LEADING EDGE FLYING CLUB
Super Decathlon (8KCAB)
Operating Manual and
Checklist
(Abbreviated)
Written in conjunction with the officially
approved Pilot’s Operating Manual which is the
authoritative document.
This does not supersede the official manual and
must be used in conjunction with the official
manual which must be available at all times for
consultation.
This document is to be kept in the aircraft at all
times.
August 2008
2
GENERAL INFORMATION
Engine: Lycoming AEIO 360 H1B 180HP at
2700rpm
Propeller: MT 2 blade composite constant speed
Fuel Capacity: 40 US gallons (usable)
Fuel grade: 100LL Avgas
Oil Capacity: 8 quarts (min. for aerobatics 6 quarts)
Oil grade: Shell Synthetic Multigrade 15 W 50
WEIGHTS:
Max. Gross Weight (normal cat.): 1950 lbs
Max. Gross Weight (aerobatic cat.): 1800 lbs
Max. baggage (normal cat. only): 100 lbs
FLIGHT LOAD FACTORS:
Normal category: +3.8 -1.52
Aerobatic category: +6 -5
SPEEDS (all CAS, MPH):
Vne:
200
Vno:
160
Va:
132 (aero cat.) : 107 (normal cat.)
Vx:
58
Vy:
82
Vs:
53 (power off)
Best glide: 75
Threshold: 70
Max. demonstrated X-wind: 20
3
NORMAL PROCEDURES
TAKE OFF
Normal:
Full throttle (stick hard back)
Raise tail ASAP
Lift off 55-60 MPH
Climb 82 MPH
Short/Obst: Full throttle
Accelerate in tail down attitude
Lift off ASAP (50 MPH)
Climb 58 MPH
Soft field:
CLIMB
Max. rate:
Full throttle
Accelerate tail low but clear
Lift off ASAP (50 MPH)
Climb 82 MPH
Max. RPM (2700)
Full throttle
IAS 82 MPH
Max. angle: Max. RPM
Full throttle
IAS 58 MPH
If max. performance not required, at 300ft throttle
back to 25ins MP and set RPM to 2500, IAS 85 MPH
4
CRUISE
2500ft: 24” MP & 2400 RPM = 75% power
22” MP & 2300 RPM = 65% power
7500ft: 23” MP & 2400 RPM = 75% power
21” MP & 2300 RPM = 65% power
Leaning:
When at 75% power or less, lean to 50° rich of
peak EGT (best economy setting)
At 2500ft when correctly leaned, 75% gives a TAS of
about 135 MPH and burns 9.5 US gals/hr. 65% gives
125 MPH and burns 8.5 US gals/hr. At 7500ft TAS is
about 7 MPH faster and fuel burn is similar.
DESCENT
Enrich mixture as required (Full rich in circuit)
Avoid low power descents (less than 15” MP)
unless absolutely necessary (avoid
windmilling)
17” MP and 140 MPH gives about 1000ft/min
17” MP and 100 MPH gives about 500ft/min
CIRCUITS
Downwind: 90-100 MPH (18” MP)
Base leg:
80 MPH
Final app: 70-75 MPH
Prop to max. RPM
Throtttle as required
Sideslip if required to lose height
5
LANDING
Normal:
Wheeler:
Threshold 70 MPH
Close throttle
Flare to 3 point attitude
Threshold 75 MPH
Contact mainwheels first
Hold tail up as long as possible
Lower tail gradually
Short/Obs: Threshold 60 MPH (leave power
on or high sink rate will result)
Touchdown 3 pnt, close throttle
Brake as required
Soft field:
Same as Short
6
CHECKLISTS
PREFLIGHT INSPECTION
Initial internal:
Cabin Door: condition/security
Flight controls: full & free movement
All switches: off
Master switch: on
Nav lights, strobes, landing light, stall
warner: check operation
All switches: off
Fuel: check quantity gauges
Fuel valve: check on
Seat belts: security (secure rear if solo)
EXTERNAL
Starboard Wing
Root fairing & roof: secure
Aileron: condition/movement/security
Wingtip & Lights: condition/security
Lift struts: condition, drainholes clear
Tiedown: removed
Fuel tank: check quantity visually, cap
secure, sample & check for water etc.
Starboard Main Gear
Chocks: remove
Tyre: condition, creep, inflation
Brakes: condition, leakage
Wheel spat: condition, security
7
PREFLIGHT INSPECTION (cont)
Nose
Windshield: condition, clean
Oil: quantity, dipstick secure
Fuel: drain gascolator, check water etc.
Engine: condition, oil leaks etc.
Cowling & insp. door: security
Prop & spinner: condition, security
Air filter: condition
Landing light: condition
Port Main Gear
Same as starboard
Port Wing
Same as starboard plus
Fuel vent: unobstructed
Stall warner: moves freely
Pitot tube: unobstructed, secure
Fuselage (port side)
Fabric: condition-oil leaks etc
Windows: condition, clean
Static vent: clear
Ariels: security,
Fuel drain:sample, check for water etc.
Empennage
Tailplane struts:check tension, security
Fabric: condition
Elevator, Rudder,trim tab: condition,
Hinges, full & free movement
Light: secure
Tailwheel: security, condition, inflation
8
Fuselage (starboard side)
Same as port side (no fuel drain)
PRESTART CHECKS
Preflight inspection:complete
Seats & harnesses: adjusted & fastened or
stowed
Cabin door:secured
Flight controls: full & free movement
Trim: full & free, set to T/O position
Instruments: condition & appropr. indication
G-meter: zeroed
Brakes: parking brake on
Cabin heaters: off
Fuel: on
All switches: off
Mixture: full & free, set rich
Prop: full & free, set max. RPM
Throttle: full & free, set ¼ open
Alternate air: set cold
Master switch: on
Circuit breakers: check
Strobes: on
9
STARTING (cold)
A/C Position; check clear ahead and behind
Fuel pump: on until fuel pressure indicated
(about 3 seconds), then off
Mixture: ICO
Throttle: open 1”
Mag switches: both on
Control stick: hold full back
Starter: engage & release when engine
fires
Mixture: full rich when engine fires
Throttle: set 1200 RPM
HOT START
Same procedure but less prime required
AFTER START
Oil pressure: green within 30 secs
Starter warning light: out
Ammeter: indicating charge
Radios: on as required
Radio call: as required
TAXIING
Toe brakes: check
Flight instruments: check in turns
10
POWER CHECKS
A/C position: clear ahead & behind
Parking brake: on
CHT: 250 +
Oil pressure: in green
Control stick: full back
Throttle: set 1800 rpm
Prop:full decrease rpm drop 300 max rpm
X3
Mags:check (max.175 drop max.50 difference)
Alternate air: check, return to cold
T’s & P’s: in green
Ammeter: charging
Throttle: check idle rpm (5-700), set 1200
PRE-TAKE OFF CHECKS
Trim: set for take off
Mixture: rich (unless high altitude)
Prop: max rpm
Alt air: off (cold)
Mags: both on
Master: on
Avionics: on as required, xponder 7000 & alt
Strobes: on
Landing light: on if required
Fuel: on & sufficient
Instruments: all checked, T’s & P’s, ammeter
Harnesses: secure
Hatches: secure
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CRUISE CHECKS (FREDA)
F-uel: On and check contents
R-adios: Coms correct channel & calls made
Xponder correct squawk
E-ngine: Mixt lean as required
Prop set as required
T’s & P’s & ammeter checked
D-irection: check
A-ltimeter: check correct setting and altitude
PRE-LANDING/DOWNWIND CHECKS
B-rakes: parking brake off
U-ndercarriage: down
M-ixture: rich
P-rop: max rpm
F-uel: on and sufficient for go around
I-nstruments: engine checked
C-arb heat: NA
H-arnesses, hatches: secure
AFTER LANDING CHECKS
Trim: neutral
Electrics: unnecessary off
SHUT DOWN CHECKS
Parking brake: on
Throttle: set 1000 rpm
Avionics: off
Mixture: ICO
Mags: off Master: off Secure: controls & a/c
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SPINNING & AEROBATICS (must have
authorisation by instructor)
PRE_SPINNING & AEROBATICS CHECKS
H-eight: sufficient to recover by 3000’ agl
A-irframe: brakes off
S-ecurity: harnesses, hatches, no loose articles
E-ngine: T’s & P’s, mixture & prop set
L-ocation: clear of airfields, built up areas,
controlled airspace and cloud
L-ookout: 180 or 2 x 90 steep turns
SPINNING
Enter from stall, power off, full rudder, full up elevator
Recovery:
Throttle closed
Full opposite rudder
Stick progressively forward
Centralise controls when rotation stops
Smoothly recover from dive to climb attit.
Power as required
Keep ailerons neutral throughout
ENTRY SPEEDS FOR BASIC AEROBATICS
Loop, ½ Cuban, reverse ½ cuban, stall turn
All 140 mph
Slow roll, barrel roll: 130 mph
Roll off the top (Immelman turn): 150 mph
Max inverted flight: 2 mins then at least 1 min normal
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