As I proved for real, several times, having a prescribed sequence with a script to follow, can invalidate the check. As I saw for myself; it can become PM seeing some movement on the SD and saying the next line of the script, rather than actually looking properly and stating which surfaces are moving. If a check throws up an error, I would most definitely want to be "distracted" by it - and then find out what or who was wrong !
There are 5 fly-by-wire computers between each side-stick and the flight control surfaces, and three hydraulic systems, so it is very important to check properly * that they are all agreeing and behaving correctly before take-off. Engineering work might have been performed overnight or even during the turnaround, so the controls check is absolutely vital, and it is absolutely vital that controls are actually checked rather than just going through a script.
Our company changed that particular SOP - not for giggles, nor to catch anyone out - but to ensure a valid check rather than just words in a script.
Originally Posted by
Chesty Morgan
How do you get full deflection unless your seat and/or pedals are in the right position though? 🤔
When preparing for engine start and push-back, both pilots will move their seats to the correct position using the red and white sighting balls **, and the rudder pedals are moved to the number on the scale that they know is correct for them - having been determined during their initial type rating in the SIM, and confirmed on the first day of line training. (The side-stick arm rest will likewise already have been moved and set by the numbers on those two scales, ditto).
* As a passenger, I sometimes see only a very brief stab on the ailerons/spoilers rather than them moving to and holding full deflection. Once airborne, we cannot pull over into a lay-by and get out to check a problem, so best make sure that all is good before taking off.
** Many pilots reach out and touch their PFD to set a rough seat position and then double check by looking at the sighting balls.
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