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Piper Seneca V (PA-34-220T)

TWIN-ENGINE TURBOCHARGED: Verify critical engine procedures, turbo cool-down, and engine-out speeds. Always maintain minimum control speeds (Vmc: 78 KIAS).

EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT (WALK-AROUND)

Tie-downs / Chocks / Covers REMOVED
Fuel Quantity CHECK VISUALLY (Both mains & tip tanks - 98 gal total, 92 gal usable)
Drain samples from all sumps (4 main, 2 tip tank drains)
Fuel Caps SECURED (Mains and tip tanks)
Oil Level (Both Engines) CHECK (8 quarts each, min 6 quarts, max 12 quarts)
Use turbo-rated oil (Aeroshell W100 Plus or equivalent)
Oil Caps / Dipsticks SECURED
Turbochargers / Exhaust VISUAL CHECK (No cracks, sooting, or oil leaks around both turbo systems)
Intercoolers CHECK (Fins clear of debris, no damage)
Propellers (Both) CHECK (No nicks, secure, spinner fasteners tight)
Landing Gear DOWN & VISUAL CHECK (Struts inflated, tires 44 psi mains, 60 psi nose)
Gear Doors CHECK (No damage, secure, hydraulic leaks)
Control Surfaces FREE & CORRECT (Ailerons, Elevator, Rudder, Flaps, Trim tabs, Cowl flaps)
Pitot Tubes (2) COVERS REMOVED (Left & right systems)
Static Ports (2) CLEAR
Empennage CHECK (Horizontal & vertical stabilizer, elevator, rudder, trim tabs)
Master Switches (Both) OFF during walk-around

COCKPIT PREPARATION

Parking Brake SET
Battery Masters (2) OFF
Avionics Master OFF
Mixtures (Both) IDLE CUTOFF
Throttles (Both) 1/2 INCH
Prop Controls (Both) FULL FORWARD (High RPM)
Condition Levers (Beta) FORWARD (If equipped - normal flight position)
Turbo Controllers (Both) FULL FORWARD (Takeoff position)
Cowl Flaps (Both) OPEN (For ground ops)
Fuel Selectors (2) MAINS ON (Tip tanks OFF unless needed)
Fuel Pumps (4) ALL OFF (Mains & aux pumps)
Crossfeed OFF
Gear Lever DOWN (Verify 3 green lights during battery check)
Flaps UP
Trim TAKEOFF (Neutral elevator, rudder centered)
Circuit Breakers IN (All systems)
Seat / Rudder Pedals ADJUSTED & LOCKED
Shoulder Harnesses CHECK & STOWED
Fire Extinguisher CHECK (Accessible, charged)

ENGINE START (LEFT FIRST, THEN RIGHT)

Area CLEAR BOTH SIDES
Battery Masters BOTH ON
Fuel Pump (Left Main) ON (Prime 4-6 sec cold, 2-3 sec hot)
Mixture (Left) RICH
Throttle (Left) 1/4 INCH
Ignition (Left) START (Release at 800-1000 RPM)
Oil Pressure (Left) CHECK (Within 30 sec, 25-100 psi, green 60-90 psi)
Fuel Pump (Left) OFF after start
Repeat for Right Engine SAME PROCEDURE
Alternators (Both) ON / CHECK (Ammeters charging, low voltage lights out)
Engine Gauges MONITOR BOTH (CHT 150-400°F, Oil Temp 100-245°F, EGT normal)
Turbo Systems LISTEN (Normal sounds, no unusual vibrations)

RUN-UP AND SYSTEMS CHECK

Location RUN-UP AREA (Pointed into wind, clear area)
Parking Brake SET
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Full deflection)
Engine Instruments CHECK GREEN BOTH (Oil pressure 60-90 psi, Oil temp rising, CHT < 400°F)
Propeller Controls CYCLE BOTH (2300 RPM to 2000 RPM, check smooth operation)
Magnetos (Each Engine) CHECK (BOTH → L → BOTH → R → BOTH)
Max drop: 175 RPM
Difference L/R: < 50 RPM
Turbo Controller Check TEST BOTH (Advance controllers, MP should increase without throttle movement)
Alternators / Ammeters CHECK (Both charging +10 to +60 amps)
Vacuum System CHECK (4.5-5.5 inHg, suction gauge normal)
Fuel Flow CHECK BOTH (Steady at run-up RPM)
Gear System CHECK (Warning horn when either throttle reduced with gear up)
Flaps OPERATE (Cycle to 15° and retract)
Autopilot / Flight Director TEST (If equipped, verify disengage functions)
De-ice / Anti-ice TEST AS REQUIRED (Pitot heat, prop heat, windshield heat)
RPM Sync SYNCHRONIZE (Use propeller controls to match RPM)
Throttles 1000–1200 RPM (After checks, synchronized)

BEFORE TAKEOFF

Parking Brake RELEASED
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Final check)
Fuel Selectors MAINS ON (Tip tanks OFF for takeoff)
Fuel Pumps (Main) BOTH ON (For takeoff and landing)
Mixtures FULL RICH (Below 75% power or 10,000 ft density altitude)
Prop Controls FULL FORWARD (High RPM, 2700)
Turbo Controllers FULL FORWARD (Takeoff position)
Condition Levers FORWARD (Normal flight)
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For takeoff and climb)
Flaps AS DESIRED (0° normal, 15° short/soft field)
Trim TAKEOFF (Neutral elevator, rudder centered)
Avionics / Radios SET (COM/NAV, transponder ALT, autopilot OFF)
Altimeters (2) SET (To current setting, compare)
Directional Gyro SET (To magnetic compass)
Clock START (Note takeoff time)
Doors / Windows CLOSED & LATCHED
Max Takeoff Power 36" MP / 2700 RPM (5 min limit, sea level)
Monitor CHT closely - keep below 420°F
Engine-Out Briefing REVIEW
Vmc: 78 KIAS, Blue line (Vyse): 98 KIAS
Below 400' AGL: Land straight ahead
Above 400' AGL: Maintain blue line, feather dead engine

TAKEOFF

Area CLEAR (Final runway check both directions)
Throttles SMOOTHLY TO FULL (36" MP, 2700 RPM, synchronize)
Engine Instruments MONITOR BOTH (Oil pressure 60-90 psi, CHT < 420°F)
Airspeed ALIVE at 50 KIAS, rotate at 85-90 KIAS
Positive Rate GEAR UP (At 300-500 ft AGL, < 120 KIAS)
Climb Speed Vy (Single Engine): 98 KIAS (Blue line)
Vy (All Engines): 105 KIAS
Vx: 92 KIAS
Climb Power 32" MP / 2500 RPM (75% power climb)

CLIMB

Gear UP & VERIFIED (3 green lights out)
Flaps UP (If used, retract after positive rate)
Fuel Pumps MAIN PUMPS OFF (Above 500 ft AGL, positive rate)
Climb Power 32" MP / 2500 RPM (75% power)
Turbo maintains MP to critical altitude (~16,000 ft)
Climb Speed 110 KIAS (Normal multi-engine climb)
For engine cooling and visibility
Mixtures LEAN FOR CLIMB (Above 5000 ft, monitor EGT)
Cowl Flaps AS REQUIRED (Adjust to maintain CHT 300-380°F)
Engine Gauges MONITOR CLOSELY (CHT ≤ 420°F, Oil Temp ≤ 245°F, compare both engines)
RPM Sync MAINTAIN (Use propeller controls to keep engines synchronized)

CRUISE

Optimum Altitude 12,000-18,000 ft (Turbo efficiency range)
Power Setting 28-30" MP / 2300-2400 RPM (65-75% power)
Use turbo controllers to maintain desired MP
Mixtures LEAN CAREFULLY
Best power: 100°F rich of peak EGT
Best economy: 50°F lean of peak EGT
True Airspeed 180-200 KTAS (75% power at 16,000 ft)
Fuel Flow (Total) 24-28 GPH (75% power, both engines)
Engine Gauges MONITOR BOTH (CHT 320-380°F ideal, Oil Temp 180-220°F ideal)
Compare engines - max CHT spread 50°F
Cowl Flaps ADJUST (Usually partially closed in cruise)
Fuel Management BALANCE (Switch tanks every 30-45 minutes)
Tip tanks: Use for cruise, OFF for takeoff/landing
Oxygen USE AS REQUIRED (FAR 91.211: Above 12,500 ft for >30 min, above 14,000 ft at all times)

DESCENT (SHOCK COOLING PREVENTION)

Power Reduction GRADUAL & SYMMETRICAL (Reduce MP 2-3" at a time)
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 engines)
Mixtures ENRICH (Below 10,000 ft MSL)
Descent Speed 140-160 KIAS (With 500-1000 FPM descent)
Do not exceed 195 KIAS (Vne)
Cowl Flaps CLOSED (To prevent overcooling)
Turbo Controllers FULL FORWARD (During descent)
Fuel Pumps (Main) BOTH ON (Below 3000 ft AGL)
Gear Speed 140 KIAS MAX (Do not extend above this speed)
Before Landing Check START (When within 10 NM or 3000 ft AGL)

BEFORE LANDING

Fuel Selectors MAINS ON (Tip tanks OFF)
Fuel Pumps (Main) BOTH ON
Mixtures FULL RICH (Below 5000 ft MSL)
Prop Controls FULL FORWARD (High RPM)
Turbo Controllers FULL FORWARD
Condition Levers FORWARD
Gear DOWN (Below 140 KIAS, verify 3 green)
Gear warning horn test: Reduce one throttle briefly
Flaps AS DESIRED
10° on downwind: 120 KIAS
25° on base: 110 KIAS
Full (40°) on final: 100 KIAS
Approach Speed 100-110 KIAS (Full flaps, add 1/2 gust factor)
Trim SET for approach speed
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For landing and ground cooling)
Seat Belts / Harnesses SECURED (All occupants)
Landing Lights ON (If equipped)
Engine-Out Landing BRIEF (Maintain 110 KIAS, flaps as needed, identify landing runway)

LANDING

Final Approach 100 KIAS (With full flaps, adjust for conditions)
Threshold Crossing 90 KIAS (50 ft over threshold)
Flare GENTLY (Power to idle at 10-20 ft, gradual back pressure)
Touchdown MAIN WHEELS FIRST (Airspeed 80-85 KIAS)
After Touchdown NOSE WHEEL DOWN (Gently, after aerodynamic braking)
Flaps UP (After clearing runway)
Propellers HIGH RPM (Full forward for taxi)
Braking AS REQUIRED (Differential for steering if needed)

AFTER LANDING / TAXI-IN

Flaps UP
Transponder STANDBY
Landing Lights OFF
Fuel Pumps MAIN PUMPS OFF (Unless low fuel or rough ground)
Cowl Flaps OPEN (For ground cooling - CRITICAL for turbos)
Mixtures AS REQUIRED (May need to lean for taxi at high elevation)
Engine Gauges MONITOR BOTH (During taxi)
Taxi Speed WALKING PACE (Consider twin prop blast)
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
CHT Check < 300°F BOTH (Before shutdown - ideally below 250°F)
Parking Brake SET
Avionics / Radios OFF
Fuel Pumps ALL OFF
Mixtures IDLE CUTOFF BOTH (Smoothly to full lean)
Ignitions OFF BOTH (After engines stop)
Battery Masters BOTH OFF
Cowl Flaps CLOSED
Control Locks INSTALL (If available)
Turbo Note LISTEN (After shutdown, normal "tinging" as turbos cool)

SECURING AIRCRAFT

Control Locks INSTALL (Aileron, elevator, rudder if available)
Pitot Covers (2) INSTALL
Static Port Covers INSTALL (If available)
Tie-downs SECURED (Nose, both mains, both wings minimum)
Chocks INSTALLED (Front of main wheels)
Fuel Selectors OFF
Baggage / Documents REMOVED
Doors LOCKED
Logbook Entry COMPLETE (Hobbs/Tach times, discrepancies, note any engine/turbo anomalies)
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