North American F-86E/F Sabre

PILOT'S CHECKLIST

IMPORTANT: Checklists have been simplified for use in Flight Simulator and are not intended for real aviation. Please also read the Flight Manual and Reference.

1. FLIGHT PLANNING AND AIRPLANE STATUS

  [ ] Weather
 
Check for all stages of flight and at alternate airports.
  [ ] Gross Weight
 
 
 
 
CHECK
Assure takeoff weight is under maximum gross, landing weight will be under 15,475 lbs, and center of gravity is always within limits.
  [ ] Airplane serviced CHECK
  [ ] Flight Plan
 
File with air-traffic control authority and check for en route NOTAMS.

2. PREFLIGHT - EXTERIOR INSPECTION

  [ ] Landing and taxi lights RETRACTED
  [ ] Intake duct
 
CLEAR
(except nose screen installed)
  [ ] Slats CHECK
  [ ] Main gear wheels CHOCKED
  [ ] External loads INSTALLATION AND MOUNTING
  [ ] Position lights and wing tip CHECK
  [ ] Pitot head UNCOVERED
  [ ] Ailerons and flaps CHECK
  [ ] Speed brakes CHECK
  [ ] Tail-pipe cover REMOVED
  [ ] Tail cone and position lights CHECK

3. PREFLIGHT - INTERIOR CHECK

  [ ] Master armament switch OFF
  [ ] Throttle OFF
  [ ] Landing gear handle DOWN
  [ ] Parking brake handle IN
  [ ] Speed brake switch NEUTRAL (HOLD)
  [ ] Engine master switch OFF
  [ ] Emergency ignition switch OFF
  [ ] Battery-starter switch OFF
[FS2004 only: Set to BATTERY]
  [ ] External power CONNECTED
[FS: For power cart, set switch to ON]
  [ ] Main instrument inverter switch ON
  [ ] Oxygen regulator CHECK
  [ ] Drop tank pressure shutoff valve OFF
  [ ] Cockpit pressure control switch AS DESIRED
  [ ] Rudder trim switch OFF (NEUTRAL)
  [ ] Lateral trim switch NORMAL (NEUTRAL)
  [ ] Longitudinal trim switch NORMAL GRIP CONT. (NEUTRAL)
  [ ] Flight control switch NORMAL
  [ ] Speed brake emergency lever NORMAL
  [ ] Wing flap lever UP
  [ ] Emergency fuel switch OFF
  [ ] Pitot heater switch ON, THEN OFF
  [ ] Landing and taxi lights switch OFF (check lights retracted)
  [ ] Clock, accelerometer, and altimeter SET
  [ ] Generator switch ON
  [ ] Position and fuselage lights switch OFF
  [ ] Communication equipment switches AS DESIRED
  [ ] Automatic pilot CHECK OPERATIONS, SET, OFF
  [ ] Cockpit lights switch OFF
  [ ] Canopy emergency jettison handle IN
  [ ] Fuel quantity CHECK
  [ ] Warning lights, indicators and test systems CHECK
  [ ] Attitude indicator CHECK
  [ ] Directional indicator against stand-by compass CHECK
  [ ] Vertical velocity indicator CHECK, SET
  [ ] Flight controls CHECK
  [ ] Normal trim switch CHECK
  [ ] Radio compass CHECK
  [ ] Interior and exterior lights CHECK
  [ ] Flashlight CHECK

4. STARTING ENGINE

  [ ] Parking brake handle IN
  [ ] External power CONNECTED
[FS: For power cart, set switch to ON]
  [ ] Throttle OFF
  [ ] Engine master switch ON
  [ ] Battery-starter switch
 
STARTER (momentarily),
THEN BATTERY
(If there is no audible indication of engine rotation or if tachometer fails to
register within a few seconds, depress the stop-starter button immediately
to avoid burning out the starter)
     3% rpm THROTTLE OUTBOARD
[FS: Since outboard movement of the stick cannot be accomplished with
controllers or keyboard, it is done automatically if throttle is advanced
from OFF towards IDLE (drag with mouse, or hit Shift-Ctrl-F3, or
use mixture lever on game controller (so equipped).]
     6% rpm
 
THROTTLE HALFWAY
BETWEEN IDLE AND OFF
     Throttle
 
ADJUST
(for proper exhaust temperature)
(Exhaust temperature should peak between 550°C and 750°C)
  [ ] Oil pressure CHECK
  [ ] Engine instruments CHECK
  [ ] Drop tank pressure shutoff valve
 
ON (drop tanks installed)
OFF (drop tanks not installed)
  [ ] Fuel transfer pump switch AS REQUIRED
  [ ] External power DISCONNECTED
[FS: To remove power cart, set switch to OFF]
  [ ] Command radio ON

5. GROUND TESTS

  [ ] Throttle IDLE
  [ ] Hydraulic pressure gage selector switch NORMAL
  [ ] Flight control switch RESET
  [ ] Flight control normal hydraulic system CHECK
     a. Flight control switch NORMAL
     b. Control stick
 
MOVE AND VISUALLY CHECK
(for proper control surface movement)
     c. Pressure
 
2900 TO 3200 PSI (after 5 seconds,
control stick not in motion)
  [ ] Flight control alternate hydraulic system CHECK
     a. Flight control switch ALTERNATE (ON EMERG.)
     b. Alternate-on warning light ON
     c. Control stick
 
MOVE AND VISUALLY CHECK
(for proper control surface movement)
     d. Hydraulic pressure gage selector switch ALTERNATE
     e. Pressure
 
2550 TO 3200 PSI
(control stick not in motion)
     f. Flight control switch RESET
  [ ] Automatic return to normal hydraulic system CHECK
     a. Flight control switch NORMAL
     b. Control stick MOVE RAPIDLY
     c. Alternate-on warning light OUT
     d. Hydraulic pressure gage selector switch NORMAL
     e. Pressure 2900 TO 3200 PSI
  [ ] Utility hydraulic system CHECK
     a. Hydraulic pressure gage selector switch UTILITY
     b. Speed brake switch OUT, IN, THEN NEUTRAL (HOLD)
     c. Pressure APPROXIMATELY 3000 PSI
  [ ] Loadmeter and voltmeter CHECK

6. TAXIING

  [ ] Main gear wheel chocks REMOVED
  [ ] Parking brake handle OUT
  [ ] Throttle
 
ADVANCE,
THEN RETURN TO IDLE
[FS: Adjust for 70-75% RPM.]
  [ ] Nose wheel steering switch
 
DEPRESS
(for directional control)
[FS: Not simulated. Use rudder pedals only]
  [ ] Gyro instruments CHECK

7. BEFORE TAKE-OFF

  [ ] Nose screen REMOVED
  [ ] Safety belt, shoulder harness TIGHTEN AND ADJUST
  [ ] Master armament switch OFF
  [ ] Trim for take-off
 
 
ELEVATOR TRIM 2° UP
RUDDER TRIM AND
AILERON TRIM CENTERED
  [ ] Take-off trim indicator light CHECK ON
  [ ] Wing flap lever DOWN
  [ ] Canopy switch CLOSE
  [ ] Oxygen regulator diluter lever
 
NORMAL OXYGEN (100%,
if carbon monoxide suspected)
  [ ] Take-off position CHECK
  [ ] Toe brakes HOLD
  [ ] Emergency fuel system CHECK
     a. Throttle 80% RPM
     b. Emergency fuel switch ON
     c. Throttle FULL OPEN; CHECK RPM
     d. Emergency fuel switch OFF
     e. Emergency fuel switch ON; CHECK RPM
     f. Emergency fuel switch OFF
  Throttle FULL OPEN
  Engine instruments CHECK

8. TAKE-OFF

  [ ] Throttle TAKE-OFF RPM
  [ ] Wheel brakes RELEASE
  [ ] Nose wheel steering switch
 
 
DEPRESS (to maintain
directional control until rudder
becomes effective above
50 Kts. IAS)
[FS: Not simulated. Use rudder pedals only]
  [ ] Nose wheel lift-off (Vr)
 
 
MAINTAIN
NEAR-LEVEL ATTITUDE
(until take-off speed attained)
(Vr is approx. 5 Kts. less than V2)
  [ ] Take-off (V2)
 
ASSUME
NOSE-HIGH ATTITUDE
(V2 for various gross weights (normal take-off, airplane with slats):
105 Kts. IAS (15,000 lbs.), 115 Kts. IAS (18,000 lbs.), 125 Kts. IAS (20,000 lbs.).
Refer to Flight Manual for cross-wind take-off)

9. AFTER TAKE-OFF AND CLIMB

  [ ] Landing gear handle UP
(Vlo is 185 Kts. IAS)
  [ ] Wing flap lever UP (160 KNOTS IAS), THEN HOLD
  [ ] Horizontal tail TRIM AS REQUIRED
  [ ] Throttle
 
LEVEL OFF, ACCELERATE
TO BEST CLIMB SPEED
(Refer to Flight Manual.)
  [ ] Oxygen regulator diluter lever
 
NORMAL OXYGEN (100%,
if carbon monoxide suspected)
  [ ] Drop tanks CHECK FEEDING
  [ ] IFF CHECK
  [ ] Altimeter SET 29.92 In. Hg. ABOVE FL 180

10. CRUISE

  [ ] Throttle ADJUST FOR CRUISE SPEED
(Refer to Flight Manual)
  [ ] Fuel transfer pump switch AS DESIRED
[FS: Set ON to burn fuel from Aft Fuselage Tank.]
  [ ] Engine instruments MONITOR

11. GLIDE AND AIRSTART

Flame-out landings should only be attempted by pilots who have satisfactorily completed simulated flame-out approaches in this airplane. If at any time during the flame-out approach, conditions do not appear ideal for successful completion of the landing, ejection should be accomplished. Eject no later than the "Low-Key" altitude.

  [ ] Throttle OFF
  [ ] Establish glide 185 KNOTS IAS
(For maximum glide distance, the optimum gliding speed is 185 Kts. IAS
with gear and flaps up, speed brakes in, and no external load)
  [ ] Engine master switch CHECK ON
  [ ] Generator switch CHECK ON
  [ ] Battery-starter switch CHECK ON (BATTERY)
  [ ] Engine RPM for airstart
 
CHECK WITHIN LIMITS
(23% TO 34%)
[FS: Engine windmilling is not simulated. Minimum airspeed needed for airstart
is 185 Kts. IAS.]
     a. Throttle OFF
     b. Emergency ignition switch ON
     c. Emergency fuel switch ON
(Do not turn on emergency fuel system unless main system has actually failed.
Emergency system should be used, if fuel pressure remains low with throttle
stick shifted outboard, ie. indicating fuel pump failure.)
     d. Throttle OUTBOARD, THEN ADVANCE
(Advance smoothly to maintain exhaust temperature within limits)
     e. Exhaust temperature CHECK (for rise in temperature)
     f. Emergency ignition switch OFF
(Ignition system may be damaged if left ON more than 3 minutes per start.
If engine fails to start, and time and altitude permit, attempt further air
starts using procedures a to f)

12. DESCENT

  [ ] IFF CHECK
  [ ] Throttle IDLE
(Descent at 0.80 true Mach number or 280 Kts. CAS, whichever is less.)
  [ ] Speed brake switch OUT (OR AS REQUIRED)
  [ ] Altimeter
 
RESET ON PASSING FL 180
(to local pressure)

13. PRE-TRAFFIC-PATTERN CHECK

  [ ] Safety belt, shoulder harness TIGHTEN
  [ ] Master armament switch OFF
  [ ] Hydraulic pressure NORMAL
  [ ] Oxygen regulator diluter lever
 
NORMAL OXYGEN OR
AS REQUIRED
  [ ] Engine anti-ice and screen switch
 
EXTEND, OR ANTI-ICE
(if icing conditions anticipated)

14. TRAFFIC-PATTERN CHECK AND LANDING

  [ ] Speed brake switch OUT
  [ ] Gear handle
 
DOWN,
CHECK POSITION INDICATORS
(Vle is 185 Kts. IAS)
  [ ] Wing flap lever DOWN
(Vfe is 185 Kts. IAS)
  [ ] Utility hydraulic pressure CHECK
  [ ] Downwind leg
 
HOLD RECOMMENDED SPEED
(170 KNOTS IAS)
  [ ] Final approach
 
HOLD RECOMMENDED SPEED
(135 KNOTS IAS)
  [ ] Throttle IDLE (when landing ensured)
  [ ] Touchdown
 
HOLD RECOMMENDED SPEED
(120 KNOTS IAS)
  [ ] Nose wheel
 
LOWER TO RUNWAY BEFORE
APPLYING BRAKES
  [ ] Wing flap lever UP
  [ ] Brakes AS REQUIRED
  [ ] Speed brake switch IN (after clearing runway)

15. GO-AROUND

  [ ] Throttle FULL OPEN
  [ ] Speed brake switch IN
  [ ] Gear handle UP
  [ ] Wing flap lever UP (160 KNOTS IAS), THEN HOLD
  [ ] Clear traffic ESTABLISHED NORMAL CLIMB

16. AFTER LANDING

  [ ] Nose wheel steering switch
 
DEPRESS (BELOW 50 KNOTS IAS)
(to maintain directional control)
[FS: Not simulated. Use rudder pedals only]
  [ ] Speed brake switch NEUTRAL (HOLD)
  [ ] Nose screen INSTALLED

17. STOPPING ENGINE

  [ ] Toe brakes HOLD
  [ ] Engine 65% TO 70% RPM (for 2 minutes)
  [ ] Throttle OFF
  [ ] Engine master switch OFF
  [ ] Speed brake switch OUT
  [ ] Battery-starter switch OFF
  [ ] All switches except generator switch OFF

18. BEFORE LEAVING AIRPLANE

  [ ] Drop tank pressure shutoff valve OFF
  [ ] Main gear wheels CHOCKED
  [ ] Parking brake handle IN
  [ ] Canopy CLOSED

CHECKLIST North American F-86E/F Sabre Changed 18 October 2008