After your engine is successfully started and you have taxied to the “runup” area, it is time to check the engine parameters.
Just as there was a checklist for the engine start, there is a checklist for the runup test.
This test is used to determine the initial health of the engine before a flight and to ensure its airworthiness and safety.
The checklist will typically go as follows.
- Depress brake pedals
- Ensure mixture full rich
- Advance throttle until 1700 RPM
- Individually turn off the left/right magneto and ensure the engine only drops a max of 120 RPM (with a 50 RPM difference between magnetos)
- Ensure that you have between 4-6 PSI on the vacuum pressure gauge
- Ensure that the alternator is charging with a positive amperage on the gauge
- Check operation of alternate engine air source (should see little or no change)
- Decrease throttle until idle and ensure engine stays running
After the runup, it is now time to depart
After checking to make sure there is no other traffic, you can request ATC for a departure clearance
Once that is established you then are clear for takeoff
- Line up with the center of the runway
- Advance throttle to full
- maintain directional control
- Ensure engine fuel/oil pressure is in the “green”
- Note when airspeed is alive
- Rotate when airspeed is sufficient flight
- Climb at specified airspeed for best distance up for least distance forward (best climb)
