MD11 Starting
The three switches below the throttles (on MD's, they are throttles, the others call them thrust levels) are the start switches, which when pulled are latched electro-magnetically until about 45% N2. These switches illuminate when the starter is engaged.
The start sequence is:
1. IGN OVRD - on ground, it will cause engine igniters to arm, APU to 100% N1, fuel pumps on, AC packs off (not sure if hydraulics are de-energnised)
2. START sw pull - igniters energise, bleed air energises engine starter.
3. @10~15% - FUEL sw ON
4. @~45% N2 - START sw disengages (light extinguishes)
5. Systems reconfigure/test
Been about three years since I started an MD11 - sure do miss them.
Cheers