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MSFS 2024 · General Aviation
Piper PA-28R Turbo Arrow III/IV (Just Flight) Startup Checklist
FLIGHT2.6.0Checklist
Piper PA-28R Turbo Arrow III/IV (Just Flight)MSFS 2024 · Startup Checklist · 134 steps · 16 phases
PHS 1 — Pre-Flight Planning8 steps
| 01 | Weather Briefing (METAR / TAF)REVIEWEDNOTE: The turbocharger makes the high teens usable. Check winds aloft and freezing levels for the whole climb. | |
| 02 | NOTAMsREVIEWED | |
| 03 | Oxygen RequirementCHECKEDCAUTION: Service ceiling is 20,000 ft. Supplemental oxygen is required above 12,500 ft after 30 minutes. | |
| 04 | Fuel RequiredCALCULATEDNOTE: Burn rate 11-13 GPH at high cruise. Usable fuel 72 gal. | |
| 05 | Weight & BalanceWITHIN LIMITSCAUTION: MTOW 2,900 lbs. The Arrow IV T-tail changes the pitch feel but not the CG envelope. | |
| 06 | Takeoff & Landing DistanceCALCULATEDNOTE: Turbocharging holds sea-level power, so high-elevation takeoff performance is far better than the normally aspirated Arrow. | |
| 07 | Flight Plan / ChartsPREPARED | |
| 08 | Complex Aircraft ReviewCOMPLETENOTE: Retractable gear, constant-speed prop, and a fixed-wastegate turbocharger. Brief overboost avoidance and turbo cool-down. |
PHS 2 — Pre-Flight Exterior Inspection13 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 Gear and StrutsCHECK CONDITION | |
| 06 | Fuel Tank Caps and VentsSECURE | |
| 07 | Fuel Sumps (both wings and gascolator)DRAINED - CHECK FOR WATER | |
| 08 | Engine OilCHECK 6-8 QUARTSCAUTION: The turbocharger is oil-cooled. Never dispatch with low oil. | |
| 09 | Turbocharger and ExhaustCHECK FOR LEAKS AND SECURITYNOTE: Look for exhaust staining around the turbo housing and wastegate. | |
| 10 | Induction Air FilterCLEAR | |
| 11 | Propeller and SpinnerCHECK FOR NICKS AND SECURITY | |
| 12 | Pitot Tube, Static Ports, Stall VaneCLEAR - COVER REMOVED | |
| 13 | Control Surfaces, Tie-Downs, ChocksFREE AND REMOVEDNOTE: Arrow IV: check the T-tail stabilator is free through full travel. |
PHS 3 — Before Start11 steps
| 01 | Seats, Belts, HarnessesADJUSTED AND SECURE | |
| 02 | Cabin DoorCLOSED AND LATCHED | |
| 03 | Parking BrakeSET | |
| 04 | Flight ControlsFREE AND CORRECT | |
| 05 | Circuit BreakersALL IN | |
| 06 | Avionics MasterOFF | |
| 07 | Landing Gear SelectorDOWN AND LOCKED - 3 GREEN | |
| 08 | Propeller ControlFULL FORWARD (HIGH RPM) | |
| 09 | Fuel SelectorFULLEST TANKNOTE: LEFT, RIGHT and OFF only. | |
| 10 | Cowl FlapOPEN | |
| 11 | Alternate AirCLOSED (COLD) |
PHS 4 — Engine Start11 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: Continental TSIO-360 injection. Prime until flow indicates, then cut it. | |
| 06 | MixtureIDLE CUTOFFCAUTION: Cranking a primed Continental with mixture rich floods it. Advance the mixture only once it fires. | |
| 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 FIRES | |
| 10 | ThrottleSET 1,000-1,200 RPM | |
| 11 | Oil PressureRISING WITHIN 30 SECONDSWARNING: No oil pressure within 30 seconds means immediate shutdown. The turbo bearing will fail without oil. |
PHS 5 — After Start8 steps
| 01 | Alternator / AmmeterCHARGING | |
| 02 | Suction Gauge4.8-5.1 IN HG | |
| 03 | Oil TemperatureRISING - WARM BEFORE HIGH POWERCAUTION: Do not apply takeoff power until oil temperature is in the green. Cold oil will not reach the turbo bearing fast enough. | |
| 04 | Avionics MasterON | |
| 05 | Radios and GPSSET | |
| 06 | TransponderSTANDBY - CODE SET | |
| 07 | Altimeter and Directional GyroSET TO FIELD ELEVATION | |
| 08 | Gear Warning HornCHECK |
PHS 6 — Taxi5 steps
| 01 | Taxi ClearanceOBTAINED | |
| 02 | Parking BrakeRELEASED | |
| 03 | BrakesCHECK EFFECTIVE | |
| 04 | Flight InstrumentsCHECK IN TURNS | |
| 05 | Taxi SpeedWALKING PACE |
PHS 7 — Run-Up10 steps
| 01 | Parking BrakeSET - NOSE INTO WIND | |
| 02 | Fuel SelectorCONFIRM FULLEST TANK | |
| 03 | Throttle2,000 RPM | |
| 04 | Propeller ControlCYCLE 3 TIMES - CHECK RPM DROP AND RECOVERY | |
| 05 | MagnetosCHECK L AND RCAUTION: Max drop 175 RPM per magneto, max difference 50 RPM. | |
| 06 | Alternate AirCHECK OPERATION, THEN CLOSEDNOTE: Opening alternate air bypasses the filter and costs manifold pressure. | |
| 07 | Engine InstrumentsGREEN ARCS - CHT AND OIL TEMP RISING | |
| 08 | Ammeter and SuctionCHECK | |
| 09 | ThrottleIDLE CHECK 600-700 RPM | |
| 10 | 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 — Takeoff8 steps
| 01 | Takeoff ClearanceRECEIVED | |
| 02 | ThrottleADVANCE SLOWLY TO 41 IN HGWARNING: Fixed wastegate. Advance the throttle over 3-5 seconds and stop at 41 in Hg. Slamming the throttle will overboost the engine. | |
| 03 | Manifold Pressure41 IN HG MAXCAUTION: Manifold pressure keeps rising as you accelerate and climb. Retard the throttle to hold 41 in Hg. | |
| 04 | RPM and Fuel Flow2,700 RPM, FLOW IN RANGE | |
| 05 | Airspeed AliveCHECK | |
| 06 | Rotate62 KIAS | |
| 07 | Landing GearUP - NO USABLE RUNWAY REMAININGCAUTION: Vlo/Vle 129 KIAS. | |
| 08 | Initial Climb90 KIAS (Vy) |
PHS 10 — Climb8 steps
| 01 | FlapsUP (IF USED) | |
| 02 | Electric Fuel PumpOFF ABOVE 1,000 FT AGL | |
| 03 | Climb Power35 IN HG / 2,500 RPMNOTE: A cruise-climb power reduction protects CHT on a long climb to the flight levels. | |
| 04 | Manifold PressureMONITOR AND ADJUSTCAUTION: With a fixed wastegate, MP creeps up as you climb into thinner, colder air. Check it every few thousand feet. | |
| 05 | Airspeed100-110 KIAS CRUISE CLIMB | |
| 06 | MixtureADJUST TO MAINTAIN FUEL FLOWNOTE: Unlike a normally aspirated engine, the turbo needs relatively little leaning in the climb. | |
| 07 | Cowl FlapOPEN - MONITOR CHTWARNING: Max CHT 460 F. High power at low airspeed will exceed it quickly. | |
| 08 | OxygenAS REQUIRED ABOVE 12,500 FT |
PHS 11 — Cruise7 steps
| 01 | Cruise AltitudeLEVEL OFF | |
| 02 | PowerSET 30-35 IN HG / 2,400 RPMNOTE: The Turbo Arrow is happiest in the low to mid teens where it makes 165-175 KTAS. | |
| 03 | MixtureLEAN TO PEAK EGT, THEN ENRICHENCAUTION: Monitor TIT as well as EGT. Running lean of peak at high power raises turbine inlet temperature. | |
| 04 | Cowl FlapCLOSED | |
| 05 | Stabilator TrimSET FOR LEVEL FLIGHT | |
| 06 | Fuel TanksSWITCH EVERY 30-60 MINCAUTION: Fuel pump ON before switching, OFF after confirming stable flow. | |
| 07 | Engine InstrumentsMONITOR CHT, TIT, OIL TEMP |
PHS 12 — Descent7 steps
| 01 | ATIS / Destination WeatherOBTAINED | |
| 02 | AltimeterSET TO LOCAL QNH | |
| 03 | Descent PlanningSTART EARLYNOTE: From the mid teens, plan 500 fpm and a long shallow descent to keep power on. | |
| 04 | MixtureENRICHEN AS YOU DESCEND | |
| 05 | PowerREDUCE 1-2 IN AT A TIMEWARNING: Never chop the throttle in a turbocharged engine. Shock cooling cracks cylinders and can crack the turbo housing. | |
| 06 | Cowl FlapCLOSED | |
| 07 | Descent SpeedBELOW 146 KIAS (Vno) |
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 before every landing. The gear may also be used as a speed brake below 129 KIAS. | |
| 04 | GUMPS - MixtureFULL RICH | |
| 05 | GUMPS - PropellerFULL FORWARD | |
| 06 | GUMPS - SwitchesFUEL PUMP ON, LIGHTS ON | |
| 07 | FlapsSET AS REQUIREDNOTE: 10 downwind, 25 base, 40 final. | |
| 08 | Cowl FlapOPEN |
PHS 14 — Landing6 steps
| 01 | Final Approach Speed80 KIASNOTE: Arrow IV T-tail: hold a slightly higher speed and expect reduced elevator authority until the tail is in the propwash. | |
| 02 | Landing GearRECHECK 3 GREENWARNING: Final gear check before the threshold. | |
| 03 | ThresholdPOWER TO IDLE | |
| 04 | FlareTOUCH DOWN ON MAIN WHEELS | |
| 05 | NosewheelLOWER GENTLY | |
| 06 | BrakingAS REQUIRED |
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 | ThrottleIDLE 2-5 MINUTESWARNING: Turbocharger cool-down. Shutting down straight after a high-power taxi bakes the oil in the turbo bearing and destroys it. | |
| 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 |