On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 12:01:20 -0700, Newps wrote
in :

And here for VFR flying I don't need a checklist.

What's so unique about your location?

Obviously our regard for the necessity of checklists differ. You'll
find an Adobe Acrobat copy of my Piper PA28-235 checklist he
http://www.dauntless-soft.com/PRODUC...info.asp?ID=29

Below is an unformatted copy:

Piper PA28-235 Check List
L. G. Dighera © June 21, 1999
Preflight Check
Squawks: note equipment complaints
Time: record Hobbs reading
Control wheel: release belts
Headset: jacks in, batteries: check
Avionics: off
Master switch: on
Fuel quantity gages: check (Sunrise: 122.85MHz; 851-5061)
Master switch: off
Ignition: check Mags OFF (keys on top of control panel)
Flaps: fully extended
Fuel strainer: drain
Exterior: check for damage, wrinkles, oil-caning
Control surfaces: check for interference
free of ice, snow, frost
Hinges: check for pins, interference
Wings: free of ice, snow, frost
Stall warning: check Light
Lights: operational (nav, ldg, beacon, strobes, inst, cabin)
Fuel tanks: check supply visually, secure caps
Fuel tank sumps: drain and check for water,
sediment, and proper fuel (80/87 red, 100LL blue)
Fuel vents: open
Main gear struts: proper inflation (4.5 inches, 2" @ 2900 lbs)
Tires: check wear, slippage, inflation (35-40 PSI)
Brakes: check blocks, red fluid leak
Pitot head: remove cover, holes clear
Windshield: clean
Propeller and spinner: check nicks, cracks, leaks, secure
Fuel and oil, check for leaks
Oil: Check level (add a quart if below 8.5 quarts, 12 qt max)
Dipstick: properly seated (50 W + additive, or 15-50 W)
cowling: secure
Inspection covers: secure
Nose wheel ti check wear, slippage on rim, (28-30 PSI)
Nose gear strut: proper inflation (3.5 inches)
Air inlets & filter: clear
Alternator belt: check tension
Pitot cover: remove
Exhaust plug: remove
Tow-bar: secure
Baggage: stowed properly, secure
Baggage door: locked (CCW)
Flaps: retract, to support step weight
Primary flight controls: proper operation
Cabin door: closed and secure (top latch first)
Required papers: on board
Seat belts and harness: fasten/adjust,
check inertia reel
Weight and C. G. computation
VOT: check log or test
(110.0 MHz, 180/TO, 360/FROM)
Before Starting Engine
Pre-flight inspection: complete
ATIS: copy (126.00 MHz) [Corona AWAS: 132.175 MHz]
Altimeter: check +/- 75 feet of airport elevation
[SNA: 54', Corona: 533']
Clearance: copy (VFR: 121.85 MHz, IFR: 118.0 MHz)
Radios set: [Corona CTAF: 122.8 MHz]
COM1: GND: 120.8, TWR: 126.8
Transponder: beacon sqwak code
ADF: (MAAGG: 337 KHz)
Aircraft: pulled out
Parking break: set
Starting Engine
Tow-bar: stowed
Radio power switches: off
Auto-pilot: off
Mixtu full rich (unless flooded)
Prop: forward (high RPM)
Throttle: 1/8-1/4 inch open
if flooded, full open
Carburetor heat: off (in)
Primer: cold engine: 1-5 shots
hot engine: pump throttle 3-4 quick, short strokes
Master switch: on
Fuel selector: second fullest tank
Electric fuel pump: on until pressure (unless flooded)
Clear area: verbal “CLEAR” and visual check:
Starter button: one revolution
Mag switch: Left magneto (impulse coupled)
Starter button: engage (5 to 10 seconds maximum)
Mag switch: Both
Throttle: adjust 800 RPM
Oil Pressu check (green arc in 30 seconds, or shutdown)
Anti-collision light: on (day)
Radio power switches: on
Electric fuel pump: off
Limit ground operation: above 70° F 2 minutes, below 4 min
Taxiing
Area: clear behind and in front
Mixtu lean to 2-1/2 inches out (to minimize lead fouling)
Brakes: release
Throttle: 1000 RPM
Steering: check
Bakes: check
Collision avoidance: observe shadows
At first turn check:
attitude indicator: stable
turn coordinator:
ball free opposite turn, tube full
turn indication toward turn
heading indicator: operational, stable
compass: card free, fluid full
Do not operate at high RPM over loose stones
Ground Check (Run-up)
Parking brake: set
Electric fuel pump: verify off
Prop: in (high RPM)
Throttle: 2150 RPM
Fuel pressu green
Fuel selector: switch to fullest tank (not mogas)
Fuel pressu green
Magnetos: (minimize operation on one mag)
Max: drop 125 RPM, difference 50 RPM
To remove carbon from plugs:
Magneto switch to BOTH
full throttle
lean mixture to maximum RPM and
enrichen (or 100° F rich of peak)
run for one minute, check mags.
Prop: cycle 3 times
Carburetor heat: check RPM drop or increase
Vacuum: 5.0 In Hg, +/- 0.1 In Hg
Ammeter: check (cycle landing light, note load indication)
Oil temperatu green
Oil pressu green
Retard throttle, idle check 650 RPM
Before Takeoff
Master switch: on
Flight instruments: set (AI, DG, VSI, Alt, clock)
Fuel selector: verify on fullest tank (not mogas)
Electric fuel pump: on
Engine gages: check oil pres. & temp. fuel pres.
Carburetor heat: off
Prop: in (high RPM)
Mixtu Full Rich
Or, lean for best power: oil temperature in green,
advance to full throttle,
lean mixture to maximum RPM
(2275-2375? static) and enrichen,
or 125° F rich of peak
Primer: locked
Flaps: set
Trim tabs: set (to “T”)
Controls: free and correct, autopilot off
Seat backs: erect
Seat belts, shoulder straps: buckled
Empty seats: belts securely fastened
Doors: latched (top latch first)
Radios: set
Fuses: check (tight, spares)
Transponder: on Altitude
Lights: as required
Engine is warm for takeoff when the throttle can be opened
without engine skipping or backfiring, and without reduction in
oil pressure.
Takeoff
Electric fuel pump: verify on
Flaps: set
normal: 0°
short/soft field: 25° (2nd notch)
Trim tabs: set according to CG loading (T)
Landing light: on
Transponder: on Altitude
Control wheel:
normal: forward pressure for cross wind
short field: neutral
soft field: back pressure, nose high
Time-off: note
Throttle: apply full throttle
normal: smoothly
short field: while brakes locked
soft field: slowly as acceleration proceeds
Heading indicator: check runway heading
Suction: 5.0 In Hg, +/- 0.1 In Hg
Ammeter: charging ( 0 indication)
Accelerate to:
normal: 65-70 MPH*
short/soft field: 55-65 MPH*
Ease control wheel back to rotate to climb attitude
Accelerate in ground-effect to:
normal: 100 MPH
short/soft field: 90 MPH
Flaps: if extended, slowly retract
Electric fuel pump: off 1500 ft AGL, check fuel pressure
* Speeds vary with weight loading
Climb
normal: 100 MPH (115 MPH for visibility and cooling)
short field: 90 MPH Vx (best angle) *
clear obstacle
then climb at 100 MPH Vy (best rate) *
soft field: 100 MPH Vy (best rate) *
Electric fuel pump: off at 1500 AGL
* Speeds will be reduced at less than gross weight
Cruising
Normal maximum power: 75% (2400 RPM $ 23.7" mp)
Mixtu lean above 5000 feet until rough
then enrichen until smooth, 100° F rich of peak EGT
(best power), or 1500° F, or lean for peak
EGT or roughness onset (best economy)
Switching tanks:
electric fuel pump on before & 30 sec after.
Burn inboard tanks first. Do not run tanks completely
dry in flight.
Turbulent air: reduce speed to 138 MPH (Va), or
less, if below maximum gross weight.
Descent
Normal:
throttle: plan to reduce MP 1 inch per minute
airspeed: as required
mixtu enrichen
Carburetor heat: full on, if required
Power off:
Carburetor heat: full on, if required
throttle: closed
airspeed: as required
mixtu leaned as required
power: verify with throttle every 30 seconds
Approach and Landing (GUMPS)
Seat backs: erect
Belts/harness: fasten/adjust
Mixtu rich (in)
Propeller: high RPM, (in)
Throttle: as required to maintain speed & descent (15-18")
Carburetor heat: off (unless icing is suspected)
Electric fuel pump: on
Fuel selector: fullest tank
Flaps: extend (115 MPH maximum speed):
normal: full (40°)
windy: little or none (0-25°)
Trim: 90 MPH, (set to L) (higher, if wind shear suspected)
Final approach speed (flaps 40°): 55-65 MPH
After ground contact: flaps up
hold nose wheel off, then lower nose gear
apply brakes with weight on main gear
Stopping Engine
Flaps: verify retracted
Electric fuel pump: off
Radios: off
Lights, and other electrical equipment: off
Throttle: closed
Ground lead check:
key to OFF momentarily
observe 200 RPM drop
key to BOTH
Mixtu idle cut-off
Magnetos: off (keys on top of control panel)
Master switch: off
Oil fill door: open for cooling
Parking
Fuel: fill all tanks, and oil above 9 qt. (Aero 100, 50 W SAE)
Sunrise: 122.85, (714) 851-5061
Stop with nose wheel on taxi way center line
Use tow-bar to steer aircraft to tie-down position Push aircraft
near hub of propeller
Wheels: chocked
Tie-downs: secure
Propeller: vertical for fueling
(normal rotation; finger tips only, for safety)
Tow-bar: stow
Flaps: fully retracted
Fuel valve: off
Parking brake: set
Time: enter Hobbs and Tachometer readings in book
Squawk: inoperative equipment in book
Window: latched closed
Vents: closed (4 seat, 1 dash, 1 roof, 1 cabin air)
Control wheel: secured with belts
Seat belts: fastened, shoulder belt stowed
Cabin: clean, all articles removed
Radio power switches: verify all off
Verify MASTER SWITCH OFF
Cabin and baggage doors: locked (CCW)
Oil fill door: close
Pitot cover & exhaust plug: installed
Cabin cover: installed
Flight Plan Closed