Cessna 172 SkyhawkMSFS 2024 Startup Checklist · 109 steps
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
MSFS 2024 - 0/109 STEPS
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General Aviation1950s
AIRCRAFT BRIEF
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is the most produced aircraft in history, with over 44,000 built since 1956. It became the backbone of flight training worldwide and remains the go-to trainer for student pilots. Its forgiving flight characteristics and reliability made it an icon of general aviation.
RANGE VISUALIZER
SPECIFICATIONS
manufacturerCessna (Textron Aviation)
first Flight1955
roleLight trainer / Utility
crew1 pilot + 3 passengers
engines1x Lycoming IO-360-L2A (180 hp)
max Speed233 km/h (126 kts)
range1,289 km (696 nmi)
ceiling13,500 ft
weight1,157 kg (MTOW)
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)NOTE: Check current conditions and forecast at departure, enroute, and destination airports. | REVIEWED | |
| 02 | NOTAMsNOTE: Check for runway closures, TFRs, and airspace restrictions. | REVIEWED | |
| 03 | Fuel RequiredNOTE: Burn rate ~8 GPH cruise. Plan for trip fuel + 30-minute VFR reserve (45 min at night). | CALCULATED | |
| 04 | Weight & BalanceCAUTION: Max ramp weight 2,558 lbs. Check CG is within forward and aft limits. | WITHIN LIMITS | |
| 05 | Takeoff & Landing DistancesNOTE: Account for density altitude, runway surface, and slope. | CALCULATED | |
| 06 | VFR Charts / Flight PlanNOTE: Mark waypoints, frequencies, and altitude on sectional chart or EFB. | PREPARED | |
| 07 | Passenger BriefingNOTE: Brief seats, belts, exits, fire extinguisher, and sterile cockpit. | PLANNED | |
| 08 | GSX - Fuel TruckNOTE: GSX menu: Refuel Aircraft. Check fuel quantity and top up as needed. | REFUEL COMPLETE |
PHS 2 — Before Start6 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeNOTE: Ensure wheels are chocked if on a slope. | SET | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorWARNING: Never start on a single tank. | BOTH | |
| 03 | Fuel Shutoff Valve | ON (Push In) | |
| 04 | Avionics Switch | OFF | |
| 05 | Circuit Breakers | CHECK IN | |
| 06 | Electrical Equipment | OFF |
PHS 3 — Engine Start10 steps
| 01 | Master Switch | ON (Both ALT and BAT) | |
| 02 | Fuel Quantity | CHECK - Adequate for flight | |
| 03 | Beacon Light | ON | |
| 04 | Mixture | RICH (Full Forward) | |
| 05 | Carburetor Heat | COLD (Push In) | |
| 06 | PrimerNOTE: Unlatch, pump, then lock. Skip if engine is warm. | 2-3 PUMPS (Cold Engine) | |
| 07 | Throttle | OPEN 1/4 INCH | |
| 08 | Propeller AreaCAUTION: Visually confirm no persons or obstacles near prop. | CLEAR | |
| 09 | Ignition SwitchCAUTION: Do not crank for more than 10 seconds. Wait 30s between attempts. | START (then release to BOTH) | |
| 10 | Oil PressureWARNING: If no oil pressure within 30 seconds, shut down immediately. | CHECK GREEN |
PHS 4 — After Start9 steps
| 01 | Throttle | 1000 RPM | |
| 02 | Oil Temperature | CHECK - Green arc | |
| 03 | Ammeter / Suction | CHECK - Charging and vacuum normal | |
| 04 | MixtureNOTE: Lean until slight RPM drop at high altitude fields. | LEAN for ground ops | |
| 05 | Avionics Switch | ON | |
| 06 | Radios & GPSNOTE: Set COM1, NAV1, transponder code, and GPS flight plan. | SET | |
| 07 | Flaps | CHECK & RETRACT | |
| 08 | Flight Instruments | CHECK | |
| 09 | Heading Indicator | ALIGN TO COMPASS |
PHS 5 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | RELEASE | |
| 02 | BrakesNOTE: Test within first few feet of movement. | TEST (tap briefly) | |
| 03 | Nosewheel Steering | CHECK - Responsive | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsCAUTION: Full deflection all axes - check visually. | FREE & CORRECT | |
| 05 | InstrumentsNOTE: Turn indicator, heading indicator, attitude indicator should respond to turns. | CHECK DURING TAXI | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedCAUTION: No faster than a brisk walk. | SAFE SPEED |
PHS 6 — Run-Up9 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | Throttle | 1800 RPM | |
| 03 | Magneto CheckNOTE: Max 125 RPM drop per magneto, max 50 RPM differential between them. | RIGHT then LEFT then BOTH | |
| 04 | Carburetor HeatNOTE: RPM should drop when carb heat is applied, confirming it works. | ON - check RPM drop then OFF | |
| 05 | Engine InstrumentsNOTE: Oil temp, oil pressure, ammeter all in green. | CHECK | |
| 06 | Suction Gauge | CHECK (4.5–5.4 in Hg) | |
| 07 | Throttle | IDLE - check for smooth idle | |
| 08 | Throttle | 1000 RPM | |
| 09 | Mixture | LEAN for taxi (if applicable) |
PHS 7 — Before Takeoff10 steps
| 01 | FlapsNOTE: 0° for normal takeoff, 10° for short field. | SET for takeoff | |
| 02 | Trim | SET for takeoff | |
| 03 | MixtureNOTE: Lean for takeoff at high altitude fields above 3,000 ft density altitude. | RICH | |
| 04 | Carburetor Heat | COLD | |
| 05 | Primer | LOCKED | |
| 06 | Doors & Windows | CLOSED & LATCHED | |
| 07 | Seat Belts & Harnesses | SECURED | |
| 08 | Transponder | ALT | |
| 09 | Landing Light | ON | |
| 10 | Strobes | ON |
PHS 8 — Normal Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | Brakes | HOLD | |
| 02 | ThrottleNOTE: Check engine gauges during initial roll. | FULL OPEN | |
| 03 | Brakes | RELEASE | |
| 04 | ElevatorCAUTION: Do not force aircraft off ground early. | ROTATE at 55 KIAS | |
| 05 | Climb SpeedNOTE: Vx 62 KIAS for obstacle clearance. | 70-80 KIAS (Vy) | |
| 06 | Flaps | RETRACT (if set for takeoff) |
PHS 9 — Climb6 steps
| 01 | Airspeed | 70-80 KIAS (Vy) | |
| 02 | Throttle | FULL POWER | |
| 03 | MixtureNOTE: Lean above 3,000 ft density altitude. | RICH | |
| 04 | Engine Instruments | MONITOR | |
| 05 | Trim | ADJUST for climb | |
| 06 | Landing LightNOTE: Turn off as desired after departure. | OFF (above 1,000 ft AGL) |
PHS 10 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | Altitude | LEVEL at cruise altitude | |
| 02 | ThrottleNOTE: See POH for power settings at altitude. | SET 2200-2500 RPM | |
| 03 | Trim | ADJUST for level flight | |
| 04 | MixtureNOTE: Lean until slight RPM drop, then enrichen slightly. | LEAN for best economy | |
| 05 | Engine Instruments | MONITOR | |
| 06 | Fuel Quantity | CHECK | |
| 07 | Heading IndicatorNOTE: Re-align every 15 minutes. | ALIGN to compass |
PHS 11 — Descent6 steps
| 01 | MixtureNOTE: Enrichen gradually during descent. | ENRICHEN as required | |
| 02 | Carburetor HeatCAUTION: Apply before reducing power to prevent carb icing. | ON (as needed) | |
| 03 | Throttle | REDUCE as desired | |
| 04 | Trim | ADJUST for descent | |
| 05 | AltimeterNOTE: Obtain ATIS/AWOS for destination. | SET local QNH | |
| 06 | Radios | SET approach/tower frequency |
PHS 12 — Before Landing6 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts & Harnesses | ADJUSTED & SECURED | |
| 02 | MixtureCAUTION: Check density altitude at high altitude fields. | RICH | |
| 03 | Carburetor Heat | ON (full hot) | |
| 04 | Fuel Selector | BOTH | |
| 05 | Landing Light | ON | |
| 06 | Autopilot | OFF (if equipped/engaged) |
PHS 13 — Landing5 steps
| 01 | AirspeedNOTE: Adjust for wind, add half gust factor. | 65-75 KIAS on final | |
| 02 | FlapsNOTE: FULL for shortest landing, less for gusty conditions. | AS DESIRED | |
| 03 | TouchdownNOTE: Hold nose off, lower gently. | MAIN WHEELS FIRST | |
| 04 | Braking | MINIMUM REQUIRED | |
| 05 | Carburetor Heat | COLD (after landing assured) |
PHS 14 — After Landing7 steps
| 01 | Flaps | RETRACT | |
| 02 | Carburetor Heat | COLD | |
| 03 | Trim | SET neutral | |
| 04 | TransponderNOTE: Some airports require ALT until parked. | STBY | |
| 05 | Landing Light | OFF | |
| 06 | Strobes | OFF | |
| 07 | Taxi to Parking | SAFE SPEED |
PHS 15 — Shutdown / Securing8 steps
| 01 | Parking Brake | SET | |
| 02 | Throttle | IDLE (1000 RPM) | |
| 03 | Avionics SwitchNOTE: Turn off before master to protect avionics. | OFF | |
| 04 | MixtureNOTE: This is how you stop the engine. | CUTOFF (pull full aft) | |
| 05 | Ignition Switch | OFF (after engine stops) | |
| 06 | Master Switch | OFF (Both ALT and BAT) | |
| 07 | Fuel SelectorNOTE: Some operators leave on BOTH - follow local practice. | OFF | |
| 08 | Control Lock | INSTALL (if available) |