Definition
A cockpit control handle, typically located on the overhead panel or glareshield, that the pilot pulls to isolate an engine or APU during a fire. Pulling the handle simultaneously closes the fuel shutoff valve, closes the hydraulic shutoff valve, closes the bleed air valve, trips the generator off the bus, and arms the fire extinguisher bottles for discharge.
Plain English
A handle in the cockpit that the pilot pulls to shut off everything feeding a burning engine and get the fire bottles ready to fire.
Context Anchor
Seen on aircraft with built-in fire warning and fire-extinguishing systems, especially in engine or emergency checklists.
Why Pilots Care
It isolates the engine from fuel and power while activating the fire suppression system, helping prevent the fire from spreading to the airframe.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the handle always puts the fire out by itself. On many aircraft, pulling the Fire-Pull Handle mainly isolates the affected area and prepares the extinguisher system; another action may be needed to release the extinguishing agent.
Example Sentence 1
After confirming the engine fire warning on the number two engine, the captain pulled the corresponding fire-pull handle and discharged the first extinguisher bottle.
Example Sentence 2
The emergency checklist directs pulling the fire-pull handle after verifying the fire warning light.