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) 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. ======================================================================== 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