Procedural Question: Fire at rotation

[SLOTH]

As everyone already has said, the APU would help out in some rare instances when you may potentially have a problem... It is ultimately up to the crew to determine their need for an extra generator, bleed, etc. All that FlyChicaga is tring to teach in his program is the use of CRM techniques and prioritizing the workload at a critical phase of flight. We are taught many things in the sim... most of it we will use on a regular basis, and others we will never see again in our flying careers. Remember, the sim is a tool to teach not only to fly an airplane, but to also teach the mental aspects of dealing with problems. Any of you remember reading about a short circuit in a part of the electrical system in your systems manual? Well, how often have you come across that as well?? That doesn't mean it'll never happen, but it isn't a daily/weekly or even a yearly occurence.

Sloth

 

[KC-10 Driver]

It is common practice on some aircraft to leave the APU running for takeoff under certain circumstances. I will grant, however, that I am not all that familiar with the 737 (my type rating notwithstanding).

For example, on the A320, the APU will be left running for a heavy weight and/or short field takeoff where performance is marginal. The APU would be used to provide pneumatics for the air conditioning packs, thus eliminating some bleed from the engines.

It is a technique some use (note, technique only) on the KC-10 to leave the APU running during a marginal weather takeoff to provide backup in case of an electrical problem. This is a similar rationale to the 717 procedures mentioned previously in this thread.

 

[LJDRVR]

Regarding the earlier advice concerning not becoming too involved with ATC, I once got scolded with some great advice from a sim instructor. Take NO action until:

-The AC is under completely under control

-Obstacles have been cleared (at least 400')

-BOTH pilots are situationaly aware of what is occuring.

In other words, don't drop the aiplane to fly the microphone.

Safe Skies!