# Diamond DA40 Star — Jacob_Esparza_Diamond_Star_DA40_Normal_Operating_Checklist

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

Normal operating checklist for a Diamond Star DA40-180, aircraft N607C. Transcribed from a two-page checklist source covering before start, starts, after start, run-up, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing, go-around, shutdown, performance takeoffs and landings, and general information.

> **content_gap**: Section "Landing Check" item count differs between passes (15 vs 16); verify nothing was dropped.

## BEFORE START CHECK

- [ ] Preflight — **COMPLETE**
- [ ] Pedals — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Passengers — **BRIEFED**
- [ ] Seat Belts — **SECURED**
- [ ] Rear Hatch — **CLOSED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Canopy — **CLOSED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Parking Brake — **SET**
- [ ] Flight Controls — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Trim — **SET T/O**
- [ ] Circuit Breakers — **CHECK**
- [ ] Throttle — **IDLE**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Mixture — **LEAN**
- [ ] Friction Device — **ADJUSTED**
- [ ] Alternate Engine Air — **CLOSED**
- [ ] Alternate Static — **CLOSED**
- [ ] Avionics Master — **OFF**
- [ ] Essential Bus — **OFF**
- [ ] Master Switch (BAT) — **ON**
- [ ] Annunciator Panel — **TEST**
- [ ] Fuel Tank Selector — **FULLEST TANK**
- [ ] Strobes — **ON**

## COLD START CHECK

- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Throttle — **1 1/2 INCH FORWARD**
  <sub>Source reads '1 ½ ” Forward'; the 1/2 inch symbol is a transcription reading.</sub>
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH 3-5 SEC, THEN LEAN**
- [ ] Throttle — **1/2 INCH FORWARD**
  <sub>Source reads '½” Forward'.</sub>
- [ ] Starter — **ENGAGE**
> **NOTE:** After Engine Fires
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] Oil Pressure — **GREEN WITHIN 15 SEC**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Master Switch (ALT) — **ON**
- [ ] Ammeter — **CHECK**
- [ ] Fuel Pressure — **CHECK 14-35 PSI**
- [ ] Annunciator Panel — **CHECK**

## HOT START CHECK

- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Throttle — **1 1/2 INCH**
  <sub>Source reads '1 ½"'.</sub>
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH 1-3 SEC, THEN LEAN**
- [ ] Starter — **ENGAGE**
> **NOTE:** After Engine Fires
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] Oil Pressure — **GREEN WITHIN 15 SEC**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Master Switch (ALT) — **ON**
- [ ] Ammeter — **CHECK**
- [ ] Fuel Pressure — **CHECK 14-35 PSI**
- [ ] Annunciator Panel — **CHECK**

## FLOODED ENGINE START

- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Throttle — **HALF WAY FORWARD**
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL LEAN**
- [ ] Starter — **ENGAGE**
- [ ] Throttle — **RETARD AFTER ENGINE FIRES**
> **NOTE:** Refer To After Engine Fires Above

## AFTER START CHECK

- [ ] Avionics Master — **ON**
- [ ] Electrical Equipment — **AS REQUIRED**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP-T/O-LDG-T/O**
- [ ] Weather — **OBTAIN**
- [ ] Flight Instruments — **SET**
- [ ] Avionics and Transponder — **SET**
- [ ] Ammeter — **CHECK**
- [ ] Fuel Tank Selector — **SWITCH TANKS**
    - [ ] Verify Engine Runs on Both Tanks — **VERIFY**
- [ ] Pitot Heat — **TEST (AMMETER MUST RISE)**

## AFTER START CHECK (CONT)

- [ ] Pitot Heat — **OFF OR AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Lights — **AS REQUIRED**
- [ ] RPM — **CHECK IDLE 600-800 RPM**
- [ ] Brakes — **RELEASE AND TEST**
- [ ] Gyro Instruments — **CHECK DURING TAXI**

## Run-Up Check

- [ ] Align Aircraft Into Wind
- [ ] Parking Brake — **SET**
- [ ] Seats and Belts — **SECURE**
- [ ] Front Canopy — **CLOSED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Rear Canopy — **CLOSED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Door Warning Lights — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel Tank Selector — **FULLEST TANK**
- [ ] Engine Instruments — **GREEN**
- [ ] Circuit Breakers — **CHECK IN**
- [ ] Fuel Pressure — **15-25 PSI**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **ADJUSTED (4 BARS)**
- [ ] Flaps — **VERIFY T/O**
- [ ] Trim — **VERIFY T/O**
- [ ] Flight Controls — **FREE AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Throttle — **2000 RPM**
- [ ] Prop — **CYCLE 3 TIMES**
    - [ ] Decrease in RPM
    - [ ] Decrease in Oil Pressure
    - [ ] Increase in Manifold Pressure
- [ ] Magnetos — **CHECK**
    > **NOTE:** Max RPM Drop: 175 RPM
    > **NOTE:** Max Difference: 50 RPM
- [ ] Throttle — **IDLE**
- [ ] Alternate Air — **CLOSED**
- [ ] Lights — **AS REQUIRED**
- [ ] Transponder — **ON/ALT**
- [ ] Traffic — **CHECK BASE, FINAL AND RWY**
- [ ] Parking Brake — **RELEASE**

## Take Off Check

- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — **SMOOTHLY INCREASE**
    > **NOTE:** If 2680 +/- 20 RPM not obtained, Abort
- [ ] Engine Instruments — **MONITOR**
- [ ] Rotate Vr — **60 KTS**
> **NOTE:** Best Rate Vy: 65 kts
> **NOTE:** Best Angle Vx: 60 kts

## 500' AGL or Safe Altitude

- [ ] Prop — **2400 RPM**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Landing Light — **OFF**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP**

## Cruise Check

- [ ] Throttle — **SET TO POWER TABLE**
- [ ] Landing Light — **VERIFY OFF**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **VERIFY OFF**
> **NOTE:** Cruise Climb: 70-85 kts
- [ ] Prop — **1800-2400 RPM**
- [ ] CHT — **150-400 F**
- [ ] Oil Temp — **165-220 F**
- [ ] Mixture — **ADJUST**
- [ ] Trim — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Fuel Tank Selector — **FULLEST TANK**
    > **NOTE:** Turn Fuel Pump On Before Switching
    > **NOTE:** Max Difference in Tanks: 10 Gal

## Reference Speeds

> **NOTE:** Vso (dirty stall speed): 49 kts
> **NOTE:** Vs1 (clean stall speed): 52 kts
> **NOTE:** Vr (rotation speed): 60 kts
> **NOTE:** Vx (best angle): 60 kts
> **NOTE:** Vy (best rate): 65 kts
> **NOTE:** Vref (approach speed): 65 kts
> **NOTE:** Vglide (best glide speed): 75 kts
> **NOTE:** Vfe (flap extend speed): T/O 108 kts
> **NOTE:** Vfe (flap extend speed): LDG 90 kts

## Decent and Landing Checks on Back

> **NOTE:** Diamond Star DA40-180 N607C Page 2 of 2 Normal Operating Checklist

## Decent Check

- [ ] Mixture — **ADJUST**
- [ ] Prop — **1800-2400 RPM**
- [ ] Throttle — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Landing Light — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel Selector — **FULLEST TANK**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Seatbelts — **SECURED**
- [ ] Destination Weather — **OBTAIN**
- [ ] IFR Approach — **BRIEF**
- [ ] Avionics — **SET FOR APPROACH**

## Landing Check

**Approach**
- [ ] Fuel Selector — **VERIFY FULLEST TANK**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **VERIFY ON**
- [ ] Seat Belts — **SECURED**
- [ ] Airspeed — **AT OR BELOW VFE**
- [ ] Flaps — **T/O**
- [ ] Trim — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Lights — **AS REQUIRED**
**Before Landing**
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — **13 INCH MP**
  <sub>Source reads '13” MP'.</sub>
- [ ] Flaps — **LDG**
- [ ] Airspeed — **65-70 KTS**
> **NOTE:** Note: If landing in strong wind and turbulence use a higher approach speed and/or use less flaps.

## Go-Around Check

- [ ] Throttle — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60 KTS**
- [ ] Flaps — **T/O**
**At 500' AGL or Safe Altitude**
- [ ] Prop — **2400 RPM**
- [ ] Airspeed — **70 KTS**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Landing — **REFER TO LANDING CHECK**

## Clear Runway Check

- [ ] Throttle — **IDLE**
- [ ] Brakes — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Transponder — **STBY/OFF**
- [ ] Pitot Heat — **OFF**
- [ ] Avionics — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Landing Light — **OFF**
- [ ] Other Lights — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP**

## Engine Shutdown Check

- [ ] Parking Brake — **SET**
- [ ] Engine Instruments — **CHECK**
- [ ] Avionics Master — **OFF**
- [ ] All Electrical Equip — **OFF**
- [ ] Throttle — **1000 RPM**
- [ ] Ignition — **OFF TILL DROP IN RPM THEN BOTH**
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL LEAN**
- [ ] Ignition — **OFF**
- [ ] Tach. Reading — **OBTAIN**
- [ ] Master Switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Discrepancies — **LOG**
- [ ] Control Lock — **SECURE**
- [ ] Pitot and Stall Cover — **ON**
- [ ] Canopy — **CLOSED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Wheel Chocks/Tie downs — **SECURE**
- [ ] Flight Plan — **CLOSED**

## Performance T/O and LDG - Short Field Takeoff

- [ ] Flaps — **T/O**
- [ ] Brakes — **HOLD**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Rotate — **60 KTS**
- [ ] Climb — **65 KTS**
- [ ] Obstacle Cleared — **70 KTS**
> **NOTE:** 500' AGL or Safe Altitude
- [ ] Prop — **2400 RPM**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP**

## Soft Field Takeoff

- [ ] Elevator — **FULL AFT**
- [ ] Flaps — **T/O**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Airspeed — **ACCELERATE IN GROUND EFFECT**
- [ ] Climb — **VX UNTIL OBSTACLE CLEARED THEN VY**
> **NOTE:** 500' AGL or Safe Altitude
- [ ] Prop — **2400**
- [ ] Flaps — **UP**
- [ ] Landing Light — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **OFF**

## Short Field Landing

- [ ] Landing Light — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Touchdown Point — **ACQUIRE**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Power — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Seat Belts — **SECURED**
- [ ] Flaps — **LDG**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60-65 KTS**

## Soft Field Landing

- [ ] Landing Light — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] Prop — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Throttle — **AS NEEDED**
- [ ] Seat Belts — **SECURE**
- [ ] Flaps — **LDG**
- [ ] Airspeed — **60-65 KTS**
- [ ] At touchdown hold nose wheel off as long as possible

## General Information

> **NOTE:** Fuel Indicator: Indicates no more than 15 Gallons per tank
  <sub>Source line is broken across two lines; meaning is clear.</sub>
> **NOTE:** Fuel Capacity: 40 gallons
> **NOTE:** Usable Fuel: 39 Gallons
> **NOTE:** Max difference in tanks: 10 Gallons
> **NOTE:** Oil: Min 4 qts, Max 8 qts, Rec. 6 qts
> **NOTE:** Do not operate starter more than 10 sec at a time. After 10 seconds, let cool 20 seconds. After 6 attempts let cool 30 mins.
> **NOTE:** Max CHT: 500°F
> **NOTE:** CHT cooling rate: less than 50° per min
> **NOTE:** No Baggage allowed w/o baggage net
> **NOTE:** Tire Pressure Nose Wheel: 29 psi
> **NOTE:** Tire Pressure Main Wheels: 36 psi

## Local Freq.'s

**Albuquerque Sunport (KABQ)**
> **NOTE:** ATIS: 118.00
> **NOTE:** Clearance: 119.20
> **NOTE:** Ground: 121.90
> **NOTE:** Tower: 120.30
> **NOTE:** North Depart/Apprch: 127.40
> **NOTE:** South Depart/Apprch: 123.90

---

NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full  
Source: Diamond/DA40 Star/Jacob_Esparza_Diamond_Star_DA40_Normal_Operating_Checklist.txt  
Rights: licensed  
Checklist hash: 3fe20475d36fd8404c318229ceb518d0c6130a7bf4c76306f251e3395738e3b3  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.