Preflight Checks

Sometimes we say that all model planes have an unknown expiration date. Flying any plane puts it at risk of a crash from pilot error, mechanical issues, or external forces. Most model aircraft mechanical issues can be discovered and corrected while still on the ground, keeping everyone safe from an out of control aircraft and preventing costly crashes and repairs.

The Routine Pre-Flight inspection should be performed before every flight, and the Maiden Pre-Flight inspection should be performed before the first time you fly the model, at the beginning of the flying season or after a long storage, and after any crash, repair, or alteration to the aircraft.

Routine Pre-Flight Inspection

    INTERNAL (Before attaching wing)
  1. Check servo mount, servo, and servo arms secure.
  2. Check pushrods secure.
  3. Check receiver and battery secure.
  4. Battery connectors not loose
  5. Check for loose items/wires that could foul servo arms/ pushrods.
  6. Check for fuel leaks.
    WING
  7. Check wing for breaks, warps, cracks, etc.
  8. Check aileron pushrods, linkage and clevis’ (if equipped) prior to securing wing to aircraft.
    9. ENGINE AREA
  9. Check engine mount, engine, muffler, prop nut and/or spinner for security.
  10. Check prop for nicks, cracks, etc.
  11. Check nose steering mechanism (if equipped).
  12. Check cowl secure (if equipped).
    TAIL SECTION
  13. Check vertical fin, rudder and rudder clevis foe security.
  14. Check landing gear security
  15. Check tail wheel (if equipped).
  16. Check horizontal stabilizer, elevator and elevator clevis for security.
    RANGE CHECK/FLIGHT CONTROL CHECK
  17. Range check aircraft transmitter/receiver.
  18. Check that flight controls move in proper direction.
  19. Check that flight control surfaces are in proper trim.

Maiden Pre-Flight Inspection

    INTERNAL (Remove wing if attached)
  1. Servo mount, servos, servo arms secure.
  2. Push rods secure
  3. Receiver and battery padded and secure.
  4. Battery connectors not loose
  5. Check for loose items that could foul servo or pushrod movement.
  6. Check for fuel leaks – tank area fuel proofed?
    WING
  7. Check for breaks, wraps, etc.
  8. Insure center section is adequately reinforced.
  9. Check aileron pushrods and aileron clevis’ (if equipped) before securing wing to aircraft.
  10. Brief new pilots on adequacy of rubber bands.
  11. After wing is in place, check for proper incidence and alignment as best you can.
    ENGINE AREA
  12. Firewall area fuel proofed.
  13. Check engine mount, engine, muffler and prop nut and/or spinner for security.
  14. Check prop for nicks, cracks, etc. Brief new pilot on importance of this check.
  15. Check nose steering mechanism (if equipped).
  16. Check cowl secure (if equipped).
  17. Check engine for obvious thrust misalignment.
    TAIL SECTION
  18. Check vertical fin, rudder and rudder clevis for security.
  19. Check landing gear security
  20. Check tail wheel security (if equipped).
  21. Check horizontal stabilizer, elevator and elevator clevis for security.
    BALANCE
  22. Balance aircraft with fuel tank empty.
  23. Show new pilots proper balance point and balance technique.
  24. Explain danger of a tail heavy aircraft.
  25. Tail heavy situations should be corrected prior to flight.
    RANGE CHECK/STARTING ENGINE
  26. Insure that radio batteries have been adequately charged
  27. Range check aircraft transmitter/receiver.
  28. Check to insure that all flight controls and engine controls move in the proper direction
  29. Check that flight control surfaces are in proper trim
  30. Fuel aircraft
  31. Start engine
  32. Tune combustion engine (away from pits)