against the aircraft placard.
CAUTION: Previous flight details are not auto-cleared. Ensure correct aircraft/registration is selected.
Aircraft Acceptance
TECHNICAL LOG AND MEL/CDL ITEMS
AIRCRAFT SELECTION (eQRH)
OEB
AIRCRAFT CONFIGURATION SUMMARY
Tech Log: Review ADDs/BNTC. Discuss MEL/CDL items & flight plan impact. In icing conditions if OAT ≤ +3°C, check previous taxi-in time.
OEBs: Review applicable OEBs (Red/ECAM procedures).
Acceptance: CM1 signs TechLog. This may be delayed (e.g. walkaround not complete yet) but must be done by end of Cockpit Prep.
Preliminary Performance Determination
Preliminary performance computation enables both pilots to share a common view of the takeoff plan and make consistent assumptions for performance computations.
Completed during preliminary cockpit preparation when workload is lighter than future flight phases.
When aircraft is dispatched with MEL/CDL deferred items that have performance penalties, select these in FS+ OLB.
This ensures performance penalties are accounted for in computations.
Clear previous flight data: Use 'clear FLIGHT' button to reset all parameters before inserting new flight details.
Enter: Flight number (AOC prefix not required), FROM airport, TO airport.
Required for log file reconciliation.
Departure: Obtain runway and weather data for TAKEOFF PERF computations. Use D-ATIS if available, otherwise use EFF ATIS Scratchpad or paper OFP.
Destination/Alternate: Obtain METAR or TAF for DISPATCH LDG PERF computations. D-ATIS may be used for short flights if available.
Both pilots compute Regulated Takeoff Weight using TAKEOFF PERF Application and verify against planned TOW.
If RTOW < planned TOW: Consider alternate runway, optimum CONF, or fuel re-planning (performance limiting aerodromes).
A320 Note: RTOW computed with STD CG by default. AFT CG provides optimum takeoff performance.
Both pilots compute Regulated Landing Weight using LANDING PERF Application (DISPATCH mode) and verify against planned LDW.
Use preliminary weather for destination and alternate aerodromes.
Not required if RLDW is limited by max structural landing weight on DRY or WET runway. Contaminated runways always require a RLDW.
Before Walkaround
