1981 Cessna 172P – N781FM
Air Plains 180 HP Conversion
PREFLIGHT CABIN
1. Pilot’s Operating Handbook Available
2. Parking Brake……………….…………Set
3. Hobbs & Tach…………….………..Check
4. Fire Extinguisher………………..Charged
5. Squawk Sheet……………………..Check
6. Documents……………AROW in airplane
7. Control/Avionics Lock…………...Remove
8. Ignition Switch………………………….Off9. Avionics Power Switch………………..Off10. Master Switch………………………….OnWarning
When turning on the masterswitch, using an external powersource, or pulling the propeller
through by hand, treat thepropeller as if the ignition switch
were on. Do not stand, nor allow
anyone else to stand, within thearc of the propeller, since aloose or broken wire, or acomponent malfunction, could
cause the propeller to rotate.

11. Wing Flaps…………………………….30º
12. Fuel Indicators………… Check Quantity
13. Avionics Cooling Fan……………..Check
Audibly for Operation
14. Pitot Tube …………… .Remove Cover
Check As Required
15. Lights………………………………Check
16. Master Switch………………………..Off17. Static Pressure Alternate Source Valve (ifinstalled)………………………….Off18. Fuel Selector………………………..BothPREFLIGHT EMPENNAGE
1. Baggage Door…………………….Checkfor security & lock
2. Antennas…………………………Secure
3. Tail Tie-Down……………….Disconnect
4. Control Surfaces…………………Check

RIGHT WING trailing edge
1. Right Flap……………………..….Check
2. Right Aileron………………….….Check
3. Right Wingtip & Light…………...Check
PREFLIGHT RIGHT WING
1. Wing Tie Down…………….Disconnect
2. Right Fuel Tank Sump……………Drain
3. Right wheel, tire & brake……… Check
4. Fuel Selector -Drain Valve……….Drain
5. Right Fuel Quantity…….Visually Check
6. Fuel Filler Cap…………………..Securevent unobstructedNOSE
1. Engine Oil Dipstick……… …5-8 Quarts(7 Min. for extended flights)
2. Fuel Strainer Drain Knob……………….
…. Pullout to Drain
3. Engine Oil Filler Cap…….Check Secure
4. Prop & Spinner…………….……..Check
5. Carburetor Air Filter………………Check
6. Nose Wheel, Strut & Tire………..Check
7. Windscreen………………..Check/Clean
8. Static Source…………Check (Left side)

PREFLIGHT LEFT WING
1. Left Main Wheel Tire & Brake……Check
2. Left Fuel Tank Sump……………….Drain
3. Left Fuel Quantity………..Visually Check
4. Fuel Filler Cap…………………….Secure
5. Left Fuel Vent……………….Check Clear
6. Stall Warning………………………..Check
7. Wing Tie-Down………………Disconnect
8. Landing Lights……………………..Check

LEFT WING Trailing Edge
1. Left Wingtip & Light……………….Check
2. Left Aileron…………………………Check
3. Left Flap……………………………Check

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

PASSENGER BRIEF
Seat Belts / Shoulder Harness
Personal Electronic Devices off
Air Vents / Comfort
Fire Extinguisher Loc. / Operation
Emergency Procedures & Exits

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

MISSION BRIEF
Mission Objective
Destination, WX, Route, Alt, ETE
NOTAMS
Crew Coordination & CRM
Sterile Cockpit Procedures
Cockpit Layout
Intercom & Radio Usage
Seats, Seatbelts, Doors
Emergency Action & Equipment

BEFORE STARTING ENGINE
1. Preflight Inspection………………Complete
2. Passenger Brief………………….Complete
3. Seats / Belts / Shoulder Harness………………………...Adjust and Lock
4. Fuel Selector Valve……………………Both
5. Avionics Power Switch………………….OffCaution
The avionics power switch must be OFFduring engine start to prevent possible
damage to avionics.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Autopilot (If Installed)……………………OffElectrical Equipment…………………….OffBrakes……………………………Test & Set
Circuit Breakers…………………..Check In

STARTING ENGINE
1. Mixture…………………………………..Rich
2. Carburetor Heat………………………..Cold
3. Master Switch……………………………On
4. Flashing Beacon & Nav Lights…………On
5. Prime………..As Required (2 to 4 strokes)
6. Throttle………………………Open 1/8 Inch
7. Propeller Area…………………………Clear
8. Ignition Switch…………………………Start
9. Throttle………………….800 to 1000 RPM
10. Oil Pressure………………………….Check
11. Starter…………………Check Disengaged
12. Avionics Power Switch………………….On
13. Radios…………………………………….On
14. Taxi Lights…………………….As Required
15. Flaps………………………………………Up
16. Transponder…………………..TEST/STBY
17. ATIS / AWOS.Altimeter………………….. Set(Verify Within 75’ of Fld Elev.)

TAXI…
1. Brakes……………………………….Test
2. Heat / Vents / Defrost…….As Required
3. Attitude Indicator………….Verify ProperOperation
4. Turn Coordinator………….Verify Proper
Operation
5. H.I. & Compass……………Verify Proper
Operation
6. Fuel Selector Valve………………………
Check & Set to Both

BEFORE TAKEOFF – RUN UP
1. Parking Brake…………………………..Set
2. Seats / Belts / Shoulder Harness…………
Check Secure
3. Cabin Doors & Windows………
………………………..Closed and Locked
4. Flight Controls…….. Free & Correct
5. Flight Instruments …………...Check & Set
6. Fuel Quantity……………………….. Check
7. Mixture…………………………………..Rich8. Fuel Selector Valve………...Recheck Both
9. Elevator & Rudder Trim……….……………
Set for Takeoff
10. Throttle…………………………..1700 RPM
11. Magnetos..Max Drop…………… 125 RPM
50 RPM differential
12. Carb Heat……………Check for RPM Drop
13. Suction Gauge……………………….Check
14. Engine Inst & Ammeter……………..Check
15. Throttle…………………………..Idle CheckSet 800 to 1000 RPM
16. Throttle Friction Lock………………..Adjust
17. Strobe Lights/Pulse Lights(If installed)…………………….As Desired
18. Radios / Transponder…………………..Set
19. Autopilot (If Installed)……………………Off20. Flaps set for Takeoff………………...0°-10°
21. Primer…………………………..In & Locked
22. Carb. Heat……………………………...Cold
23. Takeoff Briefing………………….Complete
24. Doors & Windows…………………Latched
25. Lights…………………………………….Set
26. Transponder…………………….Set to ALT
27. Time………………………………….Record
28. Parking Brake……………………...Release

TAKE OFF
1. Flaps…………………………………..0°-10°
2. Carb Heat………………………………Cold
3. Throttle……………………………Full Open
4. Mixture…………….Full Rich or Max Power
5. Engine Instruments……………….In Green
6. Rotate………………………………55 KIAS
7. Climb Speed…………………75 to 85 KIAS
 Short Field T.O…………...10° Flaps / 57
KIAS Until Clear Soft Field T.O………10° Flaps / Ground
Effect ASAP
8. Wing Flaps……….Retract (above 70 KIAS)

ENROUTE CLIMB
1. Airspeed……………..75 - 85 KIAS NormalNote
If a maximum performance climb is necessary
use speeds shown in the Rate Of Climb chartin POH Section 5.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Throttle……………………………Full Open
Fuel Selector……………………………BothMixture………………Full Rich or Max RPM
Engine Instruments………………….CheckCRUISE
1. Power……………………..2100-2700 RPM(no more than 75% is recommended)
2. Max. Continuous RPM ………..… …2450
3. Elevator & Rudder Trim…………….Adjust
4. Mixture………………………………….Lean
5. Engine Instruments / Fuel…………..Check
6. Heading Indicator (H.I.)……...To Compass
7. Lights…………………………..As Required
8. Flight Plan…………..Activate as Required

DESCENT
1. Heading Indicator……………To Compass
2. Altimeter…………………………………Set
3. Fuel Selector…………………………..Both4. Lights………………………….As Required
5. Engine Instruments…………………Check
6. Mixture……..Adjust for Smooth Operation(full rich for idle power)
7. Carb Heat…………Full Heat as Required

BEFORE LANDINGHarness ............... Secure
1. Seat, ……Seat Belts, Shoulder Harness
Secure2. Fuel Selector Valve…………………Both
3. Mixture………………………………..Rich
4. Carb Heat…………..On (Apply Full Heat
Before Closing Throttle)
5. Autopilot (If installed)…………………Off6. Airspeed…….....65-75 KIAS (Flaps Up)
7. Wing Flaps.As Desired (Below 85 KIAS).. (Maximum Flap Travel is 30º)
8. Airspeed……..60-70 KIAS (Flaps Down)
9. Trim…………………………………Adjust
10.Touchdown…………….Main Wheel First
11. Landing Roll………...Lower Nose Wheel
Gently12. Braking……………….Minimum required
SHORT FIELD LANDING
1. Airspeed ............ 65-75 KIAS (Flaps Up)
2. Wing Flaps.............. 30º (below 85 KIAS)
3. Airspeed ..................... Maintain 62 KIAS(Until Flare)
4. Trim .............................................. Adjust
5. Power…................... Reduce to idle after
clearing obstacle
6. Touchdown ................ Main Wheels First
7. Brakes ...............................Apply Heavily
8. Wing Flaps...................................Retract
BALKED LANDING
1. Throttle ....................................Full Open
2. Carb Heat ........................................Cold
3. Wing Flaps.................. 20° (Immediately)
4. Climb Speed .............................. 60 KIAS
5. Wing Flaps..................................... …10º(Until Obstacles are Cleared)
6. Wing Flaps.......... Retract (After reachinga safe altitude and 65 KIAS)
AFTER LANDING (Clear of Runway)
1. Wing Flaps..........................................Up
2. Carb Heat ........................................Cold
3. Lights .................................. As Required
4. Transponder ......................STBY & 1200
5. Mixture............................................ Lean
6. Pitot Heat........................................... Off
SECURING AIRCRAFT
1. Parking Brake ....................................Set
2. Throttle ............................................. Idle
3. Avionics Power & Switches ............... Off
4. Magnetos.................... Check for Ground
5. Mixture.................................. Idle Cut Off
6. Ignition & Master Switch .......................Off7. Control/Avionics Lock ......................Install
8. Parking Brake ..................................... Off

9. Fuel Selector ......................... Left or Right
10. Hobbs & Tach ............................... Record
11. Aircraft......................... Secured & Locked
12. Flight Plan ..................................... Closed
V Speeds and Specs¾ X-Wind (Max Demo’d)................ 15 Knots¾ Vr Rotation Speed...................... 55 KIAS
¾ Vx Best Angle Climb .................. 62 KIAS
¾ Vy Best Rate Climb .................... 76 KIAS
¾ Vso Stall w/ Flaps....................... 40 KIAS
¾ Vs1 Stall w/o Flaps..................... 50 KIAS
¾ Best Glide (2550 Lbs) ................. 68 KIAS
¾ Va Max Abrupt Ctrl (2550 Lbs)...........105KIAS¾ Va Max Abrupt Ctrl (2150 Lbs).............95
KIAS¾ Va Max Abrupt Ctrl (1750 Lbs)..............85KIAS¾ Vno Max Structural Cruise .................127
KIAS¾ Vne Never Exceed ................... 158 KIAS
¾ Vfe 10°-Full Flaps....................... 85 KIAS
¾ Max Window Open Speed……..158 KIAS

Aircraft Information
Gross Weight Capacity................................ .2550(Takeoff & Landing .........................2550)
Engine………Lycoming O-360-A4M¾ Max Power ................................180 BHP¾ Max Engine Speed ................ 2700 RPM¾ Fuel Type ........................... 100LL (Blue)¾ Fuel Capacity (Standard) ............. 40 Gal
Usable¾ Oil Type .................................. 15w50XC¾ Oil Capacity .............. 8 Qts (Minimum 5)¾ Electrical ............... 24 - 28 Volt / 60 Amp¾ Tire Pressure ......................Nose-40 PSI
Main -30 PSI

V Speeds and Specs are based on sealevel. Consult the Air Plains Services,
Corp. FAA Approved Airplane Flight
Manual Supplement for V speed andSpecs for operations above sea level.

This checklist is a guide to coordinate
Pilot Operating Handbook and STC dataapplicable to this particular aircraftonly. The applicable Pilot Operating
Handbook and STC installations remain
the official documentation for thisaircraft.
The pilot in command is responsible forcomplying with all items in the Pilot
Operating Handbook and applicable
STCs.

…General...

I certify this checklist has been reviewed
for accuracy.

EMERGENCY…………………………..121.5
Unicom ……………..122.7--122.8--122.95
123.0--123.05
Multicom …………………….122.9- (CTAF)
Flight Service…………………….122.2(Most Common)……….122.1--122.6--123.6
Flight Watch……………………………122.0
Air to Air ……………122.75-122.85-123.45
Transponder Codes
1200
VFR7500
HIJACK
7600
LOST COMMS
7700
EMERGENCY______________________________1/1/06__
Director of Maintenance
Date