Jason Schappert has recently created a short video with a great acronym to remember what instruments are required for VFR flights. His acronym for day flights: A-TOMATO-FLAMES. Here is what it stands for:
- A – Altimeter
- T – Tachometer
- O – Oil Temperature Gauge
- M – Manifold Pressure Gauge (If applicable)
- A – Airspeed Indicator
- T – Temperature Gauge (For each liquid cooled engine)
- O – Oil Pressure Gauge
- F – Fuel Gauges
- L – Landing Gear Position Indicator (If applicable)
- A – Anti Collision Lights (For aircraft manufactured after March 11, 1996)
- M – Magnetic Compass
- E – ELT
- S – Seat Belts
And if you happen to be flying at night, just add FLAPS:
- F – Fuses
- L – Landing Light
- A – Anti Collision Lights
- P – Position Lights
- S – Source of Power
Hence and on your next checkride, just remember: A-TOMATO-FLAMES-FLAPS
I used to fly a 'Powered Parachute' microlight in the UK – so my instrument checklist was quite easy. 'A' for altimeter. That was it!
I sometimes added 'C' for compass (on a lanyard around my neck) and in the later years a primitive 'GPS' – no moving map, just a dotted line so I could find my way back!
The simple life 🙂
Great acronym, but I was told that the anti collision lights are for aircraft CERTIFICATED after that date, not manufactured. Thus, a C 172, original certification date was in 1957, hence, C172 does not require anti collision lights. At least thats how I was told this.
Landing light at night is only required for flights that are for hire. . Elt not required for single seat aircraft.
Thats what my instructor taught me. Here’s one for systems EPIIC FEELL
Engine
Propellor
Induction
Ignition
Cooling
Fuel
Environmental control
Electrical
Lubrication
Landing gear.
Have a blessed day!
Helpful acronym, but the anti collision lights is not for MANUFACTURED post March 11, 1986, but CERTIFICATED after that date, thus, a 1977 Cessna 172N for example, manufactured of course in 1977 is not REQUIRED to have anti collision lights as the C-172 series was type certificated in the late 1950’s. An aircraft, however, type certificated post 1996, would be required to have them. The seat belt requirement from the end of “FLAMES” is actually shoulder harnesses,, and is for aircraft MANUFACTURED, not CERTIFICATED after July 18, 1978. My C172N example would not be required to have shoulder harnesses eirher.
Thanks for the information. All good stuff. Another site was really wrong they forgot to list what FLAPS meant. But did list it. GUMPS – Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Prop, and Switches. I mod this to GRUMPSS- Gas, Radio/Transponder, Undercarriage. Mixture, Prop, Seat Belts/Shoulder Harnesses, and Switches. Cyndy has made it GLUMPS – L = Landing Light. Rod M. – Before Takeoff – Lights, Camera & Action ( Lights as required, transponder, fly the plane ). Cheers (A tribute to my friend, mentor and brother in arms Maj. Dennis Pearson Ret. USAF T-38, F-4 & F-15)