# Piper PA-32-301 Cherokee Six — 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 Piper PA-32-301 Cherokee Six, a six-seat low-wing single with a fuel-injected Lycoming IO-540 and constant-speed propeller. Covers preflight walk-around through shutdown and securing. The IO-540 is fuel-injected — there is no carburetor heat; alternate air induction applies instead. The constant-speed propeller requires prop control management through all phases. No numeric limitations are stated — all airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities, manifold pressures, and performance values must come from the specific aircraft POH. Equipment variations exist across the production run; verify every item against the specific aircraft before use.

> **safety_defect**: Contains no airspeeds, power settings, fuel quantities or other limitations — must come from aircraft POH.
> **content_gap**: Equipment variations exist across this model/variant. Verify items against the specific aircraft before use.

## Preflight Walk-Around

- [ ] Aircraft documents (ARROW) — airworthiness certificate, registration, radio station license, operating handbook, and weight-and-balance data — **ON BOARD AND CURRENT**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — all four tanks; visually verify each tank; quantity consistent with gauges; adequate for flight plus reserves per POH — **VERIFIED, ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Fuel grade — confirm correct grade for the IO-540 engine — **CORRECT GRADE PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel caps — all four filler caps properly seated and collar locks engaged — **SECURE**
- [ ] Fuel sump — left forward tank quick-drain; sample checked for water and contamination — **CLEAR, CORRECT COLOR, NO CONTAMINATION**
- [ ] Fuel sump — left rear tank quick-drain; sample checked — **CLEAR, NO CONTAMINATION**
- [ ] Fuel sump — right forward tank quick-drain; sample checked — **CLEAR, NO CONTAMINATION**
- [ ] Fuel sump — right rear tank quick-drain; sample checked — **CLEAR, NO CONTAMINATION**
- [ ] Gascolator or fuel strainer drain — check and close — **DRAINED, CLEAR, CLOSED**
- [ ] Engine oil level — dipstick; quantity within operating limits per POH — **WITHIN LIMITS; CAP SECURE**
- [ ] Engine compartment — inspect for fuel or oil leaks, chafed wiring, loose hoses, and foreign objects; cowl latches secure — **CLEAN AND SECURE**
- [ ] Fuel injection lines and fuel servo — no staining or seepage at fittings; lines routed and secure — **NO LEAKS, SECURE**
- [ ] Alternate air door — induction inlet unobstructed; alternate air door free to operate — **CLEAR, OPERABLE**
- [ ] Exhaust system — stacks, risers, and muffler free of cracks, loose clamps, or unusual heat staining — **SERVICEABLE**
- [ ] Propeller and spinner — no nicks, gouges, or cracks on blades; spinner secure with no cracks at attach ring — **SERVICEABLE, SPINNER SECURE**
- [ ] Nose gear — strut normally extended; tow bar removed; shimmy damper intact; tire inflated and free of flat spots — **STRUT EXTENDED, TIRE SERVICEABLE, TOW BAR REMOVED**
- [ ] Pitot tube — cover removed; inlet clear of insects and debris — **COVER REMOVED, CLEAR**
- [ ] Static ports — both fuselage ports unobstructed — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Left wing leading edge, fuel tank skin, and fuel vents — no deformation or staining; vent tubes unobstructed — **NO DAMAGE, VENTS CLEAR**
- [ ] Stall warning vane — left wing leading edge; moves freely and activates tone when raised — **FREE, FUNCTIONAL**
- [ ] Left aileron and flap — full travel; hinges and attach bolts secure; no surface damage — **SECURE, FREE MOVEMENT, NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Left wingtip and navigation light — **UNDAMAGED, LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Left main gear — strut normally extended; tire properly inflated; brake assembly shows adequate pad material; no fluid seepage at brake line — **STRUT NORMAL, TIRE SERVICEABLE, BRAKES ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Rear fuselage and antennas — skin undamaged; all visible antennas secure — **UNDAMAGED, ANTENNAS SECURE**
- [ ] Aft baggage door — latched and locked; baggage or cargo secured and within weight and CG limits per POH — **LATCHED, LOAD WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Horizontal stabilizer and elevator — leading edge undamaged; hinge bolts tight; trim tab secure; full travel available — **UNDAMAGED, HARDWARE SECURE**
- [ ] Vertical stabilizer and rudder — no damage; hinge security confirmed; tail beacon lens intact — **SERVICEABLE, BEACON LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Tail tie-down — **REMOVED**
- [ ] Right main gear — strut extension, tire inflation, and brake assembly — **STRUT NORMAL, TIRE SERVICEABLE, BRAKES ADEQUATE**
- [ ] Right wing — leading edge, fuel tank skin, fuel vents, and both right fuel caps — **UNDAMAGED, VENTS CLEAR, CAPS SECURE**
- [ ] Right aileron and flap — secure; full travel; no surface damage — **SECURE, FREE MOVEMENT, NO DAMAGE**
- [ ] Right wingtip and navigation light — **UNDAMAGED, LENS INTACT**
- [ ] Wing and nose tie-downs — all ground restraints removed — **REMOVED**
- [ ] Cabin door (left) and forward cabin door operation — latches operate correctly; door seals intact — **LATCHES SECURE, SEALS INTACT**
- [ ] Passenger cabin door (right aft) — latches operate; door closes and seals fully — **SECURE**

## Cockpit Preparation / Before Start

- [ ] Control lock — **REMOVED AND STOWED**
- [ ] Seats — pilot and copilot fore-aft position and lock — **ADJUSTED AND LOCKED**
- [ ] Rudder pedals — adjusted for full rudder and brake travel — **ADJUSTED**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants — **FASTENED AND ADJUSTED**
- [ ] Passenger briefing — seat belts, door latching procedure for both cabin and aft baggage doors, no smoking, emergency exits, sterile cockpit during takeoff and landing — **COMPLETED**
- [ ] Flight controls — full travel check; aileron, elevator, and rudder respond correctly and move freely; no binding — **FULL AND FREE, CORRECT SENSE**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Circuit breakers — **ALL IN; NONE TRIPPED**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF (protect avionics during start)**
- [ ] All electrical switches — lights, strobes, pitot heat, fans — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel selector — select fullest tank or per POH start recommendation — **CORRECT TANK SELECTED**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD (high RPM) for start**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Throttle — **SET PER POH STARTING GUIDANCE (typically cracked slightly open)**
- [ ] Flaps — retracted unless short-field departure requires otherwise — **UP / SET PER POH**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET TO TAKEOFF POSITION**

## Engine Start

- [ ] Propeller arc — visually confirm clear of persons and objects; announce CLEAR PROP — **CLEAR; ANNOUNCED**
- [ ] Battery master switch — **ON**
- [ ] Alternator switch — **ON**
- [ ] Beacon / anti-collision light — **ON**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — prime per POH cold or hot start procedure — **ON PER POH; PRIME PER CONDITIONS**
- [ ] Mixture — rich for cold start; lean for hot start per POH hot-start procedure — **SET PER POH CONDITIONS**
- [ ] Throttle — **SET PER POH STARTING GUIDANCE**
- [ ] Ignition switch — **BOTH**
- [ ] Starter — engage; release promptly when engine fires; do not crank more than 30 seconds without a cooling interval — **ENGAGED, THEN RELEASED ON FIRE**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle after engine runs smoothly — **REDUCED TO IDLE**
- [ ] Oil pressure — verify rise within 30 seconds; shut down immediately if no pressure rise observed — **RISING NORMALLY**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — turn off after confirming engine-driven pump sustains normal fuel flow — **OFF PER POH (after confirming fuel flow stable)**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — turn on after engine is stable — **ON**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil pressure in green range; no warning lights or abnormal indications — **NORMAL**

## Before Taxi / After Start

- [ ] Avionics — power-on self-tests; COM, NAV, GPS, and transponder operational — **SELF-TESTS COMPLETE, OPERATIONAL**
- [ ] Altimeter — set current setting; confirm indicated elevation within tolerance of field elevation — **SET AND CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Heading indicator — align to magnetic compass while aircraft is stationary — **ALIGNED**
- [ ] ATIS or weather — obtain current conditions, winds, altimeter, and applicable NOTAMs — **OBTAINED AND NOTED**
- [ ] Transponder — set assigned code or VFR squawk; mode per ATC or local requirements — **CODE SET**
- [ ] Taxi clearance or CTAF advisory — obtained before moving — **OBTAINED**
- [ ] Taxi and landing lights — **ON AS APPROPRIATE FOR CONDITIONS**
- [ ] Parking brake — release when ready to taxi — **RELEASED**
- [ ] Brakes — test effectiveness with brief application after first forward movement — **EFFECTIVE, EQUAL BOTH SIDES**
- [ ] Flight instruments during taxi — attitude indicator erecting; turn coordinator responding in turns; compass swinging freely — **FUNCTIONING NORMALLY**

## Run-Up / Before Takeoff

- [ ] Run-up position — headed into wind if possible; surface firm and free of loose debris — **CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Flight controls — recheck full and free movement; correct sense confirmed — **FULL, FREE, AND CORRECT**
- [ ] Fuel selector — fullest tank or per POH recommendation for takeoff — **CORRECT TANK**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — on per POH for run-up and takeoff — **ON PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — rich or adjusted for field elevation per POH — **RICH (or per POH for elevation)**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD for run-up**
- [ ] Engine warm-up — oil temperature in green arc before applying run-up power — **OIL TEMP IN GREEN**
- [ ] Throttle — advance to run-up power setting per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Magnetos — check LEFT, then RIGHT; RPM drop on each within POH limits; differential within limits; return to BOTH — **BOTH CHECKED, DROPS WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Propeller cycle — governor check: advance prop control full forward, then smoothly reduce RPM by pulling prop control aft; confirm drop within POH limits; advance back to full forward; repeat cycle as required by POH — **CYCLED, GOVERNOR FUNCTIONING, FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Alternate air — select ON; confirm slight power change indicating alternate air door is operable; return to normal (OFF) — **CHECKED, OPERABLE, NORMAL (OFF)**
- [ ] Engine instruments at run-up power — oil pressure, oil temperature, and fuel flow within normal ranges — **ALL NORMAL**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce to idle; engine runs smoothly without stumble or roughness — **SMOOTH AT IDLE**
- [ ] Vacuum or suction gauge — **WITHIN NORMAL RANGE**
- [ ] Ammeter or electrical load meter — **INDICATING CHARGE**
- [ ] Flaps — set for takeoff per POH; indicator verified — **SET PER POH, CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Elevator trim — **SET TO TAKEOFF POSITION**
- [ ] Propeller control — confirm for takeoff — **FULL FORWARD (high RPM)**
- [ ] Cabin door and aft baggage door — both fully closed and latched — **CLOSED AND LATCHED**
- [ ] Strobes and landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Transponder — **ALT (or as directed by ATC)**
- [ ] Abort plan — departure-end terrain, abort point, and engine-failure intentions reviewed and briefed — **BRIEFED**

## Takeoff

- [ ] Final approach path and runway — confirm clear in both directions before entering runway — **CLEAR**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — on per POH for takeoff — **ON PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller control — confirm full forward before applying power — **FULL FORWARD CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Throttle — advance smoothly to full power; do not rush application — **FULL POWER; MANIFOLD PRESSURE AND RPM IN RANGE**
- [ ] Engine gauges at takeoff power — oil pressure normal; fuel flow in range; no anomalies — **NORMAL**
- [ ] Directional control — apply right rudder as needed to maintain runway centerline — **TRACKING CENTERLINE**
- [ ] Rotate — apply smooth back pressure at Vr per POH; avoid abrupt over-rotation — **ROTATE PER POH**
- [ ] Positive rate of climb — confirm on altimeter and VSI — **CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Flaps — retract after positive rate established and obstacles cleared per POH — **RETRACTING PER POH**

## Climb

- [ ] Airspeed — establish Vy or Vx as appropriate for conditions per POH — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**
- [ ] Throttle and manifold pressure — full power maintained or reduced to normal climb setting per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller control — set climb RPM per POH after clearing obstacles — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — off after established in climb per POH; confirm engine-driven pump sustaining fuel flow — **OFF PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — rich below density altitudes requiring lean; lean progressively at higher elevations per POH — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, and fuel flow within normal limits — **ALL NORMAL**
- [ ] Fuel quantity and tank balance — checked periodically; consistent with planned consumption; switch tanks per POH to maintain lateral balance — **CHECKED, CONSISTENT, BALANCED**
- [ ] Heading indicator — cross-check against magnetic compass — **CONSISTENT**
- [ ] Traffic scan — **CONTINUOUS**

## Cruise

- [ ] Throttle — set cruise manifold pressure per POH cruise power chart for altitude and temperature — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Propeller control — set cruise RPM per POH cruise power table — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — lean to peak EGT or best power/economy per POH for selected cruise power and altitude — **LEANED PER POH**
- [ ] Elevator trim — adjust for hands-free level cruise flight — **TRIMMED**
- [ ] Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, EGT, and fuel flow within normal limits — **ALL NORMAL**
- [ ] Fuel quantity — all four tanks checked; remaining fuel consistent with planned burn rate; adequate reserves confirmed — **CHECKED AND CONSISTENT**
- [ ] Fuel selector — switch tanks per POH interval to maintain lateral and fore-aft balance across the four-tank system — **SWITCHED PER POH**
- [ ] Alternate air — monitor for unexplained power loss in visible moisture near freezing temperatures; apply alternate air if induction blockage suspected — **MONITORED; APPLIED AS REQUIRED**
- [ ] Navigation — position, course, groundspeed, and fuel remaining consistent with flight plan — **ON COURSE, ON SCHEDULE**
- [ ] Weather scan — developing weather monitored; alternates reviewed — **CHECKED**

## Descent

- [ ] ATIS or destination weather — current conditions, winds, and altimeter setting obtained — **OBTAINED AND NOTED**
- [ ] Altimeter — update to current destination setting — **UPDATED**
- [ ] Fuel selector — switch to appropriate tank for approach and landing per POH — **SELECTED PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — enrichen progressively as altitude decreases — **ENRICHENING**
- [ ] Throttle — reduce gradually; avoid abrupt power reduction that causes shock cooling to the IO-540 — **REDUCED GRADUALLY**
- [ ] Propeller control — advance toward full forward as power increases for approach phase — **ADVANCING TOWARD FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Engine instruments during descent — CHT monitored; oil temperature and pressure within limits — **WITHIN LIMITS**
- [ ] Airspeed — remain within Vfe limit before extending flaps — **MONITORED**

## Before Landing

- [ ] Fuel selector — fullest tank or per POH recommendation for approach and landing — **FULLEST TANK / PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — on per POH for approach and landing — **ON PER POH**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Propeller control — full forward for approach; ready for immediate go-around power response — **FULL FORWARD**
- [ ] Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupants fastened and snug — **FASTENED AND SNUG**
- [ ] Flaps — extend incrementally on approach per POH; indicator confirms selected position — **SET PER POH**
- [ ] Approach speed — stabilize at POH speed for flap configuration and aircraft weight — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**
- [ ] Cabin and baggage doors — both cabin doors and aft baggage door confirmed latched before final — **BOTH DOORS LATCHED**
- [ ] Landing light — **ON**
- [ ] Traffic and runway — final approach and runway confirmed clear — **CLEAR**

## Landing

- [ ] Approach — stabilized on glidepath, on centerline, and at approach speed before the threshold — **STABILIZED PER POH**
- [ ] Crosswind correction — wing-low or crab technique maintained; aligned to centerline at flare — **CORRECTED AND ALIGNED**
- [ ] Power — reduce smoothly to idle at flare; do not chop from high power setting — **REDUCED TO IDLE AT FLARE**
- [ ] Flare — apply gentle back pressure to arrest sink rate; avoid ballooning or holding off too high — **SMOOTH FLARE**
- [ ] Touchdown — main gear first in normal landing; hold nose wheel off until speed decreases naturally — **MAINS FIRST, NOSE HELD OFF**
- [ ] Brakes — apply after nose wheel lowers; smooth and even pressure; maintain directional control — **SMOOTH, EVEN APPLICATION**
- [ ] Runway exit — clear the active runway before slowing excessively; exit at a safe taxi speed — **CLEAR OF RUNWAY**

## Go-Around / Missed Approach

- [ ] Throttle — advance without hesitation to full power — **FULL POWER**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD CONFIRMED**
- [ ] Mixture — **RICH**
- [ ] Pitch attitude — establish a positive climb attitude; do not over-rotate from low energy state — **CLIMB ATTITUDE ESTABLISHED**
- [ ] Flaps — retract incrementally; initial partial retraction per POH; confirm climb performance before full retraction — **RETRACTING PER POH**
- [ ] Airspeed — accelerate to Vy after flap retraction — **ESTABLISHED PER POH**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — **ON**
- [ ] Traffic pattern intentions — communicate to ATC or CTAF; fly standard pattern or as directed — **COMMUNICATED**

## After Landing

- [ ] Flaps — **RETRACT**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — off after landing per POH — **OFF PER POH**
- [ ] Landing light — **OFF or as appropriate**
- [ ] Transponder — **STANDBY or as directed by ATC**
- [ ] Mixture — maintain rich for continued taxi; do not aggressively lean at high taxi power settings — **RICH**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD for taxi**

## Shutdown and Securing

- [ ] Parking brake — **SET**
- [ ] Avionics master switch — **OFF before engine shutdown**
- [ ] All electrical loads — lights, strobes, fans, pitot heat — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel boost pump — **OFF**
- [ ] Mixture — pull to idle cut-off to stop engine cleanly; allow RPM to drop to zero — **IDLE CUT-OFF; ENGINE STOPPED**
- [ ] Throttle — after engine stops — **CLOSED**
- [ ] Propeller control — **FULL FORWARD (leave in high RPM position)**
- [ ] Ignition switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Battery master switch — **OFF**
- [ ] Fuel selector — **OFF or per owner's preference**
- [ ] Control lock — install to protect flight controls from wind damage — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Tie-downs — secure both wings and nose to tie-down rings — **SECURED**
- [ ] Pitot tube cover — **INSTALLED**
- [ ] Cabin and baggage doors — secure all doors; keys removed — **SECURED, KEYS REMOVED**
- [ ] Aircraft logbook — note any squawks; record Hobbs and tach time — **COMPLETED**

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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: e65873ef20d05c64e94c697ca99e3adf35fc86b293c2d1c209db9b140adffcd4  
Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.