Preflight Inspection

An important part of learning to fly is making sure the plane is ready to go. There are several thing I'm learning to check as I prepare for a flight. It's what's called a preflight inspection. There is a checklist that I've been going off of, and I almost have it memorized, of course it's different for every plane, so it's best to know why you're looking for things and not just lazily checking from memory.

The image above is an example of how to go around the plane. I start at the same spot in the image, but I go backwards. Doesn't really matter, just as long as I check things in a way that I don't overlook anything.


Here I am checking the flap, making sure it's on it's track right and that there isn't to much play from side to side.


Checking the Aileron Hinge Pins. These are commonly secured with a very small cotter key on one end.


This is the Stall Warning Opening. It's an important bit in that it tells me when my wing has stopped producing lift, of course after practicing some stalls, I think I'd be able to tell I'm in a stall even without the warning, but nonetheless I check it for dead bugs or whatever else might get stuck on it.


Check the Engine Compartment for bird nests, leaks or anything that doesn't look right.


Check the nose wheel tire, the strut, and the shiny part is called the Shimmy Damper, it needs to be cleaned because bugs and dirt get stuck on there and harden, then it scratches up the thing and leaks the hydraulic fluid and next you're in for a rough landing.


There are two gas tanks, one in each wing. I like to make sure I'm filled up. The 16X uses up about seven gallons an hour (I think).