Cessna 172S AvGas Training Checklist
Pre-Flight Inspection (Interior)
- Documents CHECKED: Documents onboard and up to date.
- Control Lock REMOVE: Control lock removed full, free, and correct movement confirmed later.
- Ignition Switch OFF: Ignition OFF confirmed.
- Master Switch ON: Master ON instruments alive.
- Fuel Quantity Indicators CHECK: Fuel Left ___, Right ___ verified.
- Flaps EXTEND: Flaps full extended for walk-around.
- Master Switch OFF: Master OFF safe to walk outside.
- Circuit Breakers IN: All circuit breakers in no faults.
- Controls FREE AND CORRECT: Controls full, free, and correct.
Pre-Start Checklist
- Aircraft Documents CONFIRMED ONBOARD: All aircraft documents onboard and valid FARTW
confirmed.
- Fuel and Oil Contents CHECKED: Fuel Left: __, Right: __ litres Oil: __ quarts within limits.
- Passenger Brief GIVEN: Today were heading to [Training Area Name], practicing [Lesson Name].
- Cabin Doors CLOSED AND LOCKED: Right door secure, left door secure locked and latched.
- Seats & Seatbelts ADJUSTED AND SECURE: Seats adjusted, belts secured.
- Park Brake SET: Park brake set confirmed.
- Circuit Breakers CHECKED IN: All breakers in no faults.
- Master Switch ON (Battery): Master ON systems energised.
- Beacon & Nav Lights ON: Beacon ON flashing. Nav lights ON.
Engine Start (Cold & Warm)
- Keys INSERTED: Keys in checked OFF.
- Throttle CLOSED: Throttle closed no input.
- Mixture IDLE CUTOFF: Mixture idle cutoff ready for prime.
- Flaps UP: Flaps up clean.
- Cabin Heat & Cabin Air OFF: Cabin air and heat off full in.
- Fuel Selector BOTH: Fuel selector both tanks selected.
- Mixture FULL RICH: Mixture full rich for prime.
- Throttle OPEN 2 CM: Throttle set for prime 2 cm.
- Fuel Pump ON: Fuel pump ON priming... OFF.
- Mixture IDLE CUTOFF (Post-Prime): Mixture idle cutoff ready to start.
- Throttle 2 cm Set: Throttle 2 cm confirmed.
- Lookout ALL CLEAR: CLEAR PROP!
- Starter ENGAGE: Engaging starter eyes on gauges.
- Mixture ADVANCE AS ENGINE STARTS: Mixture to full rich engine alive.
- Throttle SET 1000 RPM: RPM set to 1000.
- Oil Pressure GREEN WITHIN 30 SECONDS: Oil pressure rising in green.
- Alternator ON: Alternator ON charging confirmed.
- Magnetos CHECK BOTH: Mags cycling both set.
Mnemonics & Tips
Mnemonics
- "DIM FFM CC" - Pre-Flight (Interior): Documents, Ignition, Master, Fuel, Flaps, Master, CBs,
Controls.
- "Funny Pilots Can See People Close So Carefully Before Mastering Brightness" - Pre-Start
Memory Flow.
- "King Tom Must Find Cold Tools For Magical Flying Safety Moments" - Engine Start Sequence.
Tips and Common Student Mistakes
- Always touch what you call out. Saying isn't doing unless you verify by action.
- For fuel and oil - always give exact numbers (e.g., 'Left tank 50L, Right 50L, Oil 6 quarts') instead
of just 'checked'.
- Don't skip yelling 'CLEAR PROP!' even if no one is around - shows good habit and situational
awareness.
- For Cabin Door - elbow push confirms lock. Don't just visually check.
- Throttle for start should be approximately 2cm open - not fully closed, not too much.
- In cold starts - don't forget to turn off fuel pump after prime. Leaving it ON is a common mistake.
- After engine catches, smoothly advance mixture to full rich - don't slam it in.
- After startup, check oil pressure immediately - it must be in the green within 30 seconds.
- During magneto check - cycle left, right, then back to both. Many students forget to return to both.
