Checklist for Before Takeoff

Going traveling with a chopper is not everybody’s cup of coffee. In order to avoid and reduce the risk of nasty surprises, you have to get really prepared. Doing these top 20 things that I have listed here before you take off will make your life easier.

  • Auxiliary fuel pump — Turn this off as it won’t be needed along with the flight.
  • Instruments and radios — Checked and set to the required frequency so that you maintain a stable communication pattern.
  • Landing gear position lights — Checked and confirmed to work properly and that they are highly visible.
  • Altimeter — Set and make sure it works. It will determine the altitude that you are flying on.
  • Directional gyro — Set to help you determine the direction to which your light is headed to and also to help you in picking the coordinates.
  • Fuel gauges — Should be checked to determine if you have enough fuel for the distance that you intend to cover or if you might need a refill.
  • Propeller — Exercise the propeller to determine if it is working properly or in case there is some fault.
  • Flaps — If you are using a plane with flaps then you should ensure that the flaps perform efficiently and as required.
  • Seat belts/shoulder harnesses — Make sure that all these are actually fastened and that they work properly.

Other Items

  • Parking brake — Off
  • Trim — Set
  • Flight controls — Free and correct
  • Magnetos — Checked
  • The engine idle — Checked

Final items

  • Doors and Windows — Locked
  • Mixture — Full rich unless above 3,000 feet msl
  • Lights — Landing, taxi, strobes on
  • Camera — Transponder on
  • Action — Engine instruments checked

Before Landing Checklist

  • Fuel selector — Fullest tank
  • Directional gyro — Aligned with the magnetic compass
  • Seat belts/shoulder harnesses — secure
  • Mixture — Full rich unless airport above 3,000 feet msl
  • Cowl flaps — As required

Final items

  • Landing gear — Down
  • Propeller — High rpm
  • Flaps — As required

The segmented checklist will enhance your personal ability to manage the cockpit and also comply with the required standards of operating procedures. It is good at avoiding possible accidents.

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