# Cessna 152 — Normal Operating Procedures (independently worded)

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

Normal procedure checklist for the Cessna 152, a fixed-gear, fixed-pitch single-engine trainer produced 1977–1985 with the Lycoming O-235 engine. Electric flaps and a carb heat system that is particularly critical to use on this type. No airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, or other numerical limits are stated — those must come from the specific aircraft's POH. Verify every item against the actual aircraft before flight.

> **safety_defect**: Contains no airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, temperatures, or other numerical limitations. This file cannot serve as a complete working checklist until those values are supplied from the aircraft's POH.
> **content_gap**: Equipment variations exist across the 152 production run. Confirm each item reflects the specific aircraft's installed equipment before use.

## Preflight Walk-Around

- [ ] Aircraft documents (airworthiness certificate, registration, POH, weight and balance) — **ON BOARD AND CURRENT**
- [ ] Required placards and markings — **IN PLACE AND LEGIBLE**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — visually verify each tank with dipstick or sight gauge — **CONFIRMED, ADEQUATE FOR PLANNED FLIGHT**
- [ ] Fuel caps — both tanks — **SECURED**
- [ ] Fuel sumps (both tank drains and gascolator) — drain and check for water and correct grade — **CLEAR, CORRECT GRADE**
- [ ] Engine oil level — **WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGE PER POH**
- [ ] Oil filler cap — **REPLACED AND SECURED**
- [ ] Engine compartment — inspect for fluid leaks, loose hoses, bird nests, and foreign objects — **CLEAR AND SECURE**
- [ ] Cowling fasteners — **SECURE**
- [ ] Propeller and spinner — inspect for nicks, cracks, corrosion, and security — **SERVICEABLE, SPINNER SECURE**
- [ ] Nose gear strut and tire — check inflation, shimmy damper, and condition — **ADEQUATE AND UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Left main gear — strut, tire, and brake — **INFLATED, BRAKE PADS ADEQUATE, NO LEAKS**
- [ ] Left wing leading edge, skin, and fuel tank sump drain area — **NO DAMAGE OR DEFORMATION**
- [ ] Left aileron, hinges, and control rod — check for security and freedom of movement — **FREE AND SECURE**
- [ ] Left wingtip and navigation light — **UNDAMAGED, LIGHT LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Flaps — inspect hinges, actuator arm, and skin; check for correct retracted position — **UNDAMAGED, RETRACTED**
  <sub>The 152 uses electrically operated flaps. Inspect the actuator linkage on each side for security.</sub>
- [ ] Stall warning opening (left leading edge) — verify clear and vane moves freely — **CLEAR AND FUNCTIONAL**
- [ ] Tail — horizontal stabilizer, elevator, trim tab, and rudder — **SECURE, FREE MOVEMENT, NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Antennas — **SECURE AND UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Right wing — mirror of left side checks (wingtip, aileron, leading edge, fuel sump, gear) — **NO DAMAGE, ALL SECURE**
- [ ] Right main gear — strut, tire, and brake — **INFLATED, BRAKE PADS ADEQUATE, NO LEAKS**
- [ ] Pitot tube — cover removed, opening clear of obstructions — **COVER REMOVED, UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Static ports — check both sides clear — **UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Tie-down ropes and chocks — **REMOVED**

## Cockpit Preparation / Before Start

- [ ] Pilot and passenger briefing — seatbelts, door latching, no smoking, emergency exits — **COMPLETE**
- [ ] Seats — position adjusted for full rudder and brake pedal travel, seat track locked — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harness — **FASTENED AND SNUG**
- [ ] Control lock — **REMOVED AND STOWED**
- [ ] Flight controls — check for full and unobstructed travel in all axes — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] All electrical switches — **OFF**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (leave off during start)**
- [ ] Fuel selector valve — **BOTH ON**
- [ ] Flap switch — confirm flaps up — **UP, INDICATOR CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET TO TAKEOFF POSITION**
- [ ] Mixture control — **RICH (full forward for sea-level operations)**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — **COLD (OFF)**
- [ ] Circuit breakers — **ALL IN**
- [ ] Brakes — test for firm pressure while stationary — **FIRM AND HOLDING**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**

## Engine Start

- [ ] Master switch (battery) — **ON**
- [ ] Beacon / anti-collision light — **ON**
- [ ] Throttle — **OPEN APPROXIMATELY ONE-QUARTER INCH**
- [ ] Primer — use as required for conditions; lock securely after use — **AS REQUIRED, LOCKED IN**
  <sub>Cold starts generally require more priming strokes than warm restarts. Confirm primer is fully in and locked to prevent uncontrolled fuel delivery during start.</sub>
- [ ] Visually verify the propeller arc is clear of personnel and obstructions, then call 'CLEAR PROP'
- [ ] Ignition switch — **START — RELEASE AS SOON AS ENGINE FIRES**
- [ ] Throttle — after start — **REDUCE TO IDLE WARM-UP RPM**
- [ ] Oil pressure — **RISING WITHIN 30 SECONDS — IF NOT, SHUT DOWN**
- [ ] Ammeter — **POSITIVE CHARGE INDICATION**
- [ ] Avionics master — **ON**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil temp, oil pressure — **CHECKED, WARMING**

## After Start / Before Taxi

- [ ] ATIS or local weather — **OBTAINED AND NOTED**
- [ ] Taxi clearance from ground control — **OBTAINED, OR FIELD CLEAR**
- [ ] Transponder — **CODE SET, ALTITUDE MODE**
- [ ] Altimeter — **SET TO CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING; FIELD ELEVATION CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Directional gyro / heading indicator — **ALIGNED WITH MAGNETIC COMPASS**
- [ ] Flight instruments — airspeed, attitude indicator, turn coordinator — **CHECKED (AIRSPEED ZERO, GYROS ERECT)**
- [ ] Radios and avionics — **SET FOR DEPARTURE**
- [ ] Lights — as required for conditions and traffic — **SET**

## Run-Up / Before Takeoff

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Engine oil temperature and pressure — **IN GREEN ARCS**
- [ ] Fuel selector valve — **BOTH ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (ADJUST FOR DENSITY ALTITUDE PER POH)**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — **COLD (OFF) BEFORE ADVANCING TO RUN-UP POWER**
- [ ] Throttle — advance to run-up power per POH — **RUN-UP RPM SET**
- [ ] Magnetos — check LEFT, then RIGHT, then BOTH; note RPM drop on each — **DROPS WITHIN POH LIMITS; RETURNS TO BOTH**
  <sub>Maximum allowable RPM drop on a single magneto and the maximum spread between magnetos are specified in the POH. Excessive drop or rough running requires investigation before flight.</sub>
- [ ] Carburetor heat — apply FULL HOT; note RPM response; return to COLD — **RPM DROP CONFIRMS HEAT FUNCTIONING; RETURNED TO COLD**
  <sub>A slight RPM drop on HOT is normal. A rough-running engine followed by a recovery indicates ice was present. Return carb heat to COLD for takeoff. This check is especially important on the 152 — the O-235 is susceptible to carb ice.</sub>
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle; verify smooth idle — **IDLE SMOOTH AND STABLE**
- [ ] Suction / vacuum gauge — **IN GREEN ARC**
- [ ] Ammeter and electrical — **AMMETER POSITIVE, NO CIRCUIT BREAKERS TRIPPED**
- [ ] Flight controls — final check for full and correct deflection — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Flaps — set for departure per POH and conditions — **SET AS REQUIRED, POSITION CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **TAKEOFF POSITION**
- [ ] Takeoff briefing — abort point, engine-failure action, departure routing — **BRIEFED**
- [ ] Doors and windows — **CLOSED AND LATCHED**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — confirm COLD before applying takeoff power — **COLD**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Runway — confirm correct runway and that it is clear — **CONFIRMED CLEAR**
- [ ] Transponder — **ALTITUDE (ALT) MODE**
- [ ] Throttle — advance smoothly to full power — **FULL POWER**
- [ ] Engine instruments at full power — **RPM AND INDICATIONS IN RANGE**
- [ ] Maintain directional control with rudder — correct for left-turning tendency with right rudder
- [ ] Rotate at speed per POH and establish climb attitude — **CLIMB ATTITUDE ESTABLISHED**

## Climb

- [ ] Airspeed — establish normal climb speed per POH (Vy or Vx as required) — **CLIMB SPEED PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle — **FULL POWER (OR CRUISE CLIMB PER POH)**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — **COLD UNLESS ICING CONDITIONS SUSPECTED**
  <sub>Apply carb heat if operating in visible moisture or in the temperature range susceptible to carb ice. Check for a response (RPM change) to confirm effectiveness.</sub>
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH OR LEANED FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE FIELDS PER POH**
- [ ] Flaps — retract at safe altitude with positive rate of climb if used for takeoff — **UP**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil temperature and pressure — **IN GREEN ARCS**
- [ ] Trim — **ADJUSTED FOR HANDS-OFF CLIMB**
- [ ] Scan for traffic; make frequency changes and position reports as required

## Cruise

- [ ] Throttle — set desired cruise power per POH performance tables — **CRUISE POWER SET**
- [ ] Mixture — lean per POH for altitude and power setting — **LEANED PER POH**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — apply if icing conditions are likely; otherwise COLD — **COLD OR ON AS CONDITIONS WARRANT**
  <sub>Carb ice can form across a wide temperature range in moist air. Periodic carb heat checks during cruise are good practice on this type.</sub>
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil temperature, oil pressure, ammeter — **IN NORMAL RANGE**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — compare gauge readings against elapsed time and planned fuel burn — **ADEQUATE FOR DESTINATION PLUS LEGAL RESERVE**
- [ ] Altimeter and directional gyro — **CHECK AND RESET AS REQUIRED EN ROUTE**
- [ ] Trim — **ADJUSTED FOR LEVEL FLIGHT**
- [ ] Maintain altitude, track, and traffic scan; cross-check position against chart or GPS

## Descent

- [ ] Carburetor heat — apply FULL HOT before reducing power for descent — **ON BEFORE POWER REDUCTION**
  <sub>Carb ice is most likely to form during power reductions in moist air. Apply heat before throttling back, not after.</sub>
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to desired descent power; avoid prolonged idle — **DESCENT POWER SET**
- [ ] Mixture — enrichen progressively as descending — **ENRICHING WITH DESCENT**
- [ ] Altimeter — **SET TO DESTINATION OR CURRENT AREA SETTING**
- [ ] ATIS or destination weather — **OBTAINED — ACTIVE RUNWAY AND WINDS NOTED**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH ON (CONFIRMED)**
- [ ] Engine instruments — **ALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS**

## Before Landing

- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **SECURE**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — apply FULL HOT before reducing power on approach — **ON**
  <sub>Apply carb heat before the power reduction for approach. Return to COLD in the event of a go-around.</sub>
- [ ] Landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Flaps — extend to desired setting per POH for approach type — **SET AS REQUIRED, POSITION CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Approach airspeed — **ESTABLISHED PER POH FOR FLAP CONFIGURATION**
- [ ] Runway — confirm clear and cleared to land or traffic clear — **CONFIRMED CLEAR**

## Landing

- [ ] Final approach — maintain stabilized airspeed per POH to the threshold — **APPROACH SPEED PER POH**
- [ ] Begin flare smoothly over the threshold; arrest the rate of descent and allow airspeed to bleed
- [ ] Touch down on main wheels in level or slightly nose-high attitude; keep nosewheel off as long as practical
- [ ] After touchdown, maintain centerline with rudder and allow speed to reduce before heavy braking
- [ ] Brakes — apply smoothly and progressively as required to stop in available runway — **APPLIED AS REQUIRED**
- [ ] Carburetor heat — **COLD (OFF) AFTER CONFIRMED ON GROUND**

## Go-Around (ABNORMAL)

- [ ] Throttle `MEMORY` — **FULL POWER — SMOOTH AND IMMEDIATE**
- [ ] Carburetor heat `MEMORY` — **COLD (OFF)**
  <sub>Carb heat reduces available power. Set COLD simultaneously with or just after applying full throttle.</sub>
- [ ] Pitch attitude — establish positive climb; arrest any sink `MEMORY` — **CLIMB ATTITUDE ESTABLISHED**
- [ ] Flaps — retract incrementally to takeoff position first; never retract all at once from full flaps `MEMORY` — **RETRACTED INCREMENTALLY PER POH**
- [ ] Airspeed — maintain at or above best rate-of-climb speed; retract remaining flaps as speed and altitude allow — **VY OR PER POH**
- [ ] Trim — **ADJUST FOR CLIMB**
- [ ] Advise ATC and maintain awareness of other traffic in the pattern

## After Landing

- [ ] Carburetor heat — **COLD (OFF)**
- [ ] Flaps — **RETRACTED (UP)**
- [ ] Landing light — **OFF (OR PER PREFERENCE)**
- [ ] Transponder — **STANDBY OR AS DIRECTED**
- [ ] Taxi clear of the active runway before running the shutdown checklist

## Shutdown and Securing

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Avionics master and all electrical accessories — **OFF**
- [ ] Throttle — **IDLE**
- [ ] Allow engine to run at idle briefly to cool cylinder heads before shutting down
- [ ] Mixture — **IDLE CUT-OFF (PULL FULL AFT)**
- [ ] Ignition switch — after propeller stops — **OFF**
- [ ] Master switch (battery) — **OFF**
- [ ] Control lock — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH ON OR OFF PER LOCAL PRACTICE**
- [ ] Tie-downs, chocks, and pitot cover — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Complete post-flight walk-around — note any leaks, damage, or discrepancies in the aircraft log

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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: 28acbf3fd37a7185fcc2514f9b6604c506454e0f3c18d85f7683417bcb3ba445  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.