Do pilots have to remember the functions of all the switches in cockpit?

Answer 1

Of course. There is a very long course you have to go through to become a pilot.

Pilot: What's this switch do?
Co-Pilot: I dunno, hit it and we'll find out!

Answer 2

yes, as stated above, pilots go through extensive training. It is important to know WHERE each and every switch is and WHAT it is for. Additionally, you have to understand what interaction each system has with another.

For example, if I move this switch which lowers the landing gear, how will that function effect other systems. It slows the aircraft by causing drag so to maintain the same altitude I need to increase power to keep airspeed up.

Every aircraft function is interactive with some other function.

Especially in high-speed aircraft, you do not have time to be thinking "now what was it that I needed to do". You have to always stay ahead of the airplane.

All that said, they do help pilots by making some of the switches in certain shapes that help identify them according to their function. The landing gear switch is usually shaped like a wheel. The flap switch is shaped like the trailing edge of the wing.

Answer 3

It's not really a law or regulation, but it's a very good idea. In the event of electrical failure at night or smoke in the cockpit you want to be able to find the controls that you need with minimum fumbling.

Answer 4

I am the chief pilot of a two executive jet international operation. Every one of my pilots must be able to touch every instrument, switch and lever on their side of the cockpit while blindfolded and tell me what it does.

Answer 5

Oh yes, one respondent already mentioned the "blind cockpit check" and he was right on. In certain levels of qualification you must know each and every one and all the functions it directly and/or indirectly will effect. All while eyes are covered.

Answer 6

Yes, remembering the functions and locations of switches is part of the job. One of the hardest, I think. But thankfully, all of the switches are labeled, and you can easily look up what it does if you forget something.

Answer 7

Of course. Not only do I need to know all the functions of my aircraft and what all the controls do, some of the more important ones I need to know by feel. When I'm on short final (approach to the runway), I can't be looking down to see where the throttle, prop, mixture, trim, etc are; I have to know.

Answer 8

Yes, that is somewhat important... that is what training is for however... you must memorize where the switches are as well... in the military, I believe you need to be able to activate all switches with a blindfold on!... its not like that in the airlines but we do need to know where the swithes are and what they do...

In an emergency, do you want to be stuck looking through 100+ switches because you dont remember where its at?

Answer 9

I'm a GA pilot, and fly SEL aircraft, so my answer's a little similar....
Yes, it's good to know where certain ones are - the flaps, the Master, Beacon, Landing Light, Etc.
There aren't near as many as there are on more complex aircraft, though, and if you fly the same plane alot, you learn them so you could find them in the dark..
From my perspective, it's more that I want to know where they are, rather than have to, though...

Answer 10

There's a few buttons I don't know what they do, but they are on these old, ugly looking radios with the word 'NARCO' written on them. And there are some switches that look homemade and aren't labeled that I don't know what they do.

Otherwise yes, as above.

Answer 11

Yes, they should. I am not a pilot and answered this question by intuition. I am talking about pilots who operate commercial aircrafts that carry passengers.