I keep seeing people skip the full power-on test after a 777 autopilot swap

At my hangar in Atlanta, I've watched three techs this month install a new autopilot computer, sign it off after a bench test, and call it a day. They're missing the 30-minute full aircraft power-on sequence that checks for bus interference. I had a plane come back with erratic flap indications because the new unit was drawing spikes on a shared circuit. Who else still runs the full power cycle, or are we just rushing jobs now?

3 comments

3 Comments

sage_lewis101mo ago

Seen the same rush job culture from the ground up. In my line of work, skipping the full system check after a major swap is how you end up stranded on a highway at 2 AM. That 30 minute power cycle isn't a suggestion, it's the last line of defense. The book exists for a reason, and it's not to waste time.

felix_bailey452mo ago

You guys skipping the power cycle test?

lisa_jones212mo agoMost Upvoted

Skipping the power cycle" is the new normal for everything. People just want the quick fix, not the actual solution. It's why nothing works right anymore.