Definition
An engine start attempt in which the engine fires briefly but fails to continue running, or fails to fire at all, after the starter has been engaged. In gas turbine engines, a false start (sometimes related to a hung start or hot start) requires the start sequence to be aborted and corrective action taken before another attempt is made.
Plain English
When you try to start the engine and it doesn't actually catch and keep running. You have to stop, work out why, and try again rather than just cranking it harder.
Context Anchor
Encountered during engine-start procedures, especially in discussions of starting problems and when to stop a start attempt.
Derivation
From the everyday phrase 'false start' used in racing, where a runner moves before the gun. In aviation it carries the same idea: the start was attempted but did not properly take.
Why Pilots Care
Repeated false starts can flood the cylinders or overheat the starter; proper clearing prevents damage and ensures a successful next attempt.
Intuition Check
A false start is not just starting at the wrong time. In this aviation context, it means the engine seems to start but does not continue running properly.
Example Sentence 1
After a false start, the pilot waited the required cooldown period before attempting another engine start.
Example Sentence 2
A cold-soaked engine produced a false start on the first attempt before the second start succeeded at idle RPM.