Originally Posted by
Brutus53
So did we, for Boeings and Airbusses alike.
This is often part of the FCOM (SOPs) that customer airlines modify according to their priorities.
Airbus seams to leave it to the operator by stating
FLIGHT CONTROLS.................................................... .....................................CHECK PF-PM
Check the flight controls at a convenient stage, before or during taxi.
My lot decided it was more important to concentrate on flight control checks and not get distracted by taxying (or v.v), so we do it before taxi - a decision that was largely driven by our Flight Safety department
Another lot with tight schedules might decide that on time performance is more important and accordingly do it during taxi.
It also depends on the airports you operate from, some require full attention and I’d rather not muck around with flight control checks and miss a turn, a taxi instruction, or get into someone’s way.
One some of the quieter airports you might get away with it.
I would argue it depends if you follow the newer Airbus SOPs of single engine taxi for departure (either with APU or without), which then makes it necessary to check them during taxi as you can only really do a flight control check with both engines running. And yes, it depends obviously depends on operational experience on the aircraft type as well.