Possible improvements to the checklists

[gilbertohasnofb]

Scott wrote in the devel-list:

There are many and some would not translate well into a flight simulator. But here's some things I do in reality that are not represented. I've [**] the items I would most like to see added at some future point.

Ramp:

• While walking to the plane, you look at the big picture. This is the "Did it get hit by a truck" check? Things like bends and breaks can be easier to see from afar. I think it is safe to skip this one in the sim.

While in the plane:

• [**] Lower the flaps to fully extended. Makes inspection much easier from the outside and also confirms they're working properly.

• Must be within the plane. AROW. Airworthiness certificate (pocket to left of pilot), Registration (pocket to left of pilot), Operating Limitations (POH and Placards), Weight and Balance (POH).

  • Placards: Things like the compass variation chart, colored arcs on the airspeed instrument, "not approved for aerobatic maneuvers", etc.

Outside:

• Ailerons:

  • Confirm counter-weights are intact and secure.
  • Ensure security strap in connected (not sure if the C172P used security straps.)
  • Ensure all fasteners are present and accounted for. (you don't want the thing to fall off, but if it does, hey we have a security strap)

• Flaps:

  • Inspect fasteners and cotter-pins. Connecting rod has free movement of travel.

• Rudder:

  • Inspect trim plate. Typically not a control surface but rather a thin metal plate which is manually bent into position. xxxx** Set once during the test flight and then not touched, but you want to inspect it to ensure it has not been accidentally hit by something that would have deformed it.
  • Inspect fasteners.

• Elevator:

  • Inspect trim tab. This one is pilot controlled from the cockpit.
  • Securely connected an cotter-pin in place.

• [**] Antennas:

  • Ensure they exist and don't appear broken or bent

• Wing-tips:

  • Ensure lights and strobes are securely fastened.

• [**] Fuel Tanks:

  • Do a visual inspection of the fuel quantity. Never trust the gauges. Many pilots put their fingers into the fuel because it can sometimes be difficult to visually inspect the fuel level.
  • Ensure gas caps are secure. You never know when a fuel attendant will forget to return the gas cap.

• Wing ribs:

  • As long as you are up on the wing checking the fuel, glance down the cord of the wing to ensure you don't see any buckling in the skin surface or missing rivets.

• Oil Compartment:

  • In addition to checking the oil, there is a fuel sump strainer valve in this compartment. The drain is at the bottom of the cowling.

• [**] Prop and Spinner:

  • Ensure spinner is secure
  • Inspect propeller for nicks, cracks, and excessively deep scratches

• [**] Stall warning horn:

  • Test to ensure it is working.
  • There are a few variety of these.
  • The older Cessnas,like the C172P, have a mechanical switch (protruding tab of metal) that toggled at the appropriate AoA.
    • Under normal operation, the relative wind strikes the upper surface and keeps the switch open (no electrical current).
    • At the designed AoA, the relative wind strikes the underside of the the tab and forces it upward, closing the switch and sounding the stall warning horn.
    • Testing involves gently moving the switch upward to ensure the warning horn sounded. xxxx** Newer Cessnas us a suction device. The test involves putting fabric over the opening, put your mouth on it and suck (no joke)

• Wheel Brakes:

  • All the bolts on the rotor plate, and often the brake calipers have a safety wire connecting them all together. This ensures none of it can back out and fall off. Inspect the safety wire.
  • Inspect brake pad wear.

And just for clarity, the tutorial is great as is, so don't feel that anything is broken and must be fixed. Treat the below list as a "nice to have" idea list that you can draw from if you find yourselves wanting to include some additional realism.

Many thanks for your work on the Cessna C172P. It is a great aircraft. Scott

[gilbertohasnofb]

For anyone wanting to work on this in the future: please do always use the POH as your main reference. Do go through what Scott wrote item by item and check if any of this can be added, but our main reference should not be based on individual pilot behavior or even common knowledge type of behavior but rather on what the POH says.

[gilbertohasnofb]

Scott added:

These are in the Cessna POH

• [**] Fuel Tanks:

  • Do a visual inspection of the fuel quantity. Never trust the gauges. Many pilots put their fingers into the fuel because it can sometimes be difficult to visually inspect the fuel level.
  • Ensure gas caps are secure. You never know when a fuel attendant will forget to return the gas cap.

• Wing ribs:

  • As long as you are up on the wing checking the fuel, glance down the cord of the wing to ensure you don't see any buckling in the skin surface or missing rivets.

• Oil Compartment:

  • In addition to checking the oil, there is a fuel sump strainer valve in this compartment. The drain is at the bottom of the cowling.

• [**] Prop and Spinner:

  • Ensure spinner is secure
  • Inspect propeller for nicks, cracks, and excessively deep scratches

The rest are based on my experience.

Scott