Checks that help

Before start-up comes the walk around or pre-flight inspection as it is known. For most pilots it is a straightforward, if brief, check of the fuel and oil and then go. But wait! There is more to check to ensure a safe flight.

Over the years this writer can recall a number of items that pilots have forgotten or overlooked in the pre-flight inspection of their aircraft.

After getting the passengers or freight on board and secure and before stepping into the aircraft, stand back and have a serious look at the machine.

Have the tie downs been removed? Easier to overlook in a low-wing aircraft than a high-wing aircraft. In particular has the tail tie down been released? Have the chocks been removed? Visually check that all the fuel caps are in place and the oil hatch secured.

Have the external gust or control locks been removed? Has the propeller or wheel security lock been removed? Have the pitot tube covers been removed? Are you sure that no bags have been left on the tarmac (“Oh, but I thought that the pilot was going to look after that for me,” said the passenger). Is the windscreen clear enough for me to safely taxi and fly with? With the passengers on board check to see that doors and baggage hatches are secure. The doors on nose baggage and nacelle lockers need to be secure and preferably locked to prevent opening on takeoff or in flight. Are the cowling latches secured? Double check.

The list continues.

Does the pilot have all required charts and does the portable GPS have charge enough for the flight and then some? If flying within 50nm of the edge of a chart it is a good policy to have the next chart in case of a diversion.

Last but not least have a look at the intended taxi out path. Is it wide enough and clear of obstructions? No refuelling or service equipment in the intended path of the aircraft? Then have a look at the intended return taxi path back to the parking area. Again, is it wide enough and clear of obstacles? All the above may seem like trivial things and hardly worth noting, but over a long time this writer has seen and heard of events, some catastrophic, that have resulted from pilots not paying due attention to the items noted.

Once back on the ground

After shutdown and the paperwork is closed off the typical pilot just wants to leave the aircraft and get on with the remainder of the day.

A little trick here is to give the aircraft the ‘high five’. What is that you may well ask? As you walk away from the aircraft stop and look back at it. Raise your hand. Count off post-flight tasks on your fingers as follows: Are the tie downs on and secure? Is the pitot tube cover in place? Is the tail beacon flashing (indicating that the master switch is still on)? Make it a policy to keep the beacon switched on at all times). Are the gust locks and security locks in place? Some pilots will add extra post-flight check items such as cockpit covers and chocks to be in place as well as all doors closed and locked.

Having the aircraft properly tied down and the master switch off allows a pilot to sleep soundly at night.

Attention to detail pays dividends.

Pilot careers guide

For those seeking information on a flying career in Australia, a new book has appeared on the bookshelf – Flight Training to First Job.

“What every potential pilots needs to know about the aviation industry” has just been released and is a welcome primer for anyone considering a career as a pilot in Australia.

Written by Virgin Australia pilot Robbie Williams, the book is a good text on what it takes for a budding aviator to make it in the world of commercial flying. Author Williams tells how he started out, how he gained valuable general aviation flying experience and ultimately how he got into his current airline position.

Williams does not sugar-coat the task of gaining the experience to get that first job and then climbing the stepladder to faster and heavier aircraft and ultimately an airline position. In the preface he mentions that perseverance and a mentality of never giving up will ensure that you make it through the tough times.

Never was a truer word spoken.

Flight Training to First Job is available from good pilot supply outlets for $38. 95 or email the author direct at robert. williams@hotmail. com. au.

Recommended.

Contact Dave by email: flyer02@optusnet. om.au

Attention to detail pays dividends.