ATP Pilot cheat sheet

ARROW: Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Radio station license when required, and Operating limitations; weight and balance data must also be aboard.

VFR fuel reserves: 30 minutes day and 45 minutes night at normal cruise; IFR reserve is 45 minutes after the alternate at normal cruise.

Density altitude ≈ pressure altitude + 120 × (OAT − ISA temperature); ISA temperature = 15°C − 2°C per 1,000 ft.

True airspeed increases about 2% per 1,000 ft at constant indicated airspeed; plan accordingly for cruise and approach.

Variation east, magnetic least: magnetic = true − east variation; variation west, magnetic best: magnetic = true + west variation.

Altimeter: 1 inHg ≈ 1,000 ft; flying from high pressure to low pressure without reset shows higher than actual altitude.

CG shift = (weight moved × distance moved) ÷ total weight; direction is toward the moved weight.

Structural icing is possible in visible moisture from 0°C to −20°C; risk is highest near 0°C to −10°C.

Takeoff and landing distance increase with density altitude, uphill slope, tailwind, and wet or contaminated runway; use aircraft flight manual data.

Before-takeoff checklist: flight controls free and correct, instruments checked, fuel quantity and selector, trim and flaps set, doors latched, transponder on.

Takeoff briefing covers V1 rejected-takeoff decision, engine-failure actions, initial climb, terrain, departure route, and return plan.

IFR clearance readback uses CRAFT: Clearance limit, Route, Altitude, Frequency, Transponder.

Run-up magneto check: RPM drop within aircraft flight manual limits, no roughness; both magnetos must be operative.

Fuel sump drains must be checked for water and sediment; quantity must match flight plan and tank balance must be maintained.

Flight controls must move freely and in the correct sense before takeoff; trim should be set to the takeoff position.

Wake turbulence avoidance: rotate before and land after preceding aircraft; stay above its flight path.

Passenger briefing before takeoff includes seatbelts, exits, smoking prohibition, and oxygen use if required.

V1 is the decision speed: reject before V1; continue at or after V1 unless the aircraft is unsafe or cannot fly.

VR is rotation speed; V2 is takeoff safety speed and minimum one-engine-inoperative climb speed after rotation.

Certificated takeoff distance includes ground roll plus airborne distance to 35 ft above the takeoff surface.

Climb gradient percent = (obstacle height ÷ horizontal distance) × 100.

After engine failure after V1: maintain directional control, pitch to V2, retract gear only with positive climb, follow checklist.

Standard departure: climb to at least 400 ft AGL before turns unless departure procedure specifies otherwise.

Crosswind component = wind speed × sine of angle between wind and runway.

Takeoff with tailwind, uphill slope, high density altitude, or contaminated runway increases ground roll and reduces climb performance.

Level turn load factor n = 1 ÷ cos(bank); 30° = 1.15 g, 45° = 1.41 g, 60° = 2.0 g.

Accelerated stall speed = unaccelerated stall speed × √n.

Standard rate turn is 3°/s; approximate bank = arctan(0.00275 × TAS in knots).

Maneuvering speed VA = VA(max) × √(current weight ÷ maximum weight).

Turn radius increases with airspeed squared and decreases with increased bank angle.

Nose-high unusual attitude: lower nose, add power as needed, level wings, then recover; avoid stall.

Nose-low unusual attitude: reduce power, level wings, pull smoothly to recover; avoid overstressing.

Wake turbulence encounters: maintain countercontrol, avoid abrupt large inputs, and report.

ILS CAT I: decision height 200 ft and RVR 1,800 ft; CAT II: 100 ft and RVR 1,200 ft; CAT III minima vary by operation.

Stabilized approach by 1,000 ft IMC or 500 ft VMC: on path, on speed, configured, checklist complete, landing assured.

Vref is commonly 1.3 × Vso in landing configuration; add wind and gust correction per aircraft flight manual.

3° glidepath ≈ 318 ft per nautical mile; height ≈ distance × tan(glidepath angle).

PAPI: two white and two red = on path; more white = above path; more red = below path.

Go-around: apply power, pitch for positive rate, retract gear, set flaps per schedule, announce intentions.

Landing distance increases with tailwind, downhill slope, high density altitude, and wet or contaminated runway.

Crosswind landing: use crab or slip; touchdown on main gear first and maintain centerline.

Climb: maintain aircraft flight manual climb speed and power; manage cowl flaps, mixture, and engine temperatures.

Cruise: lean mixture per EGT or fuel flow; keep CHT and TIT within manufacturer limits.

Fuel management: switch tanks to maintain lateral balance and compare totalizer with gauges.

Pressurization: outflow valve controls cabin altitude; cabin differential must remain within limits.

Supplemental oxygen: crew above 12,500 ft for more than 30 min and continuously above 14,000 ft; passengers above 15,000 ft.

Anti-ice: activate before entering visible moisture near freezing; monitor pitot heat, props, and airframe ice.

Descent: set altimeter, brief approach, manage cabin altitude, and plan energy and speed.

Checklists: use do-list for critical items and challenge-response flow; complete before takeoff and landing.

Engine fire: maintain control, shut off fuel and ignition, feather if required, discharge extinguisher, land as soon as possible.

Engine failure in flight: maintain control, establish best glide, identify and verify failed engine, feather, attempt restart if able.

Emergency descent: oxygen masks on, reduce power, extend speedbrakes, descend at Vmo/Mmo, turn away from terrain.

Rapid depressurization: masks on, establish communication, descend to 10,000 ft or MSA, land as soon as practical.

Smoke or fire: identify source, use extinguisher, shed electrical loads, and land as soon as possible.

Electrical failure: shed nonessential loads, use standby instruments, and conserve battery for essential equipment.

Memory items first, then checklist; declare emergency with MAYDAY for distress, PAN-PAN for urgency.

Landing gear malfunction: follow checklist, use backup extension, and plan for longer landing distance.

Time of useful consciousness after rapid decompression: about 30–60 s at FL350 and 15–20 s at FL400.

Hypoxia symptoms include euphoria, impaired judgment, tingling, and visual changes; oxygen is required immediately.

Coffin corner is the narrow range between low-speed stall and high-speed Mach buffet at high altitude.

Mach number = TAS ÷ local speed of sound; speed of sound depends mainly on temperature.

Cold temperature altimeter error: altimeter overreads in cold air, so true altitude is lower than indicated.

High-altitude stall speed in IAS decreases, but TAS and Mach increase; monitor both stall and Mach limits.

Pressurization failure: masks on, descend to 10,000 ft or MSA, and land as soon as practical.

Oxygen requirements increase above 12,500 ft; above 14,000 ft crew oxygen is continuous.

After landing: complete after-landing checklist, retract flaps, set trim, and taxi clear of runway.

Parking: set parking brake, install chocks, control lock, fuel selectors off, and master switch off.

Postflight inspection: check tires, brakes, leaks, damage, and cowling; report discrepancies.

Maintenance discrepancies must be recorded and corrected per MEL or maintenance procedures before further flight.

Landing currency: three takeoffs and landings in 90 days; night requires three full-stop landings.

IFR currency: six approaches, holding, and intercepting/tracking in six months, or an IPC.

Logbook entries: record flight time, approaches, landings, and instrument conditions as required.

Refueling: verify quantity, grade, and contamination check; secure caps and sumps.