PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK PREFLIGHT
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk · Pilot's Operating Handbook
Overview
This document serves as a Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) for the Piper PA-38 Tomahawk, specifically the PA38-112 model. It provides essential information for pilots regarding preflight procedures, flight operations, and emergency protocols. The handbook is designed to assist pilots in safely operating the aircraft by detailing checklists, performance specifications, and emergency procedures. It is an important resource for both training and operational use, ensuring that pilots are well-prepared for various flight scenarios and emergencies.
- Preflight checks include fuel quantity, flight controls, and securing baggage.
- Engine start requires specific throttle settings and monitoring of oil pressure.
- Takeoff speed is 53 KIAS, with a climb speed of 70 KIAS.
- Emergency procedures include switching fuel tanks and activating the fire extinguisher if needed.
- Usable fuel capacity is 30 gallons, with a climb fuel consumption of 12.0 GPH.
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Preflight Inspection
The preflight inspection section outlines the necessary checks before starting the engine. This includes verifying the condition of the aircraft, checking fuel levels, ensuring flight controls are free, and confirming that all necessary documents are on board. Specific checks include ensuring the mixture is in cutoff, the throttle is closed, and the parking brake is set as required.
Engine Start Procedures
This section details the steps for starting the engine, including priming the engine with 2-4 strokes for hot starts and 2-5 strokes for cold starts. It instructs pilots to set the throttle to ¼ inch for cold starts and ½ inch for hot starts, and to monitor oil pressure after starting.
Emergency Procedures
Emergency procedures are summarized, including actions for engine power loss in flight, engine roughness, and electrical fires. Pilots are advised to activate the fire extinguisher if necessary and to switch fuel tanks if experiencing fuel pressure loss.
Flight Operations
The flight operations section covers takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing procedures. It specifies airspeeds for various phases of flight, such as a takeoff speed of 53 KIAS and a landing speed of 70 KIAS. It also provides guidance on fuel management and mixture settings during different flight conditions.
Performance Specifications
Performance specifications include critical speeds such as Vx (61 KIAS), Vy (70 KIAS), and stall speeds with full flaps (49 KIAS). The section also outlines fuel capacity and consumption rates, including a usable fuel capacity of 30 gallons.
Safety notes
- Ensure all preflight checks are completed to avoid in-flight emergencies.
- Monitor engine gauges closely during startup and flight operations.
- Follow emergency procedures as outlined in the handbook to ensure safety.
Full document text
EAST COAST AERO CLUB PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK PREFLIGHT THANKS TO Scott Pace MARC NATHANSON 15 APR 18 PREFLIGHT PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK PREFLIGHT BED ATIS ..................... …………124.6 GROUND ....................... ….121.7 TOWER ...................... …….118.5 BOS APP ........................ …124.4 Signature .........................130.8 ..........................or 781-274-0010 OWD ATIS ..................... ……….119.95 GROUND ....................... ….121.8 TOWER ...................... …….126.0 BOS APP ...................... …..124.1 ASH ATIS ................. ………125.1 GROUND ....................... ….121.8 TOWER ...................... …….133.2 BOS APP ...................... …..124.9 Practice area-ALL .............123.5 Emergency (guard) ..........121.5 Magnetos ................. OFF, KEY OUT Mixture ............................. CUTOFF Throttle ............................ CLOSED Hobbs & Tach ....................... RECORD Documents (AROW)................. CHECK Flight controls ..................... RELEASE Parking brake ............... AS REQUIRED Avionics/Radios .......................... OFF ELT…………………………………………………. ARM Electrical switches ....................... OFF Master switch .............................. ON Fuel gauges ........................... CHECK Alternator Warning Light …………………ON Pitot heat.................. ON, CHECK, OFF Exterior lights ............ ON, CHECK, OFF Stall horn .............................. CHECK Master switch ............................. OFF Altimeter ................ FIELD ELEVATION Magnetic compass ................... CHECK Pitot & static drains ................. DRAIN Flight controls ........................ CHECK Static Drain.. ………………………….DRAINED Flaps................................... EXTEND Fire extinguisher (If installed) ... CHECK Baggage …………………………………..SECURE Windows................................ CHECK General condition ....... CHECK & CLEAR Flap ...................................... CHECK Aileron .................................. CHECK Wingtip ................................. CHECK Inboard & Outboard Flow Strips CHECK Tie down/chock..................... REMOVE Fuel tank vent ........................ CHECK Fuel tank sump…….. DRAIN & NO DRIPS Fuel tank & quantity ................ CHECK Fuel cap & Vent ...................... CHECK Main gear & Brakes ................. CHECK General condition & leaks ......... CHECK Fresh air inlet ......................... CHECK Right engine compartment........ CHECK Oil (max 5, min 4)................... CHECK Propeller & spinner .................. CHECK Alternator belt ........................ CHECK Air inlets ................................ CHECK Nose gear .............................. CHECK Chock ................................. REMOVE Left engine compartment.......... CHECK Hydraulic Brake Fluid…………………CHECK Fresh air inlet ......................... CHECK Cowlings .............................. SECURE Fuel strainer X 2 (Switch Tanks)…. ........................... DRAIN & NO DRIPS General condition ....... CHECK & CLEAR Fresh air inlet ......................... CHECK Main gear & Brakes ................. CHECK Fuel tank vent ........................ CHECK Fuel tank sump……..DRAIN & NO DRIPS Fuel tank & quantity ................ CHECK Fuel cap & vent....................... CHECK Tie down/chock..................... REMOVE Inboard & Outboard Flow Strips . CHECK Pitot Tube 3 Holes ................... CHECK Wingtip ................................. CHECK Aileron .................................. CHECK Flap ...................................... CHECK General condition .................... CHECK Antennas ............................... CHECK Stabilator & Elevator... CHECK & CLEAR Rudder ..................... CHECK & CLEAR Antennas ............................... CHECK Tie down.............................. REMOVE General condition .................... CHECK Antennas ............................... CHECK Tail Lock……………………………. IN COCKPIT Baggage .............................. SECURE Flaps .................................. RETRACT Passenger briefing .............. COMPLETE Seats & seat belts ................. SECURE Fuel selector... LOWEST TANK or EITHER TANK Circuit breakers ...................... CHECK Anti Collision Lights ...................... ON Carb heat .................................. OFF Brakes........................... SET & HOLD Doors (Upper & Lower Latches)… ................ ......................... CLOSED & LATCHED Prime…….2-4 STROKES HOT, 2-5 COLD On Last Stroke Leave Primer Out Master........................................ ON Fuel pump………………..ON CK PRESSURE Mixture.................................... RICH Throttle .................. ¼” COLD,½” HOT Propeller area ......................... CLEAR Starter ................................ ENGAGE Primer….ADVANCE SLOWLY AS ENGINE STARTS Primer.. ……………….…..…….LOCKED Throttle.. 800 RPM (No Higher Than 1000) Oil pressure............................ CHECK Fuel pump.................................. OFF Mixture.................................... LEAN Avionics ...................................... ON Radio(s) & Intercom .................... SET Transponder (1200 VFR) .............. ALT ATIS ..................................... CHECK Flight instruments ....................... SET Lights......................AS APPROPRIATE Navigation & Transponder............. SET Radio ................ CLNC, GROUND/CTAF Parking Brake …………………………RELEASE Brakes................................... CHECK Flight instruments ................... CHECK Brakes........................... SET & HOLD Oil Temp..………………………IN THE GREEN Fuel selector.................. OTHER TANK Mixture (below 5000’) ................ RICH Throttle ............................ 1800 RPM Mags (drop 175,diff 50)............ CHECK Vacuum (5.0+.1”) ................... CHECK Engine gauges ........................ CHECK Load meter.. .CHARGING LTS & pitot on/off Carb heat (drop/NO RISE) ............. ON Throttle (min 500 RPM) ............... IDLE Carb heat .................................. OFF Throttle ............................ 1000 RPM Primer ................................. LOCKED Fuel pump................................... ON Pitot heat..................... AS REQUIRED Flight instruments ................... CHECK Static Source . …………………………NORMAL Trim................................... TAKEOFF Flight controls......................... CHECK …CONTINUED ON BACK... FREQUENCIES COCKPIT SAFETY CHECK PREFLIGHT RIGHT WING NOSE LEFT WING LEFT FUSELAGE EMPENNAGE RIGHT FUSELAGE BEFORE ENGINE START ENGINE START BEFORE TAXI TAXI ENGINE RUNUP BEFORE TAKEOFF FLIGHT PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK FLIGHT FLIGHT PA38-112 PIPER TOMAHAWK FLIGHT Flaps..... NORMAL 0°, SHORT/SOFT 21° Seats & seat belts.. UPRIGHT & SECURE Doors (Upper & Lower Latches) ................................. CLOSED & LATCHED Lights ........................................ ON Takeoff briefing ................. COMPLETE Radio ........................... TOWER/CTAF #2 Radio (If installed .. MONITOR 121.5 Mixture (below 5000’) ................ RICH Throttle .................................... FULL Power (2200-2350 RPM=STATIC) . CHECK Engine gauges ........................ CHECK Airspeed ................................ CHECK Rotate (0°/21°) ............... 53/53 KIAS Flaps…RETRACT AT SAFE SPEED (60 KIAS) Airspeed (cruise climb).. 70 KIAS/500’/MIN Fuel pump ................................. OFF Fuel & Oil pressure .................. CHECK Power ......................... AS REQUIRED Mixture ............... LEAN AS REQUIRED Fuel pump .................................. ON Fuel selector .............. DESIRED TANK Fuel pressure ......................... CHECK Fuel pump ................................. OFF Power ......................... AS REQUIRED Mixture ....................... AS REQUIRED ATIS ……………………………….…………OBTAIN Altimeters . ……………………………………..SET Carb heat .................... AS REQUIRED Seats & seat belts..UPRIGHT & SECURE Downwind ............................. 80 KTS Fuel pump .................................. ON Fuel selector ............... FULLEST TANK Mixture (below 5000’) ................ RICH Carb heat .................... AS REQUIRED Flaps (<89 KIAS) .......... AS REQUIRED Landing (0°) ........................ 70 KIAS Landing (34°) ....................... 67 KIAS Radio ......................... GROUND/CTAF RPM ……………………………………………….1000 Flaps.................................. RETRACT Fuel pump ................................. OFF Carb heat .................................. OFF Mixture ................................... LEAN Lights………………………………AS REQUIRED Pitot Heat………………………………………..OFF Call for fuel .................. AS REQUIRED Avionics..................................... OFF Throttle .................................... IDLE Mixture ............................... CUTOFF Magnetos ............................ OFF, KEY OUT Electrical switches .............................. OFF Master .............................................. OFF Hobbs & tach ............................... RECORD Flight controls .............................. SECURE Tie downs .................................... SECURE Cover ..................................................ON Vg (0°)................................ 73 KIAS .... glide distance approx 1 NM per 550’ Va (2325/1531 lbs) ......... 111/88 KIAS Vfe ................................... 103 KIAS Vy (0°)................................ 70 KIAS Vx (0°)................................ 61 KIAS Vx (21°) ......................………..61 KIAS Vs0 Full Flaps ....................... 49 KIAS Usable fuel tabs/full ............... 24g/30g Taxi fuel ................................... 1.0g Climb fuel .......................... 12.0 GPH Crosswind ............................. 17 KTS Maneuvers .............. 2200 RPM/90 KTS Cruise 3000’@75% .... 2500 RPM/90KTS Cruise GPH@75% (leaned) ............ 6.5 BED ATIS ..................... …………124.6 GROUND ....................... ….121.7 TOWER ...................... …….118.5 BOS APP ........................ …124.4 Signature .........................130.8 ......................... or 781-274-0010 OWD ATIS ..................... ……….119.95 GROUND ....................... ….121.8 TOWER ...................... …….126.0 BOS APP ...................... …..124.1 ASH ATIS .................. ………125.1 GROUND ....................... ….121.8 TOWER ...................... …….133.2 BOS APP ...................... …..124.9 Practice area-ALL .............123.5 Emergency (guard) ..........121.5 EMERGENCIES NOTE: NOT ALL EPs are here. Check POH for additional procedures Starter ............. CONTINUE CRANKING Mixture................................ CUTOFF Throttle ................................... OPEN Fuel pump ................................. OFF Fuel selector............................... OFF Fire Extinguisher . …………………ACTIVATE Fuel selector.... SWITCH-TANK WITH FUEL Fuel pump................................... ON Mixture.................................... RICH Carb heat ................................... ON Primer ................................. LOCKED Magnetos .. L then R then back to BOTH Throttle & Mixture ....... TRY DIFFERENT SETTINGS Engine gauges ........................ CHECK Trim for best glide ................. 70 KIAS Landing area ...................... IDENTIFY Radio .................................. MAYDAY ELT . ………………………………………………….ON Transponder ............................. 7700 Final approach (34°) .............. 67 KIAS Magnetos ................................... OFF Master switch ............................. OFF Fuel selector............................... OFF Mixture................................ CUTOFF Seatbelts ............................. SECURE Door ................................. UNLATCH Carb heat ................................... ON If still rough after ONE MINUTE: Carb heat .................................. OFF Mixture.......... ADJUST TO SMOOTHEST Fuel pump................................... ON Fuel selector............... SWITCH TANKS Engine gauges ........................ CHECK Magnetos ............. CHECK SMOOTHEST Mixture.................................... RICH Land ............. AS SOON AS PRACTICAL Fuel selector............................... OFF Throttle ............................... CLOSED Mixture................................ CUTOFF Fuel pump.................................. OFF Cabin Heat ................................. OFF Speed ....... INCREASE TO EXTINGUISH Land ........................... IMMEDIATELY Fuel pump................................... ON Fuel selector...... CHECK ON FULL TANK Master switch ............................. OFF Alternator switch ......................... OFF Vents ......................................OPEN Heater & defroster....................... OFF Fire extinguisher ......... AS NECESSARY Land ............. AS SOON AS PRACTICAL TAKEOFF CLIMB CRUISE FUEL TANK SWITCH DESCENT APPROACH & LANDING AFTER LANDING SHUTDOWN WHEN PROP STOPS SPEEDS SPECS FREQUENCIES ENGINE FIRE DURING START ENGINE POWER LOSS IN FLIGHT POWER OFF LANDING ENGINE ROUGHNESS ENGINE FIRE IN FLIGHT LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE ELECTRICAL (CABIN) FIRE