4.10 Taxi & Shutdown

Objective 
 To safely taxi from the runway to the gate and perform complete aircraft shutdown while maintaining SOP compliance, passenger comfort, and ground crew safety. 
 
 Taxi After Landing 
 Initial Rollout 
 PF: 
 
 Maintain runway centerline 
 Smoothly decelerate using:
 
 Autobrake (until 60–80 kt, siehe Landing SOP) 
 Reverse thrust (as required, idle ~70 kt) 
 
 
 
 PM: 
 
 Monitor speed and runway clearance 
 Call out speed reductions 
 
 
 Runway Exit 
 
 Enter taxiway at appropriate speed:
 
 High-speed exit: 40 kt target, max 50 kt 
 Tighter turns / standard turns: max 15 kt 
 
 
 
 PF: 
 
 Steer via tiller / rudder pedals 
 Maintain smooth control 
 
 PM: 
 
 Monitor external traffic 
 Verify lights and brake status 
 
 
 Taxi to Gate 
 
 Taxi speed: approx. 20 kt 
 Outside apron: up to 30 kt allowed 
 Follow ATC instructions 
 Maintain situational awareness 
 
 Lights: 
 
 Taxi lights → TAXI 
 Landing lights → OFF 
 Turnoff lights → ON 
 
 
 Approach to Parking Spot / Stand 
 PF: 
 
 Align aircraft with stand 
 Reduce speed gradually 
 Apply brakes smoothly 
 
 PM: 
 
 Monitor nose wheel alignment 
 Monitor stand guidance (marshaller / VDGS) 
 Call out distance and alignment 
 
 Ground Crew Safety: 
 
 ALL front lights (Taxi, Landing, Turnoff) → OFF 
 Ensure visibility hazards minimized for ground personnel 
 
 
 Engine Shutdown Procedure 
 Engine shutdown is based on technical requirements , not ground crew signals. 
 
 Cooldown Requirement 
 After engine operation at higher thrust settings: 
 👉 A minimum cooldown period of 60 seconds must be observed before shutdown. 
 This applies from: 
 
 The last time engine thrust exceeded approximately 50% N1 
 
 
 Purpose of Cooldown 
 The cooldown period ensures: 
 
 Stabilization of engine temperatures 
 Protection of internal components 
 Prevention of thermal damage 
 
 
 Standard Procedure 
 After parking brake is set: 
 
 Maintain engines at IDLE thrust 
 Monitor engine parameters 
 Wait minimum 60 seconds cooldown 
 
 
 Engine Shutdown 
 After cooldown is complete: 
 
 ENG MASTER switches → OFF 
 
 
 Important Notes 
 
 Do NOT shut down engines immediately after high thrust usage 
 Reverse thrust and taxi phases must be considered in cooldown timing 
 Ground crew does NOT determine shutdown timing 
 
 
 
 After Engine Shutdown (Turnaround) 
 
 Objective 
 To safely transition the aircraft from engine operation to ground handling during turnaround while ensuring system stability and ground crew safety. 
 
 Engine Spool Down Monitoring 
 After engine shutdown: 
 
 Monitor engine parameters (N1) 
 Ensure engines are fully spooled down 
 
 
 Beacon Light Policy 
 👉 Beacon must remain ON until engines are fully spooled down 
 
 Wait until N1 < 10% on both engines 
 
 Only then: 
 
 Beacon → OFF 
 
 
 Purpose 
 This ensures: 
 
 Clear indication to ground crew that engines are no longer hazardous 
 Prevention of personnel approaching running or spooling engines 
 
 
 APU Usage During Turnaround 
 The APU may remain in operation during turnaround depending on environmental conditions. 
 
 Standard Practice 
 
 APU → RUNNING (if required) 
 
 
 Typical Use Cases 
 APU should remain ON when: 
 
 High outside temperatures (heat) → cabin cooling required 
 Low outside temperatures (cold) → cabin heating required 
 No external power or air supply available 
 
 
 When APU May Be Turned OFF 
 
 External power is connected and stable 
 Environmental conditions allow 
 
 
 Electrical Configuration 
 
 External Power → PREFERRED (if available) 
 APU → BACKUP or primary (if needed) 
 
 
 Cabin & Systems 
 
 Seatbelt Signs → OFF 
 Fuel Pumps → AS REQUIRED 
 Lighting → AS REQUIRED 
 
 
 Key Principles 
 
 Engine shutdown does not end aircraft responsibility 
 Systems must remain stable during turnaround 
 Passenger comfort must be considered 
 
 
 Core Rule 
 “Shutdown is a transition – not the end of operation.” 
 
 Outcome 
 
 Safe handover to ground operations 
 Protected ground crew 
 Aircraft ready for next departure 
 
 
 
 Aircraft Shutdown Procedure 
 Apply if crew leave the aircraft and no new crew is there to take the aircraft. 
 Before Shutdown 
 PM / PF: 
 
 Verify systems powered down safely 
 Check fuel, lights, electrical systems 
 
 
 Standard Shutdown Flow 
 
 Engines → OFF (Engine Master switches) 
 APU → ON (if ground power needed) 
 External Power → CONNECTED 
 Battery switches → OFF (as required) 
 Anti-collision lights → OFF 
 Flight Instruments → Parked / Safe 
 Parking Brake → SET 
 
 
 After Shutdown 
 
 Perform walk-around (virtual / checklist) 
 Ensure aircraft ready for next flight 
 Log flight details if required 
 
 
 Key Principles 
 
 Smooth, controlled taxi to gate 
 Maximum taxi speed 20 kt (30 kt outside apron) 
 All front lights OFF when entering parking stand 
 Follow VA philosophy: passenger comfort & ground crew safety first 
 Shutdown only after full stop and all systems verified 
 
 
 Outcome 
 
 Aircraft safely at gate 
 Engines off, systems secured 
 Crew ready for debriefing / next flight