In a previous job (4-eng turboprop), each pilot had an “after start scan/flow” done from memory, (mostly Left seat pilot actions, a few done by necessity from the RH seat, but importantly, rigidly specified as to who’s duty each item was). This was followed by an “After–start check” done as challenge and response. RP read the check aloud, LP made the responses for items he had actioned in the flow, RP responded to his own “challenge” if it was an item he had set. I found this a very good system. However…….
Seemed to work well, until the day we were distracted by external interruption during the checks, and somehow, despite calling “ Flaps – set and indicating”, they in fact were at zero. Fortunately, we survived the subsequent stick shaker after take-off and got airborne OK (yes – MOR was submitted). We are both sure that we did not miss the item in the challenge and response, but that we read the challenge and called the response without either of us checking it had been done.
After that, I modified my “response” slightly, and think that it has helped me to make sure that what I say is what is actually there.
Where the checklist might just say “Start select…………………OFF/Light out” , I would now respond to RP’s call of “Start select”, with “………. IS OFF/ Light IS out” . As I say the word “IS” it prompts me to make sure that I am actually checking the item as I say the words, and not just saying what should be set. A minor change, but it works for me……… (so far !!)
With reference to fire after take-off, on our aircraft (as I understand is fairly SOP in fixed-wing) the initial action was to fly the aircraft and do nothing about the fire until above a certain height (500’ in our case) (the only action below 500 was to feather a failed engine that had not autofeathered).
However, in both types of large helicopter I have operated, the standard briefing is “no engine to be shut down below 500’ except in case of fire” in which case the procedure is to immediately start the fire drill. Considering that the Lee-on-Solent S61 went from engine fire warning to starting to lose all hydraulic control as the pipes burned through just as they put it on the ground, all in less than 90 seconds, and subsequently burned to the ground, I think there are arguments for both ways of doing things…………