Before Starting

As you see below my "Before Starting" and "Before Takeoff" checklists are on the same laminated card. It is actually the back side of the "Preflight" checklist. For now we'll just address the "Before Starting" checklist.

The first thing on my "Before Starting" is to verify the "Preflight" has been done. Then I check the seatbelts are secure. During "preflight I checked that the fuel is on and check it again here. That underline on the checklist is to remind me that in the "on" position the handle is in the horizontal position. Next I check that electrical equipment (radio, transponder, intercom, and GPS are turned off). Its not good to have the electrical equipment "on" while the engine is starting. Next I put on the brakes. This is accomplished by moving my feet to the top of the rudder pedals and pressing forward. We don't want the plane moving after starting the engine.

I then set the mixture to rich and the throttle in about 1/2". I set the carburetor heat to cold and if the outside temperature is cold I prime the engine with a little fuel. I'm then ready to turn on the "Master switch" and the beacon. Before turning the key to the start position I call out "CLEAR" to warn anyone standing nearby that I'm starting the engine.

Once the engine is running I adjust the throttle for 1000 RPM. and check that the oil pressure is up. Now I'm ready to turn on the transponder, radio, and intercom. I made this checklist before adding some things to the cockpit so I now also turn on my noise canceling headset, my GPS, and my collision avoidance unit.

The last thing on my list is to raise the flaps. I lowered them for the preflight inspection. We sure don't want to try and take off with them down.