Callouts, Flows, Systems

[killbilly]

Okay. I understand what it means when you're studying systems...I think.

But what are Callouts and Flows? I know they pertain to how a flight is conducted with regard to procedures...

...but what are they, exactly?

Please forgive the ignorant question.

[staplegun]

Originally Posted by killbilly

Please forgive the ignorant question.

No ignorant questions...

Callouts are just that; required verbiage which is "called out", usually by the non-flying pilot, during a certain maneuver.

An example is the takeoff call-outs for the non-flying pilot:

"80 knots, throttle hold, engine instruments checked."
"V1, V2, Vr."
"Positive rate"... etc.


Flows are sequences of checking/switch-flipping which proceed a check-list. At the airlines check-lists are just that, checks, not "do-lists." So you accomplish the checklist procedures with a "flow" and then read the checklist and check it.

Make sense?

Kevin

[killbilly]

Ah, I wondered about that.

So, for example, in a pre-flight you do x, y and z, and then when you run the checklist you're verifying that x, y and z are at their proper values.

This is for safety's sake, right? To make sure you've got a second-run over the various settings to make sure you set them right to begin with?

Is it common to run the checklist/flow simultaneously, ticking off the list items as you set them?

Or is that a no-no?

[staplegun]

Originally Posted by killbilly

Is it common to run the checklist/flow simultaneously, ticking off the list items as you set them?

No, that would be a "do" list. That's why we learn flows. We do it first then use the checklist to check it.

Kevin

[killbilly]

Thank you, sir!

[kellwolf]

Here, it's a combination. Most stuff has a flow that's then backed up by a checklist. Flight deck inspection, befor start, cleared to start, after start, taxi, before takeoff, climb, before landing, after landing and shutdown all have flows associated with them. Some are CA flows, some are FO flows, some are a combination. After the flow, you run the checklist as a challenge and response. For example, I say "Takeoff Briefing" and the CA says "Complete" etc etc. Now, the other things like descent, flight deck saftey and second engine start are "read and do" checklists. So, you do exactly that. "Left fuel pump on" then you turn the fuel pump on, etc, etc.

Callouts are standardized things that more or less let two people that have never met before fly from MEM-IAH like they've been flying together for years. "V1....rotate" is a call out, same with "3000 for 4000" when you're climbing and the altitude alert goes off.

[KLB]

They pretty much summed it up. Even in our single pilot operations, we have flows and call outs. I feel kind of funny yelling out most of the stuff we are required to call out in the cockpit when I'm alone, but it keeps me out of trouble.

[mojo6911]

An example of a flow would be the engine failure checklist for a 172. Start down at the fuel selector valve, work up to the fuel shutoff (R and SP), mixture, throttle, carb heat (if installed), primer (Before R and SP), master and mags. Then you get your checklist to check to make sure that you did everything.

That was one of the few advantages of getting my PPL at Comair/DCA, they taught you flows and callouts from day 1.

[kellwolf]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

That was one of the few advantages of getting my PPL at Comair/DCA, they taught you flows and callouts from day 1.

Um, I was taught the same flow at Air Orlando, the FBO at ORL.

[killbilly]

Originally Posted by mojo6911

An example of a flow would be the engine failure checklist for a 172. Start down at the fuel selector valve, work up to the fuel shutoff (R and SP), mixture, throttle, carb heat (if installed), primer (Before R and SP), master and mags. Then you get your checklist to check to make sure that you did everything.

That was one of the few advantages of getting my PPL at Comair/DCA, they taught you flows and callouts from day 1.

Do you personally teach the flow/checklist combination or does SkyMates mandate it or what? Just curious.

[mojo6911]

I teach it for engine failure, but that is about it. The checklists we use are not designed in a fashion that would work well with a flow, since they are pretty all over the place. There is no mandate on how we teach checklists.

[Ralgha]

Originally Posted by staplegun

No ignorant questions

"Ignorant" simply means a lack of knowledge. Most questions are made in ignorance.

Now "stupid" questions on the other hand, that's a whole different ball game.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by staplegun

No, that would be a "do" list. That's why we learn flows. We do it first then use the checklist to check it.

Kevin

Flows on the 757 are sickly simple. That's probably because of my mad dog background where the instructor keeps saying, "Doug, this ain't no mad dog, relax a little, you're done! Stop looking for stuff to check!"

[staplegun]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Flows on the 757 are sickly simple. That's probably because of my mad dog background where the instructor keeps saying, "Doug, this ain't no mad dog, relax a little, you're done! Stop looking for stuff to check!"

I told you!!!

Wait until you start flying it, it's even easier to fly...

Kevin