Getting it right on the ground

When you go to an aircraft you are about to fly, one of the first things that should be done is remove the tie-downs. Many a pilot has done a walk around and start-up to wonder why the aircraft is not moving. Simple. It was still tied down!

I make a circle of the tie-down rope. When I return I can see to park mid-distance between the coiled ropes.

The windscreen. Is it clean, not fogged up or laden with frost or ice? Use only cold water to help in the clean up. Hot water will likely crack a cold windscreen. You must have clear vision to taxi safely.

Fuel caps and oil hatches. If you open these refit them immediately, even if someone is coming along behind you to operate same. If that other person gets interrupted there is a good chance they will not resecure the cap or hatch that you disturbed.

Before you hop aboard take a moment and stand back. Visually check that the fuel caps are on, the oil hatch is secure, cowl latches secure, the baggage door is closed and locked, there are no bags on the ground, the rear passenger door is closed but not locked (an emergency exit). No jackets or bags on the wing or tail surfaces, pitot cover off and draped in the cockpit so you will see it after the flight. Have the chocks been removed? The cowl bungs removed, external and internal gust locks removed?

And the area in front of and behind the aircraft. Is the front clear of tie-down stakes, servicing equipment, fuel drums and other obstacles? Have you got a mental plan to get to the taxiway from the parking area? What about the path to get back to the tie-down location after the flight?

Behind the aircraft. Never start up with the tail towards an open hangar. Engineers will question your parentage.
Plan ahead.

‘Stand clear – starting’ is better than ‘Clear plop’

Start up. The expression ‘Stand clear – starting’, good and loud, is better than ‘Clear prop’. To a non-aviation person that sounds like ‘Clear plop’. After the call, visually check before the actual start, just in case there is someone in the prop danger area.

The engine is started. A good time to let it idle at the recommend idle rpm while it warms up the entire engine. Perhaps a time to check the ATIS, select the radio frequencies or tune the nav aids. A wise pilot will not put his headset on until after start-up. Easier to hear noises from the engine bay. Fuel pumps or starter motors, working or not working. You taxi forward. Check the brakes, both sides. Check and check again that you have adequate distance from other aircraft or ground obstacles. If unsure get some assistance.

Now is the time to lean the engine to prevent lead fouling of the spark plugs.

To the run-up bay. Sometimes I use the run-up bay to do figure eights so that a new student on a tailwheel or nose wheel aircraft can get some practise using brakes, steering, engine power and control surface angles. A great confidence builder.

Park in such a way that you are not directly in front of or behind another aircraft.

Behind and you will get blown around when they do a run-up. And if your brakes fail or slip then you might just shorten the guy in front! Likewise do not park in front of another aircraft for all the above reasons. And did I mention to try and park into the wind. In short that means looking up the small hole in the windsock!

OK. You land after the flight. Is it possible to let the aircraft roll through rather than wearing out the tyres and brakes just to turn off at the first taxiway? One owner I know complained that he had to replace tyres at the 50-hourly due to flat spots on his flight school line aircraft. For turbocharged aircraft the roll through will assist with progressive cooling rather than a quick shut down.

Back to the tie-down patch. After shutdown it is good to leave the tail beacon switch ‘On’. As you move away from the aircraft turn and face it and give it the High Five. Five fingers, five items to check off. Tie down ropes on, tail beacon not flashing indicates the master is off, pitot cover on, gust and security locks on.

Now to some the above may seem silly things to be noted but the ATSB reports are littered with events that embrace all these items.
Think ahead, plan ahead, use a mental checklist. It works.

Contact Dave by email at [email protected]