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3 Answers

Heater Defroster on Checklist

Asked by: 3874 views , , ,
Aircraft Systems, General Aviation, Student Pilot

This may be a simple question that I am just overlooking, but I figured I would ask anyways.  When doing my interior preflight checklist I noticed that the heater and defroster was on the checklist as an item to check.  What is the purpose of checking its position?  Does it matter if the heater was left in the open or closed position?

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Feb 17, 2014

    Which aircraft? Is it a manufacturer’s checklist or a club/FBO/school checklist?

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  2. Andy Stroh on Feb 17, 2014

    Its on a rental PA28140 and I also have seen it on our club PA28180.

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  3. Best Answer


    Mark Kolber on Feb 18, 2014

    I don’t think it’s a POH item but Cherokee groups recommend closing the heater and defroster vents before start. The heating/ventilation system effectively opens a path from the engine to the cabin through the firewall. The recommendation to close vents before start is to block direct access to the cabin in case starting results in an engine fire.

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