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MSFS 2024 · General Aviation
Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III (Just Flight) Startup Checklist
FLIGHT2.6.0Checklist
Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow III (Just Flight)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 129 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: The Arrow is a capable IFR tourer. Check icing conditions - there is no de-ice equipment. | |
| 02 | NOTAMsREVIEWED | |
| 03 | Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Burn rate 10-12 GPH at 75% power. Usable fuel 72 gal gives roughly 5 hours plus reserve. | |
| 04 | Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: MTOW 2,750 lbs. The Arrow is easy to load aft of the CG limit with rear passengers and baggage. | |
| 05 | Takeoff & Landing DistanceCALCULATEDNOTE: Around 1,600 ft over a 50 ft obstacle at gross weight, sea level. | |
| 06 | Flight Plan / ChartsPREPAREDNOTE: Load the route into the GNS/GTN and set up the EFB before start. | |
| 07 | Complex Aircraft ReviewCOMPLETENOTE: Retractable gear and constant-speed prop. Brief the GUMPS flow and gear extension speeds. | |
| 08 | Passenger BriefingCOMPLETENOTE: Single right-hand cabin door. Brief belts, door latch, and emergency egress. |
PHS 2 — Pre-Flight Exterior Inspection11 steps
| 01 | Aircraft DocumentsON BOARD | |
| 02 | Control Wheel LockREMOVED | |
| 03 | Ignition SwitchOFFWARNING: Confirm magnetos OFF before handling the propeller. | |
| 04 | Master SwitchON - CHECK FUEL AND LIGHTS, THEN OFF | |
| 05 | Landing GearCHECK STRUTS, TYRES, DOORSNOTE: Check nose gear strut extension. A flat strut affects the gear retraction sequence. | |
| 06 | Fuel Tank Caps and VentsSECURE | |
| 07 | Fuel Sumps (both wings and gascolator)DRAINED - CHECK FOR WATER | |
| 08 | Engine OilCHECK 6-8 QUARTS | |
| 09 | Propeller and SpinnerCHECK FOR NICKS, OIL LEAKS, SECURITY | |
| 10 | Pitot Tube, Static Ports, Stall VaneCLEAR - COVER REMOVED | |
| 11 | Control Surfaces, Tie-Downs, ChocksFREE AND REMOVED |
PHS 3 — Before Start11 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts, HarnessesADJUSTED AND SECURE | |
| 02 | Cabin DoorCLOSED AND LATCHEDCAUTION: Latch the top and side latches. An unlatched door will unlatch again on rotation. | |
| 03 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 05 | Circuit BreakersALL IN | |
| 06 | Avionics MasterOFF | |
| 07 | Landing Gear SelectorDOWN AND LOCKED - 3 GREEN | |
| 08 | Gear Override LeverNORMAL (NOT LATCHED)NOTE: The automatic gear extender lowers the gear at low airspeed. The override lever defeats it for training. | |
| 09 | Propeller ControlFULL FORWARD (HIGH RPM) | |
| 10 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANKNOTE: LEFT, RIGHT and OFF only. There is no BOTH position on the PA-28. | |
| 11 | Cowl FlapOPEN |
PHS 4 — Engine Start10 steps
| 01 | Master Switch (ALT and BAT)ON | |
| 02 | Beacon LightON | |
| 03 | ThrottleOPEN 1/2 INCH | |
| 04 | MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpON UNTIL FUEL FLOW PEAKS, THEN OFFNOTE: This primes the injectors. Expect a brief fuel flow indication of 8-12 GPH. | |
| 06 | MixtureIDLE CUTOFFCAUTION: Fuel-injected Lycoming. Cranking with mixture rich after priming will flood the engine. | |
| 07 | Propeller AreaCLEAR - CALL CLEAR PROPWARNING: Visually confirm the propeller arc is clear before engaging the starter. | |
| 08 | Ignition SwitchSTART | |
| 09 | MixtureADVANCE TO RICH AS ENGINE FIRESNOTE: Hot start: skip the prime, crank with mixture at cutoff, then advance smoothly. | |
| 10 | ThrottleSET 1,000-1,200 RPM |
PHS 5 — After Start8 steps
| 01 | Oil PressureRISING WITHIN 30 SECONDSWARNING: If oil pressure does not rise within 30 seconds, shut down immediately. | |
| 02 | Alternator / AmmeterCHARGING | |
| 03 | Suction Gauge4.8-5.1 IN HG | |
| 04 | Avionics MasterON | |
| 05 | Radios and GPSSET | |
| 06 | TransponderSTANDBY - CODE SET | |
| 07 | Altimeter and Directional GyroSET TO FIELD ELEVATION | |
| 08 | Gear Warning HornCHECKNOTE: Throttle to idle with gear up on the ground should sound the horn. |
PHS 6 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Taxi ClearanceOBTAINED | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeRELEASED | |
| 03 | BrakesCHECK EFFECTIVE | |
| 04 | Flight InstrumentsCHECK IN TURNS | |
| 05 | Taxi SpeedWALKING PACECAUTION: Avoid sharp turns at speed. Nose gear steering is limited and the strut is easily shimmied. |
PHS 7 — Run-Up9 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET - NOSE INTO WIND | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorCONFIRM FULLEST TANK | |
| 03 | Throttle2,000 RPM | |
| 04 | Propeller ControlCYCLE 3 TIMES - CHECK RPM AND OIL PRESSURE DROPNOTE: Watch for a 300-500 RPM drop and recovery. This warms the oil in the prop hub. | |
| 05 | MagnetosCHECK L AND RCAUTION: Max drop 175 RPM per magneto, max difference 50 RPM. | |
| 06 | Engine InstrumentsGREEN ARCS | |
| 07 | Ammeter and SuctionCHECK | |
| 08 | ThrottleIDLE CHECK 600-700 RPM | |
| 09 | Throttle1,000 RPM |
PHS 8 — Before Takeoff10 steps
| 01 | FlapsSET 0 (OR 25 FOR SHORT FIELD)NOTE: Vfe 103 KIAS. | |
| 02 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR TAKEOFF | |
| 03 | MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 04 | PropellerFULL FORWARD | |
| 05 | Electric Fuel PumpON | |
| 06 | Cowl FlapOPEN | |
| 07 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 08 | Doors and WindowsLATCHED | |
| 09 | Landing Light and StrobesON | |
| 10 | TransponderALT |
PHS 9 — Takeoff7 steps
| 01 | Takeoff ClearanceRECEIVED | |
| 02 | ThrottleFULL FORWARD SMOOTHLY | |
| 03 | Engine InstrumentsCHECK 2,700 RPM, FUEL FLOW IN RANGECAUTION: Abort if RPM, manifold pressure, oil pressure or airspeed are abnormal. | |
| 04 | Airspeed AliveCHECK | |
| 05 | Rotate60 KIAS | |
| 06 | Landing GearUP - NO USABLE RUNWAY REMAININGCAUTION: Vlo/Vle 129 KIAS. Do not retract while runway remains for a straight-ahead landing. | |
| 07 | Initial Climb90 KIAS (Vy, GEAR UP)NOTE: Vy with gear down is 78 KIAS. Vx is 78 KIAS gear up, 72 KIAS gear down. |
PHS 10 — Climb7 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (IF USED) | |
| 02 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF ABOVE 1,000 FT AGLCAUTION: Confirm fuel pressure and flow remain stable. | |
| 03 | Climb Power25 IN MP / 2,500 RPMNOTE: Full throttle and 2,700 RPM may be maintained for climb if desired. | |
| 04 | Airspeed90-100 KIASNOTE: Cruise climb at 100 KIAS for cooling and forward visibility. | |
| 05 | MixtureLEAN ABOVE 5,000 FT | |
| 06 | Cowl FlapOPEN - MONITOR CHT | |
| 07 | Gear and Flap IndicatorsCONFIRM UP |
PHS 11 — Cruise8 steps
| 01 | Cruise AltitudeLEVEL OFF | |
| 02 | PowerSET 55-75% (23 IN / 2,300 RPM TYPICAL)CAUTION: Avoid oversquare beyond POH limits. Reduce MP before RPM when descending power. | |
| 03 | MixtureLEAN TO PEAK EGT, THEN ENRICHEN 50 DEG | |
| 04 | Cowl FlapCLOSED | |
| 05 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR LEVEL FLIGHT | |
| 06 | Fuel TanksSWITCH EVERY 30-60 MINCAUTION: Electric fuel pump ON before switching tanks, OFF after confirming stable flow. | |
| 07 | Cruise Speed137 KTAS AT 75% POWER | |
| 08 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR |
PHS 12 — Descent7 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Destination WeatherOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET TO LOCAL QNH | |
| 03 | MixtureENRICHEN AS YOU DESCEND | |
| 04 | PowerREDUCE GRADUALLY - 1-2 IN AT A TIMECAUTION: Rapid power reduction shock-cools the cylinders. | |
| 05 | Cowl FlapCLOSED | |
| 06 | Descent SpeedBELOW 146 KIAS (Vno) | |
| 07 | Landing GearMAY BE USED AS A SPEED BRAKE BELOW 129 KIAS |
PHS 13 — Before Landing8 steps
| 01 | Seat Belts and HarnessesSECURE | |
| 02 | GUMPS - GasFULLEST TANK SELECTED | |
| 03 | GUMPS - UndercarriageDOWN AND LOCKED - 3 GREENWARNING: Confirm three green lights and the mirror or gear position visually. Gear-up landings are the Arrow's most common accident. | |
| 04 | GUMPS - MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 05 | GUMPS - PropellerFULL FORWARDNOTE: Set high RPM on final so full power is available for a go-around. | |
| 06 | GUMPS - SwitchesFUEL PUMP ON, LIGHTS ON | |
| 07 | FlapsSET AS REQUIREDNOTE: 10 downwind, 25 base, 40 final. Vfe 103 KIAS. | |
| 08 | Cowl FlapOPEN |
PHS 14 — Landing6 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed75 KIASNOTE: Reduce to 70 KIAS over the threshold at light weight. Add half the gust factor. | |
| 02 | Landing GearRECHECK 3 GREENWARNING: Final gear check before the threshold. The gear warning horn sounds with low power and gear up. | |
| 03 | ThresholdPOWER TO IDLE | |
| 04 | FlareTOUCH DOWN ON MAIN WHEELS | |
| 05 | NosewheelLOWER GENTLY | |
| 06 | BrakingAS REQUIREDCAUTION: Do not retract the flaps on rollout until clear of the runway - the gear and flap levers are easily confused. |
PHS 15 — After Landing6 steps
| 01 | Clear of RunwayCONFIRM PAST HOLD SHORT | |
| 02 | FlapsUP | |
| 03 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF | |
| 04 | Cowl FlapOPEN | |
| 05 | Landing Light and StrobesOFF | |
| 06 | TransponderSTANDBY |
PHS 16 — Shutdown / Securing8 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 02 | Throttle1,000 RPM FOR 1 MINUTE | |
| 03 | Radios and Avionics MasterOFF | |
| 04 | MixtureIDLE CUTOFF | |
| 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 |