kick the tires and light the fires

Etymology
From kick the tires, referring to a preflight check of the landing gear, and light the fires, referring to the ignition of the afterburners, a part of the engine which burns extra fuel for a speed boost.

Verb

 * 1)  To take off.
 * 2) * 1998,, A Pirate Looks at Fifty (2000 Random House edition), ISBN 9780449005866, p. 108 (Google preview):
 * His face appears in the open window of the pilot's seat on the flight deck. He is ready. I am ready. It's time to kick the tires and light the fires.