Cessna 1978 Skyhawk 172N Manual

Cessna 172N Pilot’s Guide

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
2
Welcome
Welcome to Inflight Pilot Training! We are so glad to have you with us. We hope you
find this document helpful as you operate our Cessna 172 aircraft. Inflight Pilot Training
is a high-volume flight school with many people utilizing a limited number of aircraft. We
have published this aircraft pilot’s guide in order to help all pilots better care for our
aircraft.
This document does not supersede the POH in any way but is merely to inform the
pilot of some best practices that will help the airplane last for many years.
The Cessna 172 is built to be strong, yet light. To avoid damaging the aircraft, pilots
should never yank or slam movable parts. Use FIRM, CONSISTENT pressure to
activate controls and movable parts. Excessive force can damage the aircraft.
If you have questions about any of the material presented in the guide, please ask your
CFI for further clarification. If you have suggestions or feedback, we would be glad to
hear it. Please send your feedback to fly@inflightpilottraining.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
3
Pre-Flight and Consumables
The Cessna aircraft used at Inflight Pilot Training are equipped with an Electronic Flight
Bag (EFB), using an iPad Mini and Garmin Pilot. Be sure to mount the iPad securely
prior to flight, in a position that give a good view of the instruments. The power cord
should be connected prior to starting the engine. Seat position should be adjusted to the
same position every time you fly.
Note the position of the control lock when removing it from the
airplane in the picture at right. It will be replaced in the same
position after flight, blocking access to the key and battery
master switch.
The key can be found on a lanyard
and carabiner under the instrument
panel. The key can be removed from
the carabiner easily to gain access to
the baggage compartment. The keys
are always left in the airplane when
parked at Inflight Pilot Training.
Baggage Door: be careful when
unlocking, opening, and closing the
baggage door. The mechanisms are
old and must NOT be forced. A firm,
consistent pressure between the
handle and the door edge until the
click is felt will ensure the door is
closed.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
4
Cleaning the Windscreen. The plexiglass windscreens of aircraft must be cleaned
carefully, or damage may result. If needed, get a ladder from the Line Staff. DO NOT
USE oil rags to clean the windscreen. It will severely reduce flight visibility. Only use
the microfiber towels provided by Inflight/Line Staff. Apply a liberal coating of plexiglass
cleaner, allow it to set for a minute, and clean the windscreen with vertical strokes, in
line with the airflow. NEVER CLEAN THE WINDSCREEN WITH A CIRCULAR
MOTION.
Pre-Flight Inspection Items. Below are several examples of common pre-flight
questions pilots have about the Cessna 172N. Always talk to your CFI if you have a
concern about an aircraft issue prior to flight.
Tire Inflation. A properly inflated tire should appear as in the
picture to the right.
Brake Pad Thickness. Brake pads on training aircraft are
used thoroughly. The picture below contains brake pads that
are fairly new. Once the pads
reach about 1/3 of the thickness of
what is pictured below, it is time to
replace them. Check connections
and fittings for signs of leaking
hydraulic fluid. (slippery, red fluid)

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
5
Nose Strut. A correctly inflated nose strut should show a
minimum of approximately 3 fingers of clean metal. Be alert
for nose strut leaking fluid (slippery, red hydraulic fluid) on
colder days.
Control Surfaces. When moving control surfaces, be gentle
and apply pressure only at certain points. When moving the
elevator, do not use the trim tab to move the control surface.
Only move the elevator with your hand in the position as
shown in the leftmost picture. When testing the rudder, only apply pressure to the
lines of rivets, as shown in the center picture. Always verify the security and presence
of jam nuts, cotter pins, and safety wire for all control surfaces!
Measuring/Sumping/Refueling the Aircraft. When refueling the aircraft, whether on
your own via self-serve, or by a line staff fuel truck, there are several important cautions
to keep in mind.
• Ground the aircraft via the exhaust pipe.
• Be aware of sharp objects on your person that might damage paint. (ex: belt
buckles, keys, etc.)
• Use a ladder and rubber mat if available.
• Insert the fuel nozzle pointed inward toward the cabin.
• Support the fuel nozzle with your hands, not by levering it against the opening.
• Be sure the nozzle touches the edges of the opening, to keep any static
electricity from potentially sparking and causing a fire.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
6
Once the airplane is fueled as necessary, verify the amount of fuel with the dipstick
and visually, sump the tanks, and ensure the fuel caps are fully on.
To accurately measure the fuel, insert the dipstick vertically until it contacts the bottom
of the tank and place it against the forward edge of the fuel opening.
The fuel gauges on older Cessna aircraft can be fairly inaccurate, so a good
preflight calculation of the fuel is essential!
Clean fuel that has been sumped can be returned to the tank through the screen and
pour spout on the sump jar.
The fuel caps should be rotated against the stop and aligned with the airflow over the
wing.
Accessing the Aircraft
To avoid damage when closing the doors, the sliding door lock pin must be in the
correct position. The door handle is spring-loaded to rest in a position where the door

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
7
pin will not contact the fuselage, but on older aircraft, a weak spring can cause the pin
to be positioned where it will interfere with normal door operation. Ensure the door
handle and locking pin are correctly positioned before closing the door.
Correct Positioning: note the door pin position.
Incorrect Positioning: note the door handle position relative to the door pin interfering
with the fuselage.
Closing the Door from Inside. When inside the aircraft,
the doors are closed most easily by opening the window
and pulling on the door frame to ensure a tight seal.
Seat Belts. It is often easiest to adjust and tighten the
aircraft seat belts with the door open. Verify that the seat
belts are clear of the doorframe before closing the doors.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
8
Cockpit Management
The cockpit is not large, so a good understanding of cockpit management and control
placement is important prior to flight.
Pilot Equipment. Be aware of all equipment in the cockpit. Whatever was brought into
the cockpit for flight MUST also exit the cockpit after flight. This includes pens, water
bottles, headsets, etc. Even a missing pen has the potential to jam critical flight
control systems!
Glareshield. Be careful not to place objects on top of the glareshield. Objects will slide
and scratch the plexiglass windshield!
Sun Visors. The sun visors found in the Cessna aircraft are
EASY to break! Please move them carefully when
repositioning to ensure they are not bent against the aircraft
interior.
Parking Brake. The aircraft parking
brake should always remain OFF, as
pictured. The aircraft chocks will
provide security to ensure the aircraft
remains in its parking spot. If the
parking brake is left on and the
aircraft is towed, it will damage the
brakes and could cause a fire.
Environmental Controls. The aircraft is equipped with fresh
air vents and cabin heat controls. The upper fresh air vents can
be rotated to direct airflow as desired. The Cabin Air and Cabin
Heat controls can be pulled ON as far as desired to obtain more or less flow as desired.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
9
Volume and Mic Control. Setting the volume appropriately can be a confusing
process, but a few minutes will make a flight much more enjoyable! In the Cessna 172
there are several places volume can be adjusted.
Intercom. The intercom controls the volume and mic sensitivity of the occupants’
headsets. It is important to adjust volume and mic sensitivity (also known as ‘squelch’)
prior to flight. Different aviation headsets will require different settings in the same
aircraft, due to differences in headset mics and speakers. It can be helpful to change to
a separate, non-active frequency while making intercom adjustments, so there is not
extra radio chatter in the background.
Adjust the intercom volume to a comfortable level. Some intercoms have individual
volume controls for the pilot and passengers, while others are a single volume control
for all occupants.
Adjust the squelch (mic sensitivity) so that the mic activates when you and your
passengers speak at a normal level. A light, continuous background static may indicate
that the mic setting is too sensitive and is not turning off between sentences. As with
volume controls, there may be separate squelch controls for the pilot and passengers.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
10
Radios. The second volume setting is that of the individual Comm and Nav radios.
Each radio’s volume is individually adjustable, for maximum flexibility. Test and set radio
volumes before communication begins with ATC! The previous pilot may have needed
much more volume than your ears want to hear!
The Nav radios are also volume-adjustable, but must be
selected on the audio panel before they can be received in
the headset.
Headsets. The final volume control
is found on the headset. Not all
headsets are equipped with volume
control, but if the headset is
equipped, it will control the overall
volume of all communications (both
intercom and radios) coming into
the user’s headset. Some headsets, as pictured at left, allow
the volume to be controlled individually in either ear.
Ground Handling and Parking
Parking and moving the aircraft can be a challenge on a busy ramp. Always taxi at no
more than a walking pace when near other aircraft and objects. If in doubt, STOP THE
AIRCRAFT AND GET HELP.
ALWAYS ENSURE THE KEYS ARE NOT IN THE IGNITION AND THE BATTERY
MASTER IS OFF BEFORE MOVING THE AIRCRAFT BY HAND.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
11
Moving Forward. When moving the aircraft forward, it is acceptable to pull at the base
of the propeller or push on the wing struts. If someone is pushing on the wing struts,
ensure he/she is pushing as close to the fuselage as possible, to minimize turning
tendency.
Moving Backward. When moving the aircraft backward, push on the wing struts or the
base of the propeller blades. DO NOT PUSH ON THE PROPELLER SPINNER. As
necessary, it is possible to reposition the aircraft by pressing down on the structure of
the horizontal stabilizer as shown.
Winter Operations
While winter can provide some wonderful flying conditions, it does come with its own set
of challenges. One of the primary concerns involves starting a cold engine. To mitigate
this, the aircraft should be pre-heated, using the provided engine blanket and engine
block heater.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
12
Engine Blanket. The engine blankets come in various styles. When installing the
engine blanket, drape it over the cowling first. Attach the Velcro from the spinner down,
then attach the folds as illustrated to secure the blanket.
CAUTION: Be sure the blanket folds behind the nose
wheel are secured ABOVE the scissor link, as
illustrated in the picture at right. If the nosewheel
interferes with the blanket, it could rip the blanket!
TANIS Heater Plug-In.
Inflight aircraft are equipped
with block heaters to pre-
heat the engine oil and
cylinders. The plug-in is
located on the side of the
engine cowl, or in the oil
door. Be sure to verify the
extension cord LED is
illuminated, otherwise
there is no power going to
the engine heater!
Thank you for taking the time to learn how to better use the Cessna 172! We hope this
guide has been helpful as you learn how to better operate this aircraft. If there are any
topics you would like to see covered in future revisions of this user guide, please let us
know. We are always interested to hear how we can better educate and teach pilots.

Cessna 172 Pilot’s Guide Version 1.0
13
Record of Revisions
Version
Description
Author
Date
1.0
First publication
B. Porch
11/27/19