B737 Preflight and Cockpit Preparation
B737 SOP chapter 3, Pre-Flight Inspection & Cockpit Preparation. By the end of this chapter you can explain the purpose of a systematic walkaround, use a fixed cockpit scan, protect navigation data accuracy and close the shared readiness gate before engine start.
- 4 pages
- 41 min of reading
- 12 question chapter check
- Notes, highlights and progress saved
What this chapter covers
- 1Why the exterior check still mattersWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure10 min read
- 2Cockpit preparation as a scan flowWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure11 min read
- 3Setting navigation and performance dataWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure10 min read
- 4Closing checks before engine startWritten from standard 737 phase-of-flight operating procedure10 min read
737 preflight terms
- Exterior inspection (walkaround)
- A systematic route around the aircraft searching for damage, leaks, blockages, tyre issues or contamination.
- Defined walkaround route
- The same logical sequence every time, so no area is skipped through habit or distraction.
- Scan flow
- A fixed order through the cockpit panels, checking each switch and indication against what it should be.
- Area of responsibility
- Each pilot prepares their own panel areas, with critical shared items independently checked.
- Warning system test
- Confirming that alerting functions can operate, not only that no warning is showing.
- Position entry
- The aircraft's known position, verified by both pilots, so navigation aligns from a valid start.
- FMC route entry
- Entering the planned route as a connected sequence and checking for gaps or discontinuities.
- Flight control check
- Confirms free movement through the full range and return to neutral before movement.
- Before start checklist
- The callout and response that confirms both pilots agree preparation is complete.
Try a question from this chapter
Why can a correct technical record never replace the exterior inspection?
737 preflight questions
Why do pilots do a walkaround if the tech log is up to date?
A record can be accurate yet miss a condition that appeared since the last entry, such as ground handling damage, a new leak, a blocked probe or ice contamination. Only a physical inspection finds it.
What is a cockpit scan flow?
A fixed order through the flight deck panels in which each switch and indication is actively compared with its correct state, so normally untouched items are checked as well.
Why is the FMC position entry checked by both pilots?
A wrong starting position is carried forward while every later display looks consistent. Both pilots verify it against an independent source and check that it is credible for the actual stand.
What must be complete before engine start?
Safety and emergency equipment confirmed, flight controls free, doors and hatches configured, and no open walkaround, scan or data entry item, agreed explicitly through the before start checklist.
Read the full Pre-Flight Inspection & Cockpit Preparation chapter
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