Hi, great forum; a real gold mine! First time posting.
Just bought a J3 and started flying it. I wanted a comprehensive and properly sequenced checklist for preflight, so I checked around the 'net and found a few. However they were missing steps, or didn't have the correct sequence for moving around the aircraft, so I made my own. Note my plane is a c85-8.
I used a lot of information from this video:
Hope it's useful- please post your criticisms, feel free to edit, etc.
NOTE: These lists are specific to 3482N in its present configuration- your list will vary depending on your aircraft.
Best, Steve
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N3482N PREFLIGHT INSPECTION CHECKLIST 2018-11-6
COCKPIT
Magnetos off
Overhead aileron cables unfrayed, linkages secure
Throttle closed
Fuel on
Trim neutral
Primer locked
Carb heat off
Test tank drain for contaminants
Rudder pedals & brake linkage secure
No leaks in hydraulic brake reservoirs (red fluid)
Control stick cable attachment secure, cables unfrayed
Airworthiness cert, registration, POH, weight & balance stowed
Baggage compartment door secure
RIGHT LANDING GEAR
Rock the plane-Landing gear fasteners secure & safetied
no cracks in welds at tubing joints, bracket at fuselage
No leaks in hydraulic lines (red fluid), remove dirt and grass
Inspect brake pads
Tire inflated (15psi) & seated on hub, no cuts or excess/uneven wear
Proper tension in bungees-wheels "v" slightly, covers closed
RIGHT WING
Wing strut fuselage bracket free of rust & cracks
Wing strut bolts tight & safetied
Wing struts straight & tight
Wing fairing screws tight
Wing fabric clean, sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Aileron cable secure, unfrayed, clean
Aileron hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Aileron pulley secure, safetied & easily turns
Aileron cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Bows at end are sound & not misshapen
Lift wing-no spar movement but some flex; wheel lifts off ground
Leading edge straight & free of damage
NOSE
Windshield clean & free of cracks
Windshield fairing screws tight
Fuel cap secure
Fuel float moves freely
Oil level 3-4 quarts
Oil cap secure
Spark plugs secure
Eyebrows secured to brackets, no cracks
Cowling cotter pins secure
Propeller has proper shape, no dents & cracks
Propeller & spinner tight & secure
Exhaust pipe free of rust, holes & cracks
Intake screen clear of debris
Test sump gascolator for contaminants
Preheat cable properly stowed
No major oil leaks at hangar floor & underside of cowling
LEFT LANDING GEAR
Rock plane- landing gear fasteners secure & safetied
No cracks in welds at tubing joints, bracket at fuselage
Inspect brake pads
Tire inflated (15psi) & seated on hub, no cuts, excess/uneven wear
LEFT WING
Wing strut fuselage brackets free of rust & cracks
Wing strut bolts tight & safetied
Wing struts straight & tight
Wing fairing screws tight
Pitot tube properly oriented, free of debris & vermin
Wing fabric clean, sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Leading edge straight & free of damage
Lift wing-no spar movement but some flex; wheel lifts off ground
Bows at end are sound & not misshapen
Aileron cable secure, unfrayed, clean
Aileron hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Aileron pulley secured, safetied & easily turns
Aileron cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
FUSELAGE
Wing fairing screws tight
Skylight clean, greenhouse screws tight
Fabric sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Underside clean & undamaged
Lower longerons sound- tap & wiggle; no rust stains on fabric
EMPENNAGE
Trim mechanism crack & debris free, fasteners secure & safetied
Brace wires tight, fasteners secure & safetied
Vertical stabilizer square alignment to horizontal stabilizers
Fabric clean, sound & undamaged
Elevator hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Elevator cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Rudder hinges secure,smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Rudder cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Tail wheel steering springs & chains in place, sound
Tail wheel steering plate free of cracks, lubricated
Tail wheel fasteners secure & safetied
Leaf spring secure & safetied
Tail wheel rotates easily, no cuts or excess/uneven wear
Lowest longerons above tail wheel sound- tap & wiggle
RECORD ALL DISCREPANCIES IN AIRCRAFT & ENGINE LOG
N3482N START CHECKLIST 2018-10-26
COLD START (ABOVE 35F & CYLINDERS COOL TO TOUCH)
TAIL CHAINED
CHOCKS SET, ROPE WITHIN REACH
HEAD & OIL TEMPS VERIFIED AT 35 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR HIGHER
TWO SHOTS OF PRIMER(UNSCREW, PULL, WAIT, PUSH IN, REPEAT, SCREW)
FUEL ON
THROTTLE CLOSED
MAGNETOS VERIFIED OFF
**
PULL PROPELLER THROUGH TWO TO THREE TIMES
THROTTLE FULL, THEN CLOSE THEN SET TO 1/4" OPEN
MAGNETOS BOTH
HOLD DOOR FRAME W/LEFT HAND
GRASP PROPELLER MID-BLADE W/RIGHT HAND, PULL TO START
THROTTLE CLOSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
TAIL UNCHAINED
SEAT TAKEN
BRAKES FULL
BELTS FASTENED
CHOCKS PULLED & STOWED
DOOR & WINDOW CLOSED
HOT START (JUST FLOWN & CYLINDERS WARM TO TOUCH)
TAIL CHAINED
CHOCKS SET, ROPE WITHIN REACH
FUEL ON
**
THROTTLE SET TO 1/4" OPEN
MAGNETOS BOTH
HOLD DOOR FRAME W/LEFT HAND
GRASP PROPELLER MID-BLADE W/RIGHT HAND, PULL DOWN TO START
THROTTLE CLOSED IMMEDIATELY
TAIL UNCHAINED
SEAT TAKEN
BRAKES FULL
BELTS FASTENED
CHOCKS PULLED & STOWED
DOOR CLOSED
FLOODED ENGINE RECOVERY
MAGNETOS VERIFIED OFF
THROTTLE FULL
PULL PROPELLER BACKWARDS TEN TIMES
THROTTLE CLOSED
RETURN TO **
Just bought a J3 and started flying it. I wanted a comprehensive and properly sequenced checklist for preflight, so I checked around the 'net and found a few. However they were missing steps, or didn't have the correct sequence for moving around the aircraft, so I made my own. Note my plane is a c85-8.
I used a lot of information from this video:
Hope it's useful- please post your criticisms, feel free to edit, etc.
NOTE: These lists are specific to 3482N in its present configuration- your list will vary depending on your aircraft.
Best, Steve
-------
N3482N PREFLIGHT INSPECTION CHECKLIST 2018-11-6
COCKPIT
Magnetos off
Overhead aileron cables unfrayed, linkages secure
Throttle closed
Fuel on
Trim neutral
Primer locked
Carb heat off
Test tank drain for contaminants
Rudder pedals & brake linkage secure
No leaks in hydraulic brake reservoirs (red fluid)
Control stick cable attachment secure, cables unfrayed
Airworthiness cert, registration, POH, weight & balance stowed
Baggage compartment door secure
RIGHT LANDING GEAR
Rock the plane-Landing gear fasteners secure & safetied
no cracks in welds at tubing joints, bracket at fuselage
No leaks in hydraulic lines (red fluid), remove dirt and grass
Inspect brake pads
Tire inflated (15psi) & seated on hub, no cuts or excess/uneven wear
Proper tension in bungees-wheels "v" slightly, covers closed
RIGHT WING
Wing strut fuselage bracket free of rust & cracks
Wing strut bolts tight & safetied
Wing struts straight & tight
Wing fairing screws tight
Wing fabric clean, sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Aileron cable secure, unfrayed, clean
Aileron hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Aileron pulley secure, safetied & easily turns
Aileron cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Bows at end are sound & not misshapen
Lift wing-no spar movement but some flex; wheel lifts off ground
Leading edge straight & free of damage
NOSE
Windshield clean & free of cracks
Windshield fairing screws tight
Fuel cap secure
Fuel float moves freely
Oil level 3-4 quarts
Oil cap secure
Spark plugs secure
Eyebrows secured to brackets, no cracks
Cowling cotter pins secure
Propeller has proper shape, no dents & cracks
Propeller & spinner tight & secure
Exhaust pipe free of rust, holes & cracks
Intake screen clear of debris
Test sump gascolator for contaminants
Preheat cable properly stowed
No major oil leaks at hangar floor & underside of cowling
LEFT LANDING GEAR
Rock plane- landing gear fasteners secure & safetied
No cracks in welds at tubing joints, bracket at fuselage
Inspect brake pads
Tire inflated (15psi) & seated on hub, no cuts, excess/uneven wear
LEFT WING
Wing strut fuselage brackets free of rust & cracks
Wing strut bolts tight & safetied
Wing struts straight & tight
Wing fairing screws tight
Pitot tube properly oriented, free of debris & vermin
Wing fabric clean, sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Leading edge straight & free of damage
Lift wing-no spar movement but some flex; wheel lifts off ground
Bows at end are sound & not misshapen
Aileron cable secure, unfrayed, clean
Aileron hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Aileron pulley secured, safetied & easily turns
Aileron cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
FUSELAGE
Wing fairing screws tight
Skylight clean, greenhouse screws tight
Fabric sound, undamaged & unwrinkled
Underside clean & undamaged
Lower longerons sound- tap & wiggle; no rust stains on fabric
EMPENNAGE
Trim mechanism crack & debris free, fasteners secure & safetied
Brace wires tight, fasteners secure & safetied
Vertical stabilizer square alignment to horizontal stabilizers
Fabric clean, sound & undamaged
Elevator hinges secure, smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Elevator cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Rudder hinges secure,smooth & easily allow full range of motion
Rudder cable attachment bolts & hinges secure
Tail wheel steering springs & chains in place, sound
Tail wheel steering plate free of cracks, lubricated
Tail wheel fasteners secure & safetied
Leaf spring secure & safetied
Tail wheel rotates easily, no cuts or excess/uneven wear
Lowest longerons above tail wheel sound- tap & wiggle
RECORD ALL DISCREPANCIES IN AIRCRAFT & ENGINE LOG
N3482N START CHECKLIST 2018-10-26
COLD START (ABOVE 35F & CYLINDERS COOL TO TOUCH)
TAIL CHAINED
CHOCKS SET, ROPE WITHIN REACH
HEAD & OIL TEMPS VERIFIED AT 35 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR HIGHER
TWO SHOTS OF PRIMER(UNSCREW, PULL, WAIT, PUSH IN, REPEAT, SCREW)
FUEL ON
THROTTLE CLOSED
MAGNETOS VERIFIED OFF
**
PULL PROPELLER THROUGH TWO TO THREE TIMES
THROTTLE FULL, THEN CLOSE THEN SET TO 1/4" OPEN
MAGNETOS BOTH
HOLD DOOR FRAME W/LEFT HAND
GRASP PROPELLER MID-BLADE W/RIGHT HAND, PULL TO START
THROTTLE CLOSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
TAIL UNCHAINED
SEAT TAKEN
BRAKES FULL
BELTS FASTENED
CHOCKS PULLED & STOWED
DOOR & WINDOW CLOSED
HOT START (JUST FLOWN & CYLINDERS WARM TO TOUCH)
TAIL CHAINED
CHOCKS SET, ROPE WITHIN REACH
FUEL ON
**
THROTTLE SET TO 1/4" OPEN
MAGNETOS BOTH
HOLD DOOR FRAME W/LEFT HAND
GRASP PROPELLER MID-BLADE W/RIGHT HAND, PULL DOWN TO START
THROTTLE CLOSED IMMEDIATELY
TAIL UNCHAINED
SEAT TAKEN
BRAKES FULL
BELTS FASTENED
CHOCKS PULLED & STOWED
DOOR CLOSED
FLOODED ENGINE RECOVERY
MAGNETOS VERIFIED OFF
THROTTLE FULL
PULL PROPELLER BACKWARDS TEN TIMES
THROTTLE CLOSED
RETURN TO **
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