A flight school trainer might have flown several times by the time it’s your turn to take it up in the afternoon. Surely, anything wrong with the airplane would have been caught during previous preflight inspections. Right?
Don’t be so sure. Take each preflight inspection with the seriousness it deserves because it’s likely your last chance to spot a problem on the ground that could become an in-flight emergency.
Don’t rush. It’s tempting to hurry through a preflight inspection to maximize flight time. But a hurried inspection can be as bad as none at all.
Be suspicious. Each inspection should be a game of “What’s wrong with this picture?” Look for subtleties and take on the mindset of a detective seeking important clues.
Ask questions. Talk to the pilot who flew before you about any anomalies. Did everything work perfectly throughout the flight? Is there anything you should pay particular attention to on yours?
Seek advice from mechanics. Do they have any tips for the airplane you’re preparing to fly? Does it have any unusual traits? Has there been any recent maintenance work done to it?
Start your preflight inspection in the same place and walk around the airplane in the same order. Such habits are like cockpit flows where one action leads logically to the next.
If you get interrupted during an inspection, go back and retrace your steps so that no critical task is overlooked.
Know what to look for, and why you’re looking for it. Don’t just say, I’m looking for a puddle of fluid on the ground. Be aware that you’re looking for red hydraulic fluid that could indicate a leak in the braking system signaling an impending failure.
A clean airplane is a safe airplane. Dirt and grime can mask cracks, oil leaks, and unusual wear. Keep the airplane you fly clean to make it easier to find drips and stains that can be early warning signs of future problems. A clean windshield just makes life better.
Touch things. Don’t just look at them. Shaking a flap shows you whether there’s excessive wear or play. Lifting the elevator and moving the rudder can show whether they bind. Pushing the airplane slightly forward or aft can reveal flat spots on the tires as well as proper inflation. Running your hands over the leading edge of the propeller can reveal nicks or cracks you might not see.
Open the fuel caps to visually confirm fuel quantity. Pay particular attention to any suction in the caps that can indicate the tanks aren’t properly venting.