The basics of flying a plane (1 - Preflight)

Hello All!

Thought since the community enjoyed my last post on my experience with flying I would continue with some more info on the subject! Now, preflight is exactly as it would sound and is for safety. It is the inspection of the airplane before any and every flight. I'm sure commercial pilots don't do this themselves, but there are hundreds of individuals that work at airports that will. This is probably why flying is the safest form of travel... Seeing that most humans do not take a 30 minute look at a car before they start moving. Haha.

So, here is what you do...

1. Check for proper documentation. If renting a plane make sure it is in there! Includes registration, weight and balances, manual for the type of plane you are flying, limitations, etc.

2. Remove control locks and master switch (battery) on. This is so you can open up the wing flaps and check the external lights and internal instruments (do this even if you are not flying at night... shit happens). Walk around the vehicle then turn off master switch to save energy.

3. The external check is the next step. Basically you walk around the plane eyeballing everything in as skeptical of a nature as possible. Checking if doors close, check wheels (tread), nuts, and bolts, make sure there is nothing blocking the moving parts of the plane, including the flaps, rudder, ailerons, motor, and turbines (propellers). You need to push on parts that should and should not move to make sure they are flawless. See the diagram below for reference.
   

4. Planes are tied down, so take the ropes off!!! I dare you to try moving beforehand. Lol.

5. While doing the external check you also check the stall warning, static pressure valve, pitot tube, airvents, belts, openings, etc. Really making sure everything is there and that there are no obstructions of moving pieces like birds that have been hit or debris from runways, storms, and flying.

6. Oil and Fuel also need to be checked every flight, even if you know it is full of gas! If oil is low add a quart. Both wings usually contain fuel containers. Not only are you checking for fuel content (instrument errors occur), but fuel quality as well, so no dirt or bugs.
   

7. Now you think you are done... Not! Haha. Sorry. Once you are done with that you get the plane started and push in the throttle to 25% and check a few more things, including specifics of inside instruments, Air Traffic Control directions, you make sure with the ATC that you are good to go onto the taxiway (not the runway), altimeter (height) set.

8. Start moving and get into position on the taxiway for permission onto the runway for takeoff! But wait... check again the controls, fuel quantity, oil mixture to full, fuel from both wings is on... Throttle to 1800 rpm and check gauges, then throttle to 1000 rpm and check flaps set and autopilot off. ** Get clearance and go**!

That is a guide to preflight, or a refresher for those that have done it before. Really it is not hard because we all know practice makes perfect. I have done the preflight with an instructor about 25 times and am quite proficient.

You may also enjoy my last post of how I got started...
https://steemit.com/travel/@hansenator/earning-a-pilot-s-license-is-easier-than-you-would-think

Hope you've enjoyed! I'm here to educate myself and others! Thank you for the read Steemers!