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Piper PA28-181 Checklist

Piper PA-28 Archer DX · Checklist

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Overview

This document is a checklist for the Piper PA28-181, commonly known as the Piper Archer. It provides a comprehensive guide for pilots to perform preflight inspections, engine start procedures, and various flight maneuvers. The checklist is structured to ensure that all critical steps are followed before, during, and after flight, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. It includes specific speeds for takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing, as well as emergency procedures for various in-flight scenarios. This document serves as an essential reference for pilots operating the Piper PA28-181, ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures and safety protocols.

  • Oil minimum level: 6 quarts
  • Rotate at 48-53 KIAS during takeoff
  • Best rate of climb (Vy): 76 KIAS
  • Cruise climb speed: 87 KIAS
  • Max RPM drop during magneto check: 175 RPM, Max difference: 50 RPM

Document

Source

Originally published by www.lakeelmoaero.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
Checklist
Year
2022
Pages
4
File size
268 KB
Publisher
www.lakeelmoaero.com
Documentation completeness
3/7

Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-28 Archer DX.

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In this document

Interior Preflight

The interior preflight checklist includes verifying that all required documents are on board, ensuring the master switch and avionics master are off, cycling the fuel selector, and checking the pitot/static drain. The master switch is then turned on to check fuel quantity gauges, extend flaps, and verify the operation of aircraft lights and stall warning horn.

Exterior Preflight

The exterior preflight checklist covers inspections of the right wing, nose, and left wing. Key checks include verifying the condition of flaps, ailerons, navigation lights, fuel vents, and the main wheel/strut. Fuel tank sumps should be drained, and fuel quantity checked. The nose section requires checks of the windshield, oil level (minimum 6 quarts), and propeller.

Engine Start

For engine start, the throttle should be set to 1/4 inch for cold starts and 1/2 inch for hot starts. The mixture is set to rich, and the primer is pulled 4-6 times for cold starts or 3-4 times for hot starts. The master switch is turned on, aircraft lights set, and the fuel pump activated before engaging the starter.

Normal Takeoff

During a normal takeoff, the throttle is set to full, and the aircraft is rotated at 48-53 KIAS. The best rate of climb is achieved at 76 KIAS, while the cruise climb speed is 87 KIAS.

Emergency Procedures

Emergency procedures include actions for engine failure during takeoff and in-flight. Pilots are instructed to maintain safe airspeed and land straight ahead if an engine failure occurs. If altitude permits, attempts to restart the engine should be made by switching fuel tanks and activating the electric fuel pump.

Safety notes

  • Ensure all electrical switches are off before starting the engine.
  • If engine roughness occurs, check fuel selector and magneto operation.

Full document text

Rev. 7 September 12, 2022 IAW Stan Manual Piper PA28-181 Checklist INTERIOR PREFLIGHT Required Documents.…..….....….On Board Master Switch…………..….…..………Off Avionics Master……..……....…..……..Off Fuel Selector..…………………..……Cycle Pitot/Static Drain …...…….Drain (2-3 Sec) Master Switch…………………..………On Fuel Quantity Gauges..…………..….Check Flaps……………………………..…Extend Aircraft Lights………….…...…..On/Check Pitot Heat…………………..…....On/Check Stall Warning Horn…………....……Check All Electrical Switches………...……....Off EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT RIGHT WING: Flap…………………..………...……Check Aileron………………..……..………Check Nav/Anti-Collision…….………...….Check Leading Edge………………………..Check Fuel Vent…………………………....Check Fuel Tank Sump………………..……Drain Fuel Quantity………………………..Check Main Wheel/Strut……………..…….Check Brakes…………………………….…Check Air Inlets…………………….……….Clear NOSE: Windshield……………...…………..Check Oil……………………………….6 Qts Min Cowling……………………...……...Check Alternator Belt…...………………….Check Propeller…………………...…...…...Check Nose Wheel/Strut ………………..….Check Air Inlet………………...………...…Check Fuel System Sump…………...………Drain LEFT WING: Air Inlet …….….………..…….........Check Brakes……………...……..….….…..Check Main Wheel/Strut……….….……….Check Fuel Tank Sump………..……………Drain Fuel Quantity……….…….....….…...Check Fuel Vent……………….…..……….Check Leading Edge…………….……….…Check Pitot Head…………………..….……Check EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT CON’T Nav/Anti Collision.…….…………...Check Aileron.…………………..………….Check Flap.……………………..…………..Check FUSELAGE/TAIL: Antennas.………………..……….….Check Lights.……………………..………...Check Stabilator.………………….………..Check Rudder.…………………….………..Check Baggage Door.……………..………..Check BEFORE START Preflight .………………….……..Complete Passenger Briefing ……………...Complete Belts/Harnesses/Seats.…….………..Secure Circuit Breakers.………….……………..In Avionics Master.………….…………...Off Fuel Selector.………………....Fullest Tank ENGINE START Throttle.……………….……1/4 Inch Cold ½” Hot Mixture.……………….……...............Rich Primer ………………………….. 4-6 Cold 3-4 Hot Master Switch..……….………………...On Aircraft Lights.……….………………...Set Fuel Pump..…………….……………….On Brakes…………………….…………..Hold Propeller Area..……………….…...…Clear Starter..…………………………….Engage Throttle..………………….800-1,000 RPM Oil Pressure..………………………..Check BEFORE TAXI Avionics Master.…………….…………On Ammeter………….………..Check Positive Flaps………………………………….....Up Mixture.…………………….……..….Lean Fuel Pump.………………….………….Off Fuel Selector………………...Switch Tanks Transponder.…………...…..Set Code/ALT Avionics.……………….…………...….Set Flight Instruments.…….………..Set/Check Aircraft Lights..…………….……..……Set Nav Lights………………….….……….On Brakes.………………….…………….Test RUN-UP Brakes..……………………….………Hold Flight Controls.……..……...Free & Correct Fuel Selector.………...……….Fullest Tank Circuit Breakers……………………..Check Mixture.……………..………….……..Rich Throttle.………………..………2,000 RPM Magnetos.…………….……………..Check *Max drop 175 RPM, Max Diff 50 RPM* Carburetor Heat……….……………Check Vacuum..……………….…………5.0” Hg Oil Pressure.…………….…………..Check Fuel Pressure.………….…………....Check Oil Temp.……………….……….….Check Annunciator Lights …………………Check Throttle..……………….……….Idle Check Throttle.…………….……..800-1000 RPM Radios/Nav…………….……………….Set Magnetos..……………….……………Both BEFORE TAKEOFF Trim..……….………..………..Set Takeoff Flaps..…………………………...……...Set Mixture...…………….….…………….Rich Aircraft Lights..………….…………..…Set Fuel Pump..………….….………………On Flight Instruments/Avionics……………Set Transponder..……………………..Set ALT Cabin Door/Windows…..................Latched Takeoff Briefing…………..……..Complete NORMAL TAKEOFF Heading.…..............Check Correct Runway Throttle.………………….……...Full Open Rotate..…….………………… 48-53 KIAS CLIMB Flaps..……….……………..…………...Up Best Rate …………………….Vy 76 KIAS Cruise Climb …………………….87 KIAS CRUISE Throttle.……….…………...……..…….Set Fuel Pump.……………….…………….Off Mixture.…………...………………...….Set Aircraft Lights.………………………... Set Fuel Selector..... Switch tanks every 30 min DESCENT Weather/Avionics .……………..Checked Approach Briefing……….…….Complete Descent Power..………….…………...Set Carburetor Heat ……………………..Set Fuel Pump..……………….…………..On Mixture..…………………...…………Set Fuel Selector..……….….…..Fullest Tank BEFORE LANDING Fuel Pump..…………….…..…………On Mixture..………..……....…….……..Rich Throttle..………………...……………Set Aircraft Lights..……..................……..Set Flaps...…………….………...…..……Set Approach Airspeed.....…………66 KIAS AFTER LANDING Flaps..………………….……………...Up Trim…………………...…….Set Takeoff Carburetor Heat ……………………..Off Aircraft Lights..…….….…………..…Set Pitot Heat…………………….……….Off Fuel Pump.…………….……………..Off Mixture..………………………....…Lean SHUT DOWN Avionics Master.……….…………….Off Throttle.………………….…………..Idle Magneto..………………….………Check Mixture..…………………....Idle Cut-Off Magnetos..…………….…………..….Off All Switches..………….……………..Off Aircraft Lights.………….………........Off Nav Lights……………….………….ON Brakes……………….………….Released Important Speeds (KIAS) VS0…………….......…………….…….49 VS1……………........…………….……55 VR…………............…………….....48-53 VX……………………………….……….64 VY………………………………..………76 VFE………….........………………......102 VA (2550 lbs.)….…………………….113 VNO………………………………......125 VNE...…………..........….……………154 Best Glide…………..………………...76 Approach……….......…………………66 Rev. 7 September 12, 2022 IAW Stan Manual Piper PA28-181 Maneuvers SEE PIPER ARCHER STANDARDIZATION MANUAL FOR AMPLIFIED PROCEDURES Normal Takeoff *Before Takeoff Checklist Complete* Flaps …………………………………... 0˚ Throttle ………………………………Full Engine Instruments ………...Verify Green Rotate …………………………...53 KIAS Initial climb……………………...76 KIAS Enroute climb……………………87 KIAS Normal Landing *Before Landing Checklist Complete* Entry/Downwind …………….BCGUMPS Abeam Threshold – Throttle ……………………. 1500 rpm Airspeed …………………….90 KIAS Flaps ………………………………10° Base – Airspeed…..………………..80 KIAS Flaps ……………………………..25° Final – Airspeed……..……………..70 KIAS Flaps ……………………………..40° Touchdown ………..Just above stall speed Short Field Takeoff *Before Takeoff Checklist Complete* Flaps ………………………………….25° Runway ……………….Use All Available Brakes……………………………….Hold Throttle……………………………….Full Engine Instruments…………Verify Green

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Brakes…………………………….Release Rotate …………………………..49 KIAS Climb Out ………………………... Vx 64 When Clear of Obstacle Accelerate to ……………………... Vy 76 Flaps ……………………...Retract Slowly Short Field Landing *Before Landing Checklist Complete* Downwind …………………….BCGUMPS Approach slightly steeper than normal Abeam Runway Threshold Airspeed …………………..90 KIAS Flaps ……………………………..10° Base – Airspeed ……………....80 KIAS Flaps ………………………..25° Final – Airspeed ……………....70 KIAS Flaps ………………………..40° Threshold ……………..66 KIAS Touchdown ………..Just above stall speed Use max. foot and aerodynamic braking Soft Field Takeoff *Before Takeoff Checklist Complete* Flaps…………………………………..25° Flight Controls………………….Full Back Engine Instruments…......…..Verify Green Throttle……………………………….Full Rotate……………………...Min. Airspeed Ground Effect …………..Remain until Vy Or Runway Threshold Climb ……………………………....Vy 76 Flaps ……………………...Retract Slowly Soft Field Landing *Before Landing Checklist Complete* Entry/Downwind……………..BCGUMPS Abeam Runway Threshold Airspeed …………………..90 KIAS Flaps ……………………………..10° Base – Airspeed ……………....80 KIAS Flaps ………………………..25° Final – Airspeed ……………....70 KIAS Flaps ………………………..40° Threshold ……………..66 KIAS Touchdown ………..Just above stall speed Yoke……………………………...Full Aft Keep nosewheel off ground as long as possible, holding full backpressure. Use min. wheel braking Go-Around Throttle ………………………………Full Carburetor Heat ……………………...Off Flight Control ……………. Start Climbout Flaps ……………………… Retract to 25° Airspeed ……………….Initially 55 KIAS then Vy 76 Flaps …….When >70 KIAS, Retract to 0° Slow Flight Clearing Turns ……………...….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Throttle………………………..1500 RPM Flaps……………………40° (in white arc) Altitude………………………….Maintain Throttle .................................Add power to Maintain 50-55 KIAS Bank…………………...…..Shallow Turns Recovery……...……Go-around procedure Power Off-Stall Clearing Turns …………………Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle………………………...1500 RPM Flaps ………………………………….40° Airspeed ………………………..66 KIAS Descent ..................... Initiate 500 FPM to simulate final approach Throttle……………………………….Idle Stall…………………….…Pitch to Induce Recognize and recover from stall Stall Recovery: Go-Around Procedure Minimize altitude loss Power-On Stall Clearing Turns …………………Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle ………………………..1500 RPM Flaps……………………………...0° - 25° Airspeed………………………… 65 KIAS Throttle………………………...2300 RPM Stall...............................…..Pitch to Induce Recognize and recover from stall. Stall Recovery: Flight Controls……………….Nose Down Throttle……………………………….Full Secondary Stall Clearing Turns …………………Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle………………………...1500 RPM Flaps ………………………………….40° Airspeed ………………………..66 KIAS Descent ..................... Initiate 500 FPM to simulate final approach Throttle……………………………….Idle Stall…………………….…Pitch to Induce Recognize and recover from stall. Flight Control……..Release back pressure Throttle……………………………….Full Flight Control……..Increase back elevator pressure to initiate as secondary stall Recognize and recover from stall. Stall Recovery: Flight Controls………………Nose Down Go-Around Procedure Minimize altitude loss Steep Turns Clearing Turns …………………Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle……………….……….2300 RPM Airspeed………………………..100 KIAS Bank…………………………..45° Private 50˚ Commercial Roll Out ………………...Original heading Repeat …………………Opposite direction Elevator Trim Stall Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Throttle………………………..1500 RPM Flaps…………………………………...40° Airspeed………………………...75 KIAS Throttle……………………………….Idle Trim………………………..Full Nose-Up Throttle……………………………….Full Stall Recovery: Flight Controls……………….Nose Down Trim…………………….Maintain control Flaps……….When >70 KIAS, retract to 0 XXXXXXXXXX Rev. 7 September 12, 2022 IAW Stan Manual Piper PA28-181 Maneuvers Cross-Controlled Stall Clearing Turns …………………Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle ………………………..1500 RPM Airspeed…………………………70 KIAS Stabilized Descent………………Establish Stall……...Pitch to Induce, Cross Controls Recognize and recover from stall. Stall Recovery: Flight Control …….Release back pressure Throttle……………………………….Full Altitude…………………….Minimal Loss Airspeed………….Accelerate to Vx or Vy before the final flap retraction Accelerated Stall Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Throttle………………………...1500 RPM Flaps……………………………………0° Airspeed…………………………66 KIAS Bank…………………………………..45° Pitch….……….Maintain Alt. Induce Stall Recognize and recover from stall. Stall Recovery: Flight Control……..Release back pressure Throttle……………………………….Full Altitude…………………….Minimal Loss Airspeed………………...Accelerate to Vy Lazy Eights Altitude……..………..Min Alt 1500 AGL Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Throttle………………………..2200 RPM Airspeed…………………………95 KIAS (Constant change of pitch and roll rate) 45° Point…...Max. Pitch UP, Bank 15° 90° Point……..Level. Pitch, Bank 30° 135° Point…..… Max. Pitch DN, Bank 15° 180° Point………..… Level Pitch, Bank 0° Steep Spiral Altitude………Sufficient for 3 360° turns Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Reference Point…………………….Select Throttle……………………………….Idle Airspeed……………...................76 KIAS Spiral……………………...Max. Bank 60° Entry………………Downwind ½ mi from reference point Radius…………...Maintain constant ½ mi Engine…………...Clear once each turn on the upwind Ground Track………….Adjust for wind to maintain ½ mi radius Chandelles Altitude……………...Min Alt. 1500 AGL Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Airspeed ………………………...95 KIAS Establish Bank ………………………. 30˚ Throttle……………………………… Full 0° - 90° Point Throttle……………………..Full Bank………………30° Constant Pitch………...Gradually Increase 90° - 180° Point Bank…………...Gradual Rollout Pitch…………………...Constant 180° point Airspeed……….5 kts above stall Bank………………………….0° Rectangular Course Select Rectangular field for maneuver Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle………………….2000-2200 RPM Airspeed …………………..........90 KIAS Altitude ………………...600-1000 ft AGL Entry…………….Downwind 45° ¼ -½ mi away from reference area Ground Track……….Adjust for wind drift to maintain ¼ -½ mi distance S -Turns Along a Road Select road perpendicular to wind Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle………………….2000-2200 RPM Airspeed ………………….........100 KIAS Altitude ………………...600-1000 ft AGL Entry…………….Downwind 45° ¼ -½ mi away from reference area Ground Track……….Adjust for wind drift to maintain ¼ -½ mi distance Turns Around a Point Select a clearly defined point i.e. 4-Way Intersection Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS …………………….Complete Throttle………………….2000-2200 RPM Airspeed …………………...........90 KIAS Altitude ………………...600-1000 ft AGL Entry…………….Downwind 45° ¼ -½ mi away from reference area Ground Track……….Adjust for wind drift to maintain ¼ -½ mi distance Eights on Pylons Clearing Turns………………….Complete BCGUMPS……………………..Complete Throttle…………………………100 KIAS Reference Point(s)………………Selected Entry………Downwind 45° at Pivotal Alt. PA= (GSxKIAS) 11.3 Bank……………………………..30° - 40° SEE PIPER ARCHER STANDARDIZATION MANUAL FOR AMPLIFIED PROCEDURES Rev. 7 September 12, 2022 IAW Stan Manual Piper PA28-181 Emergencies&Abnormals Engine Fire-Start Starter……………...…Continue Cranking Mixture …………..….……....Idle Cut-Off Throttle ……………………………..Open Fuel Pump …………………………….Off Fuel Selector ………………………….Off Engine Failure-Takeoff Airspeed ………...Maintain Safe Airspeed Land ……………………...Straight Ahead If Sufficient altitude has been gained attempt to restart: Airspeed ………..Maintain Safe Airspeed Fuel Selector ………………Switch Tanks Electric Fuel Pump …………………...On Mixture …………………..………….Rich Carburetor Heat ………………………On If power is not restored, proceed to POWER OFF LANDING Engine Failure-In Flight Airspeed ………………………...76 KIAS Best Landing Site………………….Locate Fuel Pump …………………………….On Fuel Selector ……………….Switch Tanks Mixture ………………….…………..Rich Carburetor Heat ……………………….On Engine Gauges …………………….Check Primer ……………………..Check Locked Ignition ……………………….Check Both If power is NOT restored proceed to POWER OFF LANDING: Power Off Landing Airspeed ………………………...76 KIAS Best Landing Site …………………Locate Passengers…………………………Prepare If time and altitude permit: Transponder ….................................. 7700 Radios …........................... Transmit 121.5 ELT ….................................................. On When committed to landing: Throttle …........................................... Idle Mixture ….............................. Idle Cut-Off Fuel Selector …................................... Off Magnetos …......................................... Off Master Switch …................................. Off Belts/Shoulder Harness ….............. Secure Door..………………………………..Open Approach Speed …...................66-70 KIAS Flaps……Extend (time/altitude permitting) Engine Fire-Flight Fuel Selector ………………………….Off Mixture ……………………...Idle Cut-Off Throttle ………………………………Idle Fuel Pump …………………………….Off Fresh Air Vents/Windows…………...Open Panel Cabin Air/Heat/Defrost……...Closed Magneto Switch ………………………Off Master Switch ………………………...Off If fire extinguishes, proceed to POWER OFF LANDING If fire does not extinguish, proceed to EMERGENCY DESCENT Electrical Fire Batt/Alt Master Switch …......................Off Radio Master and All Electrical……….Off Fresh Air Vents/Windows…………...Open Panel Cabin Air/Heat/Defrost……...Closed If fire appears out and electrical power is necessary: Batt/Alt Master Switch ….................... On Circuit Breakers …........ DO NOT RESET Radio/Electrical Equip---ON one at a time *Land As Soon as Practical* Emergency Descent Throttle …............................................ Idle Mixture …........................Rich (unless fire) Bank …......................................... 30º – 45º Airspeed………………………...125 KIAS Alternator Failure (ALT Light) Prepare for ELECTRICAL FIRE All Non-Required Equipment………….Off 12V Charging Socket……………..Unplug Circuit Breakers……………………Check If no circuit breakers popped… Alternator Master Switch……Cycle Off/On If circuit breakers popped, reset them only if absolutely necessary for safety of flight. If Alternator is not restored, land as soon as practical. Engine Roughness Throttle……………………….2500 RPM Carburetor Heat ….............................. On Fuel Pump…………………………….On If roughness continues after 30 sec: Fuel Selector …....................Switch Tanks Check each tank for 30 sec Mixture …...................................Full Rich Engine Gauges …........................... Check Magneto Switch ….......Check Individually If operation is satisfactory on either magneto, continue on that magneto at reduced power and Full Rich mixture. Land as soon as practical. If roughness continues, land as soon as possible. Loss of Oil Pressure (OIL) Light *Land as Soon as Practical* Prepare for POWER OFF LANDING Loss of Fuel Pressure Fuel Pump …………………………….On Fuel Selector ………………..Fullest Tank High Oil Temperature Altitude……………….Level (stop climb) Throttle………………………..2200 RPM If temp does not go down, or continues to rise, land as soon as practical. Prepare for POWER OFF LANDING Loss of Vacuum Pressure (VAC Light) Standby Vacuum Pump……………….On If vacuum pressure returns to normal, continue normal operation. If vacuum pressure does not return to normal, exit IMC (if applicable) and do not rely on vacuum-driven instruments. Open Door Airspeed ………………..Slow to 87 KIAS Cabin Vents ………………………...Close Storm Window ……………………..Open Door …………………...Secure Top Latch Spin Recovery Throttle …........................................... Idle Ailerons ….................................... Neutral Rudder ….............................. Full opposite (to the direction of rotation) Yoke …................................... Full forward Rudder …........................................ Neutral (when rotation stops) Yoke …..........................Recover from dive Throttle …........... Do not exceed 154 KIAS IN AN EMERGENCY Call 911 FIRST if necessary for safety Then call Lake Elmo Aero at 651-777-1399