Overview
This document provides the comprehensive normal and emergency checklists for the Cessna 172S (Nav III) aircraft, detailing standardized procedures for preflight, flight phases, and emergency scenarios to ensure operational safety and readiness.
Preflight and Pre-Start Procedures
- Test and set brakes before start.
- Complete passenger briefing, adjust and lock seats, and ensure seatbelts/harnesses are fastened.
- Set avionics, electrical equipment, and check circuit breakers.
- Confirm fuel shutoff is on and fuel selector is set to both.
- Test and arm standby battery, check engine indication system, battery voltage, and annunciators.
- Switch on master, beacon, and navigation lights as required.
Engine Start and Pre-Taxi
- Open throttle slightly and set mixture to idle cut-off, prime as required, and clear propeller area.
- Start engine with magnetos, adjusting mixture to full rich as engine starts.
- Monitor oil pressure and electrical systems; ensure annunciators are clear.
- Enable avionics bus, retract flaps, acknowledge database, configure radios, and set altimeters.
- Release parking brake, switch on taxi light, and verify flight instruments during taxi.
Runup and Before Takeoff
- Set parking brake, mixture to full rich, and throttle to 1800 RPM.
- Perform magneto and engine indicator checks, verify vacuum, voltmeters, and ammeters.
- Reduce throttle to idle, adjust mixture, and secure doors/windows.
- Set flight controls, check autopilot, and verify navigation sources and oil/temperature gauges.
- Set flaps, trim, fuel selector, and complete takeoff briefing.
Takeoff Procedures
- For normal takeoff: lights on, mixture full rich, throttle full open, rotate at 55 KIAS, climb at Vy.
- For short field takeoff: hold brakes, throttle full open, release brakes, rotate/climb at specified speeds, retract flaps above 300 AGL.
- During climb: maintain 70-85 KIAS, adjust mixture and trim, monitor engine and electrical systems.
Cruise and Descent
- Set power between 2100-2700 RPM in cruise, adjust mixture, and monitor indicators.
- Review FMS/GPS and brief as necessary.
- For descent: adjust engine power, mixture, altimeters, and brief navigation.
Before Landing and After Landing
- Before landing: seats upright, seatbelts/harnesses fastened, fuel selector both, mixture full rich, landing/taxi lights on, autopilot off, set flaps, and radio set.
- After landing: turn off landing lights, activate taxi light, strobe lights off, pitot heat off, retract flaps, trim set, set parking brake, monitor ELT, and switch off avionics buses as required.
Shutdown Procedures
- Set throttle to idle, test magnetos, then 1000 RPM.
- Move mixture to idle cut-off, turn off magnetos, master switch, and standby battery.
- Record tachometer and Hobbs time, install control lock, ensure parking brake released.
- Secure aircraft with exterior checks and covers.
Emergency Procedures: Key Actions
- For engine failure before/after rotation: idle throttle, apply brakes, mixture idle cut-off, retract flaps, shut down electrical systems, and land straight ahead or as required.
- In-flight engine failure: maintain 68 KIAS, verify fuel systems, magnetos both, and execute forced landing if restart fails.
- For fires (engine start/in-flight/cabin/electrical): cutoff fuel and electrical, use fire extinguisher, ventilate cabin, and land ASAP.
- For wing fire: turn off all external/lighting/pitot systems, sideslip as needed, and land ASAP.
- For high/low volts: adjust alternator, check circuit breakers, reduce load as needed, and land as practical if not resolved.
- For autopilot or instrument failures: follow indicated circuit breaker and backup instrument procedures.
Notes on Immediate Actions
- Immediate action items in bold in the checklist must be committed to memory for safety and compliance.