Why All Pilots Need A GUMPS Check
- G: Gas. Switch the fuel lever to "both" or the fullest tank.
- U: Undercarriage. Lower the gear, and check landing gear indicators to make sure they're down and locked.
- M: Mixture. Add a full rich mixture prior to landing.
- P: Propeller (s). If your airplane has a variable-pitch propeller and a propeller control, turn the prop to a high...
Why is The Gumps checklist important?
For most of us in the general aviation flying environment, the checklist is pretty simple, but no less important. The GUMPS checklist is a mnemonic memory aid: mnemonic devices include acronyms and made-up words, e.g.., “GUMPS,” to assist in remembering a sequence of tasks.
What is the C-Gumps checklist?
If you're flying a plane with a carbureted engines, you might run the C-GUMPS or Charlie GUMPS checklist. Charlie stands for Carburetor (heat on). I'd like to reiterate that this is a basic acronym to use in addition to the standard descent, approach, and landing checklists.
What is The Gumps checklist for retractable gear aircraft?
As you can see, the GUMPS check is one of the most important checklists anyone flying a retractable gear aircraft can follow. Not only will it help to ensure the you lower the gear on final, but also helps with other critical tasks. Feel free to leave your own personal modified GUMPS checklist in the comments section below.
When should I Run my Gumps check?
The timing of your GUMPS check will depend on whether you are flying VFR or IFR. For VFR flights, complete a GUMPS check before entering your downwind leg in the pattern. An IFR pilot will run GUMPS before or as they arrive at the final approach fix. Landing is not the time to run out of fuel, especially if you need to execute a go around.
What does Gumpfs stand for in aviation?
“GUMPFS” includes all of the original checklist items (IE gas, undercarriage, mixture, props / pumps, switches), with the addition of F which stands for 'Flaps'. This is to ensure the flaps are in the appropriate configuration for landing.
What does GUMPS stand for in writing?
Acronym. Definition. GUMPS. Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Prop, Switches (aviation prelanding checklist) Copyright 1988-2018 AcronymFinder.com, All rights reserved.
What does BC GUMPS stand for?
S: Switches And Seat Belts For instance, if you're flying a plane with carbureted engines, you might run a "C-GUMPS" or "Charlie-GUMPS" check which includes a "C" that stands for carburetor heat. Another common check is "BC-GUMPS," with the extra "B" signaling that the boost pump needs to be turned on.
What is Cgump aviation?
Carburetor Heat, Gas, Undercarriage, Mixture, Power/Prop, Seatbelts/Switches. This is your pre-landing checklist. This is used primarily for a general aviation aircraft.
What's another word for Gump?
Gump Synonyms - WordHippo Thesaurus....What is another word for gump?comicalfunnyfacetiousfarcicaljocularkillinglaughableludicrousside-splittingwaggish228 more rows
What are pilot deviations?
Pilot Deviations… here's how the FAA defines a pilot deviation: the actions of a pilot that result in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation or a North American Aerospace Defense Command Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) tolerance.
What acronym is used by pilots before takeoff?
CIGAR or CIGARS is a mnemonic that refers to a pre-takeoff checklist performed by general aviation pilots.
Why do you use flaps when landing?
Flap extension during landings provides several advantages by: Producing greater lift and permitting lower landing speed. Producing greater drag, permitting a steep descent angle without airspeed increase. Reducing the length of the landing roll.
What is aviation PPR?
by Aurora Aviation. PPR is the abbreviation of Prior Permission Required and indicates that for certain aeronautical activities, permission from the appropriate authority must be obtained.
What is a Gump?
: a foolish or dull-witted person.
What acronym is used by pilots?
Pilot - licensed, currency, actual abilities, wellness, food, hydration, medications.
What is the GUMPS check?
The GUMPS check is a streamlined, hands-free checklist that pilots can easily memorize. It is designed to be performed following the prior to landing checklist and serves as a double check of the key items on that checklist that can cause critical failures if they are missed.
When to do the GUMPS check
The timing of your GUMPS check will depend on whether you are flying VFR or IFR. For VFR flights, complete a GUMPS check before entering your downwind leg in the pattern. An IFR pilot will run GUMPS before or as they arrive at the final approach fix.
G – Gas
Landing is not the time to run out of fuel, especially if you need to execute a go around. Confirm that the fuel selector is set to “both” if that is an option or to the fullest tank if you can select only one.
U – Undercarriage
This is where you save yourself from becoming a wheels-up landing statistic. If the plane you are flying has fixed landing gear, simply note “Undercarriage – fixed.” This helps build the habit of checking landing gear status so you do not forget the next time you are flying a retractable gear plane.
M – Mixture
Confirm that your fuel mixture control is set to full rich. Although you may be able to make a safe landing with a lean mixture, if you need to call a missed approach and do a go around, you will appreciate having the extra power available on demand without stressing and damaging the engine.
P – Propeller (Pumps, Power)
The propeller settings are also based on the premise of having the aircraft as pre-configured for a go around as possible. If you are flying a plane with a variable-pitch or constant speed propeller, set the prop control to the highest RPM setting rather than leaving it in the cruise setting.
S – Switches, Seatbelts (Silence)
Confirm switches like landing lights are turned on as needed. Some pilots put their fuel pump check here rather than under ‘p’ since the pumps are operated by flipping a switch.
U: Undercarriage
Lower the gear, and check landing gear indicators to make sure they're down and locked.
P: Propeller (s)
If your airplane has a variable-pitch propeller and a propeller control, turn the prop to a high RPM setting.
S: Switches And Seat Belts
Fasten your seat belt and make sure you've switched necessary equipment to the "on" position. Depending on your aircraft, you might be turning on auxiliary fuel pumps, landing lights, etc.
Christer Siverud
Could someone explaine what a GUMP test is ? Seen it in a book that is
William C. Douglas, Jr
This checklist is a final safety measure to ensure that the basics are remembered before attempting to land. This particular acronym is made for piston-powered constant-speed prop equipped, retractable gear aircraft, but I guess the essentials are still valid for simpler and even more complex aircraft. Anyway, it goes:
Greg Caswell
pitch). I still use this on downwind -covers most of the critical items.
Michael Capsalis
Christer Siverud < christer...@sivek.se > wrote in article < 334656...@sivek.se >... > Could someone explaine what a GUMP test is ? Seen it in a book that is > something you do on landning. Part of a checklist or what ? >
What happens if you forget to use a checklist?
The checklist is probably the most important document in any aircraft. If we forget to use it on a routine flight, we could land with the gear up-or worse. Forget a checklist on a checkride, and you'll probably get to take it over on another day. Still, distractions or a slip of the finger can result in a missed checklist item.
What does Midget check mean?
Once the engine is shut down is no time to become forgetful. Failure to properly secure the aircraft can result in serious damage or injury. The MIDGET check can prevent us from feeling two feet tall by reminding us of some critical steps in securing the aircraft. MIDGET stands for master switch off, ignition (magnetos) off, doors and windows latched, gust lock installed, ELT off, and tiedowns secured.
Is a mnemonic reminder a good crosscheck?
However, a mnemonic reminder can still be a good crosscheck. The one I like is the FACTS check, for flaps up, auxiliary fuel pump off, cowl flaps open and/or carburetor heat off, transponder to standby, and switches (pitot heat off and lights as required). The FLARE check can also be used for an after-landing crosscheck.

What Is The Gumps Check?
When to Do The Gumps Check
- The timing of your GUMPS check will depend on whether you are flying VFR or IFR. For VFR flights, complete a GUMPS check before entering your downwind leg in the pattern. An IFR pilot will run GUMPS before or as they arrive at the final approach fix.
G – Gas
- Landing is not the time to run out of fuel, especially if you need to execute a go around. Confirm that the fuel selector is set to “both” if that is an option or to the fullest tank if you can select only one.
U – Undercarriage
- This is where you save yourself from becoming a wheels-up landing statistic. If the plane you are flying has fixed landing gear, simply note “Undercarriage – fixed.” This helps build the habit of checking landing gear status so you do not forget the next time you are flying a retractable gear plane. On a retractable gear aircraft, confirm that the gear lever has been pulled, but do not stop …
M – Mixture
- Confirm that your fuel mixture control is set to full rich. Although you may be able to make a safe landing with a lean mixture, if you need to call a missed approach and do a go around, you will appreciate having the extra power available on demand without stressing and damaging the engine.
p – Propeller
- The propeller settings are also based on the premise of having the aircraft as pre-configured for a go around as possible. If you are flying a plane with a variable-pitch or constant speed propeller, set the prop control to the highest RPM setting rather than leaving it in the cruise setting. If your plane needs fuel pumps turned on for landing, include a pumps check here as well. Some pilots …
S – Switches, Seatbelts
- Confirm switches like landing lights are turned on as needed. Some pilots put their fuel pump check here rather than under ‘p’ since the pumps are operated by flipping a switch. Check that your seatbelt and the seatbelts of any crew and/or passengers are secured. The final ‘s’ is for silence. As you make your final approach, you should have a quiet ‘sterile cockpit’ with no extran…
Variations of Gumps
- We already mentioned that some pilots add pumps, power, and silence to the standard checklist. If your plane needs carburetor heat for landing, you can add a ‘c’ for carburetor heat to the front of the acronym making it C-GUMPS. Need to double check rudder trim? Add the ‘R’ in and use GRUMPS. Want to confirm flap settings? GUMPFS is your friend. Are you a total overachiever wit…
Takeaways
- A GUMPS check is a fast, effective way to double-check the most critical pieces of the landing checklist. It takes less than a minute to do and running a GUMPS can catch something that was missed on the standard check before it turns into an expensive, embarrassing, and dangerous point of failure during landing. Watch a C-GUMPS landing checklist in action and if you not alrea…