Preflieght for first flight after annual

[Michael 182]

I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the screws
on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke about,
looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on the rails
correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the one's I can
see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this point?

Thanks,

Michael

[Skylune]

When I was training at FRG, the CFI told me that just checking for bird
droppings on the prop was not sufficient. You gotta stick your hand into
the cowling to make sure there isn't a nest in there.

[[email protected]]

Michael,

You've got it. May I also suggest that the first flight be day, VFR
with no pax.

I've had some very interesting problems coming out of inspections
including total electrical failure shortly after takeoff and a gear
that wouldn't retract (twice).

All the best,
Rick

[[email protected]]

Michael 182 wrote:
> I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
> thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the screws
> on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke about,
> looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on the rails
> correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the one's I can
> see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this point?
>


Michael, I would suggest that you do a careful check on control throws
and directions.....ie the control input you feed in does what and how
much you expect on each of the control surfaces. There have been a
number of accidents and incidents caused by accidental control cable
reversals during maintenance. Other than that, treat the a/c like it's
a new one that you have never seen.

Craig C.

[Peter Duniho]

"Michael 182" > wrote in message
...
> I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
> thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the
> screws on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke
> about, looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on
> the rails correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the
> one's I can see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at
> this point?

That's a good question. But IMHO there's not much that belongs on a
post-annual preflight inspection that doesn't belong on pretty much any
preflight inspection. Granted, my preflight inspections take longer than
those of many other pilots. But things break, even if a mechanic hasn't
been working on them recently. :)

All of the things you mentioned are things I check on all preflight
inspections. I have found a variety of issues after an annual inspection,
but they were all things found as part of what I consider a normal preflight
inspection.

In your case, it does sound like you are talking about an airplane that
doesn't provide good access to the engine compartment during a normal
preflight, so there's justification for going the extra mile, certainly. I
have the luxury of an engine cowl that provides open access to nearly every
part of the engine, and flashlight access to the few remaining spots.

As Rick says, it's a good idea to make the first flight sans passengers; I
figure daytime VFR ought to go without saying. I believe that technically,
FAR 91.407(b) doesn't apply to inspections. I don't log the "test flight"
after an inspection in the airplane logbooks, but I do still refrain from
carrying passengers until after that flight.

Pete

[Tony Roberts]

I also check for tools/rags/screws etc left behind, in any place that they
could be left.

Tony
C-GICE

In article >, "Michael 182"
> wrote:

> I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
> thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the screws
> on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke about,
> looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on the rails
> correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the one's I can
> see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this point?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael

[Darrel Toepfer]

Tony Roberts wrote:

> I also check for tools/rags/screws etc left behind, in any place that they
> could be left.

And all fluid(s) levels (oil/brake)... Putting new disc rotors/pads on
our brakes tomorrow, wear levels prevented reuse according the the
annual we just went through on the 172F...

Course doing an owner assisted annual helps you to keep track of tools,
screws and rags... <G>

[George Patterson]

Michael 182 wrote:
>
> Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this point?

Triple-check the "controls free and correct" part. I hear it's very hard to stay
in the air after someone reverses the aileron cables.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

[Ray Bengen]

I'm sure all the ideas that'll be described will make sense, but the most
important suggestion has to be to stay within gliding distance of the
runways after takeoff and hang around for a couple circuits until all is
well.

I speak from experience having lost an engine after an annual...

Ray

On Wed, 15 Jun 2005 14:56:13 -0600, Michael 182
> wrote:

> I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
> thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the
> screws
> on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke
> about,
> looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on the
> rails
> correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the one's I can
> see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this
> point?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Michael
>
>



--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

[Denny]

In a perfect world the mechanic would have to crawl into the right seat
and go along for the first flight...

denny

[Matt Barrow]

"Michael 182" > wrote in message
...
> I've done a number of these over the years, but prior to tomorrow's, I'm
> thinking about how the preflight routine changes. I'll check all the
screws
> on all the inspection panels, pull off the engine cowlings and poke about,
> looking for anything obviously loose. Check that the seats are on the
rails
> correctly. Check the items that were worked on, at least the one's I can
> see. Anyone else have any special list of things they check at this point?
>

Double check your fuel tanks.

[[email protected]]

Good Idea - I recall reading that the British had a naval shipyard in
Hong Kong in colonial days - and used to make the local employees go
along on sea trials following maintenance work. This was especially
interesting in the case of submarines, since the Chinese are reputed to
be terrified of going underwater. The policy gave them a significant
incentive to do quality work.

David Johnson

Denny wrote:
> In a perfect world the mechanic would have to crawl into the right seat
> and go along for the first flight...
>
> denny

[Michael 182]

Thanks to all for the good advice.

Michael

[Dave]

We must be fortunate.....

Our mechanic "test flys" his work.

After he finishes the annual or other significant work, he takes it
for a flight on our dime..

We don't mind....

Actually he flys the singles that he is qualified to be PIC, and
rides in the twins ..

Dave





On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 17:11:38 -0600, "Michael 182"
> wrote:

>Thanks to all for the good advice.
>
>Michael
>

[George Patterson]

Dave wrote:
>
> Our mechanic "test flys" his work.

When I owned my 150, I got sort of used to having the mechanic stay on the
ground. The guy who did the annuals then liked his beer after work. The two of
us would've put that plane at least 100 pounds over MGW (and I weighed 140 to
150 back then). We weren't good enough friends for that either.

George Patterson
Why do men's hearts beat faster, knees get weak, throats become dry,
and they think irrationally when a woman wears leather clothing?
Because she smells like a new truck.

[Matt Barrow]

"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> We must be fortunate.....
>
> Our mechanic "test flys" his work.
>
> After he finishes the annual or other significant work, he takes it
> for a flight on our dime..
>
> We don't mind....
>
> Actually he flys the singles that he is qualified to be PIC, and
> rides in the twins ..

My mechanics don't fly, but their boss does and HE does the checkout flight.