# Cessna 172 SP — 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 Cessna 172 SP with Lycoming IO-360 fuel-injected engine. Covers preflight walk-around through shutdown and securing. Contains no numeric limitations; all speeds, fuel quantities, power settings, and performance values must be obtained from the specific aircraft POH.

> **safety_defect**: Contains no airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities or other limitations — must come from aircraft POH.
> **content_gap**: Equipment variations exist across the 172SP production run, including steam-gauge and glass-panel (G1000/G1000 NXi) instrument configurations. Verify all items against the specific aircraft POH and avionics supplement before use.

## Preflight Walk-Around

- [ ] Aircraft documents (ARROW) — airworthiness certificate, registration, radio license, operating handbook, weight-and-balance data — **ON BOARD AND CURRENT**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — visually verify each tank; confirm quantity matches tabs or dipstick; sufficient for flight with required reserves — **VERIFIED, ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Fuel grade and appearance — **CORRECT GRADE PER POH, COLOR CONSISTENT**
- [ ] Fuel caps — both tanks — **PROPERLY SEATED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Fuel sump — left tank drain — **SAMPLED; CLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER OR DEBRIS**
- [ ] Fuel sump — right tank drain — **SAMPLED; CLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER OR DEBRIS**
- [ ] Fuel sump — gascolator/main strainer drain — **DRAINED AND CLEAR**
- [ ] Fuel vent lines — both wing undersides — **UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Engine oil level — dipstick check — **WITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGE PER POH; CAP REINSTALLED AND SECURE**
- [ ] Engine compartment — inspect for fuel or oil leaks, loose hoses, chafed wires, and foreign objects — **CLEAR AND SECURE**
- [ ] Induction air inlet — fuel-injected engine; no carburetor heat system present — **INLET CLEAR, FILTER NOT BLOCKED**
- [ ] Exhaust system — visible portions — **NO CRACKS, LOOSE CLAMPS, OR HEAT DISCOLORATION**
- [ ] Cowling latches and fasteners — **SECURE**
- [ ] Propeller and spinner — inspect for nicks, cracks, gouges, and security — **SERVICEABLE, SPINNER SECURE**
- [ ] Nose gear strut and tire — extension, tread, and tow bar removal — **STRUT EXTENDED NORMALLY, TIRE SERVICEABLE, TOW BAR REMOVED**
- [ ] Pitot tube — cover removed, inlet clear of obstructions and insect debris — **COVER OFF, CLEAR**
- [ ] Static ports — both sides of fuselage — **CLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] Left wing leading edge and fuel tank skin — **NO DEFORMATION OR FUEL STAINING**
- [ ] Left aileron and flap — attachment, travel, and condition — **SECURE, FREE MOVEMENT, NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Left wingtip and navigation light — **UNDAMAGED, LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Stall warning port — clear; vane deflection activates audible warning — **CLEAR, FUNCTIONAL**
- [ ] Left main gear — strut extension, tire condition, brake pad visibility — **STRUT NORMAL, TIRE SERVICEABLE, BRAKES ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Horizontal stabilizer and elevator — condition and hinge security — **UNDAMAGED, HINGES SECURE**
- [ ] Elevator trim tab — attachment and play — **SECURE, NO EXCESSIVE PLAY**
- [ ] Vertical stabilizer and rudder — condition, hinge hardware, and free movement — **UNDAMAGED, RUDDER FREE**
- [ ] Tail tie-down — **RELEASED AND REMOVED**
- [ ] Right main gear — strut, tire, and brake condition — **STRUT NORMAL, TIRE SERVICEABLE, BRAKES ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Right wing and fuel tank — leading edge, tip, fuel cap security — **UNDAMAGED, FUEL CAP SECURE**
- [ ] Right aileron and flap — attachment, travel, and condition — **SECURE, FREE MOVEMENT, NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Antennas — all externally visible — **SECURE AND UNDAMAGED**
- [ ] Wing and nose tie-downs — all ground restraints — **REMOVED**

## Cockpit Preparation / Before Start

- [ ] Control lock — **REMOVED AND STOWED**
- [ ] Seats — fore-aft adjustment and lock pin — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED AND ADJUSTED**
- [ ] Passenger briefing — seatbelts, door latching, emergency exits, no smoking, sterile cockpit — **COMPLETED**
- [ ] Flight controls — full travel check; aileron, elevator, and rudder in correct direction — **FULL AND FREE, CORRECT SENSE**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH**
- [ ] Fuel shutoff valve — **ON (IN)**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (protect avionics during start)**
- [ ] All electrical switches (lights, strobes, pitot heat) — **OFF**
- [ ] Circuit breakers — **ALL IN**
- [ ] Flaps — position indicator check; set for takeoff per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET TO TAKEOFF POSITION**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or leaned per field elevation per POH)**
- [ ] Throttle — **CLOSED / IDLE**

## Engine Start

- [ ] Area clear — visually confirm propeller arc free of persons and objects — **CLEAR; ANNOUNCE 'CLEAR PROP'**
- [ ] Battery master switch — **ON**
- [ ] Alternator switch — **ON**
- [ ] Beacon / anti-collision light — **ON**
- [ ] Throttle — set for start per POH guidance — **APPROXIMATELY OPEN PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — hot start (warm engine): use ICO with fuel flow per POH flooded-start technique — **PER POH HOT-START PROCEDURE**
- [ ] Mixture — cold/normal start — **RICH**
- [ ] Starter — engage; release promptly when engine fires — **ENGAGED THEN RELEASED**
- [ ] Throttle — after start — **REDUCE TO IDLE TO STABILIZE**
- [ ] Oil pressure — verify rise within first 30 seconds; shut down if pressure does not rise — **RISING NORMALLY**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **ON (after engine stable)**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil temp rising, gauges in normal range, no warning lights — **NORMAL**

## Before Taxi / After Start

- [ ] Avionics power-on checks — GPS, COM/NAV, transponder, autopilot if equipped — **SELF-TESTS COMPLETE, OPERATIONAL**
- [ ] Altimeter — set current altimeter setting; verify field elevation within tolerance — **SET AND CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Heading indicator — align with magnetic compass while stationary — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] ATIS / weather — obtain current conditions — **OBTAINED AND NOTED**
- [ ] Taxi clearance or CTAF advisory — **OBTAINED**
- [ ] Transponder — set assigned squawk code — **CODE SET, ALT MODE**
- [ ] Taxi and landing lights — **ON AS APPROPRIATE**
- [ ] Parking brake — **RELEASE WHEN READY TO TAXI**
- [ ] Brakes — test with brief application after first forward movement — **EFFECTIVE**
- [ ] Gyroscopic instruments during taxi — attitude indicator erecting, turn coordinator responding — **FUNCTIONING NORMALLY**

## Run-Up / Before Takeoff

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Position — headed into wind if possible; surface firm and clear of loose debris — **CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flight controls — re-verify full and free movement, correct response — **FULL AND FREE, CORRECT**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH (or adjusted per field elevation per POH)**
- [ ] Engine warm-up — oil temperature in green arc before run-up power — **OIL TEMP IN GREEN**
- [ ] Throttle — advance to run-up power setting per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Magnetos — check LEFT then RIGHT; note RPM drop on each; return to BOTH; drops and differential within POH limits — **BOTH CHECKED, WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Engine instruments at run-up power — oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel flow, EGT, and CHT — **ALL IN NORMAL RANGE**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle; engine runs smoothly without roughness or stumble — **SMOOTH AT IDLE**
- [ ] Suction / vacuum gauge — **WITHIN NORMAL RANGE**
- [ ] Ammeter / electrical system — **INDICATING CHARGE, NO DISCHARGE**
- [ ] Flaps — set for takeoff per POH; motion confirmed on indicator — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET TO TAKEOFF POSITION**
- [ ] Transponder — **ALT (or as directed by ATC)**
- [ ] Strobes and landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Doors and windows — **CLOSED AND LATCHED**
- [ ] Abort plan — departure-end landing area and abort criteria identified — **REVIEWED**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Traffic pattern and runway — final clear, runway clear in both directions — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Throttle — advance smoothly to full power — **FULL POWER; RPM CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Engine gauges at takeoff power — oil pressure, fuel flow; no abnormal indications — **NORMAL**
- [ ] Directional control — apply right rudder as needed to track runway centerline — **TRACKING CENTERLINE**
- [ ] Rotate — apply smooth back pressure at Vr per POH — **ROTATE PER POH**
- [ ] Positive rate of climb — confirm on altimeter and VSI — **CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flaps — retract incrementally after positive rate established and clear of obstacles per POH — **RETRACTING PER POH**
- [ ] Airspeed — establish Vx or Vy per conditions and POH — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**

## Climb

- [ ] Airspeed — best-rate or best-angle climb speed per POH and conditions — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle — full power maintained for climb or reduced per POH climb power — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — rich below density altitude requiring lean; lean progressively at higher elevations per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — CHT, oil temperature, fuel flow; all in normal range — **NORMAL**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — periodic check; cross-check against planned burn — **CHECKED**
- [ ] Heading indicator — cross-check with magnetic compass — **CHECKED AND CONSISTENT**
- [ ] Traffic scan — **CONTINUOUS**

## Cruise

- [ ] Throttle — cruise power setting per POH cruise performance table — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — lean to peak EGT then enrichen per POH recommendation for selected power and altitude — **LEANED PER POH**
- [ ] Elevator trim — adjust for hands-free level flight — **TRIMMED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil temperature, oil pressure, CHT, EGT within normal limits — **ALL NORMAL**
- [ ] Fuel gauges — both tanks; remaining quantity consistent with planned consumption — **CHECKED AND CONSISTENT**
- [ ] Fuel selector — switch tanks per POH interval guidance to maintain balance — **SWITCHED PER POH**
- [ ] Altimeter setting — update as needed; altitude maintained with VFR discipline — **CURRENT**
- [ ] Navigation — position and track confirmed; ETE and fuel endurance verified — **ON TRACK**
- [ ] Ammeter / electrical system — no discharge indication — **NORMAL**

## Descent

- [ ] ATIS / destination weather — obtain; note runway in use, wind, and relevant NOTAMs — **OBTAINED AND NOTED**
- [ ] Altimeter — update to destination or nearest reporting station — **UPDATED**
- [ ] Mixture — enrichen progressively as altitude decreases per POH — **ENRICHENED PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce smoothly; avoid prolonged idle descent that may cause engine shock-cooling — **REDUCED SMOOTHLY**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — verify CHT does not drop excessively; all indications normal — **NORMAL**
- [ ] Traffic scan — heightened vigilance; terrain and traffic awareness increased near destination — **CONTINUOUS**

## Before Landing

- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Flaps — set to approach or full extension per POH and conditions — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Airspeed — stabilize at Vref per flap setting and weight per POH — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**
- [ ] Seat belts and harnesses — all occupants secure — **SECURE**
- [ ] Traffic pattern — position report made or ATC contact; pattern sequence established — **CLEAR TO LAND**

## Landing

- [ ] Final approach — stabilized; airspeed on target, descent rate controlled, centerline aligned — **STABILIZED**
- [ ] Wind correction — crosswind crab or wing-low technique applied as needed — **APPLIED AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Runway — confirm clear of conflicting traffic and foreign objects before threshold — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Flare — initiated at appropriate height; throttle closed smoothly — **SMOOTH FLARE**
- [ ] Touchdown — main wheels contact first; nose held off as speed decays — **MAINS FIRST**
- [ ] Rollout directional control — rudder used to track centerline; nose lowered gently — **TRACKING CENTERLINE**
- [ ] Brakes — progressive application as needed; avoid locked-wheel skidding — **APPLIED AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Runway exit — clear at first available taxiway; stop only after fully clear of runway — **CLEAR OF RUNWAY**

## Go-Around (ABNORMAL)

- [ ] Throttle — full power, smoothly and without hesitation — **FULL POWER**
- [ ] Pitch attitude — establish positive climb attitude — **CLIMB ATTITUDE**
- [ ] Flaps — retract to first notch to reduce drag while maintaining lift — **PARTIAL RETRACT**
- [ ] Airspeed — accelerate to climb speed before further flap retraction — **ACCELERATING**
- [ ] Flaps — retract fully as airspeed permits and obstacles are cleared — **RETRACTED**
- [ ] Positive rate of climb — confirmed on VSI and altimeter — **CONFIRMED**
- [ ] ATC or CTAF — announce go-around; re-enter pattern as instructed — **ADVISED**

## After Landing

- [ ] Flaps — retract after clearing active runway — **RETRACTED**
- [ ] Transponder — remain in ALT until clear; verify with tower — **ALT OR AS DIRECTED**
- [ ] Landing light — reduce or extinguish per local practice after clearing runway — **AS APPROPRIATE**
- [ ] Mixture — enrichened for taxi; lean for prolonged ground operation if applicable — **SET AS APPROPRIATE**

## Shutdown and Securing

- [ ] Avionics master — OFF before engine shutdown to protect avionics — **OFF**
- [ ] All electrical equipment — lights, pitot heat, non-essential loads — **OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — pull to ICO (idle cut-off) to shut down engine — **ICO — ENGINE STOPPED**
- [ ] Throttle — after engine stops — **CLOSED (IDLE)**
- [ ] Magnetos — **OFF (BOTH)**
- [ ] Master switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Control lock — **INSTALLED ON YOKE AND RUDDER**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET; CHOCKS PLACED IF UNATTENDED**
- [ ] Flaps — **RETRACTED FOR TIE-DOWN**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **BOTH (or per local practice)**
- [ ] Hobbs and tach time — record for log; note any squawks — **RECORDED**
- [ ] Post-flight walk-around — check for fuel or oil leaks, flight damage, or foreign-object ingestion — **COMPLETED, NO DISCREPANCIES**
- [ ] Tie-downs and covers — wing and tail tie-downs secure; pitot cover installed — **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: 9ac57a754855ebc54c6625e52b57a9c246cffeb923ce343009a2d6957baa4491  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.