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MSFS 2024 · General Aviation
Piper PA-24-250 Comanche (A2A) Startup Checklist
FLIGHT2.6.0Checklist
Piper PA-24-250 Comanche (A2A)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 139 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: No de-ice equipment. Check freezing level and visible moisture for carburettor icing risk. | |
| 02 | NOTAMsREVIEWED | |
| 03 | Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Burn 13-15 GPH at 75% power. 60 gal in the mains, 90 gal with the aux tanks fitted. | |
| 04 | Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: MTOW 2,900 lbs. The Comanche has a wide CG range but rear seats plus full aux fuel needs checking. | |
| 05 | Takeoff & Landing DistanceCALCULATED | |
| 06 | Flight Plan / ChartsPREPARED | |
| 07 | Accu-Sim Maintenance HangarCHECKEDNOTE: Review engine condition, oil level, spark plug fouling, tyre and battery health before dispatch. | |
| 08 | Airspeed UnitsNOTED - MPHCAUTION: The original Comanche airspeed indicator is calibrated in MPH. All POH speeds below are given in MPH with knots in brackets. |
PHS 2 — Pre-Flight Exterior Inspection13 steps
| 01 | Aircraft DocumentsON BOARD | |
| 02 | Control LockREMOVED | |
| 03 | Ignition SwitchOFFWARNING: Confirm magnetos OFF before touching the propeller. | |
| 04 | Master SwitchON - CHECK FUEL AND LIGHTS, THEN OFF | |
| 05 | Engine OilCHECK DIPSTICK 8-12 QUARTSNOTE: Accu-Sim tracks oil consumption. The O-540 sump holds 12 quarts. | |
| 06 | Fuel QuantityVISUAL CHECK BOTH MAINS AND AUX | |
| 07 | Fuel SumpsDRAINED - CHECK FOR WATER | |
| 08 | Propeller and SpinnerCHECK FOR NICKS AND OIL | |
| 09 | Cowling and Cowl FlapsSECURE AND FREE | |
| 10 | Landing Gear, Struts, TyresCHECK CONDITIONNOTE: The Comanche gear is a simple, robust electro-mechanical system. Check the doors and linkages. | |
| 11 | Pitot Tube and Static PortsCLEAR - COVER REMOVED | |
| 12 | Control Surfaces and StabilatorFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 13 | Chocks and Tie-DownsREMOVED |
PHS 3 — Before Start11 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts, HarnessesADJUSTED AND SECURE | |
| 02 | Cabin DoorCLOSED AND LATCHED | |
| 03 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 05 | Circuit BreakersALL IN | |
| 06 | Radios and AvionicsOFF | |
| 07 | Landing Gear SelectorDOWN | |
| 08 | Cowl FlapsOPENCAUTION: The O-540 runs hot on the ground. Leave the cowl flaps open for all ground operations. | |
| 09 | Propeller ControlFULL FORWARD (HIGH RPM) | |
| 10 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST MAIN TANKNOTE: Take off and land on a main tank. The aux tanks are for cruise only. | |
| 11 | Carb HeatCOLD (IN) |
PHS 4 — Engine Start11 steps
| 01 | Master SwitchON | |
| 02 | Beacon LightON | |
| 03 | MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 04 | ThrottleOPEN 1/4 INCH | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 06 | Primer2-4 STROKES COLD, 0-1 WARMCAUTION: Accu-Sim models flooding and plug fouling. Over-priming a warm O-540 will foul the plugs and force a run-up burn-off. | |
| 07 | Propeller AreaCLEAR - CALL CLEAR PROPWARNING: Visually confirm the propeller arc is clear before engaging the starter. | |
| 08 | StarterENGAGECAUTION: Crank for no more than 10-15 seconds. Allow the starter to cool between attempts or it will overheat. | |
| 09 | ThrottleSET 1,000 RPM ON START | |
| 10 | Oil PressureRISING WITHIN 30 SECONDSWARNING: No oil pressure within 30 seconds means immediate shutdown. | |
| 11 | Electric Fuel PumpOFFNOTE: Confirm the engine-driven pump holds fuel pressure on its own. |
PHS 5 — After Start8 steps
| 01 | Warm-Up1,000-1,200 RPMCAUTION: Accu-Sim models cold-oil damage. Do not exceed 1,200 RPM until oil temperature begins to rise. | |
| 02 | AmmeterCHARGING | |
| 03 | Suction GaugeIN GREEN | |
| 04 | AvionicsON | |
| 05 | Radios and NavigationSET | |
| 06 | TransponderSTANDBY - CODE SET | |
| 07 | Altimeter and Directional GyroSET TO FIELD ELEVATION | |
| 08 | Oil TemperatureMINIMUM 75 F BEFORE TAXI |
PHS 6 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Taxi ClearanceOBTAINED | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeRELEASED | |
| 03 | BrakesCHECK EFFECTIVE | |
| 04 | Flight InstrumentsCHECK IN TURNS | |
| 05 | Cowl FlapsCONFIRM OPEN | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedWALKING PACE |
PHS 7 — Run-Up9 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET - NOSE INTO WIND | |
| 02 | Oil TemperatureIN GREEN BEFORE RUN-UPCAUTION: Running up on cold oil is the fastest way to wear the engine in Accu-Sim. | |
| 03 | Throttle2,000 RPM | |
| 04 | Propeller ControlCYCLE 2-3 TIMESNOTE: Watch for RPM drop and recovery, and a corresponding oil pressure dip. | |
| 05 | MagnetosCHECK L AND RCAUTION: Max drop 175 RPM per magneto, max difference 50 RPM. A rough mag usually means a fouled plug - lean and run at 2,000 RPM to clear it. | |
| 06 | Carb HeatON - CHECK RPM DROP, THEN OFF | |
| 07 | Engine InstrumentsGREEN - CHECK CHT AND OIL | |
| 08 | Ammeter and SuctionCHECK | |
| 09 | ThrottleIDLE CHECK, THEN 1,000 RPM |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff11 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (OR 15 FOR SHORT FIELD)NOTE: Vfe 125 mph (108 kts). | |
| 02 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 03 | MixtureFULL RICHNOTE: Lean for best power above 3,000 ft density altitude. | |
| 04 | PropellerFULL FORWARD | |
| 05 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST MAIN TANK | |
| 06 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 07 | Carb HeatCOLD | |
| 08 | Cowl FlapsOPEN | |
| 09 | Doors and WindowsLATCHED | |
| 10 | Landing Light and StrobesON | |
| 11 | TransponderALT |
PHS 9 — Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | Takeoff ClearanceRECEIVED | |
| 02 | ThrottleFULL FORWARD SMOOTHLYCAUTION: Advance over 3-4 seconds. Slamming the throttle on a cold O-540 causes detonation damage in Accu-Sim. | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK 2,575 RPM, FUEL PRESSURE, OIL | |
| 04 | Airspeed AliveCHECK | |
| 05 | Rotate70 MPH (61 KTS) | |
| 06 | Landing GearUP - NO USABLE RUNWAY REMAININGCAUTION: Max gear operating speed 150 mph (130 kts). | |
| 07 | Initial Climb105 MPH (91 KTS) VyNOTE: Use Vx 85 mph (74 kts) for obstacle clearance. |
PHS 10 — Climb7 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (IF USED) | |
| 02 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF ABOVE 1,000 FT AGL | |
| 03 | Climb Power25 IN HG / 2,400 RPMNOTE: Reduce from full power once clear of obstacles to protect cylinder head temperature. | |
| 04 | Cowl FlapsOPEN - MONITOR CHTWARNING: Accu-Sim models real cylinder head damage. Sustained climbs with closed cowl flaps will crack a cylinder. | |
| 05 | Airspeed120 MPH (104 KTS) CRUISE CLIMB | |
| 06 | MixtureLEAN ABOVE 5,000 FT | |
| 07 | Engine TemperaturesMONITOR CHT AND OIL |
PHS 11 — Cruise9 steps
| 01 | Cruise AltitudeLEVEL OFF | |
| 02 | PowerSET 65-75% (23 IN HG / 2,300 RPM TYPICAL) | |
| 03 | Cowl FlapsCLOSED OR TRAILNOTE: Close once CHT has stabilised in the green to recover cruise speed. | |
| 04 | MixtureLEAN TO PEAK EGT, THEN ENRICHEN 50 DEGCAUTION: Do not lean above 75% power. Watch CHT while leaning. | |
| 05 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR LEVEL FLIGHT | |
| 06 | Fuel SelectorSWITCH TO AUX WHEN FITTEDCAUTION: Run the aux tanks in the cruise only, and switch back to a main well before descent. | |
| 07 | Cruise Speed175 MPH (152 KTS) TAS AT 75% | |
| 08 | Carb HeatAS REQUIREDNOTE: The carburetted O-540 will collect ice in visible moisture. Apply full heat, not partial. | |
| 09 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR |
PHS 12 — Descent8 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Destination WeatherOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET TO LOCAL QNH | |
| 03 | Fuel SelectorMAIN TANKWARNING: Never begin an approach on an aux tank. Switch to a main with fuel remaining well before descent. | |
| 04 | MixtureENRICHEN AS YOU DESCEND | |
| 05 | PowerREDUCE 1-2 IN HG AT A TIMEWARNING: Shock cooling is modelled. A sudden throttle chop from cruise power will crack cylinders. | |
| 06 | Cowl FlapsCLOSEDNOTE: Keep them closed in the descent to slow the cooling rate. | |
| 07 | Carb HeatON DURING LOW-POWER DESCENT | |
| 08 | Descent SpeedBELOW 180 MPH (156 KTS) Vno |
PHS 13 — Before Landing9 steps
| 01 | Seat Belts and HarnessesSECURE | |
| 02 | GUMPS - GasFULLEST MAIN TANK, PUMP ON | |
| 03 | GUMPS - UndercarriageDOWN AND LOCKED - 3 GREENWARNING: Confirm three green lights. Below 150 mph (130 kts) for gear operation. | |
| 04 | GUMPS - MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 05 | GUMPS - PropellerFULL FORWARD | |
| 06 | Carb HeatON | |
| 07 | Cowl FlapsCLOSEDNOTE: Keeps CHT stable on a low-power approach and reduces drag on a go-around. | |
| 08 | FlapsAS REQUIREDNOTE: Below 125 mph (108 kts). | |
| 09 | Landing LightON |
PHS 14 — Landing6 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed90 MPH (78 KTS)NOTE: The Comanche's laminar wing floats if flown fast. Fly the number. | |
| 02 | Landing GearRECHECK 3 GREENWARNING: Final gear check before the threshold. | |
| 03 | ThresholdPOWER TO IDLE | |
| 04 | FlareTOUCH DOWN ON MAIN WHEELS | |
| 05 | NosewheelLOWER GENTLY | |
| 06 | BrakingAS REQUIREDCAUTION: Do not touch the flap lever on the runway. Gear and flap selectors are adjacent. |
PHS 15 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | Clear of RunwayCONFIRM PAST HOLD SHORT | |
| 02 | FlapsUP | |
| 03 | Carb HeatCOLD | |
| 04 | Cowl FlapsOPEN | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF | |
| 06 | Landing Light and StrobesOFF | |
| 07 | TransponderSTANDBY |
PHS 16 — Shutdown / Securing9 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle1,000 RPM FOR 1-2 MINUTESNOTE: Let cylinder head temperature settle before cutting the engine. | |
| 03 | Radios and AvionicsOFF | |
| 04 | MixtureIDLE CUTOFF | |
| 05 | MagnetosOFF AFTER THE ENGINE STOPSNOTE: A quick mag ground check at idle before cutoff confirms both P-leads are grounded. | |
| 06 | Master SwitchOFF | |
| 07 | Fuel SelectorMAIN TANK (NOT OFF) | |
| 08 | Control Lock, Chocks, Tie-DownsINSTALLED | |
| 09 | Accu-Sim Post-FlightREVIEW ENGINE REPORTNOTE: Check the maintenance hangar for oil consumption, plug condition and any damage logged during the flight. |