# Cessna 172N _ 172M Skyhawk — c172n

> **NOT FOR FLIGHT** — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full

> **content_gap**: Section "Light Signals" item count differs between passes (12 vs 6); verify nothing was dropped.
> **content_gap**: Section "V-Speeds (KIAS)" item count differs between passes (16 vs 15); verify nothing was dropped.

## Preflight Inspection

**Cockpit**
- [ ] Aircraft docs (ARROW) — **Check**
- [ ] Weight & Balance — **Check**
- [ ] Parking Brake — **Set**
- [ ] Control wheel lock — **Remove**
- [ ] Hobbs/Tach — **Check/Remove**
- [ ] Ignition — **Off**
- [ ] Avionics Power Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Master Switch — **On**
- [ ] Fuel quantity indicators — **Check**
- [ ] Pitot Heat — **On**
- [ ] Avionics Master Switch — **On**
- [ ] Avionics Cooling Fan — **Audible**
- [ ] Avionics Master Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Static Pressure Alt Src Valve — **Off**
- [ ] Annunciator Panel Switch — **Test**
- [ ] Annunciator's Illuminate — **Check**
- [ ] Annunciator Panel Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Flaps — **Extend**
- [ ] Pitot Heat — **Off**
- [ ] Master Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Pitot Tube — **Test for Heat**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **On (In)**
**Fuselage and Empenage**
- [ ] Baggage Door — **Closed & Locked**
- [ ] Rivets — **Check**
- [ ] Rudder Gust Lock — **Remove**
- [ ] Tail Tie-Down — **Disconnect**
- [ ] Control surfaces — **Free & Secure**
- [ ] Trim Tab — **Check Security**
- [ ] Antennas — **Check Security**
**Right wing**
- [ ] Wing tie-down — **Disconnect**
- [ ] Aileron — **Free and Secure**
- [ ] Flaps — **Secure**
- [ ] Main wheel tire — **Inflated/Cond**
- [ ] Brakes — **Not Leaking**
- [ ] Fuel tank sump — **Sample**
- [ ] Fuel Quantity — **Check**
- [ ] Fuel Filler cap — **Secure**
**Nose**
- [ ] Engine oil level — **Check**
- [ ] Fuel strainer — **Sample**
- [ ] Propeller and spinner — **Check**
- [ ] Alternator belt — **Check**
- [ ] Air intake — **Check**
- [ ] Carburetor air filter — **Check**
- [ ] Landing lights — **Check**
- [ ] Nose wheel strut & tire — **Check**
- [ ] Nose-Tie down — **Disconnect**
- [ ] Static source opening — **Check**
**Left Wing**
- [ ] Wing tie-down — **Disconnect**
- [ ] Aileron — **Free and Secure**
- [ ] Flaps — **Secure**
- [ ] Main wheel tire — **Inflated/Cond**
- [ ] Brakes — **Not Leaking**
- [ ] Fuel tank vent open — **Check**
- [ ] Fuel tank sump — **Sample**
- [ ] Fuel Quantity — **Check**
- [ ] Fuel Filler cap — **Secure**
- [ ] Pitot tube — **Uncover and Check**
- [ ] Stall warning — **Check**
- [ ] Landing/Taxi Light(s) — **Clean/Cond**

## Before starting engine

- [ ] Preflight inspection — **Complete**
- [ ] Passenger Briefing — **Complete**
- [ ] Seats, belts — **Adjust & Lock**
- [ ] Doors — **Closed & Locked**
- [ ] Brakes — **Test & Set**
- [ ] Circuit breakers — **Check In**
- [ ] Electrical Equip/Autopilot — **Off**
- [ ] Avionics Power Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Fuel Selector Valve — **Both**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **On (In)**

## Starting Engine

- [ ] Throttle — **Open 1/4 inch**
- [ ] Mixture — **Rich (IN)**
- [ ] Carb heat — **Cold (IN)**
- [ ] Prime — **As required; locked**
- [ ] Aux Fuel Pump — **On**
- [ ] Propeller area — **Clear**
- [ ] Master Switch — **On**
- [ ] Beacon — **On**
- [ ] Ignition — **Start**
- [ ] Throttle — **Adjust 1000 rpm**
- [ ] Oil Pressure — **Check normal**
- [ ] Aux Fuel Pump — **Off**
- [ ] Avionics Master Switch — **On**
- [ ] Radios — **On**
- [ ] Transponder — **Standby**
- [ ] Flaps — **Up**
- [ ] Ammeter — **Check**
- [ ] Heading Indicator — **Set**
- [ ] ATIS/AWOS/ASOS — **Obtain**
- [ ] Altimeter — **Set**
- [ ] Autopilot — **Engage**
- [ ] Flight Controls — **Move Against AP**
- [ ] Autopilot — **Disconnect (Sound)**
- [ ] Departure &Taxi Clrnce — **Contact**

## Before Takeoff

- [ ] Parking brake — **Set**
- [ ] Cabin doors — **Closed & Locked**
- [ ] Seats, belts — **Adjust & Lock**
- [ ] Flight controls — **Free & Correct**
- [ ] Instruments (4) — **Set**
- [ ] Fuel Quantity — **Check**
- [ ] Fuel Shutoff Valve — **On**
- [ ] Mixture — **Rich (IN)**
- [ ] Fuel Selector Valve — **Both**
- [ ] Elevator Trim — **Set for TAKEOFF**
- [ ] Throttle — **1800 rpm**
    - [ ] Magnetos — **Check**
    - [ ] Suction gage — **Check**
    - [ ] Engine Instruments — **Check**
    - [ ] Ammeter — **Check**
    - [ ] Mixture — **Set for Density Alt**
    - [ ] Carb heat — **On**
    - [ ] Annunciator Panel — **Clear**
- [ ] Throttle — **1000 rpm**
- [ ] Throttle Friction Lock — **Adjust**
- [ ] Strobe Lights — **On**
- [ ] Radios/Avionics — **Set**
- [ ] Autopilot — **Off**
- [ ] Flaps — **Set for Takeoff (00-100)**
- [ ] Parking Brake — **Release**
- [ ] Windows — **Closed**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Flaps — **Up**
- [ ] Carb heat — **Cold (In)**
- [ ] Transponder — **Altitude**
- [ ] Trim — **set for TAKEOFF**
- [ ] Throttle — **Full**
- [ ] Tach, oil, airspeed — **Check**
- [ ] Elevator — **Lift at 55 KIAS**
- [ ] Climb — **70-80 KIAS**

## Cruise

- [ ] Pitch — **Set**
- [ ] Throttle — **As required**
- [ ] Trim — **Set**
- [ ] Mixture — **Adjust**

## Pre-landing checklist

- [ ] Fuel selector — **On**
- [ ] Mixture — **Rich**
- [ ] Carb Heat — **On**
- [ ] Seatbelts — **Fastened**

## Approach

- [ ] Flight instruments — **Ckd & Set**
- [ ] Radios — **Checked**
- [ ] ATIS — **Checked**
- [ ] Carb Heat — **On (Out)**
- [ ] Mixture — **Rich**
- [ ] Landing light — **On**
- [ ] Airspeed — **65-75 KIAS (Flaps Up)**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60-70 KIAS (Flaps Dn)**

## After landing

- [ ] Flaps — **Up**
- [ ] Carb Heat — **Cold (In)**
- [ ] Transponder — **Standby**
- [ ] Landing light — **Off**

## Parking

- [ ] Avionics — **Off**
- [ ] Electrical — **Off**
- [ ] Throttle — **1000 RPM**
- [ ] Mixture — **Cut-off**
- [ ] Ignition switch — **Off**
- [ ] Master switch — **Off**

## Securing the aircraft

- [ ] Control Lock — **Install**
- [ ] Hobbs/Tach — **Record**
- [ ] Door/Window — **Secure**
- [ ] Tie-downs — **Secure**

## Short field take-off

- [ ] Take-off checklist — **Complete**
- [ ] Taxi — **Max runway**
- [ ] Brakes — **Set and hold**
- [ ] Flaps — **10**
- [ ] Throttle — **Full**
- [ ] Brakes — **Release**
- [ ] Climb — **57 KIAS**
- [ ] Flaps — **Retract when clear**
- [ ] Airspeed — **67 KIAS**

## Short field landing

- [ ] Pre-landing check — **Complete**
- [ ] Approach — **62 KIAS**
- [ ] Flaps — **30**
- [ ] Throttle — **Maintain glide**
- [ ] Touchdown — **Power Off**
- [ ] Flaps — **Up**
- [ ] Elevator — **Full up**
- [ ] Braking — **Heavy as required**

## Soft field take-off

- [ ] Take-off checklist — **Complete**
- [ ] Flaps — **10**
- [ ] Taxi — **keep rolling**
- [ ] Climb — **54 KIAS**
- [ ] Flaps — **retract**
- [ ] Airspeed — **67 KIAS**

## Soft field landing

- [ ] Pre-landing check — **Complete**
- [ ] Throttle — **1500 RPM**
- [ ] Flaps — **10**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60 KIAS**
- [ ] Touchdown — **Main first, softly**
- [ ] Landing roll — **Nose wheel up**
- [ ] Elevator — **Up**
- [ ] Braking — **As required**

## Go-around

- [ ] Throttle — **Full**
- [ ] Carb Heat — **Cold (In)**
- [ ] Flaps — **20**
- [ ] Climb — **55 KIAS**
- [ ] Flaps — **10**
- [ ] Climb — **60 KIAS**
- [ ] Flaps — **Up**
- [ ] Climb — **>60 KIAS**

## Engine failure - TAKEOFF (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Throttle `MEMORY` — **Idle**
- [ ] Brakes `MEMORY` — **Apply**
- [ ] Flaps `MEMORY` — **Retract**
- [ ] Mixture `MEMORY` — **IDLE cut-off**
- [ ] Ignition `MEMORY` — **Off**
- [ ] Master switch `MEMORY` — **Off**

## Engine failure - AFTER TAKEOFF (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Airspeed — **65 KIAS (flaps UP)**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60 KIAS (flaps DN)**
- [ ] Mixture — **Idle Cut-off**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **Off (Out)**
- [ ] Ignition — **Off**
- [ ] Flaps — **As Required**
- [ ] Master switch — **Off**
- [ ] Cabin Doors — **Unlatch**
- [ ] Land — **Straight Ahead**

## Engine failure - DURING FLIGHT (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Airspeed — **65 KIAS**
**LOOK FOR A FIELD**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **On (In)**
- [ ] Fuel selector valve — **Both**
- [ ] Aux Fuel Pump Switch — **On**
- [ ] Primer — **In & Locked**
- [ ] Mixture — **Rich**
- [ ] Ignition — **BOTH (or START)**
- [ ] Airspeed — **65 KIAS (flaps UP)**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60 KIAS (flaps DN)**
- [ ] Mixture — **Idle Cut-off**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **Off (Out)**
- [ ] Ignition — **Off**
- [ ] Flaps — **As Required**
- [ ] Mayday — **Transmit 121.5**
- [ ] Mayday — **Squawk 7700**
- [ ] Master switch — **Off**
- [ ] Cabin Doors — **Unlatch**
- [ ] Touchdown — **Tail Low**

## Carburetor Icing (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Throttle — **Full**
- [ ] Carb Heat — **On (Out)**
- [ ] Mixture — **Adjust**

## Engine Roughness (ABNORMAL)

- [ ] Magnetos — **Check**
- [ ] Mixture — **Lean as necessary**

## Engine Fire during start (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Crank — **Continue**
- [ ] Power — **1700 RPM (2 min)**
- [ ] Engine — **Shut down and inspect**

## Engine Fire during flight (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Mixture — **Idle Cut-off**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **Off (Out)**
- [ ] Master Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Boost Pump — **Off**
- [ ] Cabin Heat/Air — **Off**
- [ ] Airspeed — **100 KIAS**

## Electrical failure (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Load meter — **Verify**
- [ ] Alternator — **Off**
**Reduce load to minimum**
- [ ] Breaker/alt — **Check & Rest**
- [ ] Alternator — **On**
**If still no power**
- [ ] Alternator — **Off**
**Reduce load and land**

## Electrical overload (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Master Switch — **Off**
- [ ] Master Switch — **On**
- [ ] Over-voltage light — **Off**
- [ ] or TERMINATE flight ASAP

## Spin Recovery (EMERGENCY)

- [ ] Ailerons `MEMORY` — **NEUTRAL**
- [ ] Throttle `MEMORY` — **IDLE**
- [ ] Rudder `MEMORY` — **Full opposite**
- [ ] Control wheel `MEMORY` — **Full forward**
- [ ] Rudder control/wheel — **Neutral**
- [ ] Pitch — **Level**

## Light Signals

> **NOTE:** On Ground: Steady Green - Takeoff
> **NOTE:** On Ground: Flashing Green - Taxi
> **NOTE:** On Ground: Steady Red - Stop
> **NOTE:** On Ground: Flashing Red - Clear runway
> **NOTE:** On Ground: Flashing white - Return to ramp
> **NOTE:** On Ground: Red/Green alternating - WARNING — USE CAUTION
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Steady Green - Land
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Flashing Green - Return to land
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Steady Red - Give way
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Flashing Red - Do not land
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Flashing white - --
> **NOTE:** In Flight: Red/Green alternating - WARNING — USE CAUTION

## Comm Freq

- [ ] ATIS
- [ ] Ground
- [ ] Tower
- [ ] Club
- [ ] Fuel

## Phonetic Alphabet

> **NOTE:** Alpha
> **NOTE:** Bravo
> **NOTE:** Charlie
> **NOTE:** Delta
> **NOTE:** Echo
> **NOTE:** Foxtrot
> **NOTE:** Golf
> **NOTE:** Hotel
> **NOTE:** India
> **NOTE:** Juliet
> **NOTE:** Kilo
> **NOTE:** Lima
> **NOTE:** Mike
> **NOTE:** November
> **NOTE:** Oscar
> **NOTE:** Papa
> **NOTE:** Quebec
> **NOTE:** Romeo
> **NOTE:** Sierra
> **NOTE:** Tango
> **NOTE:** Uniform
> **NOTE:** Victor
> **NOTE:** Whiskey
> **NOTE:** Xray
> **NOTE:** Yankee
> **NOTE:** Zulu

## V-Speeds (KIAS)

- [ ] Rotate — **Vr 55**
- [ ] Normal Climb — **Vclm 70-85**
- [ ] Out b
- [ ] Max angle (Sea Level) — **Vx 60**
- [ ] Max angle (10,000 ft) — **Vx 65**
- [ ] Climb rate (Sea Level) — **Vy 79**
- [ ] Climb rate (10,000 ft) — **Vy 71**
- [ ] Maneuver — **Va 82-99**
- [ ] Flaps — **Vfe 85**
- [ ] Normal max — **Vno 127**
- [ ] Never exceed — **Vne 158**
- [ ] Stall (clean) — **Vs 44**
- [ ] Stall (land) — **Vso 33**
- [ ] Final Approach (Flaps) — **60-70**
- [ ] Final Approach (No flaps) — **65-75**
- [ ] Max Glide — **60**

---

NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full  
Source: Cessna/172N _ 172M Skyhawk/c172n.txt  
Rights: licensed  
Checklist hash: bda6a6ccf00796d94b6c2e7e7ed4df082e6798c019dcaaf08a370d3f9c29d359  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.