Well, spring is nearly upon us, which means for me that it is time to put the trains back into their boxes, and take the airplanes out of theirs. Does anybody have any end-of-winter maintenance tips? Beyond, of course, lubricating, checking control surfaces, etc, what are some things to check on my airplanes and radios after they've been in storage a while, so that I don't get any nasty surprises on my first trip to the field this year?


Ray

I usually cycle my battery a couple of times to make sure it's keeping a proper charge, and make sure that threre is no fuel residue gel in the tank/lines

I have a long checklist of things.

Inspect all the wiring and connections
Insoect receiver and antenna
Cycle the batteries TX & RX
Clean the fuel tanks
Check and replace fuel line tubing
Check engine bolts and motor mounts
Check the muffler ... is it on tight
Lube the engine (I use 50% air tool oil and 50% transmission fluid)
Inspect the prop ... also check for tightness
Inspect the airplane .... loose or tattered covering
Inspect the wheels ... also the retracts

How about the infamous flight box? Tools? Chargers? Extra Batteries? Glow Starter? Engine Starter? Supplies and Parts? Cleaning Supplies?

Geez .. this is getting to be a full weekend job!!

I put all my receiver packs on the charger and cycle them. I write the date and capacity in fine-line permanent marker right on the pack. That way, I can tell at a glance how old a pack is, and how it's holding up.

I also give all the engines a careful twist of the spinner to feel for any roughness in the bearings. I pressure check my fuel tanks/lines by plugging the carb and muffler lines and blowing into the fill line.

Now is also a good time to check control linkages. It seems I usually find a clevis or two missing its little fuel-line security keeper. Good time for a hinge check, too, especially if you use CA hinges.

It's a lot easier and even fun to fix stuff up now before flying weather gets here and you want to be flying, not fixing!

Good flying,
desmobob

Since we never really shut down for winter I just take it down from the ceiling, charge the batteries, and go fly. Of course I do normal maintenance throughout the year to keep it flying.

Ken