Generic Single-Engine Piston — Normal Procedures (FAA Airplane Flying Handbook)

Preflight Inspection preflight_inspection

• NOTEAccomplish preflight inspection using the AFM/POH checklist for the specific aircraft. The sequence below is a generic reminder of the categories to cover; the specific items and their order depend on the aircraft.
• Cockpit
• Required documents (AROW): Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Operating limitations, Weight and balanceON BOARD
• Fuel quantity: visually check tanks match gaugesQUANTITY NOTED AND CONFIRMED

  Never rely solely on fuel gauges. Visually inspect the fuel quantity in each tank and compare to the gauge reading.

• Fuel selectorON FULLEST TANK OR BOTH
• MixtureRICH
• Master switchON — CHECK FUEL GAUGES, THEN OFF
• IgnitionOFF
• Flight controlsFREE AND CORRECT SENSE — FULL TRAVEL
• Trim: elevator (and rudder/aileron if equipped)SET TO NEUTRAL FOR INSPECTION
• Pitot heat (if equipped)CHECKEDIf equipped
• Exterior walk-around
• NOTEComplete the exterior inspection in a consistent sequence — typically left (pilot) door, left wing, nose, right wing, right door, empennage — per the AFM/POH.
• Fuel: drain sample from each sump — check for water and correct gradeCLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER
• Oil: check quantity and conditionWITHIN LIMITS, CORRECT GRADE
• Engine compartment: no fluid leaks, no loose items, hoses and wiring secureNO DISCREPANCIES
• Propeller: no nicks, cracks, or cord showing; hub secureNO DEFECTS
• Landing gear and tires: inflation, wear, brake line condition, no hydraulic leaksSERVICEABLE
• Wing leading edge, skin, control surfaces: no damage, hinges secureNO DAMAGE
• Flap condition and hinge pinsSERVICEABLE
• Pitot tube: unobstructed, cover removedCLEAR
• Static ports: unobstructedCLEAR
• Empennage: control surfaces, hinges, trim tab, no damageSECURE, NO DAMAGE
• Tie-downs, chocks, and control locksREMOVED

Engine Start engine_start

• Passenger briefingSEAT BELTS, DOOR, NO TOUCHING CONTROLS
• Seats and seat beltsADJUSTED AND FASTENED
• BrakesSET
• Fuel selectorFULLEST TANK OR BOTH
• Circuit breakersALL IN
• Electrical equipmentOFF
• Avionics masterOFF
• Master switch (battery and alternator)ON
• Anti-collision light (strobe or beacon)ON
• MixtureRICH (or as required for altitude)
• Prime: per AFM/POH for engine temperaturePRIMED
• ThrottleSLIGHTLY OPEN (~1/4 INCH)
• Look around, call "CLEAR PROP" and wait
• IgnitionSTART
• Oil pressureRISING WITHIN 30 SECONDS — SHUT DOWN IF NOT

  If oil pressure does not show within 30 seconds (cold weather: 60 seconds), shut down and investigate before engine damage occurs.

• Avionics masterON
• Engine: warm up at 1,000 RPM until oil temperature risesWARMING

Taxi taxi

• NOTETaxi checks are sometimes specified by the AFM/POH; accomplish any items that are required. Where none are specified, use the taxi to verify and cross-check the flight instruments.
• Airspeed indicatorAT OR NEAR ZERO
• Attitude indicatorPITCH AND ROLL LEVEL, NO FLAGS
• AltimeterFIELD ELEVATION WITHIN LIMITS
• Turn indicatorCORRECT DIRECTION, BALL OUTSIDE TURN, NO FLAGS
• Directional gyroSET AND CROSS-CHECKED TO MAGNETIC COMPASS
• Vertical speed indicatorZERO
• Brakes: test at slow taxi speedEFFECTIVE

Before-Takeoff Check before_takeoff

Normally performed after taxiing to a run-up position near the takeoff end of the runway.

• GO TOUse the before-takeoff checklist in this aircraft's AFM/POH to perform the run-up.

  AFM/POH for the specific aircraft

• CAUTIONChoose a run-up location that is firm and free of debris. The propeller may pick up pebbles and hurl them rearward.
• CAUTIONProlonged ground operation may overheat the cylinders long before oil temperature indicates a rise. Head as nearly as possible into the wind, and monitor cylinder head temperature if equipped.
• Oil temperatureWITHIN RANGE BEFORE HIGH POWER

  Many engines require oil temperature to reach a minimum value stated in the AFM/POH before takeoff power is applied.

• Systems checked and set
• Fuel systemON, PROPER TANK SELECTED
• TrimSET FOR TAKEOFF
• FlapsSET PER AFM/POH FOR DEPARTURE
• Flight controlsFREE AND CORRECT, FULL TRAVEL
• MixtureRICH (or set per AFM/POH for altitude)
• Engine operation: magneto check, carburetor heat check, RPM and temperaturesWITHIN AFM/POH LIMITS
• Engine gauges: oil pressure and temperature, fuel pressure (if applicable)IN GREEN RANGE
• Electrical system: voltage, ammeterCHARGING, VOLTAGE IN RANGE
• Vacuum system (if mechanical gyros)IN RANGEIf equipped
• Flight instrumentsRECHECKED AND SET FOR DEPARTURE
• Avionics: frequencies, navigation sources, transponder codeSET
• Seats and seat beltsADJUSTED AND FASTENED
• Doors and windowsLATCHED
• Takeoff briefing: runway, wind, Vr, initial turn, engine failure actionsCOMPLETE, STATED ALOUD

  State aloud even when flying solo. Includes: correct surface and direction (to prevent wrong-surface departure), rotation speed, initial turn and altitude, and actions for engine failure below Vr, after Vr with runway remaining, and after Vr with no runway remaining.

Takeoff Checks takeoff

The last check as power is brought to full takeoff power.

• Runway numbers vs. magnetic compass and heading indicatorAGREE
• Doors and windowsLATCHED AND CLOSED AS REQUIRED
• Controls: positioned for crosswindPOSITIONED
• Power: advancing smoothly to fullCORRECT
• Engine RPM at full powerNORMAL PER AFM/POH
• EngineSMOOTH
• Engine instruments: all in greenNORMAL

After Landing after_landing

• WARNINGPerform the after-landing checklist only after the airplane is stopped clear of the runway. Pilots have retracted the landing gear instead of the flaps by manipulating the wrong handle while the aircraft was still moving.
• Slow gradually to normal taxi speed before turning off the landing runway
• GO TOUse the after-landing checklist in this aircraft's AFM/POH.

  AFM/POH for the specific aircraft

• FlapsRETRACTED (unless POH specifies otherwise)
• Carburetor heatOFFIf carburetor-equipped
• TrimRESET TO NEUTRAL
• TransponderSTANDBY OR AS DIRECTED BY ATC

Shutdown shutdown

• Parking brakeSET
• Avionics masterOFF
• Throttle: idle for engine cool-down per AFM/POHIDLING
• MixtureCUTOFF (to stop engine by fuel starvation)

  Stopping the engine by pulling mixture to cutoff rather than switching off the magnetos prevents afterfiring and is recommended by most manufacturers.

• IgnitionOFF
• Master switchOFF
• Fuel selectorOFF (if aircraft has a fuel shutoff position)If aircraft has a fuel shutoff position
• Control lockINSTALLED
• Tie-down: chock, tie down or hangar as requiredSECURED
• Pitot coverINSTALLEDIf applicable