CESSNA 172 SKYHAWK
Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator
NOTES
by JayDee v0.2
TAXI
→ release PARKING BRAKE
→ taxi slow and safe
BEFORE TAKEOFF / HOLDING POINT
This checklist is intented for flight simulator use only. It is a
compromise between pure realism and having fun as a casual
flightsim pilot. If necessary I tried to optimize workflow for
single pilot operation and included things like FMS steps and
procedures, but staying as close as possible to real checklists.
Strobe Lights..............................................................ON
Landing/Taxi Lights.....................................................ON
Flaps...............CHECK SET (Normal 0°/Short Field 10°)
Mixture.................................................................CHECK
Fuel Selector Valve...................................CHECK BOTH
Avionics/GPS/AP.................................................CHECK
Static Run Up w. Full Throttle..............2.300-2.400 RPM
ATC Clearance...................................................AS REQ
SPECIFICATIONS/LIMITATIONS
Max.Takeoff Weight...........................................2.550 lbs
Max.Landing Weight..........................................2.550 lbs
Max.TO & Landing Weight / Utility Cat..............2.200 lbs
Service Ceiling...................................................14.000 ft
VNE..................................................................163 KIAS
VNO..................................................................129 KIAS
VA..........................................90-105 KIAS (dep. on weight)
VFE 10°..............................................................110 KIAS
VFE >10°..............................................................85 KIAS
VSO....................................................................40 KIAS
NORMAL TAKEOFF (Flaps 0°)
→ line up an brake
→ check FLAPS are retracted
→ release BRAKES
→ slowly advance THROTTLE to FULL
→ rotate @ ~ 50 - 55 KIAS (dep. on weight)
→ normal Climb Out Speed ~ 75-85 KIAS
Best Rate-Of-Climb - 74 KIAS
Best Angle-Of-Climb - 62 KIAS
Autopilot(AP)......................................................AS REQ
ENGINE START
Parking Brake...........................................................SET
Fuel Selector Valve...............................................BOTH
Fuel Shutoff Valve............................ON (pushed full IN)
Throttle..................................................OPEN 1/4 INCH
Mixture.....................................................IDLE CUTOFF
Master Switch(BAT & ALT).........................................ON
Beacon.......................................................................ON
Fuel Pump..................................................................ON
Mixture..............FULL RICH until Fuel Flow established
Mixture.....................................................IDLE CUTOFF
Fuel Pump................................................................OFF
Ignition............................................START (then BOTH)
Mixture..................................advance smoothly to RICH
Throttle........................................................~1.200 RPM
BEFORE TAXI
Nav Lights..................................................................ON
Taxi Light....................................................................ON
Avionics Master Switch..............................................ON
Avionics/GPS/AP/Squawk Code...............................SET
Altimeter.......................................................SET LOCAL
Pitot Heat...........................................................AS REQ
Flaps...........................................SET FOR T.O. (0°-10°)
Elevator Trim............................................SET FOR T.O.
Flight Controls.....................................................CHECK
Mixture..........FULL RICH (>3.000 ft lean for max. RPM)
SHORT FIELD TAKEOFF (Flaps 10°)
→ line up an brake
→ check FLAPS 1 (10°) are set
→ slowly advance THROTTLE to FULL
→ release BRAKES
→ slightly pull back
→ lift off @ ~ 44 - 51 KIAS (dep. on weight)
→ climb @ ~ 56 KIAS
→ accelerate when all obstacles are clear
→ retract FLAPS after 60 KIAS
→ normal Climb Out Speed ~ 75-85 KIAS
Best Rate-Of-Climb - 74 KIAS
Best Angle-Of-Climb - 62 KIAS
Autopilot(AP)......................................................AS REQ
CLIMB
Throttle....................................................................FULL
Mixture....................RICH (>3.000 ft lean for max. RPM)
Normal Enroute Climb Speed
@ Sea Level......................................75-85 KIAS
above 10.000 ft..................................70-80 KIAS
@TRANSITION Altitude
Altimeter............................................................SET STD
@10.000 ft / FL100
Landing/Taxi Lights...................................................OFF
ATC Clearance...................................................AS REQ
Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 1
CESSNA 172 SKYHAWK
Checklist & Procedures for MS Flight Simulator
CRUISE
by JayDee v0.2
ILS APPROACH & LANDING
Throttle/Power....................................................AS REQ
Mixture...................................................LEAN PER EGT
for best econmy.............................lean to PEAK EGT
recommended.........lean to 50° RICH OF PEAK EGT
approach @ ~ 1.500 ft above destination airport
elevation or use proper procedure altitudes
some power setting(standard temperatur):
4.000 ft - 75 % Power @ ~ 2.600 RPM
45% Power @ ~ 2.100 RPM
8.000 ft - 75 % Power @ ~ 2.700 RPM
45% Power @ ~ 2.200 RPM
12.000 ft - 64 % Power @ ~ MAX RPM
45% Power @ ~ 2.300 RPM
@ ~ Glideslope Capture
→ set FLAPS 1 (10°)
→ slow down to ~ 80 KIAS
→ set FLAPS 2 (20°)
Range/Endurance (very roughly):
@ 75% Power – 500 NM / 4.5 h
@ 45% Power – 600 NM / 6.5 h
Check and monitor the flightplan. Check STAR and
APPROACH altitude contraints and compare to actual
charts. Check RAD/NAV ILS frequency and compare
with actual charts. Estimate your TOD based on your
Cruise FL and compare to actual TOD. Descend should
begin aprroximately at a distance of 10 NM plus 3 NM
per 1.000 ft above destinations runway elevation (For
Beginners Altitude/1.000 times 4 NM). If ATC is not
giving you clearance to descent shortly (3-5 Minutes)
after your TOD, then the STAR or APPROACH is very
likely just broken. Start to descent then anyways.
DESCENT
Again, due to a lot of wrong STAR altitudes in MS FS
database, you are advised to constantly check your
altitude during descent and approach even if you were
given clearance to descent at the TOD. For a standard
3° glidepath approach, make sure you are not
significantly higher at a given point than the elevationof
the destination plus a 1.000ft per 3 NM to go. Example:
If you have 21 NM to go, destination is at sea level and
you are at an altitude of 12.000 ft, than you are way too
high. you should be around 7.000 ft
For a 3° sinkpath use a sinkrate of 5 * Ground Speed.
But these 3° are not mandatory, espacially not in GA.
@ ~10 NM to go
→ lower speed to 100 KIAS
Sinkrate for 3° Glideslope equals 5 * Ground Speed
@ ~ 500 ft AGL or 1.5 NM to go
→ disengage AP (if used)
→ set FLAPS FULL (30°)
→ slow down to 60-70 KIAS (dep. on weight)
@ Threshold
→ set THROTTLE to IDLE
→ slowly flare
→ touchdown with main wheels first
VISUAL APPROACH & PATTERN LANDING
approach @ ~ 1.000 ft above destination elevation
@ ~5-8 NM to go
→ lower speed to 100 KIAS
@ Downwind Leg
→ set FLAPS 1 (10°)
→ slow down to ~ 80 KIAS
→ set FLAPS 2 (20°)
@ Begin Base Leg
→ begin to descent
→ set FLAPS FULL (30°)
→ sinkrate ~ 500 – 1.000 fpm
→ slow down to 60-70 KIAS (dep. on weight)
@ Threshold
→ set THROTTLE to IDLE
→ slowly flare
→ touchdown with main wheels first
GO AROUND
Throttel/Power...................................................AS REQ
Mixture...............ADJUST FOR SMOOTH OPERATION
(FULL RICH for IDLE POWER)
→ set THROTTLE to FULL
→ retract FLAPS to 20°
→ climb with 60 KIAS until obstacles celar
→ fully retract FLAPS after 60 KIAS
@10.000 ft / FL100
Landing/Taxi Lights.....................................................ON
AFTER LANDING / SHUTDOWN
@Transition Altitude
Altimeter.......................................................SET LOCAL
Flaps...............................................................RETRACT
Landing Lights..........................................................OFF
Strobe Lights............................................................OFF
@~ 15 NM before destination
Avionics/GPS/AP.........................................CHECK SET
ILS Frequency (optio..................................CHECK SET
Altimeter..................................................CHECK LOCAL
Fuel Selector Valve...................................CHECK BOTH
Mixture..........FULL RICH (>3.000 ft lean for max. RPM)
Parking Brake...........................................................SET
Pitot Heat..................................................................OFF
Exterior Lights...........................................................OFF
Avionics Master.........................................................OFF
Mixture......................................................IDLE CUTOFF
Ignition......................................................................OFF
Master (BAT&ALT)....................................................OFF
Checklist & Procedures by JayDee - Page 2