What position should cockpit switches be in before applying power to the F/A-18 E/F?

Before applying power to the F/A-18 E/F, the proper configuration of cockpit switches is critical for ensuring safety and functionality. The correct positioning of the switches—Normal, Off, Auto, Safe, and Standby—prevents unintentional system activations and helps maintain aircraft integrity during initial power-up procedures.

Each switch position plays a specific role:

• "Normal" is a standard operating position for many systems and ensures they are ready to function correctly.

• "Off" prevents systems that shouldn't be active or require power from engaging.

• "Auto" allows certain automatic systems to operate normally without manual intervention.

• "Safe" is a safety measure, ensuring that potentially hazardous systems are in a non-active state.

• "Standby" keeps certain systems in a preparatory state, ready to function when needed but not actively consuming power or engendering any risk during initial power application.

This correct configuration minimizes the risk of accidents and ensures that all systems are set correctly before power is applied, which is vital for the safe operation of the aircraft.