SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad — Normal Operating Procedures

Preflight Walk-Around preflight_inspection

Aircraft documents (ARROW)ON BOARD AND CURRENT
Weight and balance — computed for actual loadingWITHIN LIMITS PER POH
Fuel quantity — visually check both wing tanks and compare with fuel gaugesCONFIRMED; ADEQUATE FOR FLIGHT WITH REQUIRED RESERVES PER POH
Fuel grade — verify correct grade as placardedCORRECT GRADE
Fuel sump drains — sample both wing sumps and fuel strainerCLEAR; NO WATER OR SEDIMENT
Fuel filler caps — both tanksSECURED AND LOCKED FLUSH
Engine oil level — dipstick removed, wiped, and re-checkedWITHIN OPERATING RANGE PER POH; CAP SECURE
Engine compartment — fuel injection lines, oil hoses, and ignition leadsNO LEAKS, CHAFING, OR LOOSE FITTINGS
Induction air inlet and air filterCLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED; FILTER SERVICEABLE
Exhaust stacks and heat exchangersNO CRACKS, CARBON SOOTING, OR LOOSE HARDWARE
Engine cowling — all cowl fasteners and cowl flap (if fitted)SECURED; COWL FLAP OPERATIONAL
Propeller blades and spinner — inspect each blade face, leading edge, and tipNO NICKS, CRACKS, OR EROSION; SPINNER SECURE
Nose gear — strut inflation, torque links, and shimmy damperSTRUT EXTENDED NORMALLY; HARDWARE SECURE
Nose tire — condition and inflationSERVICEABLE; PROPERLY INFLATED
Pitot tube — cover removed; inlet unobstructedCOVER REMOVED; CLEAR
Static ports — both sides of fuselageCLEAR AND UNOBSTRUCTED
Left wing leading edge and upper/lower skinNO IMPACT DAMAGE, DEFORMATION, OR FUEL STAINING
Left aileron — hinges, pushrod, and range of travelSECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT
Left flap — hinge pins, actuator, and skin conditionSECURE; NO DAMAGE
Left wingtip — navigation light lens and strobeUNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT
Left main gear — strut extension, tire, brake pads, and gear doorSTRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED
Fuselage skin, antennas, and baggage door latchNO DAMAGE; ANTENNAS SECURE; DOOR LATCHED
Horizontal stabiliser and elevators — both sides; check hinge security and trim tabUNDAMAGED; HINGES SECURE; NO EXCESSIVE PLAY
Vertical stabiliser and rudder — hinges and full deflection checkUNDAMAGED; MOVES FREELY
Tail beacon — lens and mountingINTACT AND SECURE
ELT — armed position and antenna connectionARMED; ANTENNA CONNECTED
Right main gear — strut, tire, brakes, and gear doorSTRUT NORMAL; TIRE SERVICEABLE; BRAKES ADEQUATE; DOOR UNDAMAGED
Right flap and right aileron — condition, hinges, and full travelSECURE; FULL AND FREE MOVEMENT; NO DAMAGE
Right wing leading edge, fuel cap, and tank ventNO DAMAGE; CAP LOCKED; VENT CLEAR
Right wingtip — navigation and strobe lightsUNDAMAGED; LENS INTACT
Tiedowns, chocks, and gust locks — all removedALL REMOVED

Cockpit Preparation / Before Start before_start

POH — aboard and accessible to crewON BOARD
Seats — fore/aft position locked; back angle securedADJUSTED AND LOCKED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED
Control lock (if installed)REMOVED
Flight controls — full travel in all axesFREE AND CORRECT
Avionics master switchOFF (before applying battery power)
Master switch (battery)ON
Fuel quantity gauges — compare with visual inspectionCONSISTENT WITH VISUAL CHECK
Annunciator / warning lights — press-to-testALL LAMPS ILLUMINATE; NONE REMAIN LIT AFTER TEST
Landing gear position indicatorsTHREE GREEN — DOWN AND LOCKED CONFIRMED
Gear warning horn — verify audible with throttle at idleHORN SOUNDS
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT (fullest tank or per POH; NOT OFF)
Elevator trimSET FOR TAKEOFF PER POH
Rudder trimNEUTRAL OR PER POH
Propeller control (if separate from throttle)FULL FORWARD — HIGH RPM
Mixture controlRICH (or per POH for field elevation)
Throttle (or single-lever control if so equipped)CLOSED, THEN SLIGHTLY OPEN PER POH START PROCEDURE
FlapsUP — confirmed by position indicator
Parking brakeSET

Engine Start engine_start

Area around the aircraft — clear of persons and obstaclesCLEAR
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT — confirm ON
MixtureRICH (or per POH for altitude)
CAUTIONThe IO-540 is fuel-injected — there is no carburetor. Follow the POH hot-start or cold-start procedure as appropriate. Priming with the fuel pump is typically required for a cold engine.
Electric fuel pump — energise briefly for pre-start prime per POHON MOMENTARILY; FUEL PRESSURE CONFIRMED; THEN OFF
Throttle — position per POH start procedureSET PER POH
Ignition switchSTART — engage starter; release promptly after engine fires
Oil pressure — verify rise within time limit per POHRISING; WITHIN LIMIT
Throttle — after engine stabilisesREDUCE TO IDLE RPM PER POH
Mixture — after startRICH FOR GROUND OPERATIONS (or per POH)
Avionics master switchON
Alternator — verify charging on ammeter or loadmeterCHARGING NORMALLY

After Start / Before Taxi after_start

Oil pressure and oil temperatureWITHIN NORMAL RANGE PER POH
Engine instruments — fuel flow, cylinder head temperature, vacuumALL INDICATING NORMALLY
Flight instruments — altimeter set to current setting; gyros erectingALTIMETER SET; GYROS ERECT
Heading indicator — aligned with magnetic compassALIGNED
Communication and navigation radios — frequencies set and volumes checkedSET AND CHECKED
Transponder — code entered and in STANDBYCODE SET; STANDBY
ATIS / weather information — obtain before taxiRECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED
Taxi / position lights — as required by conditionsON AS NEEDED
Parking brake — release when ready to taxiRELEASED

Run-Up / Before Takeoff before_takeoff

Parking brakeSET
Flight controls — verify full and free movement in all three axesFREE AND CORRECT
Trim — elevator, rudder set for takeoffSET PER POH
Fuel selector — select appropriate tank; confirm NOT OFFFULLEST TANK SELECTED; ON
MixtureRICH (or per POH for field elevation)
Propeller control — FULL FORWARD before run-upFULL FORWARD
Throttle — advance to run-up power setting per POHRPM STABILISED AT RUN-UP SETTING
Magneto check — left, right, and BOTHDROP ON EACH MAGNETO WITHIN LIMITS PER POH; SPREAD WITHIN LIMITS
Propeller cycle — advance to full forward, then reduce RPM and observe drop, then return to full forwardRPM DROP OBSERVED; OIL CIRCULATES THROUGH GOVERNOR; CONTROL RETURNS SMOOTHLY
Propeller control — after cycle confirm full forwardFULL FORWARD FOR TAKEOFF
Engine instruments at run-up powerOIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, FUEL FLOW, AND CHT ALL WITHIN LIMITS
Annunciator — all warning lights checkedNO AMBER OR RED LIGHTS
Throttle — reduce to idle after run-up checkSMOOTH IDLE; ENGINE DOES NOT STUMBLE
Landing gear handle — confirm DOWN positionDOWN; THREE GREEN CONFIRMED
Flaps — set for takeoff per POHTAKEOFF POSITION; INDICATOR CONFIRMED
Car-style doors — fully latched and securedBOTH DOORS LATCHED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED
Departure briefing — takeoff direction, abort speed, and emergency landing areaBRIEFED
TransponderALT (mode C)

Takeoff takeoff

Runway — confirm clear and on correct runway headingCLEAR; CORRECT RUNWAY
Landing lightON
MixtureRICH OR PER POH FOR FIELD ELEVATION
Propeller controlFULL FORWARD
Throttle (or single-lever control) — apply smoothly to full powerFULL POWER; ENGINE INSTRUMENTS IN GREEN
Directional control during ground rollMAINTAIN RUNWAY CENTRELINE WITH RUDDER
Airspeed — confirm indication alive as speed buildsALIVE AND INCREASING
Rotate — lift off at rotation speedROTATE SMOOTHLY PER POH
Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb confirmed and runway is behindGEAR UP; INDICATOR CYCLES TO LIGHTS OUT
Flaps — retract after safe climb speed achieved per POHUP; INDICATOR CONFIRMED

Climb climb

Airspeed — establish climb speed per POHVy OR Vx AS APPROPRIATE PER POH
Throttle and manifold pressure — set climb powerCLIMB POWER PER POH
Propeller — set climb RPM per POHCLIMB RPM PER POH
Mixture — lean progressively as altitude increases per POHADJUSTED PER POH AND EGT; ENRICHED AS NEEDED NEAR TRAFFIC PATTERN
Landing gear position — confirm up and lights extinguishedUP; LIGHTS OUT
Flaps — confirm retractedUP; CONFIRMED
Engine instruments — oil pressure, oil temperature, CHT, and fuel flowALL WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS PER POH
Fuel selector — monitor tank balance; switch per POH fuel managementCORRECT TANK SELECTED
Altimeter and heading indicatorSET AND CROSSCHECKED

Cruise cruise

Manifold pressure — set for cruise powerCRUISE POWER PER POH
Propeller RPM — set cruise RPMCRUISE RPM PER POH
Mixture — lean to best power or best economy per operating conditions and altitudeLEANED PER POH AND EGT INDICATION
Fuel selector — alternate tanks at intervals per POH fuel management scheduleAPPROPRIATE TANK SELECTED; BALANCE MAINTAINED
Engine instruments — periodic monitoringOIL PRESSURE, OIL TEMP, CHT, AND FUEL FLOW WITHIN LIMITS
Fuel quantity — both tanks checked periodicallyADEQUATE REMAINING; BOTH TANKS NOTED
Trim — adjust all axes for hands-off cruise flightAIRCRAFT IN TRIM
Navigation — position confirmed against flight planON COURSE; ESTIMATED TIMES UPDATED
Weather — destination and alternate conditions reviewed enrouteWEATHER ACCEPTABLE; ALTERNATE VIABLE IF REQUIRED

Descent descent

Mixture — enrich gradually as altitude decreasesENRICHED PER POH AND ALTITUDE
Power — reduce smoothly to avoid shock-cooling the cylindersDESCENT POWER PER POH; CHT COOLING RATE ACCEPTABLE
Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selected; NOT OFFLEFT OR RIGHT PER POH
Engine instruments — monitor throughout descentALL WITHIN LIMITS
ATIS or destination weather — obtain and note runway in useINFORMATION RECEIVED; ALTIMETER SETTING NOTED
Altimeter — set to destination altimeter settingSET
Heading indicator — crosscheck and align with compassALIGNED
Approach briefing — runway, expected pattern entry, and missed approach planBRIEFED

Before Landing before_landing

Fuel selector — confirm appropriate tank selected; NOT OFFLEFT OR RIGHT PER POH; NOT OFF
MixtureRICH (or adjusted for field elevation per POH)
Propeller control — advance to full forwardFULL FORWARD — HIGH RPM
Landing gear — extend at or below maximum gear extension speed per POHGEAR HANDLE DOWN; THREE GREEN CONFIRMED
Gear warning horn — verify audible when power is reduced to approach settingHORN SOUNDS WHEN THROTTLE REDUCED WITH GEAR UP
Flaps — extend for approach per POHFLAP POSITION SET; INDICATOR CONFIRMED
Seat belts and shoulder harnesses — all occupantsFASTENED
Landing lightON
Car-style doors — confirm both fully latched before thresholdLATCHED

Gear Check approach

Landing gear handle positionDOWN
Gear position indicators — three green lightsTHREE GREEN — DOWN AND LOCKED CONFIRMED
CAUTIONVerify three green gear lights on every approach. Gear-up landings are the most common class of retractable-gear accidents. Perform this check on every circuit, including touch-and-gos.

Landing landing

Final approach airspeedPER POH FOR WEIGHT AND FLAP CONFIGURATION
Three green gear lights — verify before crossing the thresholdTHREE GREEN CONFIRMED
Flaps — confirm selected landing positionAT SELECTED POSITION; INDICATOR CONFIRMED
Runway alignment — track centreline throughout flareON CENTRELINE
Touchdown — aim for smooth main-wheel contact then lower nose-wheel under controlSMOOTH TOUCHDOWN; NOSE WHEEL LOWERED GRADUALLY
Brakes — apply after nose wheel is on the runway surfaceAPPLIED SMOOTHLY AND EVENLY AS NEEDED
Mixture — retain rich through the landing roll for immediate go-around capabilityRICH

Go-Around / Missed Approach go_around

Throttle — apply full power smoothlyFULL POWER
MixtureRICH
Propeller controlFULL FORWARD
Pitch — establish positive climb attitude; maintain control with rudder against increased torqueCLIMB ATTITUDE; AIRSPEED TO Vy PER POH
Flaps — retract incrementally per POH; avoid large flap retraction at once from full flapSTAGED RETRACTION PER POH
Landing gear — retract after positive rate of climb is establishedGEAR UP; CONFIRMED
Airspeed — transition to normal climb speed once clear of obstaclesPER POH
ATC — advise of go-around intention as appropriateADVISED

After Landing after_landing

FlapsRETRACT TO UP
TransponderSTANDBY OR AS DIRECTED BY ATC
Landing lightOFF OR AS DESIRED
Mixture — lean for taxi if operating on a long taxi at altitude per POHADJUSTED AS APPROPRIATE PER POH
Fuel selector — note selected tank for shutdown planningCONFIRM SELECTED TANK
Brakes — test gently during initial movement off the runwayEFFECTIVE

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

Parking brakeSET
Avionics master switchOFF (before removing alternator from bus)
Throttle — reduce to idle and allow engine to cool for a brief period per POHIDLE; ENGINE COOLING
MixtureIDLE CUTOFF — pull to shutdown engine
Ignition switch — after propeller stopsOFF
Master switchOFF
Fuel selectorLEFT OR RIGHT (leave on selected tank or per POH / local procedures)
Control lock (if installed)INSTALLED
Pitot tube coverINSTALLED
Flight time — Hobbs and tachometer recordedLOGGED
Squawks and discrepancies — note any maintenance itemsREVIEWED; LOGGED AS NEEDED
Aircraft — tied down and chocked as conditions requireSECURED

SOCATA TB 20 Trinidad — Normal Operating Procedures

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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

Gear Check approach

Landing landing

Go-Around / Missed Approach go_around

After Landing after_landing

Shutdown and Securing shutdown

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