Aircraft Check Out & Maintenance
Guideline
The following items
should be checked regularly, at least before the first flight every flight
date. It is recommended that most items be checked after each flight date,
at home, so there will be no sunrises at the field next time out. Do not
fly aircraft that does not pass all of these criteria.
-
Propeller & spinner
secure - propeller properly balanced & undamaged - Do not use a damaged
propeller.
-
Engine bolts secure
to mount - Mount secure to firewall.
-
Fuel tank secure, preferably
in foam rubber - Tank clunk free.
-
Receiver, battery, all
servos secure - Receiver in rubber - Wires clear of all moving control
horns & pushrods - Antenna clear of servos.
-
Minimal free play in
servo horns & pushrods - Control horns secure - Clevis' secure with
safety retainers.
-
All control surface
hinges secure (especially ARFs) with minimal gap - Free movement (no binds)
all control surfaces - Rudder, elevator, ailerons
-
Throttle travel, idle
to full - Shut off travel OK - No servo bind at full throttle (nothing
drains a battery more than a servo bind.)
-
Nose wheel straight,
at least sensitive position - Roll test on pavement
-
Aileron servo connected
- Retainer or baffle to keep aileron wire from entangling in aileron rods.
-
Rubber band quantity
& installation - Do not use old or used rubber bands. Recommended installation:
2 criss-cross, 6 straight (3 each side), 4 criss-cross
-
Balance empty (no fuel)
- Do not fly a tail heavy aircraft. Remember, a nose heavy plane flies
sluggish; a tail heavy plane usually only flies once.
-
AMA number & proper
identification - Name and address inside
-
Receiver battery voltage
- Do not operate below 4.9 volts.