How long does it actually take from pre-flight checks to taxiing for the A-10C?

Start up in RL is similar to the sim. Just to get engines running takes less than five minutes. Flight control checks, brake checks, etc with a good pilot and me telling him what I see takes anywhere from 2-5 minutes. I can be standing bored in front of my jet within 10 minutes waiting for the pilot to get all of his stuff lined up, loaded, radio checks done. So generally from pilot firing up the APU to taxi takes around 20 minutes if all goes right.

I have a picture like that taken last week.

Looks slightly warmer in your photo lol.

Wow, that's faster than I thought. When you are at the rear are you watching the engines/moving surfaces etc?

C models are much quicker than A models. "A" models took a minimum of 15 minutes just to get the INS alligned. I've lauched a C model out in about 10 minutes from start (strapping the pilot in the seat) to taxing out. An "A" model fastest was about 20 minutes, except on alert. We launched them out in about 5 minutes once the pilot got to the jet. But, we already had the APU running and INS alligned before they got to the pad.

When we're at the rear of the ACFT like that we're relaying to the pilot that the flight controls are operating correctly. Goes something like this:

Pilot: Chief, Flaps Clear
Me (aka Crew Chief): Clear
Me: Flaps at 7
Me: Flaps full down
Me: Flaps full up - Speed brakes clear
Me: Partial (speedbrake is partially open)
Me: Full Open - clear to cycle (opens to 100%
Me: cycling (moves stick left right)
Me: Full closed (speedbrakes completely closed)
Pilot: Flight controls Clear
Me: Clear
Me: Elevators up (pilot pulls back on stick moving the elevators)
Me: Elevators down (pilot pushes forward on stick moving the elevators)
Me: left up, right down (pilot pushes stick to the left moving the ailerons)
Me: right up, left down (pilot pushes stick to the right moving the ailerons)
Me: Rudders Right (pilot pushes on the rudder pedals)
Me: Rudders Left (pilot pushes on the rudder pedals)
Pilot: Ready on SAS
Me: Ready, Kick Left (pilot tests SAS)
Me: Kick Right (pilot tests SAS)
Pilot: Ready on Trim
Me: Ready, Elevators up (pilot uses trim hat on stick moving the elevators)
Me: Elevators down (pilot uses trim hat on stick moving the elevators)
Me: left up, right down (pilot uses trim hat on stick moving the ailerons)
Me: right up, left down (pilot uses trim hat on stick moving the ailerons)
Me: Rudders Right (pilot uses YAW trim knob)
Me: Rudders Left (pilot uses YAW trim knob)
Pilot: Ready Override
Me: Ready, Elevators up (pilot uses trim hat on emergency flight control panel moving the elevators)
Me: Elevators down (pilot uses trim hat on emergency flight control panel moving the elevators)
Me: left up, right down (pilot uses trim hat on emergency flight control panel moving the ailerons)
Me: right up, left down (pilot uses trim hat on emergency flight control panel moving the ailerons)
Pilot: Trim's in the green (presses TO trim button)
Me: Looks good here
Me: Ready on the right (run to right main wheel, watch the brake)
Me: Pumping
Pilot: Skid Off
Me: Pumping
Me: Ready on the right (move to left main wheel, watch the brake)
Me: Pumping
Pilot: Skid on
Me: Pumping
Pilot: Heats off, ready on the right
Me: (Actuate the lift transducer, watch left slat to make sure extends) lefts good
Pilot: Rights good, heat coming on
Me: (Check lift transducer, AOA vein, pitot tube) Heats good
Pilot: heat coming off

Then it's sit and wait until he/she is ready to taxi unless they have a problem with a system then they'll call a redball and get maintenance to work it so hopefully he can still use the jet he is in. Otherwise he will either have to maintenance cancel or step to a spare jet.

That's great Paul, thanks for sharing that. Just a couple of questions though, what does this refer to and what is the pilot doing?



And also this?

SAS Check:

a. Anti-skid switch to ANTI-SKID
b. SAS switches - ENGAGE
c. Monitor Test switch - L (HOLD). Check all SAS switches disengage
d. SAS switches - ENGAGE
e. Monitor Test switch - R (HOLD). Check all SAS switches disengage

For the SLAT check all the pilot does is look down and to the right to observe the right slat. The LIFT transducer is on the leading edge of the left wigh next to the wheel pod. It is what controls the Slats popping up and down to direct airflow into the engines. Basically I take my comm cord (because if the pilot has pitot heat on it'll burn the hell out of my hand) and push it up. This simulates airflow pushing up on the transducer and actuating the slats to full up (the only two possible positions are full up and full down).

Damn! If that checklist was implemented in the game, I will have to insist on better comms with the ground crew.

Great thanks Paul, so the SAS check is when we flip the SAS switches in our start-up. Would be great if a crew chiefs feedback like you have just mentioned could be modded in not asking much and as though there isn't enough detail in this sim anyway!

EDIT: great minds think alike , Ice

What "great mind"??

Speak for yourself lol