Hoof Hearted

To all the Hawker pilots out there, I am curious as to where you do the engine computer, rudder bias, thrust reverser checks. I have flown for companies that would do them as they taxied, some holding short, and some after clearing the ramp area. I am interested in hearing from others about the pro's and con's. We are going to try the right seat run these checks on taxi and see if this is safe and efficient. I prefer to do them holding short, making sure no one is behind me. We are in the process of updating our checklist and this is something all pilots have varied opinions on. Your input appreciated...

NowCorporate

I prefer to do the checks while taxiing, if the taxiway is relatively straight for some distance. I find that you can switch off a computer, increase the respective sides power, do the rudder bias and APR checks, followed by the thrust reverser check and return everything back to normal (and repeat as necessary) in about 10-15 seconds once you get the flow down.

When you say that you're going to try to "right seat run the checks on taxi," what exactly do you mean? I am not sure how well it will work to have the left seat pilot taxiing the airplane, while the right seat pilot is adjusting the power settings & t/r positions. I can see having the right seat pilot switching the rudder bias, engine computer, t/r, and APR switches, but not much more.

I suspect you will find that most of the newer Hawker pilots prefer to do the checks standing still, while the ones who have been around the airplane for a while will prefer to do it during the taxi.

There are several Hawker guys on the Business Aviation Central (Business Aviation Central) forums. It may be worthwhile to post this question over there for some of them to answer.

Hoof Hearted

Several of the pilots suggested having the pilot in the right seat perform the complete rudder bias, computer, TR check including adding power. There were some call outs they had to make but my ears went deaf when I started hearing about the right seat pilot moving thrust levers. ( I guess I'm not a good active listener). I have done these checks before in a 700 series with no problems while taxiing, but in the 900XP and 750, my head is down far too long, so I have been doing them holding short. I might add that it's been 5 years since I last regularly flew a Hawker, so maybe it will develop better as I fly more.

Ziggy

In the end you have to do what's best for yourself and the circumstances. Whether you complete the checks pre-taxi, taxi, hold-short, or even after the flight is something that should be discussed between your company and crew. Also well known is that when you get into the swing of things. You get the know what your looking for and develope muscle memory. This always aids in performing the necessary checks in an expedient amout of time.

__________________
Ms, I may be drunk, but you are ugly. For tomorrow I'll be sober. -Winston Churchhill

HawkerJock

I've been driving Hawkers 200-300 hrs/year for the last 10 years with, at times, very demanding owners. Not once have I been in such a rush that I couldn't take 60 seconds to do the required tests at the end of the runway. Who cares if a "jet" does a "run-up." When you are dead [because you didn't do them], the only one who should have cared is you.

Hoof Hearted

I agree with you, we are just looking at alternatives to see if anything works better. I think we'll be back doing it holding short. But I'll try the other ways. I seem to be the only one that wants to do them the old way.... with the teachings of runway incursions as well as situational awareness, I feel that the safest way to accomplish these checks it stopped with the parking brake set. Taxiing an aircraft while advancing a thrust lever to 85% and performing several checks which involve getting your head down ( and attention) is not something I want to explain to the FAA and NTSB after clipping another aircraft or even worse.

shanKs

There is absolutely no issue with letting the right seat do the checks while the left seat taxis - As long as there is one set of eyes watching the taxi. I've been doing this for a while now out of HKG and the last thing you want is to delay your position in line while you have a load of heavies ahead and behind you. My first hours in the airplane (stateside) I insisted on holding at the end and doing the runup then (nothing wrong with that either).