# Beechcraft Bonanza A36 — Normal Operating Procedures

> **NOT FOR FLIGHT** — source fidelity: not_applicable | operational review: none | completeness: normal_only | 1 unresolved safety defect(s)

Normal operating procedures for the Beechcraft Bonanza A36 with Continental IO-550 fuel-injected engine, constant-speed propeller, and retractable tricycle gear. Covers preflight walk-around through shutdown and securing. All airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, manifold pressure values, and performance data must be taken from the specific aircraft POH. The IO-550 is fuel-injected — there is no carburetor heat. The fuel selector has three positions (LEFT, RIGHT, OFF); confirm the selected tank before every phase. The A36 has an emergency landing-gear extension handle; familiarise yourself with its location before flight. Not a substitute for qualified instruction or type-specific checkout.

> **safety_defect**: Contains no airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, or other numerical limitations — all must come from the specific aircraft POH.
> **content_gap**: Equipment and avionics vary across A36 airframes. Verify every item against the specific aircraft and its POH before use.

## Preflight Walk-Around

- [ ] Aircraft documents (ARROW) — **ON BOARD AND CURRENT**
- [ ] Weight and balance — **COMPUTED AND WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — visually confirm both tanks; compare with fuel gauges — **VERIFIED; ADEQUATE FOR FLIGHT WITH REQUIRED RESERVES PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel grade and appearance — sample fuel cap and gascolator sumps — **CORRECT GRADE PER POH; CLEAR, NO WATER OR SEDIMENT**
- [ ] Fuel caps — both tanks — **SECURELY SEATED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Fuel sump drains — left tank, right tank, and gascolator — **SAMPLED; CLEAR AND FREE OF CONTAMINATION**
- [ ] Engine oil level — dipstick checked and cap secured — **WITHIN OPERATING RANGE PER POH; CAP SECURE**
- [ ] Engine compartment — fuel injection lines, oil lines, hoses, and wiring — **NO LEAKS, CHAFING, OR LOOSE CONNECTIONS**
- [ ] Induction air filter and induction inlet — **UNOBSTRUCTED; FILTER CLEAN**
- [ ] Exhaust stacks and heat muffs — **NO CRACKS, LOOSE HARDWARE, OR CARBON SOOTING**
- [ ] Cowling — all fasteners — **CLOSED AND SECURED**
- [ ] Propeller blades — leading edges, tips, and faces for nicks, cracks, or erosion — **SERVICEABLE**
- [ ] Propeller spinner and back plate — **SECURE; NO CRACKS OR LOOSE SCREWS**
- [ ] Nose gear — strut extension, torque links, shimmy damper, and nose tire — **STRUT INFLATED NORMALLY; TIRE SERVICEABLE; HARDWARE SECURE**
- [ ] Nose gear doors and retraction linkage — **NO DAMAGE; LINKAGE SECURE**
- [ ] Pitot tube — cover removed, inlet clear — **COVER OFF; UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Static ports — both sides of fuselage — **CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Left wing leading edge and upper/lower skin — **NO DEFORMATION, FUEL STAINING, OR IMPACT DAMAGE**
- [ ] Left fuel filler cap and wing vent — **CAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR**
- [ ] Left aileron — hinges, control rod, balance weight, and travel — **SECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT**
- [ ] Left flap — hinge pins, actuator rod, and condition — **SECURE; NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Left wingtip — nav light and strobe lens — **UNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Left main gear — strut extension, tire condition and inflation, brake assembly, and gear door — **STRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Fuselage — skin condition, antennas, baggage door latched, and cabin door seals — **NO DAMAGE; ANTENNAS SECURE; DOORS LATCHED**
- [ ] Horizontal stabilizer, elevator, and trim tab — both sides — **UNDAMAGED; HINGES SECURE; NO EXCESSIVE PLAY**
- [ ] Vertical stabilizer and rudder — hinges and travel — **UNDAMAGED; FREE MOVEMENT**
- [ ] Tail beacon and lighting — **LENS INTACT; SECURE**
- [ ] ELT — armed switch position and antenna connection — **ARMED; ANTENNA CONNECTED**
- [ ] Right main gear — strut, tire, brakes, and gear door — **STRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Right flap and right aileron — condition and full travel — **SECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT; NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Right wing leading edge, fuel cap, and vent — **NO DAMAGE; CAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR**
- [ ] Right wingtip — nav light and strobe lens — **UNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Tiedowns, chocks, and any gust locks — **ALL REMOVED**

## Cockpit Preparation / Before Start

- [ ] POH — aboard and accessible — **ON BOARD**
- [ ] Seats — position adjusted and seat-back locked; seat belts and shoulder harnesses — **ADJUSTED, LOCKED, AND FASTENED**
- [ ] Control lock — **REMOVED**
- [ ] Flight controls — full travel check — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (before applying battery power)**
- [ ] Master switch (battery) — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel quantity gauges — **CHECK — consistent with visual inspection**
- [ ] Annunciator panel — press-to-test — **ALL LAMPS ILLUMINATE ON TEST; NONE REMAIN LIT AFTER TEST**
- [ ] Landing gear position indicators — **THREE GREEN; DOWN-AND-LOCKED CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Gear warning horn — confirm audible with throttle retarded — **HORN SOUNDS**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT (fullest tank or per POH; NOT OFF)**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH**
- [ ] Rudder trim — **SET NEUTRAL OR PER POH**
- [ ] Aileron trim — **SET NEUTRAL OR PER POH**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP — confirmed by position indicator**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD (high RPM)**
- [ ] Mixture control — **RICH (or adjusted per POH for field elevation)**
- [ ] Throttle — **CLOSED, THEN CRACKED SLIGHTLY OPEN**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**

## Engine Start

- [ ] Area around aircraft — clear of persons and obstructions — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT — confirm ON; not OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or as required per POH for altitude)**
> **CAUTION:** The 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 POH — **ON MOMENTARILY THEN OFF; FUEL FLOW CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Throttle — **CRACKED OPEN PER POH START PROCEDURE**
- [ ] Ignition switch — **START — engage starter**
- [ ] Oil pressure — confirm rise after start — **RISING WITHIN LIMITS PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle — after engine fires — **REDUCE TO IDLE RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — after start — **ADJUST PER POH (RICH for normal ground ops)**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **ON**
- [ ] Alternator — check charging indication — **CHARGING; AMMETER/LOADMETER INDICATES NORMALLY**

## After Start / Before Taxi

- [ ] Oil pressure and oil temperature — **WITHIN NORMAL RANGE PER POH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — vacuum, fuel flow, cylinder head temperature — **ALL INDICATING NORMALLY**
- [ ] Flight instruments — gyro instruments erecting, altimeter set — **ALTIMETER SET TO CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING; GYROS ERECT**
- [ ] Heading indicator — aligned with magnetic compass — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] Navigation and communication radios — **FREQUENCIES SET; VOLUMES ADJUSTED**
- [ ] Transponder — **SET AND IN STANDBY MODE**
- [ ] Lights — taxi and position lights as required — **ON AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Parking brake — **RELEASE WHEN READY TO TAXI**

## Run-Up / Before Takeoff

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Flight controls — full travel — **FREE AND CORRECT MOVEMENT**
- [ ] Trim tabs — elevator, rudder, and aileron — **SET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **FULLEST TANK OR PER POH; CONFIRM NOT OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or adjusted for field elevation per POH)**
- [ ] Engine run-up — advance throttle to run-up power per POH — **RPM STABILISED AT RUN-UP SETTING**
- [ ] Magneto check — left, right, and both — **RPM 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 full — **RPM DROP NOTED; OIL CIRCULATES; CONTROL RETURNS SMOOTHLY**
- [ ] Propeller control — after cycle — **FULL FORWARD (high RPM) FOR TAKEOFF**
- [ ] Engine instruments at run-up power — **OIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, FUEL FLOW, CHT ALL WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Annunciator panel — **NO AMBER OR RED LIGHTS ILLUMINATED**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle after run-up — **SMOOTH IDLE; ENGINE DOES NOT STUMBLE**
- [ ] Landing gear handle — confirm DOWN position — **DOWN; THREE GREEN INDICATORS**
- [ ] Flaps — set for takeoff — **TAKEOFF POSITION PER POH; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Doors and windows — **LATCHED AND SECURED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED**
- [ ] Departure briefing and abort criteria — **REVIEWED**
- [ ] Transponder — **ALT (mode C)**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Runway — confirm clear, correct heading — **CLEAR; CORRECT RUNWAY**
- [ ] Landing lights — **ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH OR AS REQUIRED PER POH FOR FIELD ELEVATION**
- [ ] Propeller — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — apply smoothly to full power — **FULL POWER; ENGINE INSTRUMENTS IN GREEN**
- [ ] Directional control during roll — rudder — **MAINTAIN RUNWAY CENTRELINE**
- [ ] Airspeed — verify indication as aircraft accelerates — **ALIVE AND INCREASING**
- [ ] Rotate — lift off at rotation speed — **ROTATE SMOOTHLY PER POH**
- [ ] Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb confirmed — **GEAR UP; TRANSITION TO THREE RED THEN LIGHTS OUT**
- [ ] Flaps — retract per POH after positive climb established — **UP; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**

## Climb

- [ ] Airspeed — establish climb speed — **PER POH (Vy or Vx as appropriate)**
- [ ] Throttle and manifold pressure — **CLIMB POWER PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller — adjust RPM for climb — **CLIMB RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — adjust for altitude during climb — **LEANED PER POH OR EGT; ENRICH AS NEEDED IN TRAFFIC PATTERN**
- [ ] Landing gear handle and indicators — **UP AND LIGHTS OUT**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP AND CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, fuel flow — **ALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — monitor tank balance; switch per POH fuel management schedule — **APPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED**
- [ ] Altimeter and heading indicator — **SET AND CHECKED**

## Cruise

- [ ] Throttle — set cruise manifold pressure — **CRUISE POWER PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller — set cruise RPM — **CRUISE RPM PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — lean to best power or best economy per operating conditions — **LEANED PER POH AND EGT**
- [ ] Fuel selector — alternate tanks per POH fuel management schedule — **APPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED; BALANCE MAINTAINED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — **OIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMPERATURE, CHT, AND FUEL FLOW WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — both tanks checked periodically — **ADEQUATE REMAINING FUEL; BOTH TANKS NOTED**
- [ ] Trim — all three axes adjusted for hands-off flight — **AIRCRAFT IN TRIM**
- [ ] Navigation — position confirmed against plan — **ON COURSE; ESTIMATED TIMES UPDATED**
- [ ] Weather — ATIS, PIREPs, or in-flight weather checked enroute — **WEATHER REVIEWED; DESTINATION CONDITIONS ACCEPTABLE**

## Descent

- [ ] Mixture — enrich gradually as altitude decreases — **ENRICHED PER POH AND ALTITUDE**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce power smoothly for descent — **DESCENT POWER PER POH; AVOID SHOCK COOLING**
- [ ] Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selected — **LEFT OR RIGHT (per POH; NOT OFF)**
- [ ] Engine instruments — monitor throughout descent — **ALL WITHIN LIMITS; CHT COOLING RATE ACCEPTABLE**
- [ ] ATIS — obtain destination weather and runway information — **INFORMATION RECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED**
- [ ] Altimeter — **SET TO DESTINATION ALTIMETER SETTING**
- [ ] Heading indicator — verify alignment with compass — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] Approach briefing — runway, expected pattern, and any special procedures — **BRIEFED**

## Before Landing

- [ ] Fuel selector — select fullest or specified tank — **LEFT OR RIGHT PER POH; CONFIRM NOT OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or as required by field elevation per POH)**
- [ ] Propeller — **FULL 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 advanced — **HORN SILENT AT CRUISE POWER; SOUNDS ON THROTTLE REDUCTION IF GEAR UP**
- [ ] Flaps — extend per POH for approach type — **FLAP POSITION SET; INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED**
- [ ] Landing lights — **ON**

## Gear Check

- [ ] Landing gear handle position — **DOWN**
- [ ] Gear position indicators — three green lights — **THREE GREEN — CONFIRMED DOWN AND LOCKED**
> **CAUTION:** Verify 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

- [ ] Final approach airspeed — **PER POH FOR WEIGHT AND FLAP CONFIGURATION**
- [ ] Three green gear lights — confirm before threshold — **THREE GREEN CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flaps — confirm landing position — **FLAPS AT SELECTED POSITION**
- [ ] Runway alignment — touch down on centreline — **ON CENTRELINE**
- [ ] Touchdown — main wheels first, then nose wheel lowered smoothly — **SMOOTH TOUCHDOWN; NOSE WHEEL LOWERED UNDER CONTROL**
- [ ] Brakes — apply after nose wheel is on the runway — **BRAKING AS NEEDED; SMOOTH AND EVEN**
- [ ] Mixture — leave rich through landing roll for go-around capability — **RICH**

## Go-Around / Missed Approach

- [ ] Throttle — **FULL POWER — apply smoothly**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Propeller — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Pitch — establish positive climb attitude — **CLIMB ATTITUDE; AIRSPEED TO Vy PER POH**
- [ ] Flaps — retract incrementally per POH; do not raise all at once from full flaps — **STAGED RETRACTION PER POH**
- [ ] Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb established — **GEAR UP; CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Airspeed — transition to normal climb speed after obstacles cleared — **PER POH**
- [ ] ATC — advise of go-around as appropriate — **ADVISED**

## After Landing

- [ ] Flaps — **RETRACT TO UP**
- [ ] Transponder — **STANDBY OR AS DIRECTED BY ATC**
- [ ] Landing lights — **OFF OR AS DESIRED**
- [ ] Mixture — lean to taxi setting if taxiing long distance on fuel-injected engine — **LEANED AS APPROPRIATE PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel selector — note which tank is selected for shutdown planning — **CONFIRM SELECTED TANK**
- [ ] Brakes — test gently during initial taxi from runway — **EFFECTIVE**

## Shutdown and Securing

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (before killing alternator/bus)**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle for cool-down period per POH — **IDLE; ENGINE COOLING AT LOW POWER**
- [ ] Mixture — **IDLE CUTOFF — pull to shutdown engine**
- [ ] Ignition switch — after engine stops — **OFF**
- [ ] Master switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **LEFT OR RIGHT (not OFF unless required by local procedures or extended storage)**
- [ ] Control lock — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Pitot cover — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Hobbs/tach — record flight time — **LOGGED**
- [ ] Squawks — note any discrepancies for maintenance — **REVIEWED AND LOGGED AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Aircraft — tied down and chocked as required — **SECURED**

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NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: not_applicable | operational review: none | completeness: normal_only | 1 unresolved safety defect(s)  
Source: authored — no source document  
Rights: original_expression CC-BY-4.0  
Checklist hash: 06f8d9132b413fe28b2ee141c5eb9dbcbc27dd62f63699bd29cdb6a47042b4e1  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.