World War II and Kentuckians: Voices of a Generation
Introduction
Campaigns
The Warriors
Women in War
The Homefront
The Enemy
The preflight, or preparation for take off for a B-17 was rigorous and extensive. The following is taken from the Pilot Training Manual for the Flying Fortress - p.55 - 56
BEFORE STARTING
1. Pilot's Preflight-COMPLETE
2. Form 1 A-CHECKED
3. Controls and Seats-CHECKED
4. Fuel Transfer Valves & Switch-OFF
5. Intercoolers-Cold
6. Gyros-UNCAGED
7. Fuel Shut-off Switches-OPEN
8. Gear Switch-NEUTRAL
9. Cowl Flaps-Open Right- OPEN LEFT-locked
10. Turbos-OFF
11. Idle cut-off-CHECKED
12. Throttles-CLOSED
13. High RPM-CHECKED
14. Autopilot-OFF
15. De-icers and Anti-icers, Wing and Prop-OFF
16. Cabin Heat-OFF
17. Generators-OFF
STARTING ENGINES
1. Fire Guard and Call Clear-LEFT Right
2. Master Switch-ON
3. Battery switches and inverters-ON & CHECKED
4. Parking Brakes-Hydraulic Check-On & CHECKED
5. Booster Pumps-Pressure-ON & CHECKED
6. Carburetor Filters-Open
7. Fuel Quantity-Gallons per tank
8. Start Engines: both magnetos on after one revolution
9. Flight Indicator & Vacuum Pressures - CHECKED
10. Radio-On
11. Check Instruments-CHECKED
12. Crew Report
13. Radio Call & Altimeter-SET
ENGINE RUN-UP
1. Brakes-locked
2. Trim Tabs-SET
3. Exercise Turbos and Props
4. Check Generators-CHECKED & OFF
5. Run up Engines
BEFORE TAKEOFF
1. Tailwheel-Locked
2. Gyro-Set
3. Generators-ON
AFTER TAKEOFF
1. Wheel-PILOT'S SIGNAL
2. Power Reduction
3. Cowl Flaps
4. Wheel Check-OK right-OK LEFT
BEFORE LANDING
1. Radio Call, Altimeter-SET
2. Crew Position-OK
3. Autopilot-OFF
4. Booster Pumps-On
5. Mixture Controls-AUTO-RICH
6. Intercooler-Set
7. Carburetor Filters-Open
8. Wing De-icers-Off
9. Landing Gear
a. Visual-Down Right-DOWN LEFT
Tailwheel Down, Antenna in, Ball Turret Checked
b. Light-OK
c. Switch Off-Neutral
10. Hydraulic Pressure-OK Valve closed
11. RPM 2100-Set
12. Turbos-Set
13. Flaps 1/3-1/3 Down
FINAL APPROACH
14. Flaps-PILOT'S SIGNAL
15. RPM 2200-PILOT'S SIGNAL
AFTER LANDING
1. Hydraulic Pressure-OK
2. Cowl Flaps-Open and locked
3. Turbos-Off
4. Booster Pumps-Off
5. Wing Flaps-Up
6. Tailwheel-Unlocked
7. Generators-OFF
END OF MISSION
1. Engines-Cut
2. Radio-On ramp
3. Switches-OFF
4. Chocks
5. Controls-LOCKED
6. Form 1
GO-AROUND
1. High RPM & Power-High RPM
2. Wing Flaps-Coming Up
3. Power reduction
4. Wheel Check-OK Right-OK LEFT
RUNNING TAKEOFF
1. Wing Flaps-Coming Up
2. Power
3. Wheel Chock-OK Right-OK LEFT
SUBSEQUENT TAKEOFF
1. Trim Tabs-SET
2. Wing Flaps-UP
3. Cowl Flaps-Open Right-OPEN LEFT
4. High RPM-CHECKED
5. Fuel-Gals per tank
6. Booster Pumps-ON
7. Turbos-SET
8. Flight Controls-UNLOCKED
9. Radio Call
SUBSEQUENT LANDING
1. Landing Gear
a. Visual-Down Right-DOWN LEFT
Tailwheel Down, Ball Turret Checked
b. Light-ON
2. Hydraulic Pressure-OK
3. RPM 2100-Set
4. Turbo Controls-Set
5. Wing Flaps 1/3 - 1/3 Down
6. Radio Call
FINAL APPROACH
7. Flaps-PILOT'S SIGNAL
8. RPM 2200-PILOT'S SIGNAL
FEATHERING
1. Throttle Back
2. Feather
3. Mixture and Fuel Booster-Off
4. Turbo Off
5. Prop Low RPM
6. Ignition Off
7. Generator Off
8. Fuel Valve Off
UNFEATHERING
1. Fuel Valve-On
2. Ignition On
3. Prop Low RPM
4. Throttle Cracked
5. Supercharger Off
6. Unfeather
7. Mixture Auto-Rich
8. Warm up Engine
9. Generator On
SEQUENCE OF POWER CHANGES
INCREASING POWER
1. Mixture Controls
2. Propellers
3. Throttless
4. Superchargers
DECREASING POWER
1. Superchargers
2. Throttles
3. Propellers
4. Mixture Controls
