SEEKER SB7L 360A

 

NORMAL PROCEDURES

GENERAL

This section describes the procedures to be adopted for normal operations of the SB7L 360A aircraft.

The procedures are arranged in the sequence considered to be the most desirable and therefore

steps should be performed in the order listed unless good reasons for a deviation exist. The lists

below include checks for all optional equipment, so checks that do not apply to this aircraft may

be skipped.

SPEEDS FOR NORMAL OPERATION

Unless otherwise noted, the following speeds are based on a maximum take-off weight of 925 kg

(2035lb) and may be used for any lesser weight.

Take-Off:

T.O.S.S. (Speed @ 50 ft)..............................68 KIAS

Normal Climb Out .........................................70 KIAS (Take Off Flap)

Climb, Flaps Up:

Initial (scheduled climb) ................................70 KIAS

Enroute.........................................................70-80 KIAS

Landing Approach:

VREF (Speed @ 50 ft) ....................................68 KIAS

Baulked Landing...........................................65 KIAS Initially

Maximum Recommended in Turbulence:

All Weights ...................................................112 KIAS

BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB SPEED

VX – Best Angle of Climb Speed ...................65 KIAS

BEST RATE OF CLIMB SPEED

VY – Best Rate of Climb Speed.....................68 KIAS

 

Fuel

Quantity in both tanks...............................Check

Fuel caps .................................................Secure

Water Check ............................................Both wing tanks and header tank

AOA / Pitot Head

All openings open / unobstructed .............Check

Installation................................................Secure

Cockpit

Ignition Switches ......................................OFF

Control lock (if fitted) ................................REMOVE

Fuel..........................................................CHECK CONTENTS

Fuel valve.................................................ON

Master switch ...........................................ON

Alternator Warning Light...........................CONFIRM ON Before Start

Master Switch...........................................OFF

Pitot / AOA Probe

Instruments

Landing Light

(If equipped)

Interior / Map / Instrument Lights

(If equipped)

Aileron and elevator cables & fasteners... CHECK

Rudder and nose wheel steerage linkage CHECK

Rudder centring springs........................... CHECK

Controls (all) ............................................ CHECK full travel, free movement.

Harnesses & Seats.................................. CHECK CONDITION

Windshield............................................... CLEANLINESS

Cockpit area ............................................ GENERAL CONDITION

Loose objects .......................................... SECURE

Cockpit Doors/Latches............................. CONDITION & OPERATION

POH ........................................................ AVAILABLE

Instruments

Heading indicator..................................... Check

Engine Instruments.................................. Confirm normal operation

Interior / Map / Instrument Lights

Lights ...................................................... Check operation

Left Undercarriage

Mount bolts.............................................. CHECK SECURE*

Tyre......................................................... CHECK CONDITION / INFLATION

* - Lock the hand brake on, then pull the aircraft forwards. Some flexing of the undercarriage legs

is normal, but there should be no movement of the top of the leg relative to the fuselage.

Static Source

Static Source........................................... CHECK FOR BLOCKAGE

Empennage

Tail tie-down............................................ DISCONNECT

Control surfaces ...................................... CHECK Security & Full & Free Movement

Rudder, Elevator & Trim Cables .............. CHECK Security & Full & Free Movement

Right Wing – Trailing Edge

Aileron..................................................... CHECK Security & Full & Free Movement

Flap......................................................... CHECK Security

Control rods & cables .............................. CHECK Security. Check rod ends for

freedom of rotation & excess movement.

Right Wing

Wing Tie-Down........................................ DISCONNECT

Wing Strut Mount Bolts............................ CHECK Security**

Wing Root Mount Bolts............................ CHECK Security***

Pitot Tube................................................ REMOVE COVER, CHECK for blockage.

** - Wing strut bolts must not be tightened. Nut should just bear on washer.

*** - Holding the wingtip, push the tip up & down, forwards & backwards. If a wing / strut

attachment is degrading, slop will be felt.

Nose

Propeller & Spinner ................................. CHECK for nicks & security

Cowl ........................................................ CHECK Security, rubbing on engine.

Engine Oil................................................ CHECK using oil filler door.

Nose Wheel .............................................CHECK condition & pressure.

“Pulling Through” The Engine

Before the first flight of the day the engine must be “pulled through” by hand. This is the process

of turning the engine over by turning the propeller by hand. The compression of each cylinder in

turn will be felt a resistance as the propeller is turned. The engine should be rotated for a count

of at least 8 compressions.

Master Switch............................................OFF

Ignitions.....................................................OFF

Throttle......................................................Closed

Propeller....................................................TURN by hand & observe engine for odd

noises or heavy movements. Check for regular compression.

CAUTION:

Prior to pulling through the propeller by hand, the engine must be cold, both ignition circuits & the

Master Switch must be switched OFF, the brakes applied & throttle closed.

WARNING

A hot engine may fire with the ignition/s switched OFF.

DO NOT pull through a hot engine.

CAUTION

Several causes of irregular compression – such as poorly sealing valves – can lead to extensive

engine damage if not addressed. The Seeker SB7L 360A Engine Instruction & Maintenance Manual

provides additional details.

Left Wing

Wing Tie-Down.........................................DISCONNECT

Wing Strut Mount Bolts.............................CHECK Security**

Wing Root Mount Bolts.............................CHECK Security***

Left Wing – Trailing Edge

Aileron......................................................CHECK Security & Full & Free Movement

Flap..........................................................CHECK Security

Control rods & cables ...............................CHECK Security. Check rod ends for

freedom of rotation & excess movement.

NORMAL PROCEDURES CHECK LISTS

Before Starting Engine

Pre flight Inspection................................. COMPLETED

Passenger Briefing .................................. COMPLETED

Harnesses ............................................... SECURE

Brakes..................................................... ON/PARK

Avionics (except EMS)............................. OFF

EMS ........................................................ ON

Circuit Breakers....................................... IN

Fuel Level Warning Light (optional) ......... CHECK using test switch

Starting Engine - Cold

Master Switch.......................................... ON

Fuel Shutoff Valve ................................... ON

Carburettor Heat...................................... OFF

Choke...................................................... ON*

Throttle.................................................... CLOSED

Fuel Pump............................................... ON

Ignition switches ...................................... ON

Starter ..................................................... ENGAGE when engine fires RELEASE**

Oil Pressure............................................. CHECK (pressure to be indicated within 10 secs)

Choke ..................................................... Closed

Throttle ................................................... 900 – 1000 RPM

Alternator Warning Light .......................... CHECK OFF

Avionics................................................... ON

* - If the engine is hot, proceed as for cold engine, but do not use choke.

** - If the engine is turning at less than 300 RPM it will not start.

Before Take-Off

Park Brake .............................................. ON

Ground Check & Run Up

Warm Up................................................. 1000-1200 RPM avoid prolonged idle at low RPM

Ignition Check.......................................... 2000 RPM Both-L-Both-R-Both. Max drop 100RPM

Carburettor heat ...................................... 2000 RPM – ON – slight drop in RPM

Carburettor heat ..................................... 2000 RPM – OFF – RPM restored

Power Check ........................................... 2400 RPM +/- 150 RPM

Idle Check ............................................... 700 – 900 RPM

Trim......................................................... SET – Neutral to + 8º

Avionics................................................... Check (pitch, heading, etc)

Pre Take-Off

Master Switch.......................................... ON

Ignition switches ...................................... BOTH ON

Fuel Shutoff Valve ................................... ON

Fuel Quantity........................................... CHECK sufficient for task

Fuel Pump............................................... ON

Flaps ....................................................... TAKE OFF (first stage)

Instruments.............................................. SET AND CHECK ALL

Switches...................................................SELECTED as required

Circuit Breakers........................................CHECK

Controls....................................................FULL & FREE TRAVEL, CORRECT SENSE

Hatches....................................................CLOSED & LOCKED

Harnesses................................................SECURE all seat belts correctly fastened and adjusted

Oil temperature ........................................ABOVE 500C

Take-Off

Carburettor heat .......................................OFF

Throttle.....................................................FULL OPEN

Elevator Control .......................................NEUTRAL

Directional Control....................................TAILWHEEL STEERING & RUDDER

Rotate ......................................................35 – 40 KIAS raise tailwheel clear of ground

Take Off Safety Speed .............................68 KIAS

Accelerate to Climb Speed.......................70 KIAS

Flaps ........................................................UP once at Climb speed & above 200’ AGL

Fuel Pump................................................OFF at top of climb.

Power.......................................................SET as required.

Initial Climb

Throttle.....................................................FULL OPEN

Airspeed...................................................70 KIAS

Cruise

75%  to 100% Power................................2200 - 2500 RPM

Descent

Power.......................................................As required

Carburettor heat .......................................As required

Before Landing (and flight below 1000ft AGL)

Brakes......................................................OFF

Harnesses................................................SECURE

Fuel Pump................................................ON

Landing

Airspeed @ 50ft .......................................68 KIAS

Wing Flaps ...............................................FULL

Directional Control....................................RUDDER & TAILWHEEL STEERING

Power ......................................................AS REQUIRED

Touchdown .............................................Main wheels first

Braking.....................................................AS REQUIRED

NOTE

If the aircraft is contaminated by build up of insects or other debris, increase approach speed @

50ft to 70 KIAS

Baulked Landing

Power ...................................................... FULL THROTTLE

Carburettor heat ..................................... COLD

Wing Flaps .............................................. RETRACT SLOWLY

Airspeed.................................................. ESTABLISH NORMAL CLIMB SPEED

After Landing/Securing

Wing Flaps .............................................. UP

Fuel Pump............................................... OFF

Parking Brake.......................................... ON/AS REQUIRED

Avionics................................................... OFF

Ignition..................................................... OFF

Master Switch.......................................... OFF

Controls................................................... SECURE

Short Field Take-Off

Elevator Trim........................................... + 8º

Fuel Tap.................................................. ON

Fuel Pump............................................... ON

Carburettor Heat...................................... OFF (COLD)

Wing Flaps .............................................. TAKE-OFF SETTING

Brakes...................................................... HOLD FULL ON BY HAND

Throttle..................................................... FULL. Wait for engine RPM to peak

Brakes.......................................................RELEASE

Rotate....................................................... AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Lift-off ...................................................... BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB SPEED until clear

of obstacles.

Short Field Landing

Approach................................................. FLAT. Aim for wheels to touch as near to the

target point as possible. Approach under power.

Power ...................................................... APPROX 1500 RPM

Airspeed.................................................. 55 KIAS

Touch-down............................................. AT TARGET POINT. Wheel brakes are

the best way to slow the aircraft. Touching down positively and slightly fast then braking

heavily (with caution) will give shortest landing distances.

Power ...................................................... IDLE

Brakes...................................................... HEAVY. DO NOT LOCK WHEELS.

NOTE

Short field landings are potentially high risk manoeuvres. Reducing approach speeds and

approaching under power reduce the aircraft’s safety margins, especially in a wind gust or if the

engine fails. Where possible, they should only be attempted in good conditions. If students are

being taught short field landings the weather conditions must be appropriate and a displaced

threshold used.

NOTE

After heavy braking such as that required for a short field landing brake temperatures will rise

dramatically and afterwards brake effectiveness may be significantly reduced.