Checklists before take off - how often must they be performed? Friday I was on a plane from MXP to Prague, should have been a 737-400, and the take off was preceded by something I'm not sure what it was: probably a pre-flight checklist, but it's the first time I see something like this:


The plane got pushed back by a tractor from ramps to apron - at least, I think it was the apron- and turned (still by the tractor) in the right direction for the taxiway
Engines thrust was increased and decreased a few times, keeping them at "high" levels for a bit
Control surfaces were checked as usual


I'm used to pilots checking control's surfaces either while still at ramps or on the taxiway while waiting for their turn to take off, or just at the beginning of the runway, but never seen anything different and never seen "testing" the engines that way, and it got me wondered about check list frequencies.

Was that routine some kind of checklist? And if so, is there a specific regulation about how often it must be performed? (and, by the way...I know that it's possibile to load fuel even with passenger on board, but...testing engines with plane full loaded? Isn't it a bit too dangerous?)
For an airline crew, the Before Takeoff Checklist is performed once before every takeoff.  There is normally no "run up" associated with such a checklist for jet aircraft.

Depending on what else is going on, there are reasons that engine power might be advanced then reduced, and it would be speculation as to what the reason for that was on your particular flight.