How to Operate a Cessna Aircraft

• Top left - The Airspeed Indicator displays the aircraft's speed through the air, usually measured in knots.
• Top center - The Artificial Horizon indicates the aircraft's attitude and whether it's climbing, descending, or banking.
• Top right - The Altimeter shows the aircraft's altitude above sea level.
• Lower left - The Turn and Bank Indicator provides information about the aircraft's rate of turn and coordination during maneuvers.
• Lower center - The Heading Indicator displays the aircraft's compass heading.
• Lower right - The Vertical Speed Indicator indicates the rate of climb or descent.
• Note: The two round instruments to the right of the six-pack are dual VOR instruments, with two VOR radios situated to their right for communications and navigation.

• Throttle – regulates engine speed; push forward to increase speed and pull back to decrease. Fully back is idle speed.
• Fuel mixture – adjusts fuel flow; full inward for rich mixture (used during takeoffs and landings), fully back to shut off engine.
• Carburetor heat – warms engine air intake during icing conditions; should be fully on or fully off in practical use.
• Flaps – controls wing flap positions for speed reduction, especially during landing; deploy incrementally.
• Fuel tank select – typically set to 'Both Tanks' for a Cessna 172.
• Yoke (Steering Wheel) – adjusts aircraft attitude and speed; make small pitch adjustments for climb or descent, turn left or right for banking.
• Rudder pedals – controlled by feet; top edge applies brakes, lower part allows steering on the runway.
• Control trim – two trim wheels for aileron and rudder; reduces control pressure, aiding in maintaining flight direction. Exercise caution not to over-trim during landing to ensure adequate pitch control for go-arounds.

• Test your knowledge of each instrument, ensuring you can identify and name them quickly, even in low-light conditions, and understand the information they provide.
• Examine the gauges to understand how their readings can be used to adjust your flight path.
• It's crucial to spend sufficient time in the aircraft until you feel completely comfortable with all instruments and confident in your mastery of them.

• Refer to a radio manual and configure the radios to the required frequencies for communication with:
• The sequence provided is typical for most cross-country flights.
• ATIS, Automatic Terminal Information System.
• Airport Ground Control.
• Airport Tower.
• Airport Departure Control.
• Flight Service Stations.
• ATC, Air Traffic Control.
• Airport Approach Control.
• The Aviation Emergency Frequency.
• Memorize the emergency frequency but refrain from testing it.
• Listen to these frequencies. If you're not a pilot yet, refrain from transmitting. However, if you're a new student, you can tune in to the ground control frequency and request a radio check.
• Alternatively, your flight instructor will provide this information. Be sure to ask about anything you're unsure of.
• Practice switching between frequencies. Practice switching among the frequencies required at your airport until it becomes second nature, allowing you to switch and tune frequencies effortlessly.

• VOR, a dual navigation system, accurately guides you from departure to destination. VOR navigation is crucial in IFR approaches but is being supplemented by GPS in certain scenarios like VFR flights and ILS approaches.
• Refer to your sectional chart for your local airport and/or nearby VOR stations. If you have the VOR manual, you can listen to the VORs and even test your VOR instruments' accuracy by viewing them on the aircraft panel.
• Alternatively, your instructor will demonstrate how to set up the VOR instruments and provide the necessary VOR frequencies.
• Practice setting up your local airport's VOR frequency while on the ground. This may prove useful if you encounter poor visibility and need to return to your airport after takeoff.
• Most airports have a VOR test spot called a compass rose on the field (refer to the airport diagram below). Taxi to the 'Compass Rose' test area and activate the VORs in your aircraft. Each VOR should be within 4 degrees of the required heading.
• Depending on your intended flight, you'll need to become proficient with GPS as well.

• GPS is a navigation system that accurately guides you from departure to destination.
• With the introduction of WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System), GPS systems are now as accurate as VOR ILS systems.
• Most aircraft are now equipped with GPS, and some experienced pilots even carry handheld GPS devices. Although these handheld devices are not legal for aircraft navigation, they can still be useful in certain situations.
• Activate the GPS, and you'll see a display similar to a car GPS. However, the aircraft version requires significant time to become proficient in programming and interpreting the GPS display, which should be your goal.

• The ADF system serves as an excellent backup, indicating your location by detecting local ADF ground stations or public AM radio signals and pointing toward the signal source.
• If you fly in the direction indicated by the needle, it will lead you directly to the ground station. You'll know when you've flown over the station when the needle flips 180 degrees and points directly behind the aircraft.
• This system provides accurate and straightforward navigation assistance.

• ATC may request you to activate your transponder and set it to 'send' (Squawk 1200) (pronounced Squawk one two zero zero). 1200 is the code for a general VFR flight or when flying in a practice area.
• For example, in the event of a radio failure in flight, squawk 7600 (pronounced seven six zero zero) so ATC can understand your situation.
• ATC will provide you with a specific code to input into your transponder based on your flight type.
• Refer to the manual for the transponder to familiarize yourself with its various modes of operation.

• DME accurately measures and displays, in nautical miles, the straight-line distance to your destination.
• This is particularly useful during landing approaches.

• This system provides a flashing light and beeping sound (when your aircraft is directly over each marker), indicating your precise position during the final approach to an airport.
• The three markers are known as the Outer Marker, Middle Marker, and Inner Marker, positioned at intervals along the centerline of the ILS (Instrument Landing System).
• This system is designed to minimize the time pilots spend searching for the instrument.

• ADS-B, or Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, is a critical component of Next Generation air traffic modernization.
• Forthcoming FAA regulations will mandate ADS-B for all aircraft operating in airspace currently requiring a Mode C transponder.
• When properly installed and operated, this new system will enable pilots to detect and avoid other aircraft in the vicinity.
• In addition to aircraft traffic, ADS-B can provide pilots with in-flight services and weather information.

• Inspect control surfaces to ensure they're free and moving smoothly.
• Check fuel tanks and oil levels to ensure they're filled correctly.
• Inspect for fuel contaminants by draining a small amount of fuel into a glass container.
• Inspect the aircraft for any nicks, dings, or body damage, especially around the propeller.

• Your instructor will guide you through the process if additional weight is added to the aircraft.
• If it's just you and your instructor, and there's no extra weight, you may not need to complete a weight and balance sheet.

• Follow a detailed procedure to prepare the cockpit for engine start.
• Take your time and ensure you don't miss any steps.
• These procedures provide an overview of what to expect, but always follow your instructor's guidance.

• Now you can request clearance to taxi.
• Whenever you're moving, also turn on your taxi lights.

• Specify the desired runway and direction, such as requesting a South departure on runway 20R (pronounced two zero Right) or your preferred runway and direction for departure.
• Listen to the clearance and make a note of it. Pilots must read back all clearances to Ground, or any instructions given, in all flight phases.
• Follow the given route precisely. Do not cross any runways unless specifically instructed by ground control. Always stop and ask if unsure.
• If stopping for an engine run-up, inform ground control.
• Perform the engine run-up as instructed in your aircraft manual (or by your instructor).
• Contact Ground again to request clearance to continue taxiing to the assigned runway.
• Proceed to the runway Hold Position sign and stop there (ensure your aircraft is not on or over any part of the Hold Position markings).

• If Tower instructs 'Line up and Wait,' it means line up behind any aircraft ahead of you. If there are no aircraft ahead, you may enter the runway but hold there until receiving the final 'cleared for takeoff' instruction from Tower, then read it back.
• The commands Line up and Wait (and the Hold Position sign) are crucial in aviation and must be fully understood by all pilots. If uncertain, stop and ask.

• Push the fuel mixture knob fully inward and advance the throttle to full. As the aircraft gains speed, it will veer left, requiring right rudder input to stay centered on the runway.
• Gradually pull back on the yoke when reaching 55 knots to lift off smoothly.
• Maintain a speed of 70 to 80 knots throughout the climb, keeping the wings level and a slight climb angle.
• Execute the exit turn at around 500 ft. altitude, typically a 45° turn to leave the airport area.
• Maintain coordinated flight using the turn coordinator, ensuring smooth turns by adjusting the rudder.
• Coordinate aileron and rudder inputs to keep the turn coordinated.

• Maintain cruise speed using optimal engine power settings.
• Adhere to FAA regulations regarding minimum safe altitudes.
• Consider utilizing the autopilot system for convenience and safety.
• Alternatively, manually adjust vertical trim to maintain altitude.
• Verify aileron trim is set to zero unless necessary.

• Communication with ATC, Approach Control, and Tower is vital during approach and landing.
• Refer to sectional charts or approach charts for frequency information.
• Promptly acknowledge traffic advisories from ATC.
• Prepare for runway entry as directed by Tower, maintaining proper approach angles.
• Understand runway numbering conventions and procedures like LAHSO.
• Familiarize with aviation phonetics for effective communication as PIC.

• Stabilize descent rate and airspeed using yoke, power, and flaps. Maintain 80 knots and 500 ft./min descent until 1000 ft. AGL. Then, aim for 60 to 70 knots until 10 ft. above runway.
• With throttle at idle, gently pitch up until main wheels touch down, keeping nose wheel off.
• Apply brakes after nose wheel touches down for safe deceleration.
• Avoid stopping on runways unless instructed by ATC.
• Exit promptly via designated taxiway, stopping beyond Runway Boundary markings, and request taxi clearance from Ground Control.

• Observe runway indicators such as RAIL lights for safe night landings.
• Identify white runway markings and side lights, distinguishing them from blue taxiway lights.

• Use standardized phonetics provided by ATC and Flight Service Stations.
• Avoid creating custom phonetic codes.

A is Alpha
B is Bravo
C is Charlie
D is Delta
E is Echo
F is Foxtrot
G is Golf
H is Hotel
I is India
J is Juliet
K is Kilo
M is Mike
N is November
O is Oscar
P is Papa
Q is Quebec
R is Romeo
S is Sierra
T is Tango
U is Uniform
V is Victor
W is Whiskey
X is X-Ray
Y is Yankee
Z is Zulu.

• The depicted signs indicate Taxiway Alpha leading to Runway 21. Noteworthy are the ILS Hold and Runway Hold signs, both requiring a stop unless cleared otherwise.
• If uncertain, pause and inquire with the appropriate authority via radio communication.

• Learn about aviation and pilot licensure affordably with the following resources:

  • Explore Free Online Pilot Training through FAA Safety.gov
  • Discover Free Pilot Training Online with AOPA.org
  • Advance to Multiengine Rating with How to Fly a Cessna 310 when ready.
• FAA requirements for obtaining a pilot's license.

  • Minimum 40 hours of flight time, typically around 50 hours.
  • 20 hours of instruction with a certified flight instructor.
  • 10 hours of solo flight.
  • 3 hours of cross-country flights to other airports.
  • 3 hours of night flying, including a 100nm flight.
  • 5 hours of cross-country flights, with one totaling 150nm and involving a fuel stop.
  • 3 hours of instrument flight in an aircraft.
  • These represent only a portion of the complete requirements.