Operating Tips - Piper Twin Comanche B Owner's Handbook Manual

SECTION III TWIN COMANCHE "B""
OPERATING TIPS
1. Trim for takeoff so that a light back pressure on the control
wheel allows the airplane to lift from the runway.
2. When checking the propeller feathering action, it is necessary
to move the propeller control rapidly in and out of feathered position
to prevent a drop of more than 500 RPM. Excessive manifold pressure
will occur if the RPM count falls below 1000 during this check.
3. Do not retract the landing gear prematurely on takeoff.
4. To reduce wing flap operating loads, lower the wing flaps at
airspeeds well below 125 miles per hour.
5. Determine
the position of the landing gear by checking the
gear position lights.
6. During landing, allow the main wheels to contact the ground
while centering the rudder pedals. Apply additional back pressure to
the
control wheel
and retract
the
wing flaps for good directional
control and maximum effectiveness of brakes during landing roll.
7. When the instrument lights are on, the gear position lights are
dimmed for night flight.
8. Be sure that all radio switches, light switches and pitot heat
switch are in the off position before starting engines.
9. Due to the responsive trim tab controls, a small adjustment in
trim gives a rapid change in attitude.
10. Engine shut down by use of the mixture controls may cause a
rough
stop during
high ambient
temperature
conditions.
A spring
loaded device on the throttle will shut down the engines by closing the
throttle valves and shutting off air to the engines. As this mechanism is
connected to and operated by the last 1/8 inch travel of the throttles, a
stop on the quadrant prevents the throttles from being pulled fully aft
and closing the throttle valves.
11. This throttle cut-off is not intended to be used in lieu of the
mixture control for engine shut down: it is to be used only when the
mixture control is placed in idle cut-off and there is indication of a
rough stop.
12. During single engine flights be sure that the gear and flaps are
fully retracted
when
climbing at the best single engine climb speed.
Speeds above or below the best single engine climb speed will decrease
climb performance. Close the cowl flap on the inoperative engine and
trim the airplane to reduce drag.