Hello All,

Had a quick question - I know that during its time as a SAC bomber the B-1 had the ability to be started prior to entry in the cockpit near the ladder, but I've never seen pictures of what the actual buttons look like or what options there were for the type of start? Also what other aircraft have the ability and is it a simple as powering the aircraft up to enable starting of engines or is it literally a full on engines starting and by the time all members are in cockpit the aircraft can be moved?

Thanks!

TDAero777 wrote:

Hello All,

Had a quick question - I know that during its time as a SAC bomber the B-1 had the ability to be started prior to entry in the cockpit near the ladder, but I've never seen pictures of what the actual buttons look like or what options there were for the type of start? Also what other aircraft have the ability and is it a simple as powering the aircraft up to enable starting of engines or is it literally a full on engines starting and by the time all members are in cockpit the aircraft can be moved?

Thanks!

You're referring to the EWO start procedure. This does not start the engines, only the APUs, however it does posture the aircraft for engine start once the crew is up. Normally the crew starts one engine at a time for enhanced safety. During an EWO start they would do one on each side simultaneously. They are the two red round switches in this picture, just to the right of the red handle that controls the crew entry ladder.

KC-135 also has an EWO start procedure, same concept, different implementation. Postures the aircraft for immediate engine start once the crew is on board. They would also deviate from normal one engine start procedure and start one engine on each side simultaneously.

There are maintenance procedures to configure the aircraft for these starts that must be accomplished in order for them to proceed correctly, usually in conjunction with placing the aircraft on alert or performing an operational check.

In my experience, engines don't spin until there's a butt in the seat, however I don't know other aircraft well enough to say that is always the rule.

https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air ... ww9A%3D%3D

LordTarkin wrote:

TDAero777 wrote:

Hello All,

Had a quick question - I know that during its time as a SAC bomber the B-1 had the ability to be started prior to entry in the cockpit near the ladder, but I've never seen pictures of what the actual buttons look like or what options there were for the type of start? Also what other aircraft have the ability and is it a simple as powering the aircraft up to enable starting of engines or is it literally a full on engines starting and by the time all members are in cockpit the aircraft can be moved?

Thanks!

You're referring to the EWO start procedure. This does not start the engines, only the APUs, however it does posture the aircraft for engine start once the crew is up. Normally the crew starts one engine at a time for enhanced safety. During an EWO start they would do one on each side simultaneously. They are the two red round switches in this picture, just to the right of the red handle that controls the crew entry ladder.

KC-135 also has an EWO start procedure, same concept, different implementation. Postures the aircraft for immediate engine start once the crew is on board. They would also deviate from normal one engine start procedure and start one engine on each side simultaneously.

There are maintenance procedures to configure the aircraft for these starts that must be accomplished in order for them to proceed correctly, usually in conjunction with placing the aircraft on alert or performing an operational check.

In my experience, engines don't spin until there's a butt in the seat, however I don't know other aircraft well enough to say that is always the rule.

https://www.airliners.net/photo/USA-Air ... ww9A%3D%3D

Quoted to add photo

The B1 is a seriously cool aircraft


Thanks for the pictures, what is the red lever for behind those buttons ?

The BUFF has quick start canisters, but I think all are in their seats when they start the engines. In a big cloud of smoke all 8 start at same time.

One of the "benefits" of the CERP program on the B-52 is the addition of an APU. The addition of an APU, will allow the same type of functionality that is on the B-1. The current cart start requires the copilot to be in the right seat and the battery turned on the allow a cart start.

JayinKitsap wrote:

The BUFF has quick start canisters, but I think all are in their seats when they start the engines. In a big cloud of smoke all 8 start at same time.

The KC-135A had the same thing, cartridges for EWO Alert starts. Normally we had carts in the two outboard engines, but depending on 'conditions' could have them in all 4. We didn't have B-52s at my base, so I don't recall their procedure, but I'm don't know if they would regularly have carts in all 8 engines. And yes, we didn't fire the carts until the pilots were in the seats, ready to start engines.

Moose135 wrote:

JayinKitsap wrote:

The BUFF has quick start canisters, but I think all are in their seats when they start the engines. In a big cloud of smoke all 8 start at same time.

The KC-135A had the same thing, cartridges for EWO Alert starts. Normally we had carts in the two outboard engines, but depending on 'conditions' could have them in all 4. We didn't have B-52s at my base, so I don't recall their procedure, but I'm don't know if they would regularly have carts in all 8 engines. And yes, we didn't fire the carts until the pilots were in the seats, ready to start engines.

When I worked the BUFFs in the early 2000’s, we would only start two engines off the cartridges during exercises, due to the fact you were required to wear a respirator when all eight engines were started off cartridges.

Speak of the Devil - just as this thread is out Task & Purpose has a good article on the BUFF cart start.

https://taskandpurpose.com/tech-tactics ... art-start/

The C-5 had a quick start procedure—it used a calendar.

GalaxyFlyer wrote:

The C-5 had a quick start procedure—it used a calendar.

You win the internet for the day...

GalaxyFlyer wrote:

The C-5 had a quick start procedure—it used a calendar.

Don't be modest. The two quickest ways to get a C-5 off your airfield was either A.) The crew is stuck on base and no trans available. Or B.) The next station has a much higher per diem rate. Or both.

"Hydro leak? I don't see any hydro leak" as the scanner is jabbed in his side by the FE.

It was the damnedest thing to operate, the C-5. I did a trip a trip, KCEF-KSUU-PHIK-YWLM (Williamtown, NSW)-NSTU-PHIK-KHIF-KCEF. It ran like a Swiss train—7 on-time take-offs. I’ve also done 4-day stateside USN trips for SEAL Team Six that took 8 days to get done. I once got a CDD extension for a one-hour leg.

At Hickam once, I rode out with a Gucci crew, as the Os we showed at the plane 1+30 prior to takeoff. The KC-10 crew was back and headed to billeting before we started the day. To Kadena, no less.