C-54B (DC-4) Checklist

Please refer to the Reference section for detailed limitations, power settings, warnings, fuel planning, etc.

Before Starting Engines

No Smkng/Seat Blts ON
Gear: 3 Green
Park. Brake ON
Radios: Check Freq's
Autopilot, Radar (if fitted) OFF
Altim. & Clock: Set, X-check
Flight Inst.: Check
Nav Lights, Beacon: ON
Fuel: Quant. OK
Propellers FULL FINE (up)
Mixture AUTO RICH
Cowl Flaps OPEN

Starting Engines

Boost Pump #3 ON
Turn #3 Magneto to BOTH
Press START switch
Stabilize at 1000 rpm
Start other engine as above
(Sequence 3-4-2-1)
Don't exceed 1500 rpm if CHT < 100 deg. except to start taxiing.

Engine Run-up

Parking Brake ON
Increase MAP to field ambient (~30")
Turn Magneto #1 to Left
(rpm should not dec. > 100 rpm)
Turn Magneto to Both
Repeat with Right, Both
Repeat with Engine 2
Throttle to Idle

Before Takeoff

Run-up Complete
Flaps to TAKEOFF - 20 degrees
Flight Controls: Full Travel
Transponder: SET
Cowl Flaps: MID (down one click)

Takeoff

Throttle to Takeoff Power (full throttle)

Rotate at 100 kts @ MTOW: 71,800 lbs
Gear UP @ positive rate of climb (500 fpm)
Flaps UP > 120 kts
at 140kts, 300 ft AGL, 500 fpm: METO Power (40" MAP, 2550 rpm)

Climb

>140 kts, 1500 ft AGL: Climb Power (39" MAP, 2300 rpm)
Climb @ 135-145 kts, 500-1000 fpm
Maintain MAP with throttle as you climb
Radar (if fitted): ON as required
Seat Belts: as required

Cruise

Cruise Power - typical: 31" MAP, 2000 RPM
(See Reference Section for other settings)
Mixture to AUTO LEAN
Cowl Flaps: CLOSED/CRACKED
Radar: ON
Fuel: Check Quantity
Descent: keep CHT's in green,
do not exceed 218 KIAS
Mixture to AUTO RICH < 5,000 ft

Before Landing

Max Landing Wt. 63,500 lbs. (56% fuel)

Altimeter: Check
Cowl Flaps: 4 deg.
Seat Belts, No Smoking: ON
Pattern: 145 kts, Flaps 1 (10 deg.), 2050 RPM
Landing Lights ON
Mixture: AUTO RICH
Slow to 120 kts approaching descent
Begin final descent: Flaps 2 (20 deg.), Gear Down, slow to 120 kts
@1000 ft AGL: Flaps 3 (40 deg.), slow to 110 kts
@700 ft AGL, Full Flaps (50 deg.), slow to 97 kts

Landing

At 50 ft AGL: 87 kts (@ 63,500 lbs)
At contact: ~71 kts
Brake carefully
Flaps UP

After Landing

Radar OFF
Cowl Flaps OPEN
Taxi to ramp

Parking Brake ON
Magnetos OFF
Seat Belts: OFF
Nav, Strobe OFF
Radio OFF