OnCourse Software

Hi All,
The title says it really. I use Mode 2 and wondered if it was possible to have the clearance and the pushback request separated. Trying to get the timing right while loading passengers can be a bit tricky. I would like to call for pushback once I am fully ready. Thanks Steve.

The way I do it is to use copilot mode 0 until I am ready for pushback, then change to mode 2 (CTRL-SHFT-V) and request pushback.

Rustydog wrote:

Hi All,
The title says it really. I use Mode 2 and wondered if it was possible to have the clearance and the pushback request separated. Trying to get the timing right while loading passengers can be a bit tricky. I would like to call for pushback once I am fully ready. Thanks Steve.

Sounds like you ae requesting clearance delivery a bit too early.

Make the request when the pax are loaded. In any case it is only a clearance. Not an instruction. So you can pushback when ready. Though one wouldn't request pushback too early anyway.

The request for start-up and pushback would be part of the Starting Check list usually. For example in the VC10 checklists it is the first contact with ATC so would include clearance. Or at least that would be obtained during the "Before Starting Check-list" which would only be done once all the pax are on board anyway.

You are not ready to go until all the pax, catering and fuel are on board.

vololiberista wrote:

Rustydog wrote:

Hi All,
The title says it really. I use Mode 2 and wondered if it was possible to have the clearance and the pushback request separated. Trying to get the timing right while loading passengers can be a bit tricky. I would like to call for pushback once I am fully ready. Thanks Steve.

Sounds like you ae requesting clearance delivery a bit too early.

Make the request when the pax are loaded. In any case it is only a clearance. Not an instruction. So you can pushback when ready. Though one wouldn't request pushback too early anyway.

The request for start-up and pushback would be part of the Starting Check list usually. For example in the VC10 checklists it is the first contact with ATC so would include clearance. Or at least that would be obtained during the "Before Starting Check-list" which would only be done once all the pax are on board anyway.

You are not ready to go until all the pax, catering and fuel are on board.

Exactly.
But in mode 2 when you ask for clearance (via a button on yoke) and you receive it you are told to tune to ground for push and start. The Copilot does this for you but then immediately asks for push. All I wanted was to have to push the button on the yoke again to initiate the copilot asking for pushback clearance.
I will try the suggestion from pschlute. Thanks both for responding, much appreciated.

pschlute wrote:

The way I do it is to use copilot mode 0 until I am ready for pushback, then change to mode 2 (CTRL-SHFT-V) and request pushback.

Copilot mode 1 will also do. You still have your FO tune the frequency but he won't ask for pushback before you tell him to do.
I switch to mode 2 when taxiing. That includes the advantage that you can still ask for a different runway for takeoff after getting taxi clearance. I think that doesn't work anymore once you readback the taxi clearance (which mode 2 does immediately).

RALF9636 wrote:

I switch to mode 2 when taxiing. That includes the advantage that you can still ask for a different runway for takeoff after getting taxi clearance. I think that doesn't work anymore once you readback the taxi clearance (which mode 2 does immediately).

After the taxi readback, the TGS process becomes active, and once TGS is active you need to deactivate it first in order to request a different runway for departure. (At least this is the case when using keyboard inputs because the keystrokes used to request a runway change have a different function when TGS is running.) So your method allows you to request a different runway before TGS becomes active in the first place.

Dan77 wrote:

After the taxi readback, the TGS process becomes active, and once TGS is active you need to deactivate it first in order to request a different runway for departure.

Good to know.