lights, camera , action

captainphil

captainphil

Well-Known Member
I went flying wednesday to do turns around a point again and we do lights camera action ,my instructor always does this before we get onto the runway but I don't understand what it's for could someone explain please?
 
Lights: lights on
Camera: Transponder to ALT
Action: Throttle full foward
 
Lights = Landing/taxi/strobe lights on
Camera = Transponder, for ATC to see you with their "camera"
Action = Fuel pump on, mixture rich, because you might get some action on takeoff if these aren't set

That's the way I learned it.

It's been a while since I've used that saying. I've sort of abandoned it now in favor of a flow/checklist of items.
 
yup thats how i learned it too, hey...do you guys think flashing your landing light when atc calls you and another aircraft to look for traffic. ive had it happen to me a few times and i kind of started doing it too. good...bad???
 
well do you think a pilot trying to spot your plane would have better luck with the light flashing?
 
I guess..It just depends. At dusk and night, I turn my landing light on, and leave it on...Mid day to early evening, I may flash it.

There is no rule, or anything. Just use whatever you think helps.
 
I was also taught "lights, camera, action" but thought it sucked, so I came up with my own lineup check: HAWLT.

H - Heading: crosscheck DG with compass and runway alignment
A - Altitude encode on transponder
W - note Wind direction/speed via wind sock, ATIS notes, or ATC and position flight controls accordingly
L - Lights -- landing light or pulselite on; nav lights and/or strobes are already on for taxi onto the runway
T - note takeoff Time on nav log

I like HAWLT because it's also a literal reminder to stop and think for a moment, making sure everything and everyone is ready to rock.

FlyingNole, if you're gonna leave it on for the duration, it's generally a better idea to use your taxi light rather than risking burning out your landing light.
 
MidlifeFlyer said:
I use a checklist.
Click to expand...

roundout said:
hey, somebody with a brain!
Click to expand...

Everyone else is using a checklist too, just in a different way. I'm a firm believer in flows and making a checklist a checklist...not a to-do list, and that's exactly what's being done with "lights, camera, action" and "HAWLT". Airlines use flows and so most jet pilots, there's a reason for it. So there's no reason not to adapt it to flying in a single piston either.
 
captainphil said:
I went flying wednesday to do turns around a point again and we do lights camera action ,my instructor always does this before we get onto the runway but I don't understand what it's for could someone explain please?
Click to expand...

I just smile for the camera :)
 
JRH said:
It's been a while since I've used that saying. I've sort of abandoned it now in favor of a flow/checklist of items.
Click to expand...
That actually IS our company flow.

;)


MidlifeFlyer said:
I use a checklist.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, the infamous "To-do" list. I keep it right under my "How to fly airplanes" manual!

While I like checklists, I don't think that there needs to be a checklist for EVERY SINGLE MOVE in the cockpit. Some things need to be known.

Is there a "Make left turn" checklist?
 
i teach:

trim - take off
flaps - set

lights - lights on (landing, strobe)
camera - txpndr on ALT (so ATC can take a snapshot of you; altitude, asmuth, range)
action - fuel gets you going (mixture best power and pump if required)

backed up after flow with checklist
 
Flows are always backed up with a printed checklist.

In a GA airplane, I have everything set BEFORE getting on the runway. Less time spent farting around waiting for someone to land on you.

In the airlines, the last tasks are done while entering the runway, but realize also that there are two pilots, one driving, and one flipping switches, reading the words. By the time the airplane is in position to go, the tasks are done and the words are read. At least that's the idea.
 
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