C-FARTS and B-RAAGS
A while ago I started using C-FARTS for transitioning from cruise to descent to landing. And there are lots of other phases of flight where I can apply the same acronym to my checklist. Here are my current thoughts.
Before Heading to Airport
W – Weight and Balance Is it an issue?
T – TFRs checked
F – Flight Plan filed?
After Pre-Flight
I use the Braille method of pre-flighting i.e. I walk around the plane and touch everything. After everything is loaded and all the passengers are in the plane (or all but the right-hand passenger for planes with one door) I step back from the plane and make sure the baggage door is closed, no one left a drink on the wing, towbar is stowed, and basically one take more opportunity to make sure everything looks right.
P – Prop Did I check for nicks and leaks?
C – Clean Windows?
C – Cowl Is it closed and did I check oil and Oil Filler cap?
F – Fuel Especially after refueling, did I check for water and levels?
A – Air Are all of the pitot-static ports clear? Pitot Heat for IFR?
R – Remove tiedowns, chocks, and towbar?
T – Tires and brakes look OK?
S – Safety Stall warning, the beacon, and lights all work?
Flight Setup
A – Get ATIS
C – Call for clearance (IFR or Class C)
F – Flight Plan in GPS systems
A – Adjust seat
R – Runway in use
T – Taxi Diagram Open
S – Setup Radios
Pre-Start 1
C – Controls
F – Fuel Selector
A – Altimeter
R – Rotating Beacon
T – Trim
S – Seat Belts and Doors
Pre-Start 2
C – Cowl Flaps Open
F – Fuses and Circuit Breakers
A – Air (Open Vents)
R – Radios Off
T – Time
S – Safety Briefing
Start
The starting procedure varies with different planes. I don’t have a good acronym for this yet.
B – Brakes
M – Mixture
T – Throttle
M – Master
B – Boost Pump On
P – Prime
C – Clear
S – Start
After Start
O – Oil Pressure (30 Seconds or shutdown)
B – Boost Pump Off
L – Lean Aggressively
F – Fuel Levels
A – Amps (or Generator)
R – Radios On – Pull up Flight Plan
T – Transponder On Alt
S – Safety – Lights (Strobes and Landing)
Pre-Taxi
A – ATIS
B – Brakes
C – Call for Taxi
D – Destination
Taxi
A – Airspeed
B – Ball
C – Compass
D – DG, TC as expected
Runup
M – Mags
P – Prop
C – Carb Heat
V – Vacuum
T – Temps
P – Pressures
M – Mixture – hand stays on
Post-Runup
M – Mixture
C – Controls
F – Fuel Selector
A – Altimeter same as runup elev
R – Radios
T – Traffic
S – Seat Belts, Doors, and Windows
Heading to Runway
M – Mixture full rich
C – Call for clearance or announce
F – Flaps for takeoff
A – Air (Close Windows)
R – Verify Runway
T – Time (for IFR expect further clearance)
S – Scan for traffic
Runway
H – Heading
A – Ailerons for wind
A – Airspeed alive
P – Power (MP or RPM where it belongs)
P – Pitch Attitude
Y – VY or slightly less
Pattern Altitude
P – Power
P – Prop
P – Pitch for cruise
P – Boost Pump Off
On Course
T – Trim
A – Autopilot
T – Temps
S – Scan gauges
Cruise
C – Cowl
F – Fuel Flow
A – Airspeed
R – Report?
T – Trim
T – Temps
S – Scan
Pre-Landing
C – Compass and DG Match, Set to Runway Heading
F – Fuel
A – ATIS
R – Runway
T – TPA
S – Safety (Belts & Gear Stowed)
IFR Approach
B – Brief Approach
R – Radios and Nav Set
A – Add to GPS
A – Altitude Bug DA/DH and First
G – Go Missed Procedure
S – Speed Change?
Entering Pattern
B – Boost Pump
R – Report
A – Altitude
A – Airspeed
G – Gear
S – Scan and Listen
Numbers (or 4 mile Final)
G – Gear Down
F – 1st Notch of Flaps
Base and Final
R – Report
A – Altitude
A – Airspeed
G – Gear
S – Scan and Listen
Short Final
R – Runway number correct
A – Altitude
A – Airspeed
G – Gear Green
S – Scan and Listen
Off Runway
B – Boost Pump Off
C – Cowl Flaps Open
F – Flaps
L – Lean Mixture
A – Air, Open Windows
G – Contact Ground
S – Squawk VFR
Shutdown
Runup, Radios, Mixture, Master, Mags