172 Preflight Checklist
CESSNA 172C · Checklist
Overview
This document is a checklist for the Cessna 172, providing pilots with a structured guide for preflight, startup, before takeoff, cruise, before landing, after landing, approach, and emergency descent procedures. It is designed to ensure that all critical checks and procedures are followed to maintain safety and operational efficiency. The checklist includes specific actions to be taken at each stage of flight, along with important speed and power settings. This document serves as a quick reference for pilots to verify that all necessary steps are completed before and during flight operations.
- Oil level must be between 6 to 8 quarts before startup.
- Throttle should be set to 1000 RPM before takeoff and during startup.
- V speeds include VR (55 KIAS), VY (78 KIAS), and VX (64 KIAS).
- Perform magneto checks with a maximum drop of 125 RPM and a maximum difference of 50 RPM.
- In an emergency descent, set the transponder to 7700 and ensure the mixture is rich.
Document
Source
Originally published by flymafc.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Checklist
- Year
- 2015
- Pages
- 2
- File size
- 134 KB
- Publisher
- flymafc.com
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In this document
Preflight Inspection
The preflight inspection checklist includes a series of checks for the cabin, tail, right wing, nose, and left wing. Key actions include removing covers and plugs, checking fuel gauges, ensuring control locks are removed, and verifying oil levels between 6 to 8 quarts. Each section has specific items to check, such as securing fuel caps and ensuring the tail tie-down is removed.
Startup Procedures
During startup, pilots must secure seats and belts, complete a passenger briefing, and check circuit breakers. The checklist specifies actions like setting the throttle to 1/8 inch open, visually clearing the prop area, and monitoring oil pressure after starting the engine. It emphasizes the importance of checking the ammeter and ensuring radios are on and checked.
Before Takeoff
The before takeoff checklist includes ensuring the nose gear is straight, holding brakes, and setting the throttle to 1000 RPM. Pilots must check flight controls, elevator trim, and engine instruments, as well as perform magneto checks with specified RPM drop limits. The checklist also includes setting the transponder to ALT and ensuring all doors and windows are closed.
V Speeds
The checklist provides critical V speeds for the Cessna 172, including VR (Rotate) at 55 KIAS, VY (Best rate climb) at 78 KIAS, and VX (Best angle climb) at 64 KIAS. It also lists stall speeds and maximum cruise speed (VNO) at 128 KIAS.
Emergency Descent Procedures
In the event of an emergency descent, the checklist instructs pilots to trim for best glide, find a suitable field, and set the fuel valve to both. It includes critical actions such as locking the primer, opening the throttle, and setting the transponder to 7700. The checklist emphasizes securing seats and belts and cracking open the door during descent.
Safety notes
- Always ensure the prop area is clear before starting the engine.
- Monitor oil pressure immediately after engine start to ensure proper operation.
- Verify that all doors and windows are closed before takeoff.
Full document text
Cessna 172 Checklist (see POH for amplified procedures, no warranties or guarantees apply) Preflight Cabin: 1. Covers, plugs - REMOVE. 2. Windshield - CLEAN. 3. Documents - ARROW. 4. Hobbs & Tach - NOTE. 5. Control lock - REMOVE. 6. Ignition - OFF. 7. Avionics - OFF. 8. Master - ON. 9. Fuel gauges - CHECK. 10. Flaps - DOWN. 11. Lights - CHECK (AS REQ’D). 12. Pitot heat - CHECK (AS REQ’D). 13. Master - OFF. 14. ELT - AUTO. Tail: 1. Antennas - CHECK. 2. Left-side fuselage - CHECK. 3. Baggage door – CLOSE & LOCK. 4. Elevator, rudder, trim tab - CHECK. 5. Tail tie-down - REMOVE. 6. Right-side fuselage - CHECK. Right Wing: 1. Flap, Aileron - CHECK. 2. Wing tip, Nav lights/strobe - CHECK. 3. Leading edge, Air inlet - CHECK. 4. Tie-down, chock - REMOVE. 5. Tire, Brakes, Strut - CHECK. 6. Fuel tank sump - DRAIN. 7. Fuel level - CHECK VISUALLY. 8. Fuel cap and vent - SECURE & CHECK. 9. Cabin air inlet - CHECK. Nose: 1. Gas, oil leaks on ground? 2. Belly fuel sump & Strainer - DRAIN. 3. Fuel cap - SECURE. 4. Oil level - 6 TO 8 QUARTS. 5. Cowling - SECURE. 6. Alternator belt - CHECK. 7. Prop, spinner - CHECK. 8. Air filter - CHECK. 9. Tire, Strut, Linkage - CHECK. 10. Stall warning - CHECK. 11. Static port - CHECK. 12. Pitot - CHECK. 13. Fuel tank vent - CHECK. Left Wing: 1. Fuel level - CHECK VISUALLY. 2. Fuel cap - SECURE. 3. Air inlet, Leading edge, Stall warning, Landing lights - CHECK. 4. Wing tip, Nav lights/Strobe - CHECK. 5. Aileron, Flap - CHECK. 6. Tie-down, Chock - REMOVE. 7. Fuel tank vent - CHECK. 8. Tire, Brakes, Strut - CHECK. 9. Fuel tank sump - DRAIN. Startup 1. Seats, belts - SECURE. 2. Passenger briefing - COMPLETE. 3. Charts - ARRANGE. 4. Circuit breakers - CHECK. 5. Beacon - ON. 6. Nav lights - AS REQUIRED. 7. Avionics - OFF. 8. Brakes - CHECK AND HOLD. 9. Fuel valve - BOTH. 10. Mixture - RICH. 11. Carb heat - OFF. 12. Prime - AS REQUIRED. 13. Master - ON. 14. Throttle -1/8 INCH OPEN. 15. Prop area - VISUALLY CLEAR. 16. Landing light - FLASH IF DARK. 17. Yell CLEAR. 18. Ignition - START. 19. Throttle - 1000. 20. Oil pressure - CHECK. 21. Ammeter - CHECK. 22. Flaps - UP. 23. Radios - ON and CHECK. 24. 121.5 MHz - MONITOR FOR ELT. 25. Transponder - STANDBY. 26. Circuit breakers - CHECK. 27. Flight instruments - SET. 28. Parking brake - RELEASE. 29. Brakes - TEST. Shutdown 1. 121.5 MHz - MONITOR FOR ELT. 2. Avionics - OFF. 3. Lights, except beacon - OFF. 4. Mixture - OFF. 5. Throttle - OFF. 6. Ignition - OFF. 7. Master - OFF. 8. Hobbs & Tach - NOTE. 9. Seat belts - SECURE. 10. Control locks - INSTALL. 11. Tie-downs – secure. 12. Covers, plugs - INSTALL. 13. Prop - VERTICAL. 14. CLOSE FLIGHT PLAN. 5/6/2015 Cessna 172 Checklist (see POH for amplified procedures, no warranties or guarantees apply) Before Takeoff 1. Nose gear - STRAIGHT. 2. Brakes - HOLD. 3. Throttle - 1000. 4. Flight controls - FREE, CORRECT. 5. Elevator trim - TAKEOFF. 6. Flight instruments - SET. 7. Fuel valve - BOTH. 8. Mixture - RICH. 9. Primer - LOCKED. 10. Throttle - 1700. 11. Engine instruments - CHECK. 12. Ammeter - CHECK. 13. Suction - CHECK. 14. Mags. - CHECK L, R, BOTH, max 125 rpm drop, 50 rpm differ. 15. Carb. heat - CHECK DROP. 16. Throttle - IDLE. 17. Carb. heat - CHECK DROP. 18. Throttle - 1000. 19. Flaps - 0. 20. Carb heat - OFF. 21. Transponder - ALT, 1200. 22. Radio - SET FREQUENCIES. 23. Strobes - AS REQUIRED. 24. Doors, windows - CLOSED. 25. Seats & belts - SECURE. 26. Oil temp. & press. - CHECK. 27. Radio - INTENTIONS. V Speeds (variable) KIAS Rotate VR 55 Best rate climb VY 78 Best angle climb VX 64 Maneuvering VA 80 - 97 Max flap extend VFE 85 Max cruise VNO 128 Never exceed VNE 160 Stall (clean) VS 42 (50) Stall (full flaps) VSo 36 (44) Cruise climb 80 - 90 Cruise descent 90 Approach 60 Shortest landing 55 Best glide 65 Power settings RPM KIAS Cruise 2350 98 Approach, flaps up 2050 82 Approach, flaps 10 2050 70 ILS descent, flaps up 1600 80 ILS descent, flaps 10 1600 65 Non-precision, flaps up 1500 80 Cruise 1. Throttle - CRUISE. 2. Mixture - LEAN. 3. DG - ALIGN. Before Landing 1. Seats & belts - SECURE. 2. Landing light - ON. 3. Fuel valve - BOTH. 4. Mixture - RICH. 5. Primer - LOCKED. 6. Carb heat - ON. After Landing 1. Flaps - UP. 2. Carb heat - OFF. 3. Throttle - 1000. 4. Transponder - STANDBY, 1200. 5. Landing light - OFF. 6. Strobes - OFF. Approach 1. ATIS - COPY. 2. Correct procedure - CHECK. 3. Minimums - VERIFY. 4. Comm freqs – PRESET. 5. Marker beacon – ON AND TEST. 6. ADF – IDENT AND TEST. 7. VORs – IDENT AND TUNE. 8. DME – IDENT. 9. Localizer – IDENT. 10. OBS – SET. 11. FAF to MAP time – ESTIMATE. 12. FAF, step-downs, doglegs - CHECK. 13. Distances – CHECK. 14. Altitudes - CHECK. 15. Missed approach – CHECK. 16. DG – ALIGN. 17. Before landing checklist – COMPLETE. Emergency Descent 1. Trim – BEST GLIDE. 2. FIND A FIELD. 3. Fuel valve - BOTH. 4. Mixture – RICH. 5. Throttle – OPEN. 6. Carb heat - ON. 7. Mags - L, R, BOTH. 8. Primer – LOCKED. 9. Radio – 121.5. 10. Transponder - 7700. 11. Mixture – OFF. 12. Throttle – OFF. 13. Fuel valve - OFF. 14. Ignition – OFF. 15. Seats & belts - SECURE. 16. Door – CRACKED OPEN. 17. Flaps - AS REQUIRED. 18. Master – OFF.
What's in the CESSNA 172C TCDS
A Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS) is the FAA's record of what an aircraft type was approved as. It is the source of truth for weights, seating, fuel and the rules the design was certified against. Expand any line to see what it means.
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