IN-FLIGHT CHECK LIST B-17 Technical Session for Flight Engineers 11/18/2017 (with REVISION) Check Lists became an integral part of aviation following the tragic loss of Boeing 299 the prototype for the B-17. Deemed to complicated for Pilot memory only to operate the aircraft, a written CHECK LIST following a defined procedure was adopted. The procedure is for the Pilots to perform their FLOWS and then call for the CHECK LIST. The CHECK LIST is read by the FE as a challenge to be followed by a confirming response; from the PILOT, Co-Pilot or FE. The CHECK LIST is in Sections corresponding to the flight situation (i.e. Before Start, Engine Start and etc.). Completion of each Section is confirmed by the FE by, for example, Before Start COMPLETE. Some Sections of the CHECK LIST are better performed by the FE silently then only confirmed verbally as COMPLETE (details to follow) The CHECK LIST is read in sequence the action required in each CHECK LIST step is predicated upon the prior steps being complete. (NOTE: this sequence requirement is different from the Pre-Flight Check List) SPEAKING PROTOCALL: The flight deck is a four way conversation Two Pilots, ATC and the FE. The FE always yields speaking priority to any of the other three. A FE engaged in a Check List reading is to disengage immediately if interrupted by any of the others. Information from/ to ATC is often quick and detailed. FEs should remain silent monetarily after those transmittals to allow the Pilots time to respond accordingly. FEs do not correspond with ATC. BEFORE START: 1. Crew Brief There are TWO Pilots. This is the discussion between the Pilots confirming who is the flying Pilot, take-off emergency procedure and etc. 2. Pre-Flight Inspection Completed by the FE and reported to the Pilot. Pilot confirms by signing the Load Sheet. 3. Hold Harmless / Pax Brief Hold harmless is normally done by the Loadmaster and the Paxs are briefed prior by the Pilots prior to entering the aircraft Confirmation by the FE can be done silently 4. Landing Gear Switch This is required before powering up to assure avoidance of an unwanted gear retraction 5. Flight Controls Pilots confirm free and correct movement of the controls 6. Generators Generators to be OFF to avoid Reverse Current Relay cycling during Start-Up and Taxing. 7. Battery switches / voltage checks. One battery is turned on by the Pilot and the FE reads the battery voltage (about 24 volts) on the FE panel. The second battery is turned on, the first is turned off and the voltage read again. 1
The third battery is turned on and the second turned off and the voltage read again. Then all three battery switches are turned on. This action powers up the aircraft. 8. Landing Gear 3 Green With the power now on, the FE confirms the (3) landing gear landing lights are operative by being ON 9. Inverters There are TWO inverters a Main and a Spare. The Pilot confirms the Spare is operational then switches over to the Main. (The Inverter activates oil pressure gauges, flap position indicator, fuel pressure gauges, enunciator lights and the prop auto synchronize indicator). 10. Hydraulic Pump The Hydraulic Pump switch has three positions Manual, Off and Automatic. The Pilot switches to Manual confirming direct operation, then to Automatic. The pump continues to run until the set point pressure is attained (800 psi). FE is to halt reading the CHECKLIST until the pump has attained this pressure. Appropriate automatic shut off of the pump and pressure attained is the Confirmation. NOTE: Check the hydraulic oil level now with the system pressured up. 11. Parking Brake The Parking Brake cannot be set without hydraulic pressure (400 psi minimum) 12. Chocks The Pilot Confirms the Chocks are removed on the left the Co-Pilot Confirms the chocks are removed on the right. NOTE: TR always has hydraulic pressure with someone ready to activate the brakes (parking brake set is OK), OR, TR has Chocks in place. Freewheeling is not to happen. 13. Ignition Switches To be OFF for the Engine Start sequence 14. Avionics Master Switch To be OFF to avoid low voltages surges to the avionics during engine start. 15. Cowl Flaps To be open for engine start and the switch in the locked position. Open is for on-ground engine cooling, and fire fighting access, if needed. The switch in locked position reduces the possibility of hydraulic pressure loss from a leak. 16. Mixtures To be at the CUT-OFF position for the Engine Start sequence. Cut-Off stops fuel flow to the Carburetor from the engine driven fuel pump. 17. Throttles Set per Pilot preference for the Engine Start sequence (usually ½ to 1 off the idle position) 18. Props To be on High RPM for the Engine Start sequence (High RPM setting is the same as Low Pitch) 19. Trim Three trim adjustments set to the neutral location. 20. Fuel Shut Off Valves To be OPEN. This valve closed cuts off all fuel to an engine (usually an emergency action) 21. Transfer Valves and Switch FE to confirm the valves and switch are OFF. This is the Fuel Transfer System. 22. Circuit Breakers Confirmation by FE -.now that the systems are powered up. A quick check to be run your hand over the FE panel circuit breakers and check if any have popped up. 2
23. Crank & Extension This is the landing gear crank (the extension is for the bomb bay door). FE Confirms the crank is in place on the bomb bay / flight deck bulk head. 24. Fuel and Oil FE Confirms fuel & Oil have been checked. 25. Doors & Exits Confirmed closed by the FE. 26. Manifold Pressure Confirmed noted by the Pilots. The manifold pressure without the engine running is the field barometric pressure - this is used as a base reference during engine run-ups. 27. Altimeter This is Confirmed SET at the airport elevation. 28. Pre Oil This is usually done prior to turning props if so, Confirmation by the FE can be done silently ENGINE START: (This sequence is repeated FOUR times once for each engine) Challenges by the FE on this Section of the Check List can be done silently. The engine starting is self evident that the Check List was completed. Clearance to start the engines comes from the outside crew Starter. FE is to scan the gauges and the engine being started for any anomalies. 1. Master Ignition To be ON. This is the gang bar on the magneto switches. The magnetos are now live. 2. Boost & Bottles The Boost is the Boost Pump to be ON for the engine starting. The Bottle refers to the CO2 fire suppression system. The Bottle selector switch is to be turned to the engine being started. 3. Turn Engine Engaging the starter 4. Ignition at 9 blades Ignition is turned on at 9 blades. The Co- Pilot and the outside crew Starter count the blades. FE also counts the blades silently advise only if needed. 5. Prime Primer ON. This introduces fuel into the Supercharger housing The above actions cause the engine to start 6. Mixture Moved from CUT-OFF to AUTO-RICH. This allows fuel to enter the carburetor via the boost pump. 7. Oil Pressure. The oil pressure is to rise into the green within 30 seconds after engine start. (Shut down the engine if it doesn t) 8. Boost Pump Boost Pump to OFF after engine start. Fuel is now fed to the engine via the engine driven pump. AFTER START: 3
1. Vacuum Vacuum powers the gyro operated instruments (DG, artificial horizon and turn indicator). Pilot confirms vacuum is attained for both pumps (about -4 psi) 2. Avionics Avionics (communication and navigation) now ON. OK now that power surges from engine start is completed. 3. Oil Temp All FOUR Engine oil temperatures are to be in the green before Taxi. This can take a few minutes. 4. Heading Set DG is set to the compass heading used during taxi. 5. Flaps Flaps to be UP. Flaps UP is the normal Take-off setting. 6. Bomb Bay Bomb Bay doors closed is the normal Takeoff setting. However, the Pilot may wish these to be open on hot days for PAX comfort to be closed before take-off. TAXI: (NOTE: ATC will be giving taxi instructions to the Pilots prior to Taxi) 1. Brakes Brakes are the directional control during Taxi. FE to confirm the Hydraulic system is functioning OK. RUN UP: 1. Check Blast Area FE confirms area behind the aircraft is clear. 2. Generators All four generators to be ON. Check voltages to be between 24 and 28 volts. The remainder of the RUN-UP sequence is repeated FOUR times once for each engine) Challenges by the FE on this Section of the Check List can be done silently 3. Prop Governors Props are cycled at 1500 RPM this brings warm oil to the prop domes. RPM changes are noted during the cycling. 4. Prop Feathering Props are feathered at 1500 RPM The Pilots monitor RPM drops and amp loads to confirm operation. 5. Power and Magneto Power is checked by the RPM developed with the MP at the field barometric pressure previously noted. Magnetos are checked individually and RPM drop noted. BEFORE TAKE-OFF: (NOTE: ATC will be giving departure instructions, information and clearances to the Pilots). The first NINE check items are done prior to positioning on the runway the final FOUR check items are done in position on the runway 1. Transponder Transponder is ON with frequencies given by ATC 2. Hydraulic Pump Pump in AUTO with pressure checked 3. Flight Instruments Checked and set by Pilots 4
4. Flaps As Required usually UP 5. Cowl Flaps Open and locked (This is a re-check, should be OPEN from prior action) 6. Mixtures Auto Rich on all FOUR. (This is a re-check, should on Auto Rich from prior action) 7. Props High RPM on all FOUR This allows the engines to spool up in RPM to develop full power before the take-off roll starts 8. Trim. SET at neutral (This is a re-check, should be SET from prior action) 9. Bomb Bay Close bomb Bay doors in not closed from prior action. FE to announce Take-Off Check complete down to the LINE at this step. The Final Items are read once TR is position on the runway. FINAL ITEMS: 10. Strobe Lights Except air shows, all normal flights are done with the strobe lights ON 11. Boost Pumps Boost pumps are back up to the main fuel pumps. These are ON for all Take-Offs 12. Tail Wheel Locked for Take-Off. 13. DG The Directional Gyro is re-set to the runway heading NOTE: The FE reads off the air speed during the Take-Off roll. following: Read the 1. Initial acceleration FE states Air speed active This advises the Pilot that the air speed indicator is functioning 2. 60 At 60 KPH IAS the rudder becomes fully functional for directional control 3. 105 At 105 KPH IAS Pilot can rotate and become airborne 4. 122 122 KPH IAS is the Climb Speed AFTER TAKE-OFF: (NOTE: ATC will be giving further departure instructions, information and clearances to the Pilots during the Climb). 1. Landing Gear FE Confirms left and right main gear is coming UP and get gets Confirmation from the Loadmaster that the tail wheel is coming \UP. The remainder of the AFTER TAKE-OFF challenges by the FE can be done silently 5
2. Flaps UP Flaps not deployed during take-off or Climb 3. Climb Power SET 4. Boost pumps OFF (at about 1000 AGL) 5. Landing Gear/Flap switch OFF 6. Cowl Flaps Trail and locked adequate engine cooling available from the slip stream 7. Wings / Nacelle Check for anomalies gas caps, fuel leaks, vapors at the vents and etc. 8. Engine Temps / Pressures Check oil temps, cylinder head temps and fuel pressures are in the green 9. Brake pressure Hydraulic pressure is above 600 psi and reservoir fluid lever is OK CRUISE: (CRUISE Check List Challenges by the FE can be done silently) 1. Cruise Power SET 2. Mixture Re-set to Auto Lean. This results in notable fuel savings. 3. Landing Lights OFF 4. Cowl Flaps As required adequate engine cooling available from the slip stream NOTE: Typical CRUISE speed is about 140 KIAS. Minimum air speed is 105 KIAS. Advise the Pilot immediately at any time if the air speed is 105 KIAS or below. IN-RANGE: (NOTE: Pilot will advise when at IN-RANGE. This is usually is at entering the down wind leg for landing or at about 10 miles out for a straight-in landing. Power reductions and lowering altitude usually precedes the IN-RANGE. The Pilots will be contacting ATC for landing instructions / clearances) 1. Crew / Pax Brief Again there are TWO Pilots. This is the discussion between the Pilots confirming who is the flying Pilot, landing emergency procedure and etc. Confirmation by the FE can be done silently. The Pax brief advises all of an impending landing and to buckle up. This can be done by the Pilot or FE. 2. Hydraulic Pump/Pressure Hydraulic Pump set on AUTO and pressure confirmed. 3. Brake Pressure The brakes are tapped to confirm that they are functional 4. Altimeter Altimeter is set per information from ATC 5. Mixtures Re-set to Auto-Rich (NOTE: This is a REVISION, this item was formerly listed under the LANDING: Section) 6
APPROACH CHECK: (This Section is used for IFR Flights not applicable for typical TR flights) LANDING: 1. Gear DOWN, FE Confirms and calls 3 Green lights 2. Props Set to High RPM Set for Goaround if needed. Confirmation by the FE can be done silently 3. Flaps Set as required ½ Flaps on Base, Full Flaps on Final Confirmation by the FE can be done silently 4. Boost pumps ON ON - when Full Flaps are set Confirmation by the FE can be done silently NOTE: The FE reads off the air speed during Landing. Target air speeds are as follows 1. Entering Downwind Leg 120 KIAS 2. Base Leg (with ½ flaps) 110 KIAS 3. Final 105 KIAS 4. Over Threshold 90 KIAS 5. Losing rudder directional control 60 KIAS AFTER LANDING: NOTE The Pilots will be receiving taxing instructions / clearances from ATC) This Check List Section is performed after clearing the runway when on the taxiways. Confirmations by the FE can be done silently 1. Hydraulic Pressure Read pressure 400 psi minimum 2. Boost pumps OFF 3. Cowl Flaps Open and locked. Open is for onground engine cooling 4. Flaps UP 5. Props High RPM 6. Transponder As required (Ground Control may request) 7. Trim Re-set (3) to neutral 8. Strobes OFF 9. Generators OFF All FOUR SHUTDOWN: NOTE: Confirmations by the FE can be done after TR engines shut down and TR is parked. 1. Tail Wheel Locking as required for subsequent ground movements of TR 2. Idle Mag Grounding Checked prior to engine shutdown. This confirms the P-leads are effective, thus safe for hand turning the props. 7
3. Mixtures Cut Off This shuts off fuel flow to the carburetor. This is the means for shutting down the engines. 4. Mags OFF Also a safety need for later hand turning of the props 5. Avionics OFF Will not be activated should TR be powered up while parked 6. Inverters OFF Will not be activated should TR be powered up while parked 7. Hydraulic pump OFF Will not be activated should TR be powered up while parked 8. Batteries / Lights OFF Powers down all of TR 9. Flight Controls Locked This prevents wind from buffeting the flight control surfaces while parked 10. Chocks In-Place 11. Parking Brakes OFF Brake released only after the chocks are in place. 12. Flight Forms Complete by FE 8
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