Definition
A cockpit control, typically a T-shaped handle, that the pilot pulls to activate an aircraft's engine or APU fire protection system. Pulling the handle simultaneously performs several isolation actions: it shuts off fuel to the affected engine, closes the hydraulic shutoff valve, closes the bleed air valve, disconnects the generator, and arms the fire extinguisher bottle(s) for discharge.
Plain English
A handle in the cockpit that the pilot pulls when an engine catches fire. Pulling it cuts off fuel and other supplies to that engine and gets the fire bottle ready to be fired.
Context Anchor
Seen on cockpit fire warning panels and in aircraft fire protection system maintenance procedures.
Why Pilots Care
Enables rapid containment of an engine fire before it spreads to the wing or fuselage.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the handle itself puts the fire out the moment it is pulled. On many aircraft, pulling it isolates the affected engine or area and arms the extinguisher; a separate action may be needed to discharge the agent.
Example Sentence 1
When the number two engine fire warning illuminated, the captain called for the engine fire checklist and pulled the number two fire pull handle.
Example Sentence 2
After pulling the fire pull handle the crew monitored the fire warning to confirm the agent had suppressed the flames.