flightchecklist.appFocus mode active
MSFS 2024 · General Aviation
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II (Just Flight) Startup Checklist
FLIGHT2.6.0Checklist
Piper PA-28-161 Warrior II (Just Flight)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 120 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning7 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: The Warrior is a VFR/light-IFR trainer. Check ceiling, visibility, wind, and freezing level. | |
| 02 | NOTAMsREVIEWEDNOTE: Check TFRs, runway closures, and airspace restrictions along the route. | |
| 03 | Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Burn rate 8-10 GPH at 75% power. Usable fuel 48 gal. Plan 30-min day VFR reserve, 45-min night or IFR. | |
| 04 | Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: MTOW 2,325 lbs. Full fuel plus four adults will exceed gross weight. Verify CG before loading. | |
| 05 | Takeoff & Landing DistanceCALCULATEDNOTE: 160 hp normally aspirated. Performance falls off sharply with density altitude. | |
| 06 | VFR Charts / Flight PlanPREPAREDNOTE: Set up the EFB tablet and load the route into the GPS before engine start. | |
| 07 | Passenger BriefingCOMPLETENOTE: Only one cabin door on the right side. Brief seat belts, door operation, and sterile cockpit. |
PHS 2 — Pre-Flight Exterior Inspection10 steps
| 01 | Aircraft DocumentsON BOARD | |
| 02 | Control Wheel LockREMOVED | |
| 03 | Ignition SwitchOFFWARNING: Confirm magnetos are OFF before touching the propeller. A hot mag can fire the engine. | |
| 04 | Master SwitchON - CHECK FUEL QUANTITY, THEN OFF | |
| 05 | Fuel Tank Caps and VentsCHECK SECURE | |
| 06 | Fuel Sumps (both wings and gascolator)DRAINED - CHECK FOR WATER | |
| 07 | Engine OilCHECK 6-8 QUARTSNOTE: Minimum for flight is 2 quarts, but do not dispatch below 6. | |
| 08 | Propeller and SpinnerCHECK FOR NICKS AND SECURITY | |
| 09 | Pitot Tube, Static Ports, Stall VaneCLEAR - COVER REMOVED | |
| 10 | Control Surfaces, Tie-Downs, ChocksFREE AND REMOVEDNOTE: Check the stabilator and its anti-servo tab for full free travel. |
PHS 3 — Before Start10 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts, HarnessesADJUSTED AND SECURE | |
| 02 | Cabin DoorCLOSED AND LATCHEDCAUTION: Latch both the upper and side latch. An unlatched door will pop open on rotation. | |
| 03 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 05 | Circuit BreakersALL IN | |
| 06 | Avionics MasterOFFCAUTION: Avionics must be off during start to protect the radios from the voltage spike. | |
| 07 | Electrical SwitchesOFF | |
| 08 | Carb HeatCOLD (IN) | |
| 09 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANKNOTE: The PA-28 selector has LEFT, RIGHT and OFF only. There is no BOTH position. | |
| 10 | Cowl FlapN/A - FIXED COWLNOTE: The Warrior II has no cowl flap. Cooling is managed with airspeed and mixture. |
PHS 4 — Engine Start9 steps
| 01 | Master Switch (ALT and BAT)ON | |
| 02 | Beacon LightON | |
| 03 | MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 04 | ThrottleOPEN 1/4 INCH | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 06 | Engine Primer1-3 STROKESNOTE: Cold engine: 3 strokes. Warm engine: none. Flooded: throttle full open, mixture idle cutoff, crank. | |
| 07 | Propeller AreaCLEAR - CALL CLEAR PROPWARNING: Visually confirm the propeller arc is clear before engaging the starter. | |
| 08 | Ignition SwitchSTART - RELEASE AT STARTCAUTION: Do not crank for more than 10 seconds. Allow 20 seconds cooling between attempts. | |
| 09 | ThrottleSET 800-1200 RPM |
PHS 5 — After Start8 steps
| 01 | Oil PressureRISING WITHIN 30 SECONDSWARNING: If oil pressure does not rise within 30 seconds, shut the engine down immediately. | |
| 02 | Electric Fuel PumpOFFNOTE: Verify fuel pressure stays in the green on the engine-driven pump alone. | |
| 03 | Alternator / AmmeterCHARGING | |
| 04 | Suction GaugeCHECK 4.8-5.1 IN HGNOTE: Vacuum drives the attitude and directional gyros. | |
| 05 | Avionics MasterON | |
| 06 | Radios and GPSSETNOTE: Tune ATIS, ground, and tower. Load the flight plan into the GNS/GTN. | |
| 07 | TransponderSTANDBY - CODE SET | |
| 08 | Altimeter and Directional GyroSET TO FIELD ELEVATION |
PHS 6 — Taxi6 steps
| 01 | Taxi ClearanceOBTAINED | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeRELEASED | |
| 03 | ThrottleADVANCE SLOWLYNOTE: Steering is through the nosewheel linked to the rudder pedals. | |
| 04 | BrakesCHECK EFFECTIVE | |
| 05 | Flight InstrumentsCHECK IN TURNSNOTE: Turn coordinator, attitude indicator, compass and DG should all track correctly. | |
| 06 | Taxi SpeedWALKING PACE |
PHS 7 — Run-Up10 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET - NOSE INTO WIND | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorCONFIRM FULLEST TANK | |
| 03 | Throttle2,000 RPM | |
| 04 | MagnetosCHECK L AND RCAUTION: Max drop 175 RPM per magneto, max difference between magnetos 50 RPM. | |
| 05 | Carb HeatON - CHECK RPM DROP, THEN OFFNOTE: Expect a 50-100 RPM drop. A rise indicates carb ice was present. | |
| 06 | Engine InstrumentsGREEN ARCS | |
| 07 | Ammeter and SuctionCHECK | |
| 08 | ThrottleIDLE CHECK 600-700 RPM | |
| 09 | Throttle1,000 RPM | |
| 10 | AnnunciatorsNO WARNINGS |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff9 steps
| 01 | FlapsSET 0 (OR 25 FOR SHORT FIELD)NOTE: Vfe is 103 KIAS. The lever between the seats has detents at 10, 25 and 40 degrees. | |
| 02 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 03 | MixtureFULL RICHNOTE: Lean for best power above 3,000 ft density altitude. | |
| 04 | Carb HeatCOLD | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 06 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 07 | Doors and WindowsLATCHED | |
| 08 | Landing Light and StrobesON | |
| 09 | TransponderALT |
PHS 9 — Takeoff6 steps
| 01 | Takeoff ClearanceRECEIVED | |
| 02 | ThrottleFULL FORWARD SMOOTHLY | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK - RPM 2,325-2,425 STATICCAUTION: Abort the takeoff if RPM, oil pressure or airspeed are abnormal by 70% of runway remaining. | |
| 04 | Airspeed AliveCHECK | |
| 05 | Rotate55 KIAS | |
| 06 | Initial Climb79 KIAS (Vy)NOTE: Use Vx 63 KIAS if obstacle clearance is required. |
PHS 10 — Climb6 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (IF USED)NOTE: Retract in stages above 300 ft AGL with a positive rate. | |
| 02 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF ABOVE 1,000 FT AGLCAUTION: Confirm fuel pressure remains stable after switching the pump off. | |
| 03 | Climb PowerFULL THROTTLE, 2,700 RPM MAX | |
| 04 | Airspeed79-90 KIASNOTE: Cruise climb at 90 KIAS gives better forward visibility and engine cooling. | |
| 05 | MixtureLEAN ABOVE 3,000 FT | |
| 06 | Engine TemperaturesMONITORNOTE: CHT and oil temperature climb quickly in a sustained full-power climb. |
PHS 11 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | Cruise AltitudeLEVEL OFF | |
| 02 | ThrottleSET 55-75% POWERNOTE: 75% power gives roughly 108-115 KTAS at 8,000 ft. | |
| 03 | MixtureLEAN TO PEAK EGT, THEN ENRICHENCAUTION: Do not lean above 75% power. Enrichen before any power increase. | |
| 04 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR LEVEL FLIGHT | |
| 05 | Fuel TanksSWITCH EVERY 30-60 MINCAUTION: Turn the electric fuel pump ON before switching tanks and OFF after confirming flow. | |
| 06 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR | |
| 07 | Carb HeatAS REQUIREDNOTE: Apply full carb heat in visible moisture or at low power in humid conditions. |
PHS 12 — Descent6 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Destination WeatherOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET TO LOCAL QNH | |
| 03 | MixtureENRICHEN AS YOU DESCEND | |
| 04 | ThrottleREDUCE GRADUALLYCAUTION: Avoid rapid throttle reduction. Shock cooling can crack cylinders. | |
| 05 | Carb HeatON DURING LOW-POWER DESCENT | |
| 06 | Descent SpeedBELOW 126 KIAS (Vno)NOTE: Slow further in turbulence. |
PHS 13 — Before Landing7 steps
| 01 | Seat Belts and HarnessesSECURE | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANK | |
| 03 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 04 | MixtureFULL RICHNOTE: Leave leaned at high-elevation fields. | |
| 05 | Carb HeatON BEFORE POWER REDUCTION | |
| 06 | FlapsSET AS REQUIREDNOTE: 10 degrees downwind, 25 on base, 40 on final. Vfe 103 KIAS. | |
| 07 | Landing LightON |
PHS 14 — Landing5 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed65 KIAS WITH FLAPSNOTE: Use 70 KIAS if landing flapless. Add half the gust factor. | |
| 02 | ThresholdREDUCE POWER TO IDLE | |
| 03 | FlareHOLD OFF - TOUCH DOWN MAIN WHEELS FIRST | |
| 04 | NosewheelLOWER GENTLY | |
| 05 | BrakingAS REQUIREDCAUTION: Hold the control wheel aft during rollout to keep weight off the nosewheel. |
PHS 15 — After Landing6 steps
| 01 | Clear of RunwayCONFIRM PAST HOLD SHORT | |
| 02 | FlapsUP | |
| 03 | Carb HeatCOLD | |
| 04 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF | |
| 05 | Landing Light and StrobesOFF | |
| 06 | TransponderSTANDBY |
PHS 16 — Shutdown / Securing8 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle1,000 RPM FOR 1 MINUTENOTE: Allow the engine to stabilise and cool before shutdown. | |
| 03 | Radios and Avionics MasterOFF | |
| 04 | MixtureIDLE CUTOFFNOTE: The engine must be shut down with the mixture, not the magnetos. | |
| 05 | Ignition SwitchOFF - KEY REMOVED | |
| 06 | Master Switch (ALT and BAT)OFF | |
| 07 | Fuel SelectorLEFT OR RIGHT (NOT OFF) | |
| 08 | Control Lock, Chocks, Tie-DownsINSTALLED |