8A SILVAIRE

A. PREFLIGHT CHECKS

[ ]  The airplane should be given a careful visual inspection prior to flight to ascertain that tires  are properly inflated, control surfaces are free, fuel tank cap tight and no obvious damage exists.

[ ] Propeller should be examined for nicks.

[ ] Cowling should opened and oil level checked. Add oil if necessary .

B. Starting

[ ] Before starting the engine make sure the propeller area is clear.

[ ] When the engine is cold, prime three to five strokes, making sure  fuel quantity is checked and adequate. Push mixture control to full rich and carburetor heat off. If the engine is extremely cold it should be pulled through by hand four to six times.

[ ] Turn  magneto switches on and engage starter. After engine starts idle at 800 to 1000 RPM.  If the engine does not start in the first few revolutions, open the throttle while the engine is turning over with the ignition on. When the engine starts, reduce the throttle. If the above procedure does not start the engine, re-prime and repeat the process. Continue to load cylinders by priming or unload by turning the engine over with the throttle open.

[ ] If the engine still doesn't start, check for malfunctioning of ignition or fuel system. When the engine is warm, do not prime, but turn magneto switches on before engaging starter. The engines should start after rotating through about four to six compression strokes.

C. Warm-up And Ground Check

[ ] As soon as the engine starts, the oil pressure should be checked. If no pressure is indicated within thirty seconds, stop the engine and determine the trouble. Warm-up the engine at 800 to 1000 RPM for not more than two minutes in warm weather, four minutes in cold weather.  The magnetos should be checked at 1400 RPM, the drop not to exceed 100 RPM. The engine is warm enough for take-off when the throttle can be opened without engine faltering.

[ ] Carburetor heat should be checked during the warm up to make sure the heat control operation is satisfactory and to clear out the carburetor if any ice has formed. It should also be checked in flight occasionally when outside air temperature is between 20 degrees and 70 degrees to see if icing is occurring in the carburetor. In most cases  the use of carburetor heat will correct the condition.

[ ]Mixture should be set full rich, except a minimum amount of leaning is permitted for smooth engine operation when taking off at high elevation.

D. Take-Off, Climb And Stalls

Just before takeoff the following should be checked:

[ ] 1. Controls free.

[ ] 2. Trim set.

[ ] 3. Mixtures rich.

[ ] 4. Carburetor heat off.

[ ] 5. Engine gauges normal.

[ ] 6. Radio Tuned to local frequency and intention announced.

[ ] After  take-off the best rate of climb is obtained at 65 MPH, but to give a high forward speed as well as a good rate of climb, a cruising climb speed of 75 MPH is recommended.

E. Cruising

[ ] The cruising speed of the aircraft is determined by many factors including power setting, altitude, temperature, load; and equipment installed on the airplane. The normal recommended cruising power setting of the Luscombe 8A is at 75% power. At 9000 feet this gives a True Air Speed of 100 MPH. Use of the mixture control in cruising flight reduces fuel consumption significantly, especially at higher altitudes. The mixture should be leaned when 75% power or less is being used. If any doubt exists as to the amount of power being used, the mixture should be in the FULL RICH position for all operations. Always enrich the mixture before increasing power settings. The application of carburetor heat enriches the mixture, and frequently may require resetting the mixture control for smooth and economical engine operation.

F. Approach And Landing

[ ] During the approach the airplane trimmed to a gliding speed of 60 MPH. It is always best to contact the ground at the minimum practicable speed consistent with landing conditions.

[ ] Normally, the best technique for short and slow landings is to use a small amount of power, holding the nose up as long as possible before  ground contact. In high wind conditions, particularly in strong cross winds, it may be desirable to approach the ground at higher than normal speeds.

Landing Check List:

[ ] 1) Mixture rich..

[ ] 2) Carburetor heat off (unless icing conditions exist).

[ ] 3) Clear landing area.

G. Stopping The Engine

[ ]  After parking the radio should be turned off and the engine stopped by pulling the mixture control aft to idle cut-off. The throttle should be left full aft to avoid engine vibration while stopping.  After the engine stops then the ignition magneto switches  should be turned off.