Definition
A defined phase of the preflight flow occurring immediately after the engine(s) are running and before taxi, during which the pilot inspects, configures, and verifies that required navigation and avionics systems are powered, initialized, and functioning correctly. For IFR operations, this phase typically includes turning on, tuning, and testing equipment such as the GPS, navigation radios, transponder, ADF, DME, and flight director, and confirming that they respond and indicate properly before the aircraft moves.
Plain English
The short window right after you start the engine, when you turn on and check your navigation and avionics gear to make sure everything is working before you start taxiing.
Context Anchor
Seen in checklist and instrument inspection procedures before taxi, run-up, or departure.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms navigation instruments are operating correctly before flight, reducing the chance of in-flight discrepancies or failures.
Grounding Statement
Once the engine is running, the aircraft has power and vibration like it will in operation, so the pilot can confirm the cockpit equipment is actually behaving as expected.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just any time after the engine starts. In this context, it means a specific checklist phase: engine running, then verify the required systems before moving on.
Example Sentence 1
After engine start, the pilot powered up the avionics and confirmed the GPS had acquired a valid position before requesting taxi clearance.
Example Sentence 2
During the after engine start checks, the pilot compared the heading indicator to the magnetic compass.