How Long is a Preflight Good For?

[HEllison]

Originally Posted by Mel

Actually after a condition inspection is when I REALLY want to do a thorough pre-flight inspection.

Agreed! I have flown several military cargo/passenger planes and been fortunate enough to have crew chiefs and flight engineers who accomplish the preflight for me. I can recall a few times finding panels still open, and fuel caps not installed during my walk around. A fresh set of eyes iso always a good idea. Especially if you are doing your own preflight, a second look is a good idea before you hop in. We tend to see what we want to see some times and you may not notice something the first time.

Mel, When ever we get airplanes back from heavy maintenance we always look for easter eggs...there are always at least 5 that will bite you if not found.

[rolivi]

Originally Posted by fixnflyguy

I always pop my oil door after flight, and the latch is bright red, which reminds me to check oil and lock door before flight. I keep cowl plugs ,pitot and canopy cover on, even inside, so bugs/tweetie birds don't settle in .

How did you train the bugs not to use the oil door?

(I'm half kidding) I pop mine for a while to let the heat out, but before I close the hangar door I close the oil door and put in the plugs.

[flyinmonque]

.....Do another! I fly in rugged Mts. alot but even when I'm not I can not see any good reason to not do another. If you cheat on safety you cheat yourself. And that's when it's just you and figuring you do not hit anyone else if things go south. If you cheat on this what else? Those seat pans to much trouble to remove? Ah heck there's not much to see under that panel anyway! Why repack the bearings they feel smooth.
Come on kids take a ride with Gramps. Don't be afraid of nothing I just flew for a few hour just last week it'll be fine!

[vic syracuse]

I learned this the hard way, in my own hangar, atached to my house, at my field. I always perform a post flight. I want to know if anything needs fixing BEFORE I want to go flying again. I keep the airplane ready for flight. In my locked hangar.

Imagine my surprise when I pushed out, took off, and watched cylinder head temps climb through the roof. Immediate power off and land. First thought was a brid's nest, but I had never seen that in our enclosed hangar. I get out and walk around to the front of the engine and there were the inlet covers neatly installed in the cowl inlets (although one had blown back and was letting some cooling air in). Yep, my son had seen them in the hangar and decided to put them where he thought they belonged! We had a discussion about not touching an airplane one wasn't going to fly.

Vic

[dhmoose]

I would had done the same as you Vic but imagine if the outcome of your flight would have been tragic. The Feds would have faulted you for the lack of a pre-flight inspection and your son would have been off the hook. Let's not mention that to him though as dad's are always right (At least that's what I tell my daughter)

[scrollF4]

Originally Posted by Mike S

"..took the wheel chocks out and hung them on the prop. You can guess what happened..."

How far?????

Hah!! I get it.

[Yen]

Autralian regs say you must do a pre fflight before the first flight of every day. So if you are flying at night, stop to refuel at an airport after midnight, you are obliged to do a daily inspection.
Fly another hour, land and leave the plane to 2359 and you are still legal to fly.

[Bevan]

Originally Posted by Yen

Autralian regs say you must do a pre fflight before the first flight of every day. So if you are flying at night, stop to refuel at an airport after midnight, you are obliged to do a daily inspection.
Fly another hour, land and leave the plane to 2359 and you are still legal to fly.

Yip, and just because it's technically legal, doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. I like to think the PPL is a licence to learn and to use our best judgement. Not everything can be written in black and white.

Bevan.