MSFS 2024 · General Aviation
Cessna 172 Skyhawk Startup Checklist
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Cessna 172 Skyhawk Startup Notes
The Skyhawk is the simplest start here, but it still rewards doing things in order. Master on, beacon on, then prime. The fuel injected 172S primes with the aux fuel pump: mixture rich, pump on until fuel flow ticks up, then pump off and mixture back to idle cutoff before cranking. Advance the mixture smoothly as the engine catches. Fuel selector stays on BOTH, and the magneto check belongs in the runup at 1800 RPM, not on the ramp.
Most failed starts come from priming errors. Pilots either over-prime and crank with the mixture full rich, flooding the engine, or crank with the mixture still in cutoff and wonder why nothing fires. For a flooded engine, crank with mixture at cutoff and throttle open until it catches. Keep the avionics bus off until after start to protect the radios, and confirm the fuel selector is on BOTH; plenty of dead starts trace back to a closed fuel valve.
Common mistakes
- Flooding the engine by over-priming with the aux pump
- Cranking with the mixture still in idle cutoff
- Turning avionics on before the engine is running
Related Aircraft
Pilot Tools for This Flight
FLIGHT2.0Checklist
Cessna 172 SkyhawkMSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 109 steps · 15 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: Check current conditions and forecast at departure, enroute, and destination airports. | |
| 02 | NOTAMsREVIEWEDNOTE: Check for runway closures, TFRs, and airspace restrictions. | |
| 03 | Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Burn rate ~8 GPH cruise. Plan for trip fuel + 30-minute VFR reserve (45 min at night). | |
| 04 | Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: Max ramp weight 2,558 lbs. Check CG is within forward and aft limits. | |
| 05 | Takeoff & Landing DistancesCALCULATEDNOTE: Account for density altitude, runway surface, and slope. | |
| 06 | VFR Charts / Flight PlanPREPAREDNOTE: Mark waypoints, frequencies, and altitude on sectional chart or EFB. | |
| 07 | Passenger BriefingPLANNEDNOTE: Brief seats, belts, exits, fire extinguisher, and sterile cockpit. | |
| 08 | GSX - Fuel TruckREFUEL COMPLETENOTE: GSX menu: Refuel Aircraft. Check fuel quantity and top up as needed. |
PHS 2 — Before Start6 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSETNOTE: Ensure wheels are chocked if on a slope. | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorBOTHWARNING: Never start on a single tank. | |
| 03 | Fuel Shutoff ValveON (Push In) | |
| 04 | Avionics SwitchOFF | |
| 05 | Circuit BreakersCHECK IN | |
| 06 | Electrical EquipmentOFF |
PHS 3 — Engine Start10 steps
| 01 | Master SwitchON (Both ALT and BAT) | |
| 02 | Fuel QuantityCHECK - Adequate for flight | |
| 03 | Beacon LightON | |
| 04 | MixtureRICH (Full Forward) | |
| 05 | Carburetor HeatCOLD (Push In) | |
| 06 | Primer2-3 PUMPS (Cold Engine)NOTE: Unlatch, pump, then lock. Skip if engine is warm. | |
| 07 | ThrottleOPEN 1/4 INCH | |
| 08 | Propeller AreaCLEARCAUTION: Visually confirm no persons or obstacles near prop. | |
| 09 | Ignition SwitchSTART (then release to BOTH)CAUTION: Do not crank for more than 10 seconds. Wait 30s between attempts. | |
| 10 | Oil PressureCHECK GREENWARNING: If no oil pressure within 30 seconds, shut down immediately. |
PHS 4 — After Start9 steps
| 01 | Throttle1000 RPM | |
| 02 | Oil TemperatureCHECK - Green arc | |
| 03 | Ammeter / SuctionCHECK - Charging and vacuum normal | |
| 04 | MixtureLEAN for ground opsNOTE: Lean until slight RPM drop at high altitude fields. | |
| 05 | Avionics SwitchON | |
| 06 | Radios & GPSSETNOTE: Set COM1, NAV1, transponder code, and GPS flight plan. | |
| 07 | FlapsCHECK & RETRACT | |
| 08 | Flight InstrumentsCHECK | |
| 09 | Heading IndicatorALIGN TO COMPASS |
PHS 5 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeRELEASE | |
| 02 | BrakesTEST (tap briefly)NOTE: Test within first few feet of movement. | |
| 03 | Nosewheel SteeringCHECK - Responsive | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE & CORRECTCAUTION: Full deflection all axes - check visually. | |
| 05 | InstrumentsCHECK DURING TAXINOTE: Turn indicator, heading indicator, attitude indicator should respond to turns. | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedSAFE SPEEDCAUTION: No faster than a brisk walk. |
PHS 6 — Run-Up9 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle1800 RPM | |
| 03 | Magneto CheckRIGHT then LEFT then BOTHNOTE: Max 125 RPM drop per magneto, max 50 RPM differential between them. | |
| 04 | Carburetor HeatON - check RPM drop then OFFNOTE: RPM should drop when carb heat is applied, confirming it works. | |
| 05 | Engine InstrumentsCHECKNOTE: Oil temp, oil pressure, ammeter all in green. | |
| 06 | Suction GaugeCHECK (4.5–5.4 in Hg) | |
| 07 | ThrottleIDLE - check for smooth idle | |
| 08 | Throttle1000 RPM | |
| 09 | MixtureLEAN for taxi (if applicable) |
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff10 steps
| 01 | FlapsSET for takeoffNOTE: 0° for normal takeoff, 10° for short field. | |
| 02 | TrimSET for takeoff | |
| 03 | MixtureRICHNOTE: Lean for takeoff at high altitude fields above 3,000 ft density altitude. | |
| 04 | Carburetor HeatCOLD | |
| 05 | PrimerLOCKED | |
| 06 | Doors & WindowsCLOSED & LATCHED | |
| 07 | Seat Belts & HarnessesSECURED | |
| 08 | TransponderALT | |
| 09 | Landing LightON | |
| 10 | StrobesON |
PHS 8 — Normal Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | BrakesHOLD | |
| 02 | ThrottleFULL OPENNOTE: Check engine gauges during initial roll. | |
| 03 | BrakesRELEASE | |
| 04 | ElevatorROTATE at 55 KIASCAUTION: Do not force aircraft off ground early. | |
| 05 | Climb Speed70-80 KIAS (Vy)NOTE: Vx 62 KIAS for obstacle clearance. | |
| 06 | FlapsRETRACT (if set for takeoff) |
PHS 9 — Climb6 steps
| 01 | Airspeed70-80 KIAS (Vy) | |
| 02 | ThrottleFULL POWER | |
| 03 | MixtureRICHNOTE: Lean above 3,000 ft density altitude. | |
| 04 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR | |
| 05 | TrimADJUST for climb | |
| 06 | Landing LightOFF (above 1,000 ft AGL)NOTE: Turn off as desired after departure. |
PHS 10 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | AltitudeLEVEL at cruise altitude | |
| 02 | ThrottleSET 2200-2500 RPMNOTE: See POH for power settings at altitude. | |
| 03 | TrimADJUST for level flight | |
| 04 | MixtureLEAN for best economyNOTE: Lean until slight RPM drop, then enrichen slightly. | |
| 05 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR | |
| 06 | Fuel QuantityCHECK | |
| 07 | Heading IndicatorALIGN to compassNOTE: Re-align every 15 minutes. |
PHS 11 — Descent6 steps
| 01 | MixtureENRICHEN as requiredNOTE: Enrichen gradually during descent. | |
| 02 | Carburetor HeatON (as needed)CAUTION: Apply before reducing power to prevent carb icing. | |
| 03 | ThrottleREDUCE as desired | |
| 04 | TrimADJUST for descent | |
| 05 | AltimeterSET local QNHNOTE: Obtain ATIS/AWOS for destination. | |
| 06 | RadiosSET approach/tower frequency |
PHS 12 — Before Landing6 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts & HarnessesADJUSTED & SECURED | |
| 02 | MixtureRICHCAUTION: Check density altitude at high altitude fields. | |
| 03 | Carburetor HeatON (full hot) | |
| 04 | Fuel SelectorBOTH | |
| 05 | Landing LightON | |
| 06 | AutopilotOFF (if equipped/engaged) |
PHS 13 — Landing5 steps
| 01 | Airspeed65-75 KIAS on finalNOTE: Adjust for wind, add half gust factor. | |
| 02 | FlapsAS DESIREDNOTE: FULL for shortest landing, less for gusty conditions. | |
| 03 | TouchdownMAIN WHEELS FIRSTNOTE: Hold nose off, lower gently. | |
| 04 | BrakingMINIMUM REQUIRED | |
| 05 | Carburetor HeatCOLD (after landing assured) |
PHS 14 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | FlapsRETRACT | |
| 02 | Carburetor HeatCOLD | |
| 03 | TrimSET neutral | |
| 04 | TransponderSTBYNOTE: Some airports require ALT until parked. | |
| 05 | Landing LightOFF | |
| 06 | StrobesOFF | |
| 07 | Taxi to ParkingSAFE SPEED |
PHS 15 — Shutdown / Securing8 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | ThrottleIDLE (1000 RPM) | |
| 03 | Avionics SwitchOFFNOTE: Turn off before master to protect avionics. | |
| 04 | MixtureCUTOFF (pull full aft)NOTE: This is how you stop the engine. | |
| 05 | Ignition SwitchOFF (after engine stops) | |
| 06 | Master SwitchOFF (Both ALT and BAT) | |
| 07 | Fuel SelectorOFFNOTE: Some operators leave on BOTH - follow local practice. | |
| 08 | Control LockINSTALL (if available) |