Before Takeoff Checks This tutorial covers the before takeoff checklist. This involves the engine checks that are made in the run-up area just prior to taxiing to the runway and taking off. For more information on the before takeoff checklist, see Section 2-11 of the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook available at http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/. Aircraft/c172p/tutorial/startup morning KLVK 1 12 -9999 37.6946 -121.82949 80.0 0 0 0 0 /controls/gear/brake-parking 1 /controls/flight/flaps 0.0 /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 3 /controls/engines/engine/throttle 0.07 /controls/engines/engine/starter true /engines/engine/running true /instrumentation/adf/frequencies/selected-khz 340 /environment/weather-scenario none /controls/flight/elevator-trim 0.17 In this lesson we'll cover the pre-takeoff checks. /controls/engines/engine/starter false You can access the pre-takeoff checklist by pressing ?, or selecting Help->Aircraft Help from the menu. The parking brakes are already applied, so our first check is that the flight controls are free and correct. Check that moving the yoke from left to right moves the aileron in the expected manner. 105.2 1.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.4 55.0 1.4000 -4.0000 0.3000 41.0000 Now, check the other aileron. We're checking that the controls aren't jammed by our seatbelts etc. and that the aircraft has been rigged correctly. -105.2 1.0 0.0 -0.3 0.2 0.4 55.0 1.4000 4.0000 0.3000 41.0000 Check the trim is in position 349.2 -32.9 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 55.0 -0.3129 -0.0422 -0.4427 4.0 Now check that the mixture is set to rich - fully in. 336.5 -30.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 55.0 -0.3476 0.0898 -0.2289 3.6933 The mixture isn't completely in. Press m to richen the mixture to fully rich. /controls/engines/engine/mixture 0.99 Set the throttle to 1700 rpm for the engine checks. 8.4 -31.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 34.2 -0.3653 -0.3107 -0.1453 5.0000 That's a bit high. Reduce throttle to 1700 rpm with PgDn, or your joystick throttle control. /engines/engine/rpm 1800.0 That's too low. Increase throttle to 1700 rpm with PgUp, or your joystick throttle control. /engines/engine/rpm 1600.0 /engines/engine/rpm 1650 /engines/engine/rpm 1750 This aircraft has a vacuum pump to power some instruments, such as the attitude indicator and directional gyro. We need to check that the vacuum system is working correct by checking the suction gauge. 17.3 -19.2 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3578 -0.4324 0.0244 1.4622 Check that the engine instruments are in the green. 10.7 -24.8 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3671 -0.4031 -0.0595 3.0 Check that the electrical system is also fine. 15.2 -28.2 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3560 -0.4102 -0.1667 3.0000 Now we need to check that the magnetos are working correctly. 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3671 -0.4142 -0.2502 2.3067 /sim/panel-hotspots true Click the left hotspot twice, to switch to the right magneto. There should be a small drop in the tachometer. 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3511 -0.3107 -0.1360 3.0 Click the left hotspot twice so the key is set to RIGHT. /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 1 /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 1 Click the middle hotspot twice, to switch back to both magnetos. The tachometer should recover back to 1700rpm. 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3511 -0.3107 -0.1360 3.0 Click the left hotspot twice, so the key is set to BOTH. /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 3 /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 3 Now we'll check the left magneto. Click the left hotspot, to switch to the left magneto. Again, there should be a small drop in the tachometer. 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3511 -0.3107 -0.1360 3.0 Click the left hotspot so the key is set to LEFT. /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 2 /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 2 Click the middle hotspot, to switch back to both magnetos. The tachometer should recover back to 1700rpm. 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3511 -0.3107 -0.1360 3.0 Click the left hotspot so the key is set to BOTH. /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 3 /controls/engines/engine/magnetos 3 Set the throttle back to between 800 and 1000 rpm. /sim/panel-hotspots false 11.3 -34.3 0.0 -0.2 0.3 0.4 23.2 -0.3511 -0.3107 -0.1360 3.0 That's a bit high. Reduce throttle slightly with PgDn, or your joystick throttle control. /engines/engine/rpm 1000.0 That's too low. Increase throttle slightly with PgUp, or your joystick throttle control. /engines/engine/rpm 800.0 /engines/engine/rpm 800 /engines/engine/rpm 1000 Our pre-takeoff checks are now complete. We're ready to fly.