← Back to Fleet Page

Piper Tomahawk (PA-38-112)

EXTERIOR PREFLIGHT (WALK-AROUND)

Tie-downs / Chocks / Covers REMOVED
Fuel Quantity CHECK VISUALLY (Both tanks, drain samples)
Fuel Caps SECURED
Oil Level CHECK (5–7 quarts, min 4 quarts)
Control Surfaces FREE & CORRECT (Ailerons, Elevator, Rudder)
Flaps EXTEND & RETRACT (Manual crank)
Pitot Tube Cover REMOVED
Static Ports CLEAR
Main Gear / Nose Gear CHECK (Condition, inflation)
Empennage CHECK (T-tail condition)
Master Switch OFF during walk-around

COCKPIT PREPARATION

Parking Brake SET
Mixture IDLE CUTOFF
Throttle 1/2 INCH
Carb Heat OFF
Avionics Master OFF
Master Switch ON
Fuel Selector BOTH (Center position)
Fuel Pump ON (Prime if cold engine)
Flaps UP (Crank fully up)
Trim TAKEOFF (Neutral or slightly nose up)
Circuit Breakers IN
Seat / Rudder Pedals ADJUSTED & LOCKED

ENGINE START

Area CLEAR
Mixture RICH
Throttle 1/4 INCH
Carb Heat OFF
Master / Ignition START (Monitor: Oil pressure rising within 30 sec)
Oil Pressure CHECK (Green arc: 60–90 psi, min 25 psi)
Fuel Pump OFF after start confirmed
Alternator CHECK (Ammeter charging, low voltage light out)
Engine Gauges MONITOR (CHT rising, Oil Temp 100–245°F)

RUN-UP AND MAG CHECK

Location RUN-UP AREA (Pointed into wind)
Parking Brake SET
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT
Throttle 1700–1800 RPM
Engine Instruments CHECK GREEN (Oil pressure 60–90 psi, Oil temp rising)
Magnetos CHECK (BOTH → L → BOTH → R → BOTH)
Max drop: 175 RPM
Difference L/R: < 50 RPM
Carb Heat CHECK (ON: expect RPM drop, then OFF)
Vacuum Gauge CHECK (4.0–5.5 inHg if equipped)
Suction Gauge CHECK (if equipped with gyros)
Amps / Volts CHECK (Charging normal)
Idle RPM Check 600–700 RPM (Throttle closed)
Throttle 1000–1200 RPM (After checks)

BEFORE TAXI

Flaps UP (Crank verify)
Avionics Master ON
Transponder STANDBY
Radios / COM / NAV SET
Altimeter SET (Local field elevation)
Flight Instruments CHECK (AI, DG, VSI operational)
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Full deflection check)
Brakes TEST

TAXI

Taxi Light ON (As required)
Fuel Pump ON for taxi if low fuel or rough ground
Engine Gauges MONITOR (Oil temp/pressure in green)
Mixture AS REQUIRED (Lean for taxi above 1000 ft density altitude)
Nosewheel Steering USE RUDDER PEDALS (Differential braking if needed)

BEFORE TAKEOFF

Parking Brake SET
Flight Controls FREE & CORRECT (Final check)
Flaps AS DESIRED (Typically 0–10° for normal takeoff)
Trim TAKEOFF (Neutral)
Fuel Selector BOTH
Fuel Pump ON
Mixture FULL RICH
Carb Heat OFF
Flight Instruments SET (DG to compass)
Transponder ALT (If Mode C equipped)
Briefing TAKEOFF / DEPARTURE / EMERGENCY

TAKEOFF

Area CLEAR (Final runway check)
Flaps AS DESIRED
Fuel Pump ON
Throttle FULL (Smoothly to 2500 RPM)
Engine Instruments MONITOR (Oil pressure 60–90 psi)
Airspeed ALIVE at 40 KIAS
Rotation 55–60 KIAS
Vy (Best Rate) 75 KIAS
Vx (Best Angle) 62 KIAS (with flaps up)

CLIMB

Fuel Pump OFF (Above 500 ft AGL)
Flaps UP (If used, retract gradually)
Climb Speed 75–80 KIAS (Vy 75)
Mixture LEAN (Above 3000 ft MSL)
Engine Gauges MONITOR (CHT ≤ 450°F, Oil Temp ≤ 245°F)

CRUISE

Power Setting 2300–2400 RPM (65–75% power)
Mixture LEAN (For peak EGT or per POH)
Cruise Speed 100–110 KIAS (75% power at 8000 ft)
Fuel Flow CHECK (7.5–8.5 GPH at 75% power)
Engine Gauges MONITOR (CHT 300–400°F, Oil Temp 180–220°F ideal)
Fuel Tanks BALANCE (Switch tanks every 30 min if not using BOTH)

DESCENT

Mixture RICH (Below 3000 ft MSL)
Carb Heat AS REQUIRED (ON when below green arc)
Descent Speed 90–100 KIAS
Descent Rate 500–700 FPM
Engine Cooling MONITOR (Keep CHT > 250°F during descent)
Fuel Pump ON (For landing)

BEFORE LANDING

Fuel Selector BOTH
Fuel Pump ON
Mixture FULL RICH
Carb Heat ON (Below green arc)
Seat Belts SECURED
Door LATCHED
Flaps AS DESIRED (Typically 10° on downwind, full on final)
Approach Speed 65–75 KIAS (65 with full flaps, 75 with no flaps)
Trim SET for approach speed

LANDING

Final Approach 65–70 KIAS (With flaps)
Flare GENTLY (Power to idle, hold off)
Touchdown MAIN WHEELS FIRST
After Touchdown NOSE WHEEL DOWN (Gently)
Flaps UP (After clearing runway)
Carb Heat OFF

AFTER LANDING / TAXI-IN

Flaps UP (Crank fully up)
Transponder STANDBY
Lights AS REQUIRED
Engine Gauges MONITOR (During taxi)
Mixture LEAN for taxi if needed

ENGINE SHUTDOWN

Parking Brake SET
Avionics / Radios OFF
Fuel Pump OFF
Mixture IDLE CUTOFF (Smoothly pull to cutoff)
Ignition OFF after engine stops
Master Switch OFF

SECURING AIRCRAFT

Control Lock INSTALL (If available)
Pitot Cover INSTALL
Tie-downs SECURED
Fuel Selector OFF (If leaving aircraft)
Baggage / Documents REMOVED
Door LOCKED
← Back to Fleet Page