Aircraft Inspection Checklist

There is a comprehensive and formal daily inspection checklist in the pilot’s operating handbook which is located inside the aircraft.

A printable version of this list is available here: Walk Around Summary.

Here is a brief summary…

 

Inside the cabin

  • Remove gust lock
  • Masters on
  • Check fuel quantity
  • Flaps down – check operation
  • Flaps up
  • Check lights (switch on, then off)
  • Beacon
  • Nav lights
  • Strobes
  • Taxi light
  • Landing light
  • Fuel tank chooser – both tanks
  • Static pressure plug (red) – in
  • Shutdown plug (red) – in
  • Avionics on – check radio stack fan operates
  • Avionics off
  • Masters off

Left side, outside rear

  • Baggage door locked
  • Left empennage sound
  • Elevator leading edge

Rear

  • Elevator hinges and static lines
  • Left and right elevator operate together
  • Rudder gust lock removed (there isn’t one)
  • Rudder movement (careful, it is tied to the front steering)
  • Tie down off

Right side rear

  • Elevator leading edges
  • Right empennage sound
  • Radio aerials sound

Right Wing Rear

  • Flap sound
  • Aileron moves up and down (other side reverse movement and control column rotates)
  • Wing end sound

Right Wing Front

  • Leading edge sound
  • Tie downs off
  • Strut sound
  • Tire inflated

Engine and Propeller area

  • Oil quantity (between 5 and 8 quarts, BAC runs best on 6 quarts)
  • Propeller smooth
  • Bird bungs out
  • Engine clean and clear
  • Front suspension sound
  • Air intake clear
  • Static intake clear

Left Wing Front

  • Leading edge sound
  • Tie downs off
  • Strut sound
  • Tire inflated
  • Pitot cover removed

Left Wing Rear

  • Wing end sound
  • Flap sound
  • Aileron moves up and down (other side reverse movement and control column rotates)