Push back and start procedures

[nathanroberts2K8]

Hi all.


A question for any commercial pilots familiar with the Boeing 737-300
or similar variant (733,734,737,738)


I am just trying to clarify something in relation to pushback and start procedures.


From what I believed to be the case, and from the Civil Aviation Authority ("CAA") guidance that I can find on 'Airside Safety Management' (Sep 2006 [online]) it says that normally the pushback procedure occurs when the aircraft is fuelled and passengers have embarked, I seem to recall this even as a passenger that pushback begins roughly at the same time as engine start. I.e. even as a layperson you can hear the engines spooling up (for example) whilst the aircraft is moving backwards.


Alternately that if no pushback is required, the aircraft for example is in a position where it is able to taxi from its current position, would the passengers have already embarked before start procedures begin?


My questions:-


1) Generally speaking, are the above pushback situations above correct?


2) Are the pushback procedures at Reus, Spain (ICAO: LERS) different than the usual procedures above? - I have looked at the various charts and I am not able to find anything specific on pushback procedures and no indication of anything different to the standard procedures?;


3) Are there any occasions that pushback (but not start) will have been complete before the passengers embark?


4) Finally, in considering all of the above - I am presuming from my simulator use as a layperson that any faults with the bleed air system could only be identified when the aircraft has either ground power activated (presuming there is a ground power attached and available) or when APU is started and the battery is on so that systems can be available and checked? - what I am getting at here is that, it would not be possible to identify a fault of the above kind when the aircraft is in a cold and dark state?


Kind Regards all

[TOWTEAMBASE]

Only usually Pre positioned if its GA or a VIP flight. Joe public will be onboard as it pushes back as a rule

[Tinwacker]

Pushback

normally the pushback procedure occurs when the aircraft is fuelled and passengers have embarked

As mentioned in previous post, if the aircraft is being re-positioned but normally towing would achieve this unless at a remote airfield with next to no ground equipment available.

pushback begins roughly at the same time as engine start

Pushback starts once brakes have been released and then engines are started when the headset man has given the pilot clearance to do so.
Occasionally the engine(s) are started prior to pushback, if the APU or APU bleed has failed and air start trucks are then used on the bay.

Pax would be onboard before start as doors are closed prior to engines starting and taxi-ing in your example.

start procedures begin?

Do I detect this as to be 'starting engine procedure' or 'starting cockpit procedure', hence why you ask whether pax have embarked...??

1/ Generally

2/ Don't know

3/ Towing from a remote parking bay

4/ Ground electrical power would possibly show messages or indications only as no air source available.
With the APU running and air bleed selected then you will be advised of a bleed fault if and when it occurs.

With the aircraft COLD and DARK you will not know of any faults unless it was written in the Tech Log on the previous arrival.

Some thoughts for you to discus further...

TW

[nathanroberts2K8]

Thanks chaps, that just about answers my principle question - I am grateful indeed.