.......... and now even the ground controllers have to verify on the R/T that chocks are in place before giving authorization to start an engine test run.
And do these ground controllers know the correct 'in place' for the chocks? I'd guess no.
Thanks to Spanner Turner, Post 213.
Quote below is from the Maintenance Manual. (a 747 manual, but you get the picture).
C. Prepare for Engine Operation.
(1) Check that airplane is parked in clean area with wheels on areas that are free of oil, grease, or other slippery substances.
(2) Make sure the wheel chocks are installed at the main landing gear wheels and ground locks are installed.
(a) Do these steps if you will operate the engines for a high power engine run.
1) Make sure that the forward wheel chock is six to twelve inches in front of the tires.
NOTE: This will cause the thrust of the engine to be held by the frictional force between the airplane tires and the ground, and not the wheel chock. The wheel chocks do not have the same frictional force as the tires. If the tires touch the wheel chock, some of the frictional force between the tires and the ground is lost, and the airplane can skid. The wheel chocks are only used to prevent the airplane from rolling if the airplane brakes were accidentally released before or after the engine run.