Recognizing a successful ERJ engine start on SkyWest CQ and KV.

Let me start with a moment most pilots remember: the first ignition spark catching and the engine catching hold. It’s not a flashy light show or a loud roar of success. It’s a quiet, measured confirmation that everything in the start sequence lined up just right. For SkyWest ERJ operations, that moment matters—because it signals you’re ready to move from cold-air checks to real-world flight tasks.

What signifies the completion of a successful engine start?

Here’s the concise answer you’ll hear in the cockpit: Verifying proper fuel flow and ignition. If those two things are in the green, the start is considered complete for the moment. Everything else—temperature trends, power levers, and the rest of the checklist—follows as you transition from start to stable idle and then to the higher power settings you’ll need for taxi and takeoff.

Let’s unpack that a bit, because the distinction is subtle but important in real life.

Fuel flow and ignition: the two gears that must mesh

Think of the engine start like lighting a campfire. You need fuel to be delivered to the fire area, and you need a spark to ignite it. If you’ve got both, you’re likely to get flames, in the engine’s terms: combustion that continues smoothly and predictably.

• Fuel flow: When you command the start, the engine requires the right amount of fuel to be metered into the combustion chamber. In the cockpit, you’re watching fuel flow indicators and readings from the fuel system. The flow should rise to the expected level as the fuel control unit begins its routine. If the fuel isn’t flowing as planned, the engine won’t start, or it may start with erratic behavior. Fuel flow is a direct indicator that the fuel system is delivering what the engine expects, which is a non-negotiable prerequisite for a clean start.

• Ignition: Ignition is the spark that lights the fuel-air mixture. In modern jets, ignition is choreographed and monitored by the engine and the respective aircraft systems. When the ignition system is armed and the sequence completes, you’ll typically see the ignition ons (or the system will indicate that ignition is established). If ignition doesn’t engage, the start may fail or you’ll enter a protective mode to avoid damage.

If you’ve verified both fuel flow and ignition, you’re seeing the two critical signals that say, “We’ve got ignition and fuel; the engine is taking care of business.” It’s the practical equivalent of hearing your car’s engine turn over smoothly after you turn the key—the rest is about keeping it happy and within safe limits.

Why not temperature alone?

Temperature is an important health check, sure. It tells you how the engine is behaving once it’s running and whether the burn is heating the cylinders safely. But temperature by itself isn’t the trigger that says, “We’ve completed the start.” Here’s why.

• Temperature is a downstream signal. It rises as the engine starts and runs, but it can lag behind the actual start sequence. A high ITT (or ITT-like reading) later in the start can flag a problem that fuel flow and ignition failed to properly establish at the outset.

• Temperature depends on the engine already achieving some stable, controlled combustion. If ignition hadn’t occurred or fuel wasn’t flowing correctly, temperature won’t reflect a healthy, stable start, even if you see temp numbers rising later.

• In other words, temperature is a valuable feedback tool, but it doesn’t confirm the start happened correctly on the first try. For CQ/KV concepts, you’d call it a validation metric after you’ve confirmed the primary indicators—fuel flow and ignition.

Cruising speed and altitude: milestones, not signals of a start

Achieving cruising speed and maintaining altitude are essential flight phases, but they come after the start. They reflect the aircraft’s overall performance and its ability to sustain flight, not the moment the engine first catches. If you’re focusing only on speed or altitude as proof of a successful start, you’re missing the more precise signal: did the engine actually start cleanly, and did the fuel flow and ignition cooperate?

In the cockpit, you’ll move from start to idle and then to higher power as you complete the climb-out. Throughout that progression, you’ll monitor a broader menu of parameters—N1 or N2 speeds, ITT, exhaust gas temperature routes, oil pressure, fuel pressure. But at the exact instant of “start complete,” the fuel flow and ignition check is the crisp, unambiguous landmark.

A practical picture of the start sequence

Let me walk you through what that moment looks like in a typical ERJ start, without getting lost in jargon:

• Prep and safety first: Everything is set for a controlled start. You’ve checked the engine start switches, the APU or bleed air source if relevant, and you’ve cross-checked that the aircraft is configured for start. You’ve verified that you’re in a safe zone for start and that the checklist flow is being followed in order.

• The cue for fuel flow: You command the start, and the fuel system begins to meter fuel into the engine. If all goes well, you’ll see the fuel flow indicators move toward their expected values. The flow isn’t a roar—it's a steady, confident signal that fuel is getting to the combustion chamber in the right amount.

• The cue for ignition: Simultaneously, ignition readiness is confirmed. The system either shows a green indication or a specific message indicating that ignition is established. If ignition doesn’t engage, you’ll likely see a fault indication or a stop condition that instructs you to abort or reattempt with the proper procedure.

• The moment of confirmation: When both fuel flow and ignition indicators are positive, the start is considered complete. You’ll hold the engine at a safe idle or light power as you monitor for stable readings. It’s a calm moment—no fireworks, just confident, steady indicators that the engine is ready to do its job.

Common missteps and how to avoid them

No system is flawless, and the start sequence is a place where small errors can crop up. Here are a few real-world snags and simple ways to avoid them:

• Ignition misfire without fuel flow: If ignition engages but fuel flow doesn’t, you’re looking at a start abort condition. Recheck the start sequence, confirm valve positions, and consider a reattempt after verifying power and bleed systems.

• Fuel flow without ignition: This is a red flag that something in the ignition system isn’t cooperating. Don’t push through. Follow the established abort or reset procedure so you don’t risk unburned fuel burning later or an inadvertent engine surge.

• Delayed signals: Sometimes readings lag due to electrical or sensor issues. If the indicators don’t respond as expected, perform the standard doubt-check sequence and be prepared to call for assistance if the situation doesn’t clarify quickly.

• Cross-bleed complications: When starting engines using cross-bleed or alternate systems, ensure you’ve adhered to the exact cross-bleed sequence. A misstep there can delay ignition or disrupt fuel flow.

What CQ and KV concepts bring to real-world flying

In SkyWest training contexts, the ideas behind CQ (Cockpit Qualification) and KV (Knowledge Validation) aren’t just about memorizing steps. They’re about building a mental map of cause and effect in the cockpit. The engine start example is a perfect case: you learn the cause (fuel flow established) and the effect (ignition established) and you learn to recognize the correct signals when they appear.

These concepts also emphasize situational awareness. Even when you’re confident about a standard start, you’re scanning for outliers—the sensor that’s not updating, a pressure reading that doesn’t rise as expected, or a warning light that glows briefly and then fades. You’re training yourself to treat the cockpit as a system with multiple feedback loops, not as a checklist with a single “right answer.”

A few practical tips to keep in mind

• Stay in the moment with the indicators. Don’t race ahead to the next step. The engine start is complete when the two key signals—fuel flow and ignition—confirm a healthy beginning.

• Treat temperature as a follow-up signal, not the primary signal. It’s essential, yes, but it confirms what’s already happened rather than signaling the moment of completion.

• Use the moment to reset your mental model. If the start was smooth, you’re set. If not, you’ve learned something about the limits of the current system and you know what to check next.

• Don’t overthink the process in the moment. Keep the line of sight on the indicators, and let the aircraft guide you through the flow. You’ll gain confidence with repetition and clarity.

A final reflection

The start isn’t a flashy milestone; it’s a quiet, precise validation that everything in the engine’s routine is aligned. For pilots flying SkyWest ERJs, that moment—fuel flow and ignition both in the green—fosters a sense of readiness that carries through the climb, the cruise, and the rest of the flight. It’s the kind of knowledge that stays with you, not as trivia but as practical wisdom that helps you respond calmly to whatever the air brings.

If you ever find yourself in a cockpit where one of those two signals isn’t cooperating, you’ll thank the discipline that teaches you to pause, verify, and proceed with care. The airspace isn’t going anywhere, and you want to stay in control, not chase after confidence.

In the end, the completion of an engine start is simple in its essence and profound in its implications: verify fuel flow, verify ignition, and then move forward with purpose. It’s a small step, but it’s the one that makes everything else possible. And that, more than anything, is what keeps every flight safe, steady, and true to its course.