The secret weapon of the QRH. After handling a failure, you must calculate if you can safely take off or land again.
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-800 (CFM56-7B engines)
Document Title: Quick Reference Handbook (QRH)
Regulatory Basis: FAA / EASA / ICAO (Operator-specific)
Purpose: To provide immediate, memory-jogging, and performance-based checklists & non-normal procedures for flight crew.
| Condition | Flaps | V1 (Kt) | VR (Kt) | V2 (Kt) | Field Length Required (ft) | |-----------|-------|---------|---------|---------|----------------------------| | Sea level, 30°C, TO weight 150,000 lb | 5 | 142 | 145 | 150 | 6,500 | | Sea level, 30°C, TO weight 150,000 lb | 10 | 138 | 141 | 146 | 6,100 | | (Data representative – actual varies by runway, anti-ice, pressure altitude) |
Imagine you are flying a 737-800. At FL320, an Engine Oil Pressure light illuminates. Here is the disciplined workflow:
Step 1: Acknowledge & Verify
Step 2: The Drill (No QRH yet)
Step 3: Call for the QRH
Step 4: Read & Do
Step 5: The "Boxes"
Step 6: The "Checklist Complete"
In the 737-800 type rating, pilots spend 60% of simulator time on QRH proficiency. The goal is "Flow then QRH" —do the immediate flow (memory), then grab the book to verify.
A common failing in recurrent training is Precipitation—rushing through the QRH and missing a step like "PACK switches to AUTO" before a smoke procedure. The QRH is designed to slow you down.
The "Gold Standard" of testing:
QRHs are evolving from paper and static PDFs to integrated electronic flight bag (EFB) applications with advantages and new challenges:
The QRH is a condensed, actionable guide to handling abnormal and emergency situations. Unlike the full Flight Crew Operations Manual (FCOM)—which explains why the hydraulic system works—the QRH tells you exactly what to do when that system fails.
Designed for use under stress, the QRH uses a checklist format with memory items (steps you must recall without reading) and non-memory items (steps you read and confirm).
Key Distinction: The "Boeing 737-800 QRH" is aircraft-specific. While similar to the 737-700 or MAX versions, the numbers (speeds, altitudes, limitations) are unique to the -800 model due to its longer fuselage and different engine options (CFM56-7B). boeing 737800 qrh quick reference handbook