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Rethink the Preflight

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Preflight inspections are critical for aircraft safety, preventing issues before takeoff.
  • Adopt a proactive mindset during inspection, assuming there is something wrong rather than just confirming nothing is amiss.
  • Perform a thorough, tactile inspection by touching and feeling components, and use a rag to clean surfaces to reveal hidden issues like loose parts or cracks.
  • Immediately address flight-critical issues discovered during preflight and document non-critical findings for post-flight maintenance.
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The preflight inspection is a critical phase that gives you an opportunity to make sure that everything is OK with the airplane before you lift off the ground. If everyone conducted a similar inspection of their cars, there would likely be far fewer people pulled over on the side of the road out of gas or with a flat tire or an overheating engine.

During your preflight, you likely check to make sure that that you have enough fuel and oil, that there is no damage to the airplane and that all bolts and screws are attached. Basically you are making sure that nothing is wrong. But perhaps a new way of thinking could give you a better opportunity to find potential issues.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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