BELL P-39D AIRACOBRA CHECKLIST

COCKPIT CHECKS

[ ] Ignition switch - off
[ ] Fuselage gun switch - off
[ ] Wing gun switch - off
[ ] Cannon switch - off
[ ] Landing gear switch - off
[ ] Landing gear clutch handle - set for electric operation
[ ] Flap switch - off
[ ] Flight indicator - uncage
[ ] Parking brake - set
[ ] Rudder pedals - adjust
[ ] Flight controls - check movement
[ ] Oxygen - check control valve and supply
[ ] Generator switch - on
[ ] Battery switch - on
[ ] Cockpit lights - test
[ ] Fluorescent light right/left - test
[ ] Gun sight rheostat - test
[ ] Landing light - extend/test/retract
[ ] Removable signal light - test
[ ] Fuel - check quantity

STARTING ENGINE

[ ] Fuel selector - reserve tank
[ ] Mixture - idle cutoff
[ ] Throttle - cracked
[ ] Prop - max rpm
[ ] Ignition switch - both
[ ] Fuel pump - on
[ ] Primer - 2 or 3 strokes
[ ] Fuel pump - off
[ ] Starter - energize (push pedal down)
[ ] Starter - engage (push pedal forward)
[ ] Mixture - auto rich
[ ] Oil pressure - check

WARM UP

[ ] Throttle - 1400 rpm max
[ ] Oil temp - 86-185 F
[ ] Coolant temp - 185-257 F
[ ] Oil pressure - 55-85 psi
[ ] Gearbox oil pressure - 70-190 psi
[ ] Fuel pressure - 15-16 psi
[ ] Flaps - check operation

BEFORE TAKEOFF

[ ] Parking brake - set
[ ] Doors - closed, aux latch secured
[ ] Coolant shutter - open
[ ] Oil shutter - open
[ ] Rudder trim - 4 lines right rudder
[ ] Elevator trim - 4 lines nose up
[ ] Aileron trim - neutral
[ ] Prop - max rpm
[ ] Mixture - auto rich
[ ] Throttle - 2300 rpm
[ ] Mag check - drop 80 rpm R, 60 rpm L
[ ] Prop - cycle 1400-2300 rpm

TAKEOFF

[ ] Parking brake - release
[ ] Flaps - as needed
[ ] Prop - max rpm
[ ] Mixture - full rich
[ ] Throttle - full
[ ] Rotate - 100 mph
[ ] Gear - up
[ ] Flaps - up
[ ] Landing gear switch - off
[ ] Flap switch - off

CLIMB

[ ] Throttle - 37.5"
[ ] Prop - 2600 rpm
[ ] Speed - approx 160 mph

CRUISE

[ ] Throttle - 30"
[ ] Prop - 2600 rpm
[ ] Mixture - auto rich

[ ] Fuel selector - right tank until dry
[ ] Coolant shutter - adjust 212-248 F
[ ] Oil shutter - adjust 140-176 F

APPROACH

[ ] Fuel selector - reserve tank
[ ] Fuel pump - on
[ ] Throttle - 20"
[ ] Prop - 2600 rpm
[ ] Mixture - full rich
[ ] Flaps - 10 degrees
[ ] Gear - down, below 200 mph
[ ] Landing gear switch - off
[ ] Flap switch - off
[ ] Trim - approx 130 mph

LANDING

[ ] Speed - approx 100 mph
[ ] Coolant shutter - open
[ ] Oil shutter - open
[ ] Flaps - retract
[ ] Flap switch - off
[ ] Fuel pump - off

SHUT DOWN

[ ] Prop - max rpm
[ ] Mixture - idle cutoff
[ ] Throttle - full open
[ ] Ignition switch - off
[ ] Light switches - off
[ ] Battery switch - off
[ ] Generator switch - off
[ ] Flight indicator - caged
[ ] Oxygen - off
[ ] Doors - unlock aux latch