How to Read the QRH

What is the QRH?

QRH stands for Quick Reference Handbook. Think of it as an emergency instruction manual for the pilots of the MD-11 aircraft. When something unexpected happens during a flight, pilots use the QRH to find the correct step-by-step checklist to safely manage the situation.

Understanding the Checklists

Each document in this QRH section covers a specific system of the aircraft (like "Anti-Ice" or "Hydraulics") and contains checklists for various problems that might occur with that system.

Here's how to understand the layout:

Numbered Steps

The core of each checklist is a series of numbered steps. Each step is a direct command that the pilot needs to perform. For example:

1. ENG IGN OVRD SWITCH - OVRD ON

• Move the ENG IGN OVRD switch to the OVRD ON position.

This tells the pilot exactly which switch to move and to what position.

Special Callouts

You will see colored boxes that highlight important information. Here's what they mean:

• NOTES:

Provides additional context or information that is helpful but not a direct action.

• WARNING / CAUTION:

This is critical information. It warns the pilot about something that could damage the aircraft or cause injury if not followed carefully.

• SKIP:

These are conditional steps. They tell the pilot to skip a set of instructions if a certain condition is met. For example, "IF THE AIRCRAFT IS IN FLIGHT, SKIP TO STEP 6".

• EVENT:

This tells the pilot to wait for a specific event to occur, like reaching a certain altitude, before moving to the next step.

By following these checklists, the flight crew can systematically work through a problem, ensuring they don't miss any critical steps, even in a high-stress environment.