Immediate Actions

James Albright

Updated: 2019-11-04

There has long been an industry-wide trend to deemphasize so-called "memory items," "bold print," or what is probably best summed up as "immediate action" items. I write about that in great detail here: Immediate Actions. While Gulfstream's official position is to not identify "memory items," there are things you are expected to know how to do immediately, without reference to a checklist. Here they are.

So is this just my opinion as part of my effort to learn the airplane backwards and forwards? No, this comes from the FAA's Flight Standardization Board. In fact, it was added to the AFM.

Everything here is from the references shown below, with a few comments in an alternate color.

[AFM, §00-20-20]

  1. The following is applicable should any abnormal event occur:

    • Maintain control of the airplane.

    • Other than retracting the landing gear and silencing aural warnings, take no action until altitude greater than 400 feet AAL.

    • If a CAS message contains a directive consequential alert, the action associated with the consequential alert should be accomplished without delay.

  2. Gulfstream’s philosophy is to not identify any steps in abnormal or emergency procedures as so-called “memory items”. Pilots are expected to perform some initial and critical steps without reference to any documentation. Below are examples of procedures that the initial/critical steps should be performed promptly without reference to a checklist.

  3. In addition, crews are expected to don oxygen masks and smoke goggles promptly when appropriate – for example when smoke is detected. Operators and training providers must ensure that pilots are trained in accordance with this or other acceptable defined procedures that satisfy these provisions for time-critical emergencies.

  4. During certain flight control emergencies a shallow approach is recommended for landing. The shallow approach segment should be commenced once the landing runway is in view and target a descent angle of approximately 2.5°, terrain and obstacles permitting.

 Engine fire/auxiliary power unit (APU) fire

APU Fire

APU Master OFF, Fire Ext Press and Release, Checklist

Engine fire (on the ground)

Throttles idle, stop airplane, both fuel controls off, confirm the engine, fire handle pull, if in zone 1, discharge the bottle, checklist.

Engine zone 1 fire (in flight)

Confirm engine, idle, time for 10 seconds, if fire continues, fuel control off, fire handle pull, bottle discharge, time for 30 seconds, checklist.

Engine core fire (in flight)

Confirm engine, idle, fuel control off, fire handle pull, do not discharge bottle, checklist.

Tailpipe fire

Power levers idle, identify engine, fuel control off, APU bleed on, isolation valve closed, engine crank select, engine start push, svo check, checklist.

 Engine failure after V1

Immediate Action Items

  • Continue takeoff

  • Max Takeoff Thrust

  • rotate, gear up, V2 to V2+10

  • at 1,500 feet, VSE

  • after V2+20, flaps up, affected engine idle and fuel control off, checklist.