Postflight procedures — after-landing, parking, and securing
**After-landing:** clear the runway fully (all parts of the aircraft past the runway holding-position markings) before stopping. Perform the after-landing flow: flaps UP, carb heat COLD, transponder STBY, cowl flaps OPEN (if applicable), strobes OFF (optional to avoid distracting ground crew), taxi lights as required.
**Parking:** point into the wind if possible. Use parking brake sparingly — in cold-soak conditions it can freeze. Chocks and tie-downs are more reliable. Tie-down points: one wing at each strut attach fitting and one at the tail.
**Engine shutdown flow:** 1. Throttle idle (1,000 RPM or as POH specifies) for 1–2 min to stabilize CHT. 2. Avionics master OFF (before mixture cut, to protect radios). 3. Mixture to idle cutoff — engine dies on fuel starvation. 4. Magnetos OFF, master switch OFF, fuel selector OFF (if POH calls for it).
**Securing:** control lock installed, pitot cover on, cowl plugs, prop secured (some Cessna owners chain the prop to prevent windmilling in gusts), chocks fore/aft of all wheels, tie-downs taut but not strumming.
**Logbook entries:** Hobbs or tach time, landings, night time (if any), any squawks or discrepancies noted for maintenance. Report any anomaly immediately — a brake that feels soft, an RPM that won't come down — don't hand the aircraft to the next renter with an unreported issue.