Beechcraft Bonanza A36 — Normal Operating Procedures

Preflight Walk-Around preflight_inspection

Aircraft documents (ARROW)ON BOARD AND CURRENT
Weight and balanceCOMPUTED AND WITHIN LIMITS
Fuel quantity — visually confirm both tanks; compare with fuel gaugesVERIFIED; ADEQUATE FOR FLIGHT WITH REQUIRED RESERVES PER POH
Fuel grade and appearance — sample fuel cap and gascolator sumpsCORRECT GRADE PER POH; CLEAR, NO WATER OR SEDIMENT
Fuel caps — both tanksSECURELY SEATED AND LOCKED
Fuel sump drains — left tank, right tank, and gascolatorSAMPLED; CLEAR AND FREE OF CONTAMINATION
Engine oil level — dipstick checked and cap securedWITHIN OPERATING RANGE PER POH; CAP SECURE
Engine compartment — fuel injection lines, oil lines, hoses, and wiringNO LEAKS, CHAFING, OR LOOSE CONNECTIONS
Induction air filter and induction inletUNOBSTRUCTED; FILTER CLEAN
Exhaust stacks and heat muffsNO CRACKS, LOOSE HARDWARE, OR CARBON SOOTING
Cowling — all fastenersCLOSED AND SECURED
Propeller blades — leading edges, tips, and faces for nicks, cracks, or erosionSERVICEABLE
Propeller spinner and back plateSECURE; NO CRACKS OR LOOSE SCREWS
Nose gear — strut extension, torque links, shimmy damper, and nose tireSTRUT INFLATED NORMALLY; TIRE SERVICEABLE; HARDWARE SECURE
Nose gear doors and retraction linkageNO DAMAGE; LINKAGE SECURE
Pitot tube — cover removed, inlet clearCOVER OFF; UNOBSTRUCTED
Static ports — both sides of fuselageCLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED
Left wing leading edge and upper/lower skinNO DEFORMATION, FUEL STAINING, OR IMPACT DAMAGE
Left fuel filler cap and wing ventCAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR
Left aileron — hinges, control rod, balance weight, and travelSECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT
Left flap — hinge pins, actuator rod, and conditionSECURE; NO DAMAGE
Left wingtip — nav light and strobe lensUNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT
Left main gear — strut extension, tire condition and inflation, brake assembly, and gear doorSTRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED
Fuselage — skin condition, antennas, baggage door latched, and cabin door sealsNO DAMAGE; ANTENNAS SECURE; DOORS LATCHED
Horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and trim tab — both sidesUNDAMAGED; HINGES SECURE; NO EXCESSIVE PLAY
Vertical stabilizer and rudder — hinges and travelUNDAMAGED; FREE MOVEMENT
Tail beacon and lightingLENS INTACT; SECURE
ELT — armed switch position and antenna connectionARMED; ANTENNA CONNECTED
Right main gear — strut, tire, brakes, and gear doorSTRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED
Right flap and right aileron — condition and full travelSECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT; NO DAMAGE
Right wing leading edge, fuel cap, and ventNO DAMAGE; CAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR
Right wingtip — nav light and strobe lensUNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT
Tiedowns, chocks, and any gust locksALL REMOVED

Cockpit Preparation / Before Start before_start

POH — aboard and accessibleON BOARD
Seats — position adjusted and seat-back locked; seat belts and shoulder harnessesADJUSTED, LOCKED, AND FASTENED
Control lockREMOVED
Flight controls — full travel checkFREE AND CORRECT
Avionics master switchOFF (before applying battery power)
Master switch (battery)ON
Fuel quantity gaugesCHECK — consistent with visual inspection
Annunciator panel — press-to-testALL LAMPS ILLUMINATE ON TEST; NONE REMAIN LIT AFTER TEST
Landing gear position indicatorsTHREE GREEN; DOWN-AND-LOCKED CONFIRMED
Gear warning horn — confirm audible with throttle retardedHORN SOUNDS
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT (fullest tank or per POH; NOT OFF)
Elevator trimSET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH
Rudder trimSET NEUTRAL OR PER POH
Aileron trimSET NEUTRAL OR PER POH
FlapsUP — confirmed by position indicator
Propeller controlFULL FORWARD (high RPM)
Mixture controlRICH (or adjusted per POH for field elevation)
ThrottleCLOSED, THEN CRACKED SLIGHTLY OPEN
Parking brakeSET

Engine Start engine_start

Area around aircraft — clear of persons and obstructionsCLEAR
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT — confirm ON; not OFF
MixtureRICH (or as required per POH for altitude)
CAUTIONThe IO-550 is fuel-injected. Use the starting procedure (prime with boost pump, then start) specific to cold or hot engine conditions per the POH.
Boost pump — energise briefly for cold-start fuel prime per POHON MOMENTARILY THEN OFF; FUEL FLOW CONFIRMED
ThrottleCRACKED OPEN PER POH START PROCEDURE
Ignition switchSTART — engage starter
Oil pressure — confirm rise after startRISING WITHIN LIMITS PER POH
Throttle — after engine firesREDUCE TO IDLE RPM PER POH
Mixture — after startADJUST PER POH (RICH for normal ground ops)
Avionics master switchON
Alternator — check charging indicationCHARGING; AMMETER/LOADMETER INDICATES NORMALLY

After Start / Before Taxi after_start

Oil pressure and oil temperatureWITHIN NORMAL RANGE PER POH
Engine instruments — vacuum, fuel flow, cylinder head temperatureALL INDICATING NORMALLY
Flight instruments — gyro instruments erecting, altimeter setALTIMETER SET TO CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING; GYROS ERECT
Heading indicator — aligned with magnetic compassALIGNED
Navigation and communication radiosFREQUENCIES SET; VOLUMES ADJUSTED
TransponderSET AND IN STANDBY MODE
Lights — taxi and position lights as requiredON AS NEEDED
Parking brakeRELEASE WHEN READY TO TAXI

Run-Up / Before Takeoff before_takeoff

Parking brakeSET
Flight controls — full travelFREE AND CORRECT MOVEMENT
Trim tabs — elevator, rudder, and aileronSET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH
Fuel selectorFULLEST TANK OR PER POH; CONFIRM NOT OFF
MixtureRICH (or adjusted for field elevation per POH)
Engine run-up — advance throttle to run-up power per POHRPM STABILISED AT RUN-UP SETTING
Magneto check — left, right, and bothRPM DROP ON EACH MAG WITHIN LIMITS PER POH; NO EXCESSIVE SPREAD
Propeller cycle — advance to full forward, reduce RPM to observe drop, then advance back to fullRPM DROP NOTED; OIL CIRCULATES; CONTROL RETURNS SMOOTHLY
Propeller control — after cycleFULL FORWARD (high RPM) FOR TAKEOFF
Engine instruments at run-up powerOIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, FUEL FLOW, CHT ALL WITHIN LIMITS
Annunciator panelNO AMBER OR RED LIGHTS ILLUMINATED
Throttle — reduce to idle after run-upSMOOTH IDLE; ENGINE DOES NOT STUMBLE
Landing gear handle — confirm DOWN positionDOWN; THREE GREEN INDICATORS
Flaps — set for takeoffTAKEOFF POSITION PER POH; INDICATOR CONFIRMED
Doors and windowsLATCHED AND SECURED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED
Departure briefing and abort criteriaREVIEWED
TransponderALT (mode C)

Takeoff takeoff

Runway — confirm clear, correct headingCLEAR; CORRECT RUNWAY
Landing lightsON
MixtureRICH OR AS REQUIRED PER POH FOR FIELD ELEVATION
PropellerFULL FORWARD
Throttle — apply smoothly to full powerFULL POWER; ENGINE INSTRUMENTS IN GREEN
Directional control during roll — rudderMAINTAIN RUNWAY CENTRELINE
Airspeed — verify indication as aircraft acceleratesALIVE AND INCREASING
Rotate — lift off at rotation speedROTATE SMOOTHLY PER POH
Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb confirmedGEAR UP; TRANSITION TO THREE RED THEN LIGHTS OUT
Flaps — retract per POH after positive climb establishedUP; INDICATOR CONFIRMED

Climb climb

Airspeed — establish climb speedPER POH (Vy or Vx as appropriate)
Throttle and manifold pressureCLIMB POWER PER POH
Propeller — adjust RPM for climbCLIMB RPM PER POH
Mixture — adjust for altitude during climbLEANED PER POH OR EGT; ENRICH AS NEEDED IN TRAFFIC PATTERN
Landing gear handle and indicatorsUP AND LIGHTS OUT
FlapsUP AND CONFIRMED
Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, fuel flowALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS PER POH
Fuel selector — monitor tank balance; switch per POH fuel management scheduleAPPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED
Altimeter and heading indicatorSET AND CHECKED

Cruise cruise

Throttle — set cruise manifold pressureCRUISE POWER PER POH
Propeller — set cruise RPMCRUISE RPM PER POH
Mixture — lean to best power or best economy per operating conditionsLEANED PER POH AND EGT
Fuel selector — alternate tanks per POH fuel management scheduleAPPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED; BALANCE MAINTAINED
Engine instrumentsOIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMPERATURE, CHT, AND FUEL FLOW WITHIN LIMITS
Fuel quantity — both tanks checked periodicallyADEQUATE REMAINING FUEL; BOTH TANKS NOTED
Trim — all three axes adjusted for hands-off flightAIRCRAFT IN TRIM
Navigation — position confirmed against planON COURSE; ESTIMATED TIMES UPDATED
Weather — ATIS, PIREPs, or in-flight weather checked enrouteWEATHER REVIEWED; DESTINATION CONDITIONS ACCEPTABLE

Descent descent

Mixture — enrich gradually as altitude decreasesENRICHED PER POH AND ALTITUDE
Throttle — reduce power smoothly for descentDESCENT POWER PER POH; AVOID SHOCK COOLING
Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selectedLEFT OR RIGHT (per POH; NOT OFF)
Engine instruments — monitor throughout descentALL WITHIN LIMITS; CHT COOLING RATE ACCEPTABLE
ATIS — obtain destination weather and runway informationINFORMATION RECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED
AltimeterSET TO DESTINATION ALTIMETER SETTING
Heading indicator — verify alignment with compassALIGNED
Approach briefing — runway, expected pattern, and any special proceduresBRIEFED

Before Landing before_landing

Fuel selector — select fullest or specified tankLEFT OR RIGHT PER POH; CONFIRM NOT OFF
MixtureRICH (or as required by field elevation per POH)
PropellerFULL FORWARD (high RPM)
Landing gear — extend at or below gear operating speed (Vlo)GEAR DOWN; THREE GREEN CONFIRMED
Gear warning horn — verify silent with throttle advancedHORN SILENT AT CRUISE POWER; SOUNDS ON THROTTLE REDUCTION IF GEAR UP
Flaps — extend per POH for approach typeFLAP POSITION SET; INDICATOR CONFIRMED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED
Landing lightsON

Gear Check approach

Landing gear handle positionDOWN
Gear position indicators — three green lightsTHREE GREEN — CONFIRMED DOWN AND LOCKED
CAUTIONVerify gear down on every approach, even after a touch-and-go or go-around. Gear-up landings are the leading mishap for retractable-gear aircraft.

Landing landing

Final approach airspeedPER POH FOR WEIGHT AND FLAP CONFIGURATION
Three green gear lights — confirm before thresholdTHREE GREEN CONFIRMED
Flaps — confirm landing positionFLAPS AT SELECTED POSITION
Runway alignment — touch down on centrelineON CENTRELINE
Touchdown — main wheels first, then nose wheel lowered smoothlySMOOTH TOUCHDOWN; NOSE WHEEL LOWERED UNDER CONTROL
Brakes — apply after nose wheel is on the runwayBRAKING AS NEEDED; SMOOTH AND EVEN
Mixture — leave rich through landing roll for go-around capabilityRICH

Go-Around / Missed Approach go_around

ThrottleFULL POWER — apply smoothly
MixtureRICH
PropellerFULL FORWARD
Pitch — establish positive climb attitudeCLIMB ATTITUDE; AIRSPEED TO Vy PER POH
Flaps — retract incrementally per POH; do not raise all at once from full flapsSTAGED RETRACTION PER POH
Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb establishedGEAR UP; CONFIRMED
Airspeed — transition to normal climb speed after obstacles clearedPER POH
ATC — advise of go-around as appropriateADVISED

After Landing after_landing

FlapsRETRACT TO UP
TransponderSTANDBY OR AS DIRECTED BY ATC
Landing lightsOFF OR AS DESIRED
Mixture — lean to taxi setting if taxiing long distance on fuel-injected engineLEANED AS APPROPRIATE PER POH
Fuel selector — note which tank is selected for shutdown planningCONFIRM SELECTED TANK
Brakes — test gently during initial taxi from runwayEFFECTIVE

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

Parking brakeSET
Avionics master switchOFF (before killing alternator/bus)
Throttle — reduce to idle for cool-down period per POHIDLE; ENGINE COOLING AT LOW POWER
MixtureIDLE CUTOFF — pull to shutdown engine
Ignition switch — after engine stopsOFF
Master switchOFF
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT (not OFF unless required by local procedures or extended storage)
Control lockINSTALLED
Pitot coverINSTALLED
Hobbs/tach — record flight timeLOGGED
Squawks — note any discrepancies for maintenanceREVIEWED AND LOGGED AS NEEDED
Aircraft — tied down and chocked as requiredSECURED

Beechcraft Bonanza A36 — Normal Operating Procedures

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Preflight Walk-Around preflight_inspection

Cockpit Preparation / Before Start before_start

Engine Start engine_start

After Start / Before Taxi after_start

Run-Up / Before Takeoff before_takeoff

Takeoff takeoff

Climb climb

Cruise cruise

Descent descent

Before Landing before_landing

Gear Check approach

Landing landing

Go-Around / Missed Approach go_around

After Landing after_landing

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

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