Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II — Normal Operating Procedures (independently worded)

Preflight Walk-Around preflight_inspection

Aircraft documents — airworthiness certificate, registration, POH/AFM, weight and balanceON BOARD AND CURRENT
Fuel quantity — left tank, visually confirmed through leading-edge inspection windowLEVEL CONSISTENT WITH PLANNED FUEL LOAD
Fuel quantity — right tank, visually confirmed through leading-edge inspection windowLEVEL CONSISTENT WITH PLANNED FUEL LOAD
Fuel caps — both tanksSECURE AND SEATED, O-RINGS VISIBLE
Fuel sample — left tank sump drainCLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER OR DEBRIS
Fuel sample — right tank sump drainCLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER OR DEBRIS
Fuel sample — gascolator drainCLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO WATER OR DEBRIS
Engine oil levelWITHIN ACCEPTABLE RANGE PER POH, CAP SECURE
Engine compartment — inspect for fluid leaks, loose hoses, chafed wiring, and foreign objectsCLEAR AND SECURE
Air induction filterUNOBSTRUCTED AND UNDAMAGED
Propeller and spinner — inspect for nicks, cracks, erosion, and securitySERVICEABLE, SPINNER SECURE
Nose gear strut, shimmy damper, and tireSTRUT EXTENDED, TIRE INFLATED AND UNDAMAGED
Left main gear, brake, and tireTIRE INFLATED, BRAKE PADS ADEQUATE, NO FLUID LEAKS
Left wing — leading edge, skin, and wingtipNO DEFORMATION, CRACKS, OR DAMAGE
Left aileron, hinges, and control linkageFREE MOVEMENT, HINGES AND ROD SECURE
Left flap, hinges, and manual flap trackUNDAMAGED, HINGES AND TRACK SECURE
Left static portUNOBSTRUCTED
Fuselage skin and antennasUNDAMAGED, ANTENNAS INTACT AND SECURE
Horizontal stabilator, trim tab, and anti-servo tab linkageNO DAMAGE OR CORROSION, HINGE BOLTS PRESENT, LINKAGE SECURE
The PA-28 uses an all-flying stabilator, not a conventional elevator. Inspect the anti-servo tab push-pull rod for security and verify the tab moves opposite to stabilator deflection.
Rudder, hinges, and control linkageUNDAMAGED, HINGES AND CABLES SECURE
Tie-down ropes and chocksREMOVED AND STOWED
Right flap, hinges, and trackUNDAMAGED, HINGES AND TRACK SECURE
Right aileron, hinges, and control linkageFREE MOVEMENT, HINGES AND ROD SECURE
Right wing — leading edge, skin, and wingtipNO DEFORMATION, CRACKS, OR DAMAGE
Right main gear, brake, and tireTIRE INFLATED, BRAKE PADS ADEQUATE, NO FLUID LEAKS
Pitot tube — cover removed, opening clearCOVER REMOVED, UNOBSTRUCTED

Cockpit Preparation / Before Start before_start

Seats — fore-aft position adjusted for full rudder and brake pedal travel; rail lock confirmedADJUSTED AND LOCKED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED AND SNUG
Control lockREMOVED AND STOWED
Flight controls — full and unobstructed movement in all axes; correct deflection confirmedFREE AND CORRECT
Circuit breakersALL IN
Avionics masterOFF (leave off during start)
Master switch (battery)ON — confirm ammeter normal and no low-voltage warning
Fuel selector valveBOTH — confirm handle fully seated in detent
The PA-28 fuel selector has distinct detents for LEFT, RIGHT, and BOTH. Feel and visually confirm the handle position. Unlike some high-wing types, off is also a selector position on the PA-28.
PrimerIN AND LOCKED
ThrottleCLOSED THEN CRACKED OPEN PER POH START PROCEDURE
MixtureRICH (or adjusted for density altitude per POH)
FlapsUP (RETRACTED)
Parking brakeSET
Weight and balance / performanceCOMPUTED AND WITHIN LIMITS FOR THIS FLIGHT

Engine Start engine_start

Visually clear the propeller arc of all personnel and obstructions; call ‘Clear prop’
Prime — as required for engine temperature and conditions; lock primer in after useAS REQUIRED PER POH, LOCKED IN
ThrottleSET PER POH START PROCEDURE
Magneto / ignition switchSTART — RELEASE TO BOTH AS SOON AS ENGINE FIRES
Oil pressure — check immediately after startRISING WITHIN TIME LIMIT PER POH — SHUT DOWN IF NOT
Throttle — after startREDUCE TO WARM IDLE PER POH
Avionics masterON
Alternator / charging — ammeter indicationPOSITIVE CHARGE CONFIRMED
Engine instruments — oil temperature and pressureCHECKED, WARMING INTO NORMAL RANGE

After Start / Before Taxi after_start

ATIS or local weatherOBTAINED AND NOTED — ACTIVE RUNWAY AND ALTIMETER SETTING RECORDED
AltimeterSET TO CURRENT SETTING; FIELD ELEVATION CONFIRMED
Heading indicatorALIGNED WITH MAGNETIC COMPASS
Flight instruments — attitude indicator, turn coordinator, VSIGYROS ERECT, VSI AT ZERO, TC BALL CENTERED
Brakes — test both individually before movingFIRM AND EFFECTIVE
TransponderCODE SET, ALTITUDE (ALT) MODE
Radios and avionicsSET FOR DEPARTURE

Run-Up / Before Takeoff before_takeoff

Run-up position — headed into wind if practical; area clear of blast hazardCONFIRMED
Parking brakeSET
Flight controlsFREE AND CORRECT — FULL TRAVEL VERIFIED
Fuel selectorBOTH — DETENT CONFIRMED
MixtureRICH OR ADJUSTED FOR DENSITY ALTITUDE PER POH
Throttle — advance to run-up power per POHRUN-UP RPM SET
Magneto check — LEFT, then RIGHT, then BOTHDROPS WITHIN POH LIMITS; SPREAD WITHIN LIMITS; SMOOTH ON BOTH
Carburetor heat — apply FULL HOT; note RPM response; return to COLDSLIGHT DROP CONFIRMS HEAT FUNCTIONING; RETURNED TO COLD
A rough engine followed by recovery during the carb heat check indicates ice was present. The Lycoming O-320 is susceptible to carb ice across a wide temperature range in moist air. Return heat to COLD before applying takeoff power.
Throttle — reduce to idle; confirm smooth idleIDLE SMOOTH AND STABLE
Suction / vacuum gaugeIN GREEN ARC
Ammeter and circuit breakersAMMETER POSITIVE, NO BREAKERS TRIPPED
Flaps — set for takeoff per POH and conditionsSET AS REQUIRED, POSITION CONFIRMED
Elevator trimTAKEOFF POSITION PER POH
Takeoff briefing — abort point, engine-failure action, departure routingBRIEFED
Doors and windowsCLOSED AND LATCHED
Carburetor heat — confirm before applying takeoff powerCOLD

Takeoff takeoff

Runway — confirm correct runway, clear of traffic and obstructionsCONFIRMED CLEAR
TransponderALTITUDE (ALT) MODE
Carburetor heatCOLD
Throttle — advance smoothly to full power; verify engine instruments in rangeFULL POWER — INSTRUMENTS CHECKED
Maintain directional control with rudder pedals during the takeoff roll; correct for left-turning tendency with right rudder
Rotate at speed per POH and establish climb attitudeCLIMB ATTITUDE ESTABLISHED

Climb climb

Airspeed — establish Vy for normal climb or Vx for obstacle clearance per POHCLIMB SPEED PER POH
Flaps — confirm retracted after clearing any obstacles with positive climb establishedUP
Carburetor heatCOLD UNLESS ICING CONDITIONS SUSPECTED
Engine instruments — oil temperature and pressureIN GREEN ARCS
Mixture — leaned for cruise climb at higher density altitudes per POHAS REQUIRED PER POH
Fuel selectorBOTH
TrimADJUSTED FOR HANDS-OFF CLIMB
Scan for traffic; communicate position reports and frequency changes as required

Cruise cruise

Throttle — set desired cruise power per POH performance tablesCRUISE POWER SET
Mixture — lean for altitude and power setting per POH techniqueLEANED PER POH
Carburetor heat — apply as required in suspected icing conditions; otherwise COLDCOLD OR ON AS CONDITIONS WARRANT
Carb ice can form across a wide temperature range in moist air. Periodic carb heat checks during cruise are good practice.
Engine instruments — oil temperature, oil pressure, ammeterWITHIN NORMAL RANGE
Fuel quantity — compare gauge readings against elapsed time and planned fuel burnADEQUATE FOR DESTINATION PLUS LEGAL RESERVE
Fuel selectorBOTH
Altimeter and heading indicator — reset and realign as requiredCHECKED AND RESET EN ROUTE
TrimADJUSTED FOR LEVEL FLIGHT

Descent descent

Carburetor heat — apply FULL HOT before reducing power for descentON BEFORE POWER REDUCTION
Carb ice is most likely to form during power reductions in moist air. Apply heat before throttling back.
Throttle — reduce to desired descent power; avoid prolonged idle operationDESCENT POWER SET
Mixture — progressively enrichen as altitude decreasesENRICHING WITH DESCENT
AltimeterSET TO DESTINATION AREA ALTIMETER SETTING
ATIS or destination weatherOBTAINED — ACTIVE RUNWAY AND WINDS NOTED
Fuel selectorBOTH — CONFIRMED
Engine instrumentsALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS

Before Landing before_landing

Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsSECURE
Fuel selectorBOTH — DETENT CONFIRMED
Critical step on the PA-28. The fuel selector must be positively on BOTH and the detent engaged before landing. An incorrect selection is easy to miss if the handle is between detents.
MixtureRICH
Carburetor heat — apply before reducing power for approachON
Landing lightON
Flaps — extend to desired setting per POH; remain below VfeSET AS REQUIRED, POSITION CONFIRMED
Airspeed — establish approach speed per POH for flap configurationAPPROACH SPEED PER POH
Runway — clear and cleared to land or traffic clearCONFIRMED CLEAR

Landing landing

Maintain stabilized approach speed per POH to the threshold
Carburetor heat — when go-around power is confirmed available, return to COLDCOLD ON SHORT FINAL
Begin flare over the threshold; arrest the rate of descent and allow speed to reduce
Touch down on main wheels first in level or slightly nose-high attitude; gently lower nose wheel after speed decreases
Brakes — apply progressively as required; avoid locking wheelsAPPLIED AS REQUIRED
Maintain centerline with rudder pedals throughout the roll-out

Go-Around go_around

ThrottleMEMORYFULL POWER — SMOOTH AND IMMEDIATE
Carburetor heatMEMORYCOLD (OFF)
Return carb heat to COLD at the same time as or immediately after applying full power. Carb heat reduces available power.
Pitch attitude — establish positive climb; arrest any sinkMEMORYCLIMB ATTITUDE ESTABLISHED
Flaps — retract incrementally; never retract all at once from full extensionMEMORYRETRACTED INCREMENTALLY PER POH
The manual flap lever on the PA-28 requires deliberate repositioning. Reduce flaps in stages per POH to avoid sudden loss of lift during the go-around.
Airspeed — climb at Vy; retract remaining flaps as speed and altitude allowVY OR PER POH
TrimADJUST FOR CLIMB
Advise ATC or announce intentions; maintain awareness of other pattern traffic

After Landing after_landing

Carburetor heatCOLD (OFF)
FlapsUP (RETRACTED)
Landing lightOFF OR PER PREFERENCE
TransponderSTANDBY OR AS DIRECTED
Clear the active runway completely before beginning the shutdown checklist

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

Parking brakeSET
Avionics master and all electrical accessoriesOFF
ThrottleIDLE
Allow engine to run at idle briefly to cool cylinder heads before shutdown
MixtureIDLE CUT-OFF — PULL FULL AFT; allow propeller to stop
Magneto / ignition switch — after propeller stopsOFF
Master switch (battery)OFF
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT PER AIRCRAFT PRACTICE, OR BOTH
Control lockINSTALLED
Tie-downs, chocks, and pitot coverINSTALLED
Post-flight walk-around — note any leaks, damage, or discrepancies; record in aircraft logbook

Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II — Normal Operating Procedures (independently worded)

Ratings & reviews

Preflight Walk-Around preflight_inspection

Cockpit Preparation / Before Start before_start

Engine Start engine_start

After Start / Before Taxi after_start

Run-Up / Before Takeoff before_takeoff

Takeoff takeoff

Climb climb

Cruise cruise

Descent descent

Before Landing before_landing

Landing landing

Go-Around go_around

After Landing after_landing

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

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