Beechcraft Bonanza (Black Square) Startup Checklist

METAR Decoder TAF Decoder

Fuel Calculator

Takeoff Distance Landing Distance

Related Aircraft

Cessna 172 Skyhawk

MSFS 2024 checklist

Cessna 152

MSFS 2024 checklist

Beechcraft Bonanza G36

MSFS 2024 checklist

Cirrus SR22

MSFS 2024 checklist

ZLEA / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

General Aviation1960s

AIRCRAFT BRIEF

The Beechcraft Bonanza has been in continuous production since 1947, the longest run of any aircraft in history, and the six-seat Model 36 has carried the line since 1968. Black Square's rendition strips out the modern glass and rebuilds the aeroplane around a period analog panel, with vacuum-driven gyros, twelve hot-swappable radio configurations and a deep systems model that includes the electrical bus, de-ice equipment and a long list of failures. It is the Bonanza as most of the fleet actually flew for fifty years.

RANGE VISUALIZER

Startup Walkthrough

SPECIFICATIONS

manufacturer: Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
first Flight: 1947 (Model 35), 1968 (Model 36)
role: Six-seat high-performance single
crew: 1 pilot + up to 5 passengers
engines: 1x Continental IO-550-B (300 hp)
max Speed: 324 km/h (175 kts TAS)
range: 1,574 km (850 nmi)
ceiling: 18,500 ft
weight: 1,655 kg (3,650 lbs MTOW)

Sources: Beechcraft Bonanza - Wikipedia, Black Square - Bonanza (Just Flight), Review: Black Square Baron and Bonanza Professional - FSElite

FLIGHT2.23.0Checklist

Beechcraft Bonanza (Black Square)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 208 steps · 17 phases

DATE PILOT TAIL

PHS 1 - Pre-Flight Planning8 steps

	01	Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: Check icing. The Analog Bonanza flies on vacuum-driven gyros with a standby gyro pump as the only backup.
	02	NOTAMsREVIEWED
	03	Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: 74 US gal usable (445 lbs), or 104 US gal (625 lbs) with the optional tip tanks. Fuel flow redline is 27.5 GPH.
	04	Weight and BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: Max takeoff weight 3,600 lbs normally aspirated, 4,030 lbs turbonormalized. Max ramp 3,650 / 4,080 lbs.
	05	Takeoff and Landing DistanceCALCULATEDNOTE: Book figures: takeoff 2,040 ft over 50 ft (962 ft ground roll); landing 1,450 ft over 50 ft (833 ft ground roll).
	06	Minimum Departure FuelCHECKEDCAUTION: Do not take off with the fuel gauges in the yellow arc, or with less than 13 US gal usable in each main tank.
	07	Radio Stack ConfigurationSELECTEDNOTE: Black Square's hot-swappable radio panels run from no-GPS period stacks to modern touchscreen navigators.
	08	Failure SettingsREVIEWEDNOTE: 80+ system failures are configurable from the in-cockpit interface, random by MTBF or scheduled.

PHS 2 - Before Starting Engine37 steps

	01	Preflight InspectionCOMPLETE
	02	Seats and SeatbeltsSECURE
	03	Cabin DoorsLATCHED
	04	Parking BrakeSET
	05	Emergency Gear HandleSTOWED
	06	Avionics BreakersALL IN
	07	FlapsUP
	08	Oxygen Pressure1550-1850 PSINOTE: The manual's instrument markings show the oxygen green arc as 1850-2200 psi; the checklist calls for 1550-1850 psi.
	09	AvionicsOFF
	10	ThrottleCLOSED
	11	PropellerHIGH RPM
	12	MixtureFULL RICH
	13	Cowl FlapsOPEN
	14	Aileron TrimCENTERED
	15	Alternate AirOFF
	16	Firewall ValveOPEN (PUSH)
	17	Landing GearDOWN
	18	All Subpanel SwitchesOFF
	19	LoadmeterPRIMARY
	20	Main BreakersALL IN
	21	Alternate Static AirNORMAL
	22	CO DetectorTEST
	23	Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANK
	24	Beacon LightON
	25	Battery MasterON
	26	Bus Volts23V MINIMUM
	27	AnnunciatorsTEST AND CONSIDER
	28	Primary AlternatorON
	29	Standby AlternatorON
	30	Fuel QuantitiesCHECK
	31	Aux Fuel PumpLO
	32	Aux Fuel PumpAUDIBLE
	33	Aux Fuel PumpOFF
	34	Standby Gyro PumpON
	35	STBY GYRO P AnnunILLUMINATED
	36	Instrument AirGREEN
	37	Standby Gyro PumpOFF

PHS 3 - Engine Start (Cold)9 steps

	01	MixtureFULL RICH
	02	PropellerHIGH RPM
	03	ThrottleFULL OPEN
	04	Aux Fuel PumpHI FOR 2-3 SEC
	05	Fuel FlowGREATER THAN 3 GPH
	06	Aux Fuel PumpOFF
	07	ThrottleOPEN 1/2 IN
	08	StarterENGAGECAUTION: Do not engage the starter for more than 30 seconds in any 4-minute period.
	09	Throttle1000-1200 RPM

PHS 4 - Engine Start (Hot)12 steps

	01	MixtureCUT-OFF
	02	PropellerHIGH RPM
	03	Aux Fuel PumpHI FOR 10-20 SEC
	04	Aux Fuel PumpOFF
	05	MixtureFULL RICH
	06	ThrottleFULL OPEN
	07	Aux Fuel PumpHI FOR 2-3 SEC
	08	Fuel FlowGREATER THAN 3 GPH
	09	Aux Fuel PumpOFF
	10	ThrottleOPEN 1/2 IN
	11	StarterENGAGECAUTION: Do not engage the starter for more than 30 seconds in any 4-minute period.
	12	If No StartREPEAT

PHS 5 - Engine Start (Flooded)7 steps

	01	MixtureLEAN
	02	PropellerHIGH RPM
	03	ThrottleOPEN 1/2 IN
	04	ThrottleADVANCE UNTIL STARTNOTE: The manual lists the throttle advance ahead of the starter engagement in this procedure.
	05	StarterENGAGE
	06	ThrottleIDLE
	07	MixtureFULL RICH

PHS 6 - After Starting15 steps

	01	Throttle1000-1200 RPM
	02	Oil PressureGREEN
	03	Start AnnunEXTINGUISHED
	04	Low Volts AnnunEXTINGUISHED
	05	Alternator LoadBELOW 25A IN 2 MIN
	06	Bus Volts28V
	07	Engine InstrumentsCHECK
	08	LightsAS REQUIRED
	09	Weather RadarOFF / STANDBY
	10	AvionicsON
	11	Cabin Air and HeatAS DESIRED
	12	Air ConditioningAS DESIRED
	13	MixtureLEAN FOR TAXI
	14	Parking BrakeRELEASE
	15	BrakesCHECK

PHS 7 - Runup45 steps

	01	Parking BrakeSET
	02	AnnunciatorsTEST AND CONSIDER
	03	Remote CompassSLAVED AND ALIGNED
	04	MixtureFULL RICH
	05	Throttle1700 RPM
	06	Exercise PropellerTO 300 RPM DROP
	07	Check Magnetos150 RPM DROP MAX
	08	Instrument AirGREEN
	09	Primary AlternatorOFF
	10	LoadmeterSECONDARY
	11	Alternator LoadINCREASE
	12	STBY ALT AnnunILLUMINATED
	13	Standby AlternatorOFF
	14	Alternator LoadZERO
	15	LoadmeterPRIMARY
	16	Primary AlternatorON
	17	Standby AlternatorON
	18	Alternator LoadABOVE 25A
	19	Propeller HeatON
	20	Propeller Amps20-25A
	21	Propeller HeatOFF
	22	Throttle1000-1200 RPM
	23	Electric TrimEXERCISE
	24	AutopilotTEST
	25	Heading Bug30 DEGREES LEFT
	26	Autopilot MasterENGAGE
	27	Heading ModeENGAGE
	28	Yoke MovementOBSERVE
	29	Flight DirectorBANK LEFT
	30	Heading Bug30 DEGREES RIGHT
	31	Yoke MovementOBSERVE
	32	Flight DirectorBANK RIGHT
	33	Autopilot DisconnectPRESS AP OFF
	34	Autopilot DisconnectPRESS FD OFF
	35	Elevator TrimSET TAKEOFF
	36	FlapsCHECK OPERATION
	37	FlapsSET TAKEOFF
	38	WindowsCLOSED
	39	AFT DOOR AnnunEXTINGUISHED
	40	Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT
	41	AltimeterSET
	42	Departure AltitudeSET
	43	Takeoff HeadingSET
	44	Panel LightsDIM FOR TAKEOFF
	45	Parking BrakeRELEASE

PHS 8 - Before Takeoff7 steps

	01	MixtureMAX POWER
	02	Oil Temperature24 degC MINIMUM
	03	Aux Fuel PumpOFF
	04	Air ConditioningOFF
	05	Landing LightON
	06	TransponderALT MODE
	07	Weather RadarON

PHS 9 - Takeoff6 steps

	01	ThrottleFULL OPENCAUTION: Manifold pressure redline is 29.6 inHg. Do not fully retard the throttle above the 19,000 ft critical altitude on the turbonormalized model.
	02	BrakesRELEASE
	03	Engine InstrumentsCHECK
	04	Landing Gear UpNO RUNWAY REMAINING
	05	FlapsRETRACT AT 80 KTS
	06	AutopilotENGAGE

PHS 10 - Max Continuous Power5 steps

	01	MixtureMAX POWER
	02	Propeller2700 RPMCAUTION: 2,700 RPM is the engine redline.
	03	ThrottleFULL OPEN
	04	Cowl FlapsAS REQUIRED
	05	Air ConditioningAS DESIRED

PHS 11 - Enroute Climb7 steps

	01	MixtureMAX POWER
	02	Propeller2500 RPM
	03	ThrottleFULL OPEN
	04	Cowl FlapsAS REQUIRED
	05	Air ConditioningAS DESIRED
	06	OxygenAS REQUIRED
	07	Engine PerformanceMONITORCAUTION: CHT redline 238 degC (460 degF). Oil temperature redline 116 degC (240 degF).

PHS 12 - Cruise12 steps

	01	Cowl FlapsCLOSE
	02	Landing LightOFF
	03	Pitot HeatON IF OAT LESS THAN 4 degC
	04	Propeller HeatAS REQUIRED
	05	Fuel Imbalance15 GAL MAX
	06	Tip Tank TransferAS REQUIRED
	07	Lean MixtureLOP OR ROP
	08	Propeller2500 RPM
	09	ThrottleFULL OPEN
	10	Cabin Air and HeatAS DESIRED
	11	Air ConditioningAS DESIRED
	12	Engine PerformanceMONITOR

PHS 13 - Descent5 steps

	01	Cowl FlapsCLOSED
	02	ThrottleREDUCE
	03	MixtureENRICHEN
	04	Engine PerformanceMONITOR
	05	Cylinder Head Temp116 degC MINIMUMWARNING: Avoid cooling the cylinders at more than 33 degC (60 degF) per minute.

PHS 14 - Approach12 steps

	01	Seats and SeatbeltsSECURE
	02	Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANK
	03	Fuel Imbalance15 GAL MAX
	04	Tip Tank TransferAS REQUIRED
	05	OxygenOFF
	06	Landing LightON
	07	Pitot HeatON IF OAT LESS THAN 4 degC
	08	Propeller HeatOFF
	09	Air ConditioningOFF
	10	Cowl FlapsAS REQUIRED
	11	MixtureMAX POWER
	12	FlapsAPPROACHNOTE: Vfe is 123 kts.

PHS 15 - Landing5 steps

	01	PropellerHIGH RPM
	02	MixtureMAX POWER
	03	FlapsAS REQUIRED
	04	Landing GearDOWN AND LOCKEDCAUTION: Vle is 152 kts.
	05	Autopilot DisconnectPRESS ONCE

PHS 16 - After Landing6 steps

	01	Cowl FlapsOPEN
	02	FlapsUP
	03	LightsAS REQUIRED
	04	Pitot HeatOFF
	05	Air ConditioningAS DESIRED
	06	Cabin Air and HeatAS DESIRED

PHS 17 - Shutdown and Securing10 steps

	01	Parking BrakeSET
	02	AvionicsOFF
	03	All Subpanel SwitchesOFF
	04	ThrottleCLOSED
	05	PropellerHIGH RPM
	06	MixtureCUT-OFF
	07	MagnetosOFF
	08	AlternatorsOFF
	09	Battery MasterOFF
	10	Parking BrakeRELEASE