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Piper Turbo Arrow III (PA-28R-201T)

EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT (WALK-AROUND)

Tie-downs / Chocks / Covers REMOVED
Fuel Quantity CHECK VISUALLY (Drain samples from both wings, 72 gal total, 68 gal usable with tip tanks)
100LL only - no auto fuel due to turbo system
Fuel Caps SECURED
Oil Level CHECK (8 quarts, min 6 quarts, max 12 quarts)
Use oil with turbo-rated additives (Aeroshell W100 Plus or equivalent)
Oil Cap / Dipstick SECURED
Turbocharger / Exhaust VISUAL CHECK (No cracks in exhaust manifold, turbo secure, no oil leaks)
Check for "sooting" around exhaust indicating leaks
Intercooler (if equipped) CHECK (Fins clear of debris, no damage)
Landing Gear DOWN & VISUAL CHECK (Struts properly inflated, tires 24 psi mains, 36 psi nose)
Gear Doors CHECK (No damage, secure, no hydraulic leaks)
Control Surfaces FREE & CORRECT (Ailerons, Elevator, Rudder, Flaps, Trim tabs)
Pitot Tube Cover REMOVED
Static Ports CLEAR
Tires / Brakes CHECK (Condition / Inflation, tread depth > 1/16")
Propeller CHECK (No nicks, secure, spinner secure)
Master Switch OFF during walk-around

COCKPIT PREPARATION

Parking Brake SET
Battery / Alternator OFF
Avionics Master OFF
Mixture IDLE CUTOFF
Throttle FULL OPEN (For start - turbo engine procedure)
Propeller Control FULL FORWARD (High RPM)
Turbo Controller CHECK (Full forward for takeoff, verify free movement)
Controls wastegate - not a throttle!
Carb Heat OFF
Fuel Selector BOTH (Or fullest tank)
Fuel Pump OFF
Gear Lever DOWN (Verify 3 green lights during battery check)
Flaps UP
Trim TAKEOFF (Neutral or 2 divisions nose up)
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For ground ops and takeoff)
Circuit Breakers IN
Seat / Rudder Pedals ADJUSTED & LOCKED
Shoulder Harnesses CHECK (Properly stowed)
Turbo Gauges CHECK RANGE (MP gauge functional, CHT/EGT indications normal)

ENGINE START (TURBO)

Area CLEAR (Prop area, shout "Clear!")
Master Switch ON (Check gear lights: 3 green)
Fuel Pump ON (Prime: Cold engine 5-8 seconds, Hot engine 2-3 seconds)
Mixture RICH
Throttle 1/4 INCH
Ignition START (Release at 800-1000 RPM, avoid continuous cranking > 30 sec)
Oil Pressure CHECK (Within 30 seconds, 25-100 psi, green arc 60-90 psi)
Turbo bearings require immediate oil pressure
Fuel Pump OFF after start confirmed
Alternator ON / CHECK (Ammeter shows charge, low voltage light out)
Engine Gauges MONITOR (CHT 150-400°F, Oil Temp 100-245°F, EGT normal)
Turbo System CHECK (Listen for normal turbo sounds, no unusual whine or grinding)

RUN-UP AND TURBO SYSTEMS CHECK

Location RUN-UP AREA (Pointed into wind, 50 ft clear of obstructions)
Parking Brake SET
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Full deflection each direction)
Engine Instruments CHECK GREEN (Oil pressure 60-90 psi, Oil temp rising into green, CHT < 400°F)
Turbo Controller Check TEST (Advance controller, watch MP increase without throttle movement)
MP should increase smoothly with controller advance
Propeller Control CYCLE (2300 RPM to 2000 RPM, check smooth RPM drop and recovery)
Magnetos CHECK (BOTH → L → BOTH → R → BOTH)
Max drop: 175 RPM
Difference L/R: < 50 RPM
No mag drop on BOTH
Carb Heat CHECK (ON: expect 75-125 RPM drop, then OFF)
Vacuum System CHECK (4.5-5.5 inHg for primary instruments)
Amps / Volts CHECK (Ammeter charging +10 to +60 amps, voltmeter 13.5-14.5V)
Fuel Flow CHECK (Steady, no fluctuations at run-up RPM)
Gear System CHECK (Warning horn when throttle reduced to idle with gear up)
Flaps OPERATE (Cycle to 25° and retract, check indicator)
CHT/EGT Monitoring CHECK (All cylinders within 50°F of each other at run-up RPM)
Throttle 1000–1200 RPM (After checks)

BEFORE TAKEOFF (TURBO)

Parking Brake RELEASED
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Final check before entering runway)
Fuel Selector BOTH
Fuel Pump ON (For takeoff and landing)
Mixture FULL RICH (Below 75% power settings or below 10,000 ft density altitude)
Propeller FULL FORWARD (High RPM, 2700)
Turbo Controller FULL FORWARD (Takeoff position - controls maximum MP available)
Carb Heat OFF
Flaps AS DESIRED (0° normal, 25° short/soft field)
With flaps 25°: Rotate 5 KIAS slower, climb at 75 KIAS gear down
Trim TAKEOFF (2 divisions nose up from cruise)
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For takeoff and climb)
Avionics / Radios SET (COM/NAV frequencies, transponder ALT, autopilot OFF)
Altimeter SET (To current altimeter setting)
Directional Gyro SET (To magnetic compass, corrected for turning errors)
Clock START (Note takeoff time)
Doors / Windows CLOSED & LATCHED
Max Takeoff Power 36" MP / 2700 RPM (Sea level, 5 min limit)
Monitor CHT closely - keep below 420°F during takeoff
Briefing TAKEOFF / DEPARTURE / EMERGENCY
Normal climb: 100 KIAS, Engine failure: Best glide 85 KIAS, Land straight ahead below 500'

TAKEOFF (TURBO)

Area CLEAR (Final runway check left and right)
Throttle SMOOTHLY TO FULL (36" MP, 2700 RPM)
Avoid "jamming" throttle forward - smooth advance over 2-3 seconds
Engine Instruments MONITOR (Oil pressure 60-90 psi, CHT rising but < 420°F, EGT normal)
Airspeed ALIVE at 40 KIAS, rotate at 65-75 KIAS (flaps 0°)
Lift-off ESTABLISH POSITIVE RATE
Gear UP (Positive rate, 300-500 ft AGL, < 87 KIAS)
Vy (Best Rate) 88 KIAS (Gear up, flaps up)
At high density altitudes: Use 100 KIAS for better cooling
Vx (Best Angle) 73 KIAS (Gear up, flaps up)
Climb Power (Turbo) 32" MP / 2500 RPM (75% power climb, maintain to altitude)

CLIMB (TURBO)

Gear UP & VERIFIED (3 green lights out, gear handle UP)
Flaps UP (If used, retract at safe altitude and airspeed)
Fuel Pump OFF (Above 500 ft AGL, positive rate established)
Climb Power (Turbo) 32" MP / 2500 RPM (75% power)
Turbo maintains MP to critical altitude (approx 16,000 ft)
Climb Speed 100 KIAS (Recommended cruise climb for cooling)
Vy 88 KIAS but 100 KIAS improves engine cooling
Mixture LEAN FOR CLIMB (Above 5000 ft for smooth operation)
Enrich if roughness occurs. Monitor EGT for proper leaning.
Cowl Flaps AS REQUIRED (Adjust to maintain CHT 300-380°F)
Turbo engines run hotter - monitor CHT closely
Engine Gauges MONITOR CLOSELY (CHT ≤ 420°F, Oil Temp ≤ 245°F, Oil pressure 60-90 psi)
Redline CHT is 500°F but avoid >420°F for longevity
Turbo Performance MONITOR (MP should remain constant as altitude increases to critical altitude)

HIGH ALTITUDE CRUISE (TURBO)

Optimum Altitude 12,000-18,000 ft (Turbo efficiency range)
Above 10,000 ft for best turbo performance
Power Setting 28-30" MP / 2400-2500 RPM (65-75% power)
Use turbo controller to maintain desired MP at altitude
Mixture LEAN CAREFULLY
Best power: 100°F rich of peak EGT
Best economy: 50°F lean of peak EGT
Monitor all cylinders - max spread 50°F
True Airspeed 155-165 KTAS (75% power at 16,000 ft)
40-50 knots faster than non-turbo at altitude
Fuel Flow CHECK (12-14 GPH at 75% power, 10-12 GPH at 65% power)
Engine Gauges MONITOR CLOSELY (CHT 320-380°F ideal, Oil Temp 180-220°F ideal)
Turbo engines run 20-40°F hotter than normally aspirated
Cowl Flaps ADJUST (Usually partially closed in cruise, adjust for CHT)
Fuel Tanks BALANCE (Switch tanks every 30 minutes if not using BOTH)
Oxygen (if >12,500 ft) USE AS REQUIRED (FAR 91.211 requirements)
Performance Check EVERY 30 MINUTES (Fuel remaining vs planned, groundspeed check, ETA update)

DESCENT (TURBO - SHOCK COOLING PREVENTION)

Power Reduction GRADUAL (Reduce MP 2-3" at a time, allow CHT to stabilize)
Descent Power 18-20" MP / 2000-2200 RPM (Initial descent)
Keep power above 15" MP to prevent overcooling
Cooling Rate Limit < 50°F/min CHT decrease (Critical for turbo engine longevity)
Shock cooling causes cylinder head cracks
Mixture ENRICH (Below 10,000 ft MSL for smooth operation)
Carb Heat AS REQUIRED (ON when RPM below green arc or in visible moisture)
Descent Speed 120-140 KIAS (With 500-1000 FPM descent)
Do not exceed 159 KIAS (Vne in smooth air)
Cowl Flaps CLOSED (To prevent overcooling during descent)
Turbo Controller FULL FORWARD (During descent to prevent wastegate cycling)
Fuel Pump ON (Below 3000 ft AGL or when power < 15" MP)
Gear Speed 140 KIAS MAX (Do not extend gear above this speed)
Before Landing Check START (When within 10 NM of destination or 3000 ft AGL)

BEFORE LANDING (TURBO)

Fuel Selector BOTH (Or fullest tank)
Fuel Pump ON (Below 3000 ft AGL)
Mixture FULL RICH (Below 5000 ft MSL)
Propeller FULL FORWARD (High RPM)
Turbo Controller FULL FORWARD (For landing)
Carb Heat ON (Below green arc, typically < 2000 RPM)
Gear DOWN (Below 140 KIAS, verify 3 green lights)
Gear warning horn will sound if throttle reduced with gear up
Gear Horn Check VERIFY (Reduce throttle to idle briefly, horn should sound if gear not down)
Seat Belts SECURED (All occupants)
Shoulder Harnesses SECURED
Flaps AS DESIRED
10° on downwind: 85 KIAS
25° on base: 80 KIAS
40° on final: 75 KIAS
Approach Speed 75-85 KIAS
Flaps 0°: 85 KIAS
Flaps 25°: 80 KIAS
Flaps 40°: 75 KIAS
Add 1/2 gust factor
Trim SET for approach speed
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For landing and ground cooling)
Landing Light ON (If equipped, below 10,000 ft and within 10 NM of airport)

LANDING

Final Approach 75 KIAS (With full flaps, adjust for conditions)
Threshold Crossing 70 KIAS (50 ft over threshold)
Flare GENTLY (Power to idle at 10-20 ft, gradual back pressure)
Touchdown MAIN WHEELS FIRST (Airspeed 60-65 KIAS)
After Touchdown NOSE WHEEL DOWN (Gently, after aerodynamic braking)
Hold full back pressure during rollout
Flaps UP (After clearing runway, improves braking)
Carb Heat OFF
Braking AS REQUIRED (Differential braking for steering)

AFTER LANDING / TAXI-IN (TURBO)

Flaps UP
Transponder STANDBY
Landing Light OFF (If equipped)
Fuel Pump OFF (Unless low fuel or rough ground)
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For ground cooling - TURBO IMPORTANT!)
Mixture AS REQUIRED (May need to lean for taxi at high elevation airports)
Enrich if roughness occurs during taxi
Engine Gauges MONITOR (During taxi - ensure CHT stays in normal range)
Taxi Speed WALKING PACE (Prop blast consideration)
Parking INTO WIND (If possible, for cooling)

ENGINE SHUTDOWN (TURBO COOL-DOWN CRITICAL)

Cool-Down Period 5 MINUTES MINIMUM (At 1000-1200 RPM)
CRITICAL: Allows turbo bearings to cool before oil stops flowing
CHT Check < 300°F (Before shutdown - ideally below 250°F)
Parking Brake SET
Avionics / Radios OFF
Fuel Pump OFF
Mixture IDLE CUTOFF (Smoothly pull to full lean)
Ignition OFF (After engine stops)
Master Switch OFF
Cowl Flaps CLOSED
Control Lock INSTALL (If available)
Turbo Note LISTEN (After shutdown, listen for turbo "tinging" sounds as it cools)
Normal - indicates metal contraction during cooling

SECURING AIRCRAFT

Control Lock INSTALL (Prevents wind damage)
Pitot Cover INSTALL
Static Port Covers INSTALL (If available)
Tie-downs SECURED (3-point minimum: nose, each wing)
Chocks INSTALLED (Front of main wheels)
Fuel Selector OFF
Baggage / Documents REMOVED
Door LOCKED
Logbook Entry COMPLETE (Hobbs/Tach times, discrepancies, note any turbo anomalies)
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