Sun Apr 01, 2018 5:46 pm
#1601790
I have an intense dislike of the vast majority of off-the-shelf commercial checklists, and I'm not sure I'm much happier with some I've seen from flying schools. Often very generic, assume some particular fit, locality, or just that I really like going through checklists.
Personally I have for most types a big folder of 2-side A5 pages covering operating speeds, how to start the engine, run-ups, emergency drills and a few basics, for each type that I've flown, then use either memorised microlight mnemonics, or a 2-side generic light aeroplane checklist.
Alternatively, just create your own, we've all got word processor software and access to a printer, pull out the core checks from the official POH, and print your own off.
But a Pooleys/AFE/ASA/whoever commercial checklist, which is almost certainly just copied from the per checklist of some long bankrupt flying school somewhere (and in the case, for example, of Pooleys checklists doesn't include any emergency drills - a bit of a glaring emission!) is almost invariably a poor solution to a simple problem.
Here with my blessing is my generic checklist, it'll do anything as simple as a PA38 and then some.
This side, checks required in-flight – confirm these are compatible with each type.
After take-off
B - Brakes, on-off
F - Flaps, up in stages at safe height
T - Temperatures and Pressures, checked, green sectors.
F - Fuel Pump, off at safe height.
Cruise and rejoin
F - Fuel, correct tank, sufficient to continue
R - Radios, on and correct frequencies. ATIS if required.
E - Engine, Temperatures and Pressures, mixture, ammeter, suction.
D - DI (HI), synchronised with compass.
A - Altimeter, set as required.
(Alternative F I R A D Fuel / Instruments / Radios / Altimeter / DI))
Stalling and Aerobatics
H - Height, sufficient for safety
A - Airframe, flaps as required, brakes off
S - Security, Canopy, harness, loose articles secured.
E - Engine, mixture rich, fullest tank selected, booster pump on, RPM as required, temperatures and pressures correct.
L - Location, confirmed, clear of airfields, built-up areas, cloud and controlled airspace.
Lookout, turn to check for other aircraft.
Pre-Landing
B - Brakes, checked and off
U - Undercarriage, down or fixed
M - Mixture, rich
Master and Magnetos, on.
P - Propeller, set for landing
F - Fuel : Pump on
On, correct tank, sufficient for go-around.
Flaps, As required for landing.
I - Instruments, Temperatures and Pressures green.
C - Carb Heat, checked / as required
H - Harness, Hatch, locked and tight.
W - Wind, suitable for runway, in-limits
L - Landing Light, On.
This side, checks required on ground– confirm these are compatible with each type.
Taxi
B - Brakes, checked as soon as possible.
R - Rudder, steering checked left and right.
I - Instruments, confirm slip ball, compass, DI, AI in turns.
Pre take-off
Tt - Trimmers, free movement and set for take-off, Throttle Friction, set as required
Mm - Mixture, rich, Magnetos, both.
Pp, Pitot Heat, as required, Propeller, full fine
Ff, Fuel, sufficient for sortie, selected fullest tank, pump on; Flaps, set for take-off
Hh - Hatches, Harnesses, secure, locked and tight.
I - Instruments, all checked, set, engine instruments in green sectors.
Cc - -Controls, full and free. Cowl Flaps
After Landing
F - Flaps, up; Fuel pump, off.
C - Carb heat, Cold.
P - Pitot Heat, Off.
U - Unnecessary Equipment, Off. (transponder)
Shutdown
P - Parking brake, on
T - Throttle, ground idle. Wait for temperatures and pressures to stabilise.
M - Magnetos, check for dead-cut
R - Radios, Off.
T - Throttle, Closed
M - Mixture, Idle – Cut-Off
L - Light, off or as required
M - Magneto Switches, off.
C - Controls, Canopy, secured.
F - Fuel, off.
And the core bits for the PA38, again copied from my own...
T/O Flap= 0° (21° short / soft field)
VR= 53 kn
Initial climb: 70 kn (Obstacle clearance): 61 kn
Land flap= 34°
Approach: 70 kn
Finals: 67 kn
X-wind: 15 kn (wing-down technique)
Best glide: 70
Best climb: 70
Vso: 47
VS1: 48
VFE: 89
VA: 103
VNO 110
VNE: 138
Other limitations
+3.8 clean, +2.0 flaps down.
No –Ve g manoeuvres permitted.
No deliberate spinning or aerobatics
Engine: RPM 500-2600
Static RPM 2200 – 2350
Oil Temp. 75-245°F
Oil Press. 15 – 100 psi
(normal range 60-90,
90-100 ground warm up)
Fuel Press. 0.5 – 8 psi
Starting sequence (internal power)
Throttle: ½” open if cold
Cracked open if hot
Full if flooded
Master switch: ON
Electric pump ON (Off if flooded)
Mixture Rich (ICO if flooded)
Primer 4 pumps if cold
Starter Operate
(Mixture) (forward if flooded)
Throttle Set 1200
Main Emergencies
Spin Ailerons NEUTRAL / Rudder FULL OPPOSITE / Yoke FULLY FORWARDS / Throttle CLOSED / (once spin has stopped) Rudder NEUTRAL / Pull out from dive / Flaps RETRACT (if extended)
Engine fire during start Starter CONTINUE TO CRANK / Mixture ICO / Throttle FULL / Fuel pump OFF / Fuel selector OFF.
Fire in flight Fuel OFF / Throttle CLOSED / Mixture ICO / Cabin heat OFF / (once radio is not required) Battery-master OFF.
Open door Airspeed 90 kn / Vents CLOSED / CV panel OPEN / Top-latch LATCHED / Side-latch (if open), pull arm rest whilst closing.
(Close side latch then top latch if both are open).
Go-around Full power, carb heat off / 70 kn. / Select 21° (mid) flap once climbing / Flaps up once at safe height
Engine restart Restart at 75 kn using electric starter.
There you go, half an hour with copy and paste into your favourite word processor and an office printer, and you have a better checklist than most that you can buy from pilot shops.
G
I am Spartacus, and so is my co-pilot.