# Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk — Douglas_White_Dave_Jochman_Piper_PA38_Tomahawk_Checklist_

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

## Preflight Inspection

**Cockpit**
- [ ] 1. Control Lock — **REMOVE**
- [ ] 2. Ignition — **OFF**
- [ ] 3. Master Switch — **ON**
- [ ] 4. Fuel Gauges — **CHECK**
- [ ] 5. Alternator Warning Light — **CHECK**
- [ ] 6. Master Switch — **OFF**
- [ ] 7. Primary Flight Controls — **CHECK**
- [ ] 8. Flaps — **CHECK**
- [ ] 9. Static Drain — **DRAINED**
- [ ] 10. Windows — **CLEAN**
- [ ] 11. Baggage — **STOWED**
- [ ] 12. Required Papers — **ON BOARD**
- [ ] 13. Parking Brake — **ON**
**Left Wing**
- [ ] 1. Surface Condition — **CHECK**
- [ ] 2. Flap and Hinges — **CHECK**
- [ ] 3. Aileron and hinges — **CHECK**
- [ ] 4. Wing Tip — **CHECK**
- [ ] 5. Lights — **CHECK**
- [ ] 6. Fuel Cap — **OPEN**
- [ ] 7. Fuel Quantity and Color — **CHECK**
- [ ] 8. Fuel Cap — **CLOSE and SECURE**
- [ ] 9. Fuel Vent — **CHECK**
- [ ] 10. Fuel Tank Sump — **DRAIN**
- [ ] 11. Pitot Head — **UNOBSTRUCTED**
- [ ] 12. Stall Warning — **CHECK**
- [ ] 13. Landing Gear and Tire — **CHECK**
- [ ] 14. Brake Block and Disk — **CHECK**
- [ ] 15. Chock and Tie Down — **REMOVED**
**Nose Section**
- [ ] 1. Fuel Strainer — **DRAIN**
- [ ] 2. General Condition — **CHECK**
- [ ] 3. Prop and Spinner — **CHECK**
- [ ] 4. Air Inlets — **CLEAR**
- [ ] 5. Engine Compartment — **CHECK**
- [ ] 6. Oil — **CHECK QUANTITY**
- [ ] 7. Dipstick — **PROPERLY SEATED**
- [ ] 8. Alternator Belt — **CHECK TENSION**
- [ ] 9. Cowling — **CLOSED and SECURE**
- [ ] 10. Nose Gear Tire — **CHECK**
- [ ] 11. Nose Wheel Strut — **Proper Inflation (3")**
- [ ] 12. Windshield — **CLEAN**
**Right Wing**
- [ ] 1. Check as Left Wing — **CHECK**
**Fuselage (Right Side)**
- [ ] 1. General Condition — **CHECK**
- [ ] 2. Antennas — **CHECK**
- [ ] 3. Side and Rear Window — **CHECK**
- [ ] 4. Static Vents — **UNOBSTRUCTED**
**Empennage**
- [ ] 1. General Condition — **CHECK**
- [ ] 2. Hinges and Attachments — **CHECK**
- [ ] 3. Tie Down — **REMOVED**
**Fuselage (Right Side)**
- [ ] 1. Check as Left Side — **CHECK**

## Before Starting Engine

- [ ] 1. Cabin Doors — **CLOSED AND LATCHED**
- [ ] 2. Overhead Latch — **ENGAGED**
- [ ] 3. Seats — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] 4. Seat Belts & Harnesses — **FASTENED**
- [ ] 5. Circuit Breakers — **IN**
- [ ] 6. Parking Brake — **SET**
- [ ] 7. Carburetor Heat — **FULL OFF**
- [ ] 8. Fuel Selector — **DESIRED TANK**

## Engine Start (COLD)

- [ ] 1. Prime — **AS REQUIRED (LEAVE OUT)**
- [ ] 2. Throttle — **OPEN ½ INCH**
- [ ] 3. Master Switch — **ON**
- [ ] 4. Electric Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] 5. Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] 6. Starter — **ENGAGE**
- [ ] 7. Primer — **PUSH IN SLOWLY**
- [ ] 8. Throttle — **ADVANCE SLIGHTLY**
- [ ] 9. Oil Pressure — **CHECK**
- [ ] 10. Electric Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] 11. Fuel Pressure — **CHECK**
- [ ] 12. Primer — **LOCKED**

## Engine Start (Hot)

- [ ] 1. Throttle — **CRACKED**
- [ ] 2. Master Switch — **ON**
- [ ] 3. Electric Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] 4. Mixture — **FULL RICH**
- [ ] 5. Starter — **ENGAGE**
- [ ] 6. Throttle — **ADJUST**
- [ ] 7. Oil Pressure — **CHECK**
- [ ] 8. Electric Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] 9. Fuel Pressure — **CHECK**

## Engine Start (Flooded)

- [ ] 1. Throttle — **OPEN FULL**
- [ ] 2. Master Switch — **ON**
- [ ] 3. Electric Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] 4. Mixture — **IDLE CUT-OFF**
- [ ] 5. Starter — **ENGAGE**
- [ ] 6. Mixture — **ADVANCE**
- [ ] 7. Throttle — **RETARD**
- [ ] 8. Oil Pressure — **CHECK**
- [ ] 9. Fuel Pressure — **CHECK**

## Starting Engine (External Power)

- [ ] 1. Master Switch — **OFF**
- [ ] 2. All Electrical Equipment — **OFF**
- [ ] 3. Terminals — **CONNECT**
- [ ] 4. External Power Plug — **INSERT**
- [ ] 5. Proceed with Normal Start — **START**
- [ ] 6. Throttle — **LOWEST RPM**
- [ ] 7. External Power Plug — **DISCONNECT**
- [ ] 8. Master Switch — **ON – CHECK AMMETER**
- [ ] 9. Oil Pressure — **CHECK**

## Warm Up

- [ ] 1. Throttle — **800 to 1200 RPM**

## Taxiing

- [ ] 1. Intercom — **ON**
- [ ] 2. Radios — **ON**
- [ ] 3. Taxi Area — **CLEAR**
- [ ] 4. Brakes — **CHECK**
- [ ] 5. Steering — **CHECK**

## Ground Check

- [ ] 1. Brakes — **SET**
- [ ] 2. Throttle — **1800 RPM**
- [ ] 3. Magnetos — **175 Max/ 50 Diff.**
- [ ] 4. Vacuum — **5.0" Hg ± .1**
- [ ] 5. Oil Temp — **CHECK**
- [ ] 6. Oil Pressure — **CHECK**
- [ ] 7. Carburetor Heat — **CHECK**
- [ ] 8. Throttle — **RETARD**

## Before Takeoff

- [ ] 1. Master Switch — **CHECK ON**
- [ ] 2. Flight Instruments — **CHECK**
- [ ] 3. Fuel Selector — **PROPER TANK**
- [ ] 4. Mixture — **SET**
- [ ] 5. Electric Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] 6. Carburetor Heat — **OFF**
- [ ] 7. Engine Gauges — **CHECK**
- [ ] 8. Static Source — **NORMAL**
- [ ] 9. Seats — **LATCHED IN TRACK**
- [ ] 10. Seat Backs — **ERECT**
- [ ] 11. Belts/Harness — **FASTENED**
- [ ] 12. Empty Seat Belt — **FASTENED**
- [ ] 13. Flaps — **SET**
- [ ] 14. Trim Tab — **SET**
- [ ] 15. Controls — **FREE**
- [ ] 16. Doors — **CLOSED and LATCHED**
- [ ] 17. Overhead Latch — **ENGAGED**
- [ ] 18. Transponder — **ON ALT**

## Normal Takeoff

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **SET**
- [ ] 2. Trim Tab — **SET**
- [ ] 3. Accelerate — **53 KIAS**
- [ ] 4. Control Wheel — **Back Pressure to Rotate to Climb Attitude**

## Short Field Takeoff, Obstacle Clearance

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **21° (first notch)**
- [ ] 2. Accelerate — **53 KIAS**
- [ ] 3. Control Wheel — **Back Pressure to Rotate to Climb Attitude**
- [ ] 4. Accelerate (until over obstacle) — **61 KIAS**
- [ ] 5. Accelerate (after over obstacle) — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 6. Flaps — **RETRACT SLOWLY**

## Short Field Takeoff, No Obstacle

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **21° (first notch)**
- [ ] 2. Accelerate — **53 KIAS**
- [ ] 3. Control Wheel — **Back Pressure to Rotate to Climb Attitude**
- [ ] 4. Accelerate (after breaking ground) — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 5. Flaps — **RETRACT SLOWLY**

## Soft Field Takeoff, Obstacle Clearance

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **21° (first notch)**
- [ ] 2. Accelerate and lift off nose as soon as possible.
- [ ] 3. Lift off at slowest possible airspeed.
- [ ] 4. Accelerate just above ground — **61 KIAS to climb past obstacle height**
- [ ] 5. Accelerate (after over obstacle) — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 6. Flaps — **RETRACT SLOWLY**

## Soft Field Takeoff, No Obstacle

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **21° (first notch)**
- [ ] 2. Accelerate and lift off nose as soon as possible.
- [ ] 3. Lift off at slowest possible airspeed.
- [ ] 4. Accelerate just above ground best rate of climb speed — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 5. Flaps — **RETRACT SLOWLY**

## Climb

- [ ] 1. VX – Best Angle of Climb Speed — **61 KIAS**
- [ ] 2. VY – Best Rate of Climb Speed — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 3. Electric Fuel Pump — **OFF**

## Cruising

- [ ] 1. Normal Max. Power — **75%**
- [ ] 2. Power — **SET PER TABLE**
- [ ] 3. Mixture — **ADJUST**
- [ ] 4. Fuel Selector — **SWITCH AS NEEDED**

## Approach and Landing

- [ ] 1. Fuel Selector — **PROPER TANK**
- [ ] 2. Seat Backs — **ERECT**
- [ ] 3. Belts/Harness — **FASTEN**
- [ ] 4. Electric Fuel Pump — **ON**
- [ ] 5. Mixture — **SET**
- [ ] 6. Flaps — **SET (89 KIAS MAX)**
- [ ] 7. Trim — **70 KIAS**
- [ ] 8. Final Approach Speed — **67 KIAS**

## Stopping Engine

- [ ] 1. Flaps — **RETRACT**
- [ ] 2. Electric Fuel Pump — **OFF**
- [ ] 3. Radios — **OFF**
- [ ] 4. Magnetos — **CHECK GROUND**
- [ ] 5. Throttle — **FULL AFT**
- [ ] 6. Mixture — **IDLE CUT-OFF**
- [ ] 7. Magnetos — **OFF**
- [ ] 8. Master Switch — **OFF**
- [ ] 9. Intercom — **OFF**

## Parking

- [ ] 1. Parking Brake — **SET**
- [ ] 2. Control Wheel — **SECURED WITH BELTS**
- [ ] 3. Flaps — **FULL Up**
- [ ] 4. Wheel Chocks — **IN PLACE**
- [ ] 5. Tie Downs — **SECURE**

---

NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full  
Source: Piper/PA-38-112 Tomahawk/Douglas_White_Dave_Jochman_Piper_PA38_Tomahawk_Checklist_.txt  
Rights: licensed  
Checklist hash: f130c6950ea4232e658c0c5586eadb22ce27c102d37194d4c9974174bc7f2072  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.