Control Locks - Cessna SKYHAWK 1976 Pilot Operating Handbook

7-16
SECTION 7
CESSNA
AIRPLANE & SYSTEMS DESCRIPTIONS
MODEL 172M
and an openable window in the left door. An openable right door window is
also available.
To open the doors from outside the airplane, utilize the recessed door
handle near the aft edge of either door by grasping the forward edge of the
handle and pulling outboard. To close or open the doors from inside the
airplane, use the combination door handle and arm rest. The inside door
handle has three positions and a placard at its base which reads OPEN,
CLOSE, and LOCK. The handle is spring-loaded to the CLOSE (up) posi­
tion. When the door has been pulled shut and latched, lock it by rotating
the door handle forward to the LOCK position (flush with the arm rest).
When the handle is rotated to the LOCK position, an over- center action
will hold it in that position.
NOTE
Accidental opening of a cabin door in flight due to improper
closing does not constitute a need to land the airplane. The
best procedure is to set up the airplane in a trimmed condi­
tion at approximately 75 knots, momentarily shove the door
outward Slightly, and forcefully close and lock the door by
normal procedures.
Exit from the airplane is accomplished by rotating the door handle
from the LOCK pOSition, past the CLOSE position, aft to the OPEN posi­
tion and pushing the door open. To lock the airplane, lock the right cabin
door with the inside handle, close the left cabin door, and using the igni­
tion key, lock the door.
The left cabin door is equipped with an openable window which is held
in the closed position by a lock button equipped over-center latch on the
lower edge of the window frame. To open the window, depress the lock
button and rotate the latch upward. The window is equipped with a spring­
loaded retaining arm which will help rotate the window outward and hold it
there. An openable window is also available for the right door, and func­
tions in the same manner as the left window.
If
required, either window
may be opened at any speed up to 160 knots. The cabin top windows (if
installed), rear side windows, and rear windows are of the fixed type and
cannot be opened.
CONTROL LOCKS
A control lock is provided to lock the ailerons and elevator control
surfaces in a neutral position and p.revent damage to these systems by
wind buffeting while the airplane is parked. The lock consists of a shaped