Airplane Savvy

A lot of folks who have been around aviation for awhile have forgotten the excitement of being introduced to an airplane for the first time. That first time, even something as basic as a Piper Cub or a Cessna 152 awes most of us. We know this isn't just any machine; it is a machine that flies, and we are going to fly it.

Although many student pilots have read and dreamed about airplanes for years, for most their knowledge of aircraft is almost entirely theoretical. When they first find themselves next to the real thing, they may not know exactly how to approach it. It isn't a car. It isn't a motorcycle. It isn't like anything with which they have previous experience. That's the way it is with all fledgling aviators.

There are many ways to look at how you should conduct yourself around an airplane. You can view it within the realm of safety - how should I behave to keep myself safe? There is the concern about protecting the machine - how can I avoid hurting it or keep it from hurting me? There is the operational aspect of the airplane - how do I know that it is actually ready to go? Then layered on top of all of this are about a thousand little informational tidbits instructors toss at us - "and oh, yeah, remember to run your hand down the prop blade to feel for nicks."

Regardless of how you view an airplane, you should start by realizing that it's really not a complicated machine at all. In fact, compared to a car, it is unbelievably simple. At the same time, as compared to a car, a larger percentage of its components must be maintained in prime condition to ensure safety. Also, many of the critical components are right there in your face where they can be damaged or can hurt you. You can't render your car unsafe by just walking around it or bending a fender. However, you can make an airplane unairworthy by just bumping into it.

It's a good idea to develop some rules of conduct to be followed when around an airplane. There are countless nuances and bits of aviation lore that could be offered to someone who is just beginning to keep company with flying machines. All of them, however, spring from one basic concept: Use your head and don't move faster than you think. Nothing about an airplane is magic, but most mistakes are made because someone does something without giving it sufficient thought. The simple act of getting into the airplane requires you to think about what you're doing. Even something as simple as walking under a wing requires awareness and attention, or there's a good chance you'll bang your head. When you're around airplanes, keep your mind on what you're doing. Don't carry on extraneous conversations or break your focus to watch landing traffic. Concentrate on the project at hand.

Airplanes are inherently dangerous, a fact some people try to sweep under the carpet because it's not politically correct to put the terms airplane and dangerous in the same sentence. It's important to know that all of the so-called danger isn't confined to the time they're in the air. An airplane can hurt you when it's just sitting on the ground, and you have to behave accordingly. A few parts of an airplane can be lethal (the propeller), while others are just painful nuisances (the trailing edges of high wings). To simplify the process, all you have remember is that this is a machine that's filled with a highly flammable fluid and has a Cuisinart at one end.

Respect The Prop

Treat the propeller as if it's a loaded weapon. Just because it's not spinning doesn't mean that it's entirely safe. The first thing you should do is check to be sure that the ignition switch is in the Off position. Of course, this is no guarantee that the magnetos aren't "hot," which means that the prop could start turning with you near it. Magneto switches are notorious for failing, so always treat the prop as if it is ready to kick over.

• Never walk or position yourself in the prop arc, which is the circle its blades inscribe when turning.
• Never move a prop unless it is absolutely necessary because it might kick over, potentially causing injury.
• If you are forced into moving a prop, turn it backwards. Use the flat of your hand on the blade - don't curl your fingers around the edge - and keep body parts out of the prop arc.
• When preflighting, put the keys on the glare shield where you can see them from inside or outside the aircraft.

Use Ramp Courtesy

While on the ramp be aware that you're a pedestrian in an area designed for airplanes. Keep your eyes open for aircraft. Be considerate, and don't put yourself in a position that is going to interfere with aircraft movements. Make it a habit to walk behind airplanes, rather than in front of them. That way you're being courteous while keeping yourself safe at the same time. Watch for prop wash from running engines.

Be Aware Of The Gasoline

Aircraft fuel tanks are either vented at the caps or have vents that come out somewhere else within easy reach of anyone on the ground. That means there are always gas fumes around airplanes. This is why smoking around aircraft is an official FAA no-no.

In addition, we drain fuel from each airplane before every flight and usually toss it somewhere within arm's reach. This represents a potential fire hazard, so you always want to be aware of possible ignition sources in the area. Aircraft fuel puts out strong, persistent vapors that can travel a long way and are highly combustible.

When it comes to fueling an airplane, each model is a little different, but the same basics apply to most:

• Ground the airframe so the flowing fuel won't trip off a static spark.
• Look around to be sure there are no ignition sources in the area. If there are, don't fuel the airplane. Fumes can easily travel 30 to 40 feet.
• Be careful with the nozzle and try not to scratch the paint around the tank.
• Watch what you're doing with that fuel hose behind you. It is heavy and can cause damage, so keep it clear of the airframe, especially around the pitot tube.
• Don't overfill the tanks; the excess fuel constitutes a fire hazard, and it doesn't do the environment any good, either.

Avoid The Trailing-Edge Scar

High-wing airplanes have the potential to leave at least a nasty bump in the middle of your forehead. And most Cessnas can leave a thoroughly identifiable diamond-patterned mark. You earn your "Cessna diamond" by walking into the trailing edge of the wing. Most pilots get a diamond of their own sooner or later, but none are proud of it.

Treat The Airplane As Though It's An Egg

Airplanes were designed to fly, not sit around, and they can be tremendously fragile while out of their element. They should be treated accordingly:

• Be aware of the pitot tube and avoid it. Unfortunately, on different airplanes the pitot tube is mounted in different places, and it takes nothing more than a hard brush with your shoulder or thigh to put the airplane out of commission.
• In low-wing airplanes, stay on the wing walks and step over the flaps even though they may have wing-walk paint on them. There's no reason to unnecessarily strain the flap system.
• Don't lean on an airplane with your elbows, especially the wing tips. You aren't likely to do much damage, but some tips dent relatively easily, and it's a bad habit to get into.
• If pushing the airplane, use the flat of your hand on a structural intersection. Never push between rivet lines, and give some thought to where the structure is the strongest. It's best to ask your CFI where to place your hands when pushing the airplane you fly. Better yet, use a tow bar.
• Be gentle when moving the control surfaces for inspections. When you move a control surface from the outside, you are working the mechanical advantage of the system backwards, so don't be abrupt.

Boarding

It may sound silly, but you can damage an airplane pretty easily while doing nothing more aggressive than getting in. Not only can you cause damage by walking on the wrong part of the wing as you climb aboard, but you also can cause damage once you're inside the aircraft.

• If you put all of your weight on the back of the seat as you get in, the seat back may eventually crack or break.
• Be careful what you grab to help yourself in. Most airplanes have handholds or straps just for that purpose. If you just grab anything you can reach without thinking about it, you could break something.
• The same goes for adjusting your seat. Don't just grab something on the panel to drag your seat forward. If there are no internal handholds, ask your instructor where to brace yourself as you adjust your seat.

Operational Readiness

Every airplane has a preflight checklist that's designed to emphasize that particular airplane's critical points. Don't be afraid to be seen walking around the airplane with the checklist in your hand. Although each airplane has a few unique places you should pay special attention to, some basics apply to all airplanes.

1. Remove control locks. Think this is too obvious to be mentioned? Lots of folks have forgotten.
2. Washing the windshield is one of those things that would seem to need no explanation. Wrong. You can easily scratch the plastic used in aircraft windows because it is so much softer than glass. You can actually scratch it with dust or by using the wrong type of rag. Use a soft, clean cloth (T-shirts are good) and special cleaner.
3. Check the oil level and general color. Black oil isn't good.
4. The fuel level should be determined visually, using a stick or your finger if necessary. Don't trust the gauge.
5. Look for cracks in anything. Also, watch for loose or damaged wires in the engine compartment.
6. The alternator belt should be tight and in good condition.
7. Look for oil and other fluid leaks, including brake and hydraulic fluid.
8. Make sure there's no aircraft skin or control-surface damage. Inspect control-surface hinges separately.
9. Check the tire condition and report uneven wear. Don't fly if the cords are showing.
10. The propeller should be free of nicks, especially sharp ones.

    After The Flight

    Believe it or not, there's a real art to tying down airplanes (see "The Tie-downs that Bind: Rope Tricks for Securing Your Aircraft," AOPA Flight Training, October 2000). It can actually get pretty complicated, depending on whether you use chains or ropes. Many airports that employ chains are the same ones that frequently experience severe weather. Most of these chains have an "S" hook on the end that's supposed to be used to attach the chain to itself. Give some thought to the method you're going to use in locking the chain. If you just pull the chain tight and lock the hook to the chain, all it takes is a heavy wind to rock the airplane enough to unhook the chain.

    A better method is to pull the chain tight and force one link through another one. Then the "S" hook is pushed through the hole in the link that's being forced through. The tension will pull it tight.

    If you're using ropes, look up the taut line hitch in a Boy Scout manual. It's made for tents, but it works great on airplanes as well. Also, don't forget to tie down the tail.

    There isn't a lot of mystery to chocks; just remember to use them if the airplane isn't tied down. Even then, it's not a bad idea to chock the airplane as a backup.

    Even this information doesn't constitute a bible for living in harmony with airplanes. Still, the more experience you gain, the more comfortable you'll become around airplanes. If you always have your head in the game and think before you act, you won't have a moment of trouble on the ramp.