My Flight Instructor, Ted, at West Valley FC in Palo Alto, wanted me to write out explanations for the Engine Starting and Pre-Takeoff procedure checklists of a Cessna 172SP, so he could be sure I understood why I was doing the things I was doing.
Reproduced below, in its entirety, is what I emailed to him. My explanations are in blue. Since it is my sincere belief that all aspiring intrepid birdmen (and women) can benefit from it, I invite all would-be Cessna pilots to peruse. And, sorry you caburetted comrades, this plane is fuel-injected. Happy reading!
ENGINE STARTING
Preflight
Complete
What else did you think I was doin' near that airplane?
Passenger briefing
Complete
Ted does seem to know already tho…. What a waste of breath!
Seat & belts
Adjust. Lock, Check inertia reel
You wanna get comfortable, but not too comfortable… and those reels gotta keep you reeled in in an emergency
Brakes
Test, Set
Avoids unintended taxi on startup. Er... we know.
Circuit breakers
Check IN
Equipment must be online to test 'em...
Electrical Equip
Off
Avoids transients from battery
Avionics master switch
Off
Avoids transients; don't wanna fry the avionics
Fuel selector valve
BOTH
Ensures that a no-start condition is not due to one tank bein' empty and you tryin' to feed from empty tank (sez Murphy)
Fuel shutoff valve
On
Shut fuel won't flow. Bad thing.
Avionics Circuit breakers
Check IN
Equipment must be online to test 'em
Throttle
1/4 in open
Engine won't inject fuel otherwise. Proportional to airflow... unlike the flu shot injections you get in September, which are proportional to .... flu flow?
Mixture
Idle cut off
You don’t wanna flood that engine when you start the aux fuel pump.
Master switch
On
Will need that battery and magnetos in a moment… sparks (are for) flyin'. Also, it helps if there is some power to turn on that aux fuel pump.
Aux fuel pump
On
Someone gotta get the fuel movin into the cylinder heads…
Mixture
Set rich 3-5 sec... Watch for fuel flow. Set idle
Get some fuel in them thar cylinder heads… but don't wanna flood em
Aux Fuel pump
Off
Enough (fuel) is enough. Mix is now idle. Don't pump air.
Thru Window
Yell "Clear prop". Look to see if anyone's lurkin' under prop waitin' to spring "Gotcha" as you start
Avoids fresh red paint job on cowling.
Ignition
START
The idea is to fly the airplane with the engine running.
Mixture
Advance smoothly to full rich
'Coz engines can't live on air alone. Give em too much lovin' tho, and they flood… hence smoothly. No get-rich-quick for you, Mixture! (Wags finger)
Oil pressure
Check
Pistons scratch up cylinders pretty bad before seizing (ceasing?) altogether. Shut down engine if no oil is intervening between piston and cylinder walls
Navigation lights
On
Now's like a good time, with the alternator goin. Avoids assault on battery
Avionics master switch
On
Most things that make nasty tranisent voltage spikes (like starters and magnetos) just as they get goin' already got goin'. No high-current-draw voltage-dips due to starter motor either
Radios
ON
What? No FM?? I guess we'll still wanna listen to ATIS in a moment. BTW, radios are Avionics too…
Flaps
RETRACT
Else you won't ever remember to… Palo Alto is like 3 foot elevation and 2400 feet runway, which Ted sez is plenny for our aircraft. Who the heck needs flaps… and did I tell ya, that windsock never droops? You could get a surprise liftoff... heh, heh.
Parking Brake
SET
Avoids unauthorized runway incursions on runup. No, we haven't tested this one yet.
Passenger Seatbacks
Most upright position
Perhaps it's more respectful to pray this way.
Seats and Seatbelts
Check secure
Yeah, if you taxied with me.
Cabin doors
Closed and locked
Improves aerodynamics and safety. Get's less windy in the cabin too.
Flight Controls
Free and correct
Check that all working as expected through all stops without jamming. Jamming is for dance-floors, and that kind has no stops.
Flight instruments
Check and set
Helps if heading indicator and magnetic compass both say the same thing. Your second chance to ensure that altimeter is set to two-niner… niner-what did ATIS say? Also can check if anything is reading really weird… like altimeter reading 28,000 feet at PAO, etc. Oops, aircraft ceiling is only 14,000!
Fuel quantity
Check
If you did not visually check earlier, and the float worked itself loose by now, you will be able to see that you have another 20 minutes worth left. If you had checked visually already and there was a fold somewhere in a rubber tank, that might have unfolded enough by now to let you know that seeing may be believing, but that aint stoppin anyone from lyin'...
Mixture
RICH
In case you knocked it POOR when taxiing, I guess…
Fuel selector valve
Recheck BOTH
May have shifted during Foxtrot and Tango on taxiway? Or Ted kicked it. Whatever!
Throttle
1800 RPM
Helps to show if engine can run smooth (or the opposite) at higher RPM. Higher RPM necessary for the tests that follow being able to return useful results
Magnetos
Check, R, Both, L, Both
Take one magneto off - you kill one spark plug. Less efficient mixture burn; you lose power. Drop's apprx 150 RPM. If drop is more, the other darn plug is either firing with bad timing, or is slightly clogged, or something wrong with the mixture. If no drop, darn magneto P lead is open to ground and the magneto is always live (potential fresh red paint job on cowling later...). whatever it is: bad thing! Why BOTH again between R and L checks? Full mixture burn with BOTH will burn off deposits you perhaps created on the R plug while you turned off the L. Repeat all of the above for L magneto. What if more than 50 RPM drop between magnetos? Whoa, why is there such a difference in mixture burn between taking out one spark plug or the other? One plug is definitely doing something wrong.
Vacuum Gauge
Check
Need the 1800 RPM to see this gauge is in the green. In the green means sufficient suction for vacuum driven instruments like attitude indicator and heading indicator. My attitude sucks already!
Engine Instruments and ammeter
Check
Good thing to confirm that alternator is working… batteries don’t last long if assaulted. Hence alternate form of assault.
Annunciator panel
Check none lit
Bad thing if lit.
Throttle
1000 RPM or less
Engine still runs smooth. Hopefully. (Cough, cough, splutter... #@*!)
Throttle friction lock
ADJUST
You want it just right for smoothly to full later.
Strobe lights
As desired
Ted does not desire till "lights-camera-action". Seasoned students brought up on quaint instructor-dreamed-up mnemonics love this one, especially all those celebrity pilot hopefuls in Hollywood.
Radio and avionics
SET
Tower frequency. Transponder squawking altitude. (Why do transponders squawk? Are they just transvestite chickens?)
NAV/GPS
SET
Say Ok umpteen times to GPS and NAV, confirming you are at PAO with the correct altimeter reading as supplied by ATIS and that database is current
Autopilot
OFF
Darn!
Electric Trim
SET
What electric trim? Placarded "INOPERABLE" on my instrument panel.
Wing flaps
Set for takeoff
See note earlier.. Aint usin' flaps
Brakes
RELEASE
The idea is not to do this wíthout clearance for takeoff... Nope, haven't tested violating that one yet either :(
[All posts ©opyright of the author. Syndication rights reserved.]
Reproduced below, in its entirety, is what I emailed to him. My explanations are in blue. Since it is my sincere belief that all aspiring intrepid birdmen (and women) can benefit from it, I invite all would-be Cessna pilots to peruse. And, sorry you caburetted comrades, this plane is fuel-injected. Happy reading!
ENGINE STARTING
Preflight
Complete
What else did you think I was doin' near that airplane?
Passenger briefing
Complete
Ted does seem to know already tho…. What a waste of breath!
Seat & belts
Adjust. Lock, Check inertia reel
You wanna get comfortable, but not too comfortable… and those reels gotta keep you reeled in in an emergency
Brakes
Test, Set
Avoids unintended taxi on startup. Er... we know.
Circuit breakers
Check IN
Equipment must be online to test 'em...
Electrical Equip
Off
Avoids transients from battery
Avionics master switch
Off
Avoids transients; don't wanna fry the avionics
Fuel selector valve
BOTH
Ensures that a no-start condition is not due to one tank bein' empty and you tryin' to feed from empty tank (sez Murphy)
Fuel shutoff valve
On
Shut fuel won't flow. Bad thing.
Avionics Circuit breakers
Check IN
Equipment must be online to test 'em
Throttle
1/4 in open
Engine won't inject fuel otherwise. Proportional to airflow... unlike the flu shot injections you get in September, which are proportional to .... flu flow?
Mixture
Idle cut off
You don’t wanna flood that engine when you start the aux fuel pump.
Master switch
On
Will need that battery and magnetos in a moment… sparks (are for) flyin'. Also, it helps if there is some power to turn on that aux fuel pump.
Aux fuel pump
On
Someone gotta get the fuel movin into the cylinder heads…
Mixture
Set rich 3-5 sec... Watch for fuel flow. Set idle
Get some fuel in them thar cylinder heads… but don't wanna flood em
Aux Fuel pump
Off
Enough (fuel) is enough. Mix is now idle. Don't pump air.
Thru Window
Yell "Clear prop". Look to see if anyone's lurkin' under prop waitin' to spring "Gotcha" as you start
Avoids fresh red paint job on cowling.
Ignition
START
The idea is to fly the airplane with the engine running.
Mixture
Advance smoothly to full rich
'Coz engines can't live on air alone. Give em too much lovin' tho, and they flood… hence smoothly. No get-rich-quick for you, Mixture! (Wags finger)
Oil pressure
Check
Pistons scratch up cylinders pretty bad before seizing (ceasing?) altogether. Shut down engine if no oil is intervening between piston and cylinder walls
Navigation lights
On
Now's like a good time, with the alternator goin. Avoids assault on battery
Avionics master switch
On
Most things that make nasty tranisent voltage spikes (like starters and magnetos) just as they get goin' already got goin'. No high-current-draw voltage-dips due to starter motor either
Radios
ON
What? No FM?? I guess we'll still wanna listen to ATIS in a moment. BTW, radios are Avionics too…
Flaps
RETRACT
Else you won't ever remember to… Palo Alto is like 3 foot elevation and 2400 feet runway, which Ted sez is plenny for our aircraft. Who the heck needs flaps… and did I tell ya, that windsock never droops? You could get a surprise liftoff... heh, heh.
[... Palo Alto Ground... Cessna 217 Foxtrot Tango at Sierra 18... Taxi for takeoff with Whiskey... Dumbarton right... (Er... what was that legal blood-alcohol limit in the FAR again...?)]
Assume now that I have taxied to runup area. (Disclaimer: Foxtrot and Tango do NOT refer to my taxi pattern, nor do they have anything to do with the fact that I have Whiskey.)
PRE-TAKEOFFParking Brake
SET
Avoids unauthorized runway incursions on runup. No, we haven't tested this one yet.
Passenger Seatbacks
Most upright position
Perhaps it's more respectful to pray this way.
Seats and Seatbelts
Check secure
Yeah, if you taxied with me.
Cabin doors
Closed and locked
Improves aerodynamics and safety. Get's less windy in the cabin too.
Flight Controls
Free and correct
Check that all working as expected through all stops without jamming. Jamming is for dance-floors, and that kind has no stops.
Flight instruments
Check and set
Helps if heading indicator and magnetic compass both say the same thing. Your second chance to ensure that altimeter is set to two-niner… niner-what did ATIS say? Also can check if anything is reading really weird… like altimeter reading 28,000 feet at PAO, etc. Oops, aircraft ceiling is only 14,000!
Fuel quantity
Check
If you did not visually check earlier, and the float worked itself loose by now, you will be able to see that you have another 20 minutes worth left. If you had checked visually already and there was a fold somewhere in a rubber tank, that might have unfolded enough by now to let you know that seeing may be believing, but that aint stoppin anyone from lyin'...
Mixture
RICH
In case you knocked it POOR when taxiing, I guess…
Fuel selector valve
Recheck BOTH
May have shifted during Foxtrot and Tango on taxiway? Or Ted kicked it. Whatever!
Throttle
1800 RPM
Helps to show if engine can run smooth (or the opposite) at higher RPM. Higher RPM necessary for the tests that follow being able to return useful results
Magnetos
Check, R, Both, L, Both
Take one magneto off - you kill one spark plug. Less efficient mixture burn; you lose power. Drop's apprx 150 RPM. If drop is more, the other darn plug is either firing with bad timing, or is slightly clogged, or something wrong with the mixture. If no drop, darn magneto P lead is open to ground and the magneto is always live (potential fresh red paint job on cowling later...). whatever it is: bad thing! Why BOTH again between R and L checks? Full mixture burn with BOTH will burn off deposits you perhaps created on the R plug while you turned off the L. Repeat all of the above for L magneto. What if more than 50 RPM drop between magnetos? Whoa, why is there such a difference in mixture burn between taking out one spark plug or the other? One plug is definitely doing something wrong.
If you understood that, you can get your certificate of partial fulfilment of the requirements of Aircraft Mechanic First Class right now!
Vacuum Gauge
Check
Need the 1800 RPM to see this gauge is in the green. In the green means sufficient suction for vacuum driven instruments like attitude indicator and heading indicator. My attitude sucks already!
Engine Instruments and ammeter
Check
Good thing to confirm that alternator is working… batteries don’t last long if assaulted. Hence alternate form of assault.
Annunciator panel
Check none lit
Bad thing if lit.
Throttle
1000 RPM or less
Engine still runs smooth. Hopefully. (Cough, cough, splutter... #@*!)
Throttle friction lock
ADJUST
You want it just right for smoothly to full later.
Strobe lights
As desired
Ted does not desire till "lights-camera-action". Seasoned students brought up on quaint instructor-dreamed-up mnemonics love this one, especially all those celebrity pilot hopefuls in Hollywood.
Radio and avionics
SET
Tower frequency. Transponder squawking altitude. (Why do transponders squawk? Are they just transvestite chickens?)
NAV/GPS
SET
Say Ok umpteen times to GPS and NAV, confirming you are at PAO with the correct altimeter reading as supplied by ATIS and that database is current
Autopilot
OFF
Darn!
Electric Trim
SET
What electric trim? Placarded "INOPERABLE" on my instrument panel.
Wing flaps
Set for takeoff
See note earlier.. Aint usin' flaps
Brakes
RELEASE
The idea is not to do this wíthout clearance for takeoff... Nope, haven't tested violating that one yet either :(
[All posts ©opyright of the author. Syndication rights reserved.]
1 comment:
You're quite the character.
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