Why not startup a plane with a single button?

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 26 Sep 2004, 12:55

Hi all,

Yesterday i had a visit of some friends. They showed some interest in planes and flightsim, so i decided to startup the sim and do a little flight. The first thing he noticed was that a lot of switched and buttons had to be pressed before one can finally startup the engines and he asked me: why not with a single button, just like in a car? I could not provide him with a clear answer, so i decided to ask some specialists here. It is true that in 99% the exact same procedure has to be followed to startup, so why not a single button or key for these 99%? The other switches can of course be held for the emergency's.

thanks for your answers!

moons · Post by **moons** » 26 Sep 2004, 14:58

Maybe a stupid answer...but I don't think that airlines will like it that anyone could start up their plane. It's just to valuable to start it with one single button, no? It's good for safety that only pilots can start it, otherwise some little kid will walk into the cockpit and push that nice green button

So in my opinion the whole procedure prevents unauthorized people from starting that plane and cause damage.

greetz

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 27 Sep 2004, 13:11

hmmm, im not sure, but if its just about that, they could have easily implemented some sort of identification. They dont have to make it that complicated then.

Any pilots or engineers have any thoughts about this?

Fiero · Post by **Fiero** » 27 Sep 2004, 13:30

first of all if you would push 1 button your Apu engines should have to start ,generators would have to come online, hydraulics ,etc...
So if you only need an apu on gnd because you are waiting for pax to come you would already have your first problem.
The reason why it doesn't take one push is because there are several ways of starting up an airplane. Because if you are in flight and you have to start an engine you don't need the starter because the fan is already windmilling. So that would already be 2 buttons. If you start an apu you need only one fuel pump to work So that are 5 extra buttons. 4 fuel pumps and one apu start button. So most of the buttons are there for a reason. And its not that hard to start a plane. But to fly it correctly thats the hard part. I hope i was off an help.
Greetz

killerwhale65 · Post by **killerwhale65** » 27 Sep 2004, 15:28

ok thanks for that.