BUMMMFITCHH is one form of a
mnemonic used by pilots to remember the sequence of actions required when an
aeroplane
An airplane or aeroplane (informally plane) is a fixed-wing aircraft that is propelled forward by thrust from a jet engine, propeller, or rocket engine. Airplanes come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and wing configurations. The broad spectr ...
is on approach to land. A shorter version for simple aircraft is BMFFH; many variations exist for different aircraft types.
The checklist
Many of the steps in the pre-landing checklist are double-checks to eliminate the possibility of unexpected failure of the aircraft. Other steps convert the aircraft from a configuration that is optimised for economical flight to one that is safe for landing. Since landing is the most dangerous stage of a flight, it is important to be pre-warned if an engine failure may be likely to occur or to deal with any problem at this point.
The checklist of actions is given below in its most complete possible form.
O-B-U-M-M-M-P-F-F-I-T-C-H-H
* O - Open
carburettor
A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meterin ...
heater
* B -
Brake
A brake is a mechanical device that inhibits motion by absorbing energy from a moving system. It is used for slowing or stopping a moving vehicle, wheel, axle, or to prevent its motion, most often accomplished by means of friction.
Background ...
s free
* U -
Undercarriage
Undercarriage is the part of a moving vehicle that is underneath the main body of the vehicle. The term originally applied to this part of a horse-drawn carriage, and usage has since broadened to include:
*The landing gear of an aircraft.
*The ch ...
down and locked
* M - Mixtures
* M -
Magnetos
* M - Master switch
* P -
Propeller
A propeller (colloquially often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon ...
Pitch
* F -
Fuel
A fuel is any material that can be made to react with other substances so that it releases energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but ...
* F -
Flaps
* I - Instruments
* T - Temperatures and Pressures
* C - Close carburettor heat
* H - Hatches or doors
* H - Harnesses
Aircraft type examples
The pre-landing checks for the
Supermarine Spitfire V, or 'Drill of Vital Actions' as the check was officially known was "U,M,P and Flaps".
UMPH:
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirlin ...
pre-landing checks. Undercarriage, Mixture, Pitch full fine, Hydraulic pressure.
The check for the
Piper PA-38 Tomahawk, a simple fixed undercarriage training and general aviation aircraft, is given as BUMFFPICHH, noting that the publisher warns pilots to consult the aircraft operating handbook for full procedures.
[SECOAT - PA-38 Pre-landing checks.]
See also
*
GUMPS - alternative pre-landing checks
*
List of aviation mnemonics
Notes
Bibliography
* South East College of Air Training. ''Checklist - Piper Tomahawk PA-38'', SECOAT, Lydd, Kent. (No ISBN)
* Tanner, John. ''The Spitfire V Manual (AP1565E reprint)''. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1981. .
* Thom, Trevor. ''The Air Pilot's Manual 1-Flying Training''. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England. Airlife Publishing Ltd, 1988.
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Aviation mnemonics
Checklists