C-172 OPERATIONAL CHECKLIST
BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
1) PRE FLIGHT INSPECTION - COMPLETE
 ENGINE OIL - ____quartz
 RIGHT WING FUEL - ____gallons
 LEFT WING FUEL - _____gallons
 NEXT SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE - ___hrs for 50hrs/ 100hrs
2) SEATS – ADJUST AND READY
3) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - ON BOTH
4) AVIONICS SWITCH - OFF
5) ELECTRICAL EQUIPTMENTS/RADIOS/ TRANSPONDER - OFF
6) CIRCUIT BREAKERS - CHECK /ALL IN
7) BRAKES - TEST AND SET (for proper pressure on brakes)
8) BATTERY - ON (CLEAR PROP)
9) AVIONICS AND RADIO - ON
10) CALL TOWER - REQUEST START-UP & AERODROME INFO
 RWY IN USE - ________
 WIND ____ @ ____KNOTS
 QNH - _______
11) RADIO, AVIONICS & MASTER SWITCH - OFF
STARTING ENGINE
1) MIXTURE - RICH
2) CARBURETOR HEAT - COLD
3) MASTER SWITCH - ON (CLEAR -1 finger up on rotating motion)
4) BEACON LIGHT - ON
5) PRIMER - CLOSE AND LOCK
6) THROTTLE - OPEN 1/8” (PUMP 1-2 STROKES or NONE if engine is
warm)
7) PROPELLER AREA – CLEAR (2 fingers up on rotating motion)
8) IGNITION SWITCH - START (Release when engine starts)
9) THROTTLE – 1200 RPM
10) OIL PRESSURE/OIL TEMP. - CHECK
11) TIME - CHECK
12) AVIONICS SWITCH - ON
13) RADIO(S) - ON/SET
14) FLAPS - RETRACT (check visually both sides)
ENGINE RUN-UP
1) DOORS AND WINDOW - CLOSED AND LOCKED
2) PARKING BRAKES - SET
3) FLIGHT CONTROLS - FREE AND CORRECT (aileron, elevator, rudder)
4) FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS - SET

AIRSPEED – 0 KNOTS/ BELOW 40 KNOTS

ATTITUDE INDICATOR – WINGS LEVEL ON THE ARTIFICIAL HORIZON, SKY
POINTER 0˚

ALTIMETER – SET TO PRESENT QNH, IF NONE, SET TO FIELD RUNWAY
ELEVATION

VSI – CHECK INDICATION (ON ZERO, SLIGHTLY ABOVE OR BELOW)

HEADING INDICATOR – SYNC TO MAGNETIC COMPASS

TURN COORDINATOR – WINGS LEVEL/ BALL CENTER
5) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - BOTH
6) MIXTURE - RICH
7) ELEVATOR TRIM - TAKE-OFF setting
8) THROTTLE SETTING - INCREASE TO 1700RPM
A.
MAGNETO – CHECK

RIGHT MAGNETO FIRST, 2 clicks to the left, NOTE
RPM DROP THEN BOTH

LEFT MAGNETO CHECK, 1 click to the left, NOTE RPM
DROP THEN BOTH

RPM DROP SHOULD NOT EXCEED 125 RPM ON
EITHER MAGNETO OR 50 RPM DIFFERENTIAL
BETWEEN MAGNETOS
B.
CARBURETOR HEAT – CHECK RPM DROP (pull carb heat slowly, if not
working means INOPERATIVE)
C.
ENGINE INSTRUMENTS - CHECK/ON GREEN
D.
AMMETER - CHECK/CHARGING
E.
SUCTION GAGE - CHECK (4.6 to 5.4 inches of Mercury)
9) STATIC POWER - THROTTLE TO 2200RPM
10) THROTTLE TO IDLE - CHECK (Not lower than 700RPM)
11) THROTTLE - ADJUST TO 1000-1200 RPM
12) NAV & STROBE LIGHTS - ON
13) TAXI LIGHTS - ON
14) FRICTION LOCK - ADJUST
15) TRANSPONDER – STANDBY
16) SEATBELTS & HARNESSES - SET
17) CONTACT TOWER – REQUEST TAXI INSTRUCTIONS
18) CHOCKS – OFF (signal maintenance)
19) AREA – CLEAR FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND REAR
20) PARKING BRAKE - RELEASE
21) BRAKES – RELEASE (AIRCRAFT IN MOTION, THROTTLE IDLE THEN CHECK BRAKES GENTLY
ON BOTH SIDES)
TAKE-OFF
PRE-TAKE OFF CHECK (AT HOLDING POINT)
1) MASTER SWITCH – ON
2) IGNITION SWITCH – BOTH
3) MIXTURE - RICH OR LEAN WHILE HOLDING FOR LONG PERIODS
4) WING FLAPS - 0˚ OR 10˚
5) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - ON BOTH
NORMAL TAKE-OFF
1) WING FLAPS - UP
2) CARBURETOR HEAT - COLD
3) FUEL SELECTOR - BOTH
4) MIXTURE - RICH (LEAN – ABOVE 3000FT)
5) THROTTLE - 1700 RPM, HOLD BRAKES, ENGINE INSTRUMENTS ON THE GREEN,
CLEAR RUNWAY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
6) BRAKES – RELEASE, MAINTAIN ALIGNMENT TO RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND
SMOOTHLY ADVANCE THROTTLE TO FULL
7) ELEVATOR CONTROL - LIFT NOSE WHEEL AT 50 KTS
8) SAFELY AIRBORNE - TAP BRAKES
9) LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS – OFF AT 300 FEET THEN CLEAR AREA
10) CLIMB SPEED - 65 TO 75 KNOTS
BEFORE LANDING (PRE-LANDING)
1) SEATS, SEATBELTS AND HARNESS - SET
2) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - ON BOTH
3) MIXTURE - RICH
4) ENGINE INSTRUMENTS - CHECK/ON GREEN
5) A/S, ALTITUDE AND POWER – AS REQUIRED ON TRAFFIC PATTERN
6) LANDING LIGHTS – ON
SHORT/SOFT FIELD TAKE-OFF
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
WING FLAPS - 10O
BRAKES - APPLY
THROTTLE - 1700RPM
MIXTURE - RICH (LEAN -ABOVE 3,000 FT)
FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - ON BOTH
CARB HEAT - COLD
THROTTLE - FULL (HOLD BRAKES) ENGINE INSTRUMENTS ON GREEN, CLEAR RUNWAY
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
BRAKES - RELEASE
ROTATE – 50 KNOTS
SAFELY AIRBORNE - TAP BRAKES
CLIMB SPEED - 60 TO 70 KNOTS until all obstacles are cleared
LANDING/TAXI LIGHTS – OFF AT 300 FEET
WING FLAPS - RETRACT @ 300 FEET
CLIMB
1) AIRSPEED - 70 TO 80 KNOTS
2) POWER - ADJUST THROTTLE TO 2300 RPM @1000 FEET
3) MIXTURE - FULL RICH (may be leaned above 3000FT.)
CRUISING
1) POWER - - 2100 RPM OR 80 KNOTS IF ON NAVIGATION
2) ELEVATOR TRIM CONTROL WHEEL - ADJUST
3) MIXTURE - - May be leaned above 3000 FT)
LET-DOWN
1) MIXTURE - FULL RICH BELOW 3000 FT.
2) POWER - AS DESIRED
3) CARBURETOR HEAT – ON, AS REQUIRED TO PREVENT CARB ICING
4) AIRSPEED – 70 KNOTS
BALKED LANDING (GO-AROUND)
1) POWER - FULL THROTTLE
2) CARBURETOR HEAT - COLD
3) WING FLAPS - RETRACT TO 20˚
4) AIRSPEED - 55 KNOTS
5) WING FLAPS – RETRACT BY INCREMENT UPTO 0˚
NORMAL LANDING
1) TOUCHDOWN - MAIN WHEELS FIRST
2) LANDING ROLL - HOLD NOSE WHEEL UP THEN LOWER GENTLY
3) WING FLAPS - UP
4) BRAKING - MINIMUM REQUIRED
SECURING AIRCRAFT
1) PARKING BRAKE - SET
2) THROTTLE – 1000 RPM (COOLDOWN for 2-3minutes)
3) RADIOS, TRANSPONDER AND OTHER LIGHTS - OFF (except beacon AND
avionics)
4) THROTTLE – 1800 RPM
i. MAGNETO - CHECK (RPM drop should not exceed 125
RPM on either magneto or 50 RPM differential between
magnetos)
5) THROTTLE – 1000 RPM
6) WING FLAPS – DOWN TO 40° (except last flight of the day)
7) MIXTURE - IDLE CUT-OFF
8) IGNITION SWITCH – OFF (WHEN PROPELLER HAS STOPPED)
9) BEACON LIGHTS AND AVIONICS- OFF
10) MASTER SWITCH - OFF
FOR EVERY EMERGENCY, APPLY THE AAA
A – MAINTAIN POSITIVE AIRCRAFT CONTROL
A - ASSESS/ANALYZE THE SITUATION
A – TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION
ENGINE FAILURES
ENGINE FAILURE DURING TAKE-OFF RUN
1) THROTTLE - IDLE
2) BRAKES - - APPLY
3) WING FLAPS - - RETRACT
4) MIXTURE - - IDLE CUT-OFF
5) IGNITION SWITCH - - OFF
6) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
ENGINE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKE-OFF
1) AIRSPEED - - 65 KNOTS (flaps up)
60 KNOTS (flaps down)
2) MIXTURE - - IDLE CUT-OFF
3) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - - OFF
4) IGNITION SWITCH - - OFF
5) WING FLAPS - - AS REQUIRED
6) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
ENGINE FAILURE DURING FLIGHT
1) AIRSPEED - - 65 KNOTS
2) CARBURETOR HEAT - - ON
3) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - - BOTH
4) MIXTURE - - FULL RICH
5) IGNITION SWITCH - - BOTH (or START if propeller is stopped)
6) PRIMER - - IN and LOCKED
FORCED LANDINGS
EMERGENCY LANDING WITHOUT ENGINE POWER
7) AIRSPEED - - 65 KNOTS (flaps up)
60 KNOTS (flaps down)
1) MIXTURE - - IDLE CUT-OFF
2) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - - OFF
3) ELECTRICAL SWITCHES--OFF
4) IGNITION SWITCH - - OFF
5) WING FLAPS - - AS NECESSARY WITHIN GLIDING DISTANCE OF FIELD
6) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
7) DOORS - - UNLATCH PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN
8) TOUCHDOWN - - SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW
9) BRAKES - - APPLY HEAVILY
PRECAUTIONARY LANDING WITH ENGINE POWER
1) WING FLAPS - - 20O
2) AIRSPEED - - 60 KNOTS
3) SELECTED FIELD - - FLY OVER, noting terrain and obstructions, then
retract flaps upon reaching a safe altitude and airspeed
4) RADIO AND ELECTRICAL SWITCHES - - OFF
5) WING FLAPS - - 40O (on final approach)
6) AIRSPEED - - 60 KNOTS
7) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
8) DOORS - - UNLATCH PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN
9) TOUCHDOWN - - SLIGHTLY TAIL LOW
10) IGNITION SWITCH - - OFF
11) BRAKES - - APPLY HEAVILY
DITCHING
1) RADIO - - TRANSMIT “MAYDAY” on 121.5 MHz, giving location and
intentions
2) Heavy objects (in baggage area) - - SECURE OR JETTISON
3) APPROACH - - High Winds, Heavy Seas = INTO THE WIND
Light Winds, Heavy Swells = PARALLEL TO THE SWELLS
4) WING FLAPS - - 20O to 40O
5) POWER - - ESTABLISH 300FT/MIN DESCENT at 55 knots
**NOTE **
If no power is available, approach at 65 knots with flaps up or at
60 knots with 10O flaps.
6) CABIN DOORS - - UNLATCH
7) TOUCHDOWN - - LEVEL ATTITUDE AT ESTABLISHED RATE
OF DESCENT
8) FACE - - CUSHION at touchdown with folded cloth
9) AIRPLANE - EVACUATE through cabin doors. If necessary, open
window and flood cabin to equalize pressure so
doors can be opened.
10) LIFE VESTS AND RAFT - - INFLATE
FIRES
DURING START ON GROUND
1) CRANKING - CONTINUE, to get a start which would suck the flames and
accumulated fuel through the carburetor and into the engine.
If engine starts:
2) POWER - - 1700 RPM for a few minutes
3) ENGINE - - SHUTDOWN and inspect for damage
If engine fails to start:
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
a)
b)
c)
9)
10)
THROTTLE - - FULL OPEN
MIXTURE - - IDEL CUT-OFF
CRANKING - - CONTINUE
FIRE EXTINGUISHER - - OBTAIN (have ground attendants obtain if not
installed)
ENGINE - - SECURE
MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
IGNITION SWITCH - - OFF
FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - - OFF
Fire - - EXTINGUISH using fire extinguisher, wool blanket, or dirt
Fire Damage - - INSPECT, repair damage or replace damaged
components or wiring before conducting another flight
ENGINE FIRE IN FLIGHT
1) MIXTURE - - IDLE CUT-OFF
2) FUEL SELECTOR VALVE - - OFF
3) MASTER - - OFF
4) CABIN HEAT AND AIR - - OFF (except overhead vents)
5) AIRSPEED - - 100 KNOTS (if fire is not extinguished, increase glide
speed to find an airspeed which will provide an incombustible mixture.)
6) FORCED LANDING - - EXECUTE (as described in Emergency Landing
Without Engine Power)
ELECTRICAL FIRE IN FLIGHT
1) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
2) ALL OTHER SWITHCES (except ignition switch) - - OFF
3) VENTS/CABIN AIR/HEAT - - CLOSED
4) FIRE EXTINGUISHER - - ACTIVATE (if available)
**WARNING**
After discharging an extinguisher within a closed cabin, ventilate
the cabin.
If fire appears out and electrical power is necessary for continuance of
flight:
5) MASTER SWITCH - - ON
6) CIRCUIT BREAKERS - - CHECK for faulty circuit, do not reset.
7) RADIO/ELECTRICAL SWITCHES - - ON one at a time, with delay after
each until short circuit is localized
8) VENTS/CABIN AIR/HEAT - - OPEN when it is ascertained that fire is
completely extinguished
CABIN FIRE
1) MASTER SWITCH - - OFF
2) VENTS/CABIN AIR/HEAT - - CLOSED (to avoid drafts)
3) FIRE EXTINGUISHER - - ACTIVATE (if available)
**WARNING**
After discharging an extinguisher within a closed cabin, ventilate
the cabin.
4) Land the airplane as soon as possible to inspect for damage.
WING FIRE
1) NAVIGATIONAL LIGHT SWITCH - - OFF
2) PITOT HEAT SWITCH (if installed) - - OFF
3) STROBE LIGHT SWITCH (if installed) - - OFF
**NOTE**
Perform a sideslip to keep the flames away from the fuel tank and
cabin, and land as soon as possible using flaps only as required for
final approach and touchdown.