Pre-Flight Check Flashcards
You’re checking out the maintenance logbook, and you see that the last annual was done on February 2nd, 2016. Today is February 10th, 2017. Can you fly?
According to FAR 91.409, an annual inspection needs to occur within the preceding 12 calendar months from the date it was last performed. This means that you can fly the plane all the way up to February 28th, 2017 before it needs an annual.
You check your oil, and it’s just under the low mark on the dipstick. Assuming you’re a private pilot, can you top if off yourself, or do you need a mechanic to fill it for you?
According to FAR par 43, (c) Preventive maintenance (6) “Lubrication not requiring disassembly other than removal of nonstructural items such as cover plates, cowlings, and fairings.” is allowed by licensed pilots.
If you take a fuel sample and there’s water in it, where will it be in your strainer?
If you have water contamination, it will sink to the bottom of your fuel strainer, because water is heavier than avgas.
You check your aircraft lights, and your green nav light is burned out. Can you fly during the day (VFR) with it inoperative?
According to 91.205 (c) (2), approved position lights (nav lights) are required for night flight, but not for day. As long as you make the lights inoperative per 91.213 (or an MEL, if that’s what you have), you’re good to go.
Finally, you hop back in the cockpit and get ready to start running your before-start checklists, when you notice that your clock isn’t working (this preflight isn’t going very well). Can you fly during the day (VFR) with it inoperative?
According to 91.205 (b), you don’t need a clock for daytime VFR flight. So as long as you make in inoperative per FAR 91.213, or MEL it if you have a minimum equipment list, you’re good to do.
