Kneeboard Checklists for Emergencies

1. FLYER (Engine Failure in Flight)

• Fly – Maintain control, set best glide speed (per POH, e.g., 65-75 knots for Cessna 172).
• Locate – Identify nearest airport or suitable off-field landing site.
• Yell – Declare emergency on 121.5 MHz or current frequency, squawk 7700.
• Evaluate – Check fuel, mixture, carb heat, mags, and primer to troubleshoot.
• Resolve – Commit to landing, secure engine (mixture off, fuel off, mags off).

2. SPARK (Electrical Failure)

• Switch – Turn off non-essential electrical loads (e.g., lights, secondary radios).
• Power – Verify alternator switch on, check circuit breakers.
• Analyze – Monitor ammeter/voltmeter for charging issues.
• Reduce – Conserve battery (turn off avionics if needed, prioritize essentials).
• Knowledge – Plan for nearest airport, use handheld radio or backup navigation.

3. HEAT (Engine Fire in Flight)

• Heat – Shut off cabin heat and close vents.
• Engine – Mixture to idle cutoff, fuel selector off, mags off.
• Airspeed – Increase to extinguish flames (within safe limits).
• Target – Select emergency landing site, declare emergency on 121.5 MHz.

4. SMOKE (Cabin Fire or Smoke)

• Shut – Turn off electrical systems (master switch off if safe).
• Mitigate – Open vents/windows to clear smoke, turn off cabin heat.
• Orient – Identify nearest landing site, maintain VFR visibility.
• Kommunicate – Declare emergency on 121.5 MHz, squawk 7700.
• Execute – Land as soon as possible, evacuate after stopping.

5. LOST (Lost or Disoriented)

• Level – Maintain straight-and-level flight, stabilize altitude.
• Orient – Use landmarks, VOR, GPS, or sectional chart to identify position.
• Seek – Contact ATC or FSS (e.g., 122.2 MHz) for assistance.
• Track – Set course to nearest known point or airport, climb if terrain allows.

6. COMMS (Communication Failure)

• Check – Verify radio settings, volume, headset connection, and backup radio.
• Operate – Squawk 7600, monitor assigned or 121.5 MHz.
• Maneuver – Follow last ATC clearance or proceed VFR to nearest airport.
• Monitor – Watch for light gun signals if approaching controlled airport.
• Signal – Rock wings or flash lights to acknowledge ATC signals.

7. ICING (Unexpected Icing Encounter)

• Initiate – Turn on pitot heat, carb heat, or de-ice systems if equipped.
• Change – Alter altitude or course to exit icing conditions (warmer air or lower).
• Inspect – Monitor airframe for ice buildup, check performance degradation.
• Notify – Inform ATC of situation, request priority landing if needed.
• Go – Divert to nearest suitable airport, avoid delaying landing.

8. ROUGH (Rough Engine or Partial Power Loss)

• Rich – Set mixture to full rich (or adjust for altitude).
• Operate – Switch fuel tanks, turn on fuel pump, check primer locked.
• Units – Cycle mags (left, right, both) to identify issue.
• Gauges – Monitor oil pressure, temperature, and fuel flow.
• Head – Divert to nearest airport, declare emergency if power worsens.

9. STALL (Inadvertent Stall Recovery)

• Stick – Push forward to reduce angle of attack, break stall.
• Throttle – Apply full power to regain airspeed.
• Ailerons – Keep level, avoid abrupt control inputs.
• Level – Recover to straight-and-level flight.
• Look – Assess altitude loss, scan for traffic and terrain.

10. SPIN (Inadvertent Spin Recovery, PARE Method)

• Stop – Throttle to idle.
• Push – Neutralize ailerons, apply full opposite rudder to stop rotation.
• Initiate – Push stick forward to break stall.
• Neutralize – Center rudder once rotation stops, recover to level flight.