Hey guys,
every time I walk out to a full scale aircraft for a flight (rotor or fixed wing) I perform a thorough preflight from a laminated checklist because theres just to much crap to remember before each flight. It has an aircraft inspection side then flip it over for the pre engine ignition & taxi checklist.
I think with the growing complexity & danger of turbine powered aircraft theres a market for someone to produce a preflight card.
Maybe with red pins that slide & turn green. Start with all red & if you dont get all green dont fly.
I just saw an explosion this weekend after a Hotspot went in HOT !!!..... Debri went strait into the crowd & took out a few aircraft on the ground. Sh%t happens & will never be eliminated but can be seriously reduced.
Know your limitations & respect your aircraft & hopefully we can get generations of turbine fun. I plan to make a good checklist for myself but dont have resourses or time to mass produce, & if any of you guys come up with something nice, my orders in !!!
My thoughts,
Jermaine

Hi there, I cannot help you on your specific check list but I totally agree on you about the sense of it. As an Aircraft maintenance engineer we also have to deal with those checks, specially when performing all kinds of engine ground run checks. From 1997 I fly my homebuilt KJ-66 turbines and also from that time I'm using my custom check-lists. On normal home-field operation there is not really the need for this but when you're on display with lots of people watching you tend to forget some steps, while getting rushed into the air. I fly a lot of F4c competitions and believe me, when the tension builds up the checks are of most importance! As a homebuilder, doing this for many years I think that I know what I'm doing, but a lot of people just buy their stuff not knowing the dangers involved. On the other hand when making those check lists obligatory you still must have the discipline to follow these checks where I have my doubts. Maybe the full sense of this story is that you just have to know what you are doing and practiced this some 100 times before going into public but where does this end for the hobby? This could open another discussion but if we do not, the hobby (with it's accidents) could end it for us! This all may sound very dramatic but I think that up to now we are left very free to do what we want while the technologies and dangers involved are up to higher standards than let's say some full-size ultra-light aircraft.

Gerald Rutten

As we all know check lists are an important part of all aircraft, models and full size. Let us not forget POSTFlIGHT inspections and check lists. This is where the servo security, control rod connections, clevis solder joints, hinge security etc. is inspected.
The time to do this is after the plane is taken apart and in your shop after a day of flying and ready for another day of safe flight.

As most of us have seen, a model plane goes into the ground and the pilot had no idea why. Jets have much more loads and speeds exerted on them than the smalled propeller planes. That is why more attention to detail is much needed.

Lets keep it safe so we can all enjoy an incredible hobby!!

Ken............

I don't think a generic checklist is practical. Too many different and unique things on each different type of turbine model. Each of us, if they feel they need it, needs to make his own check list for his own aircraft.

Jermaine,
Yea, what Woketman says...

Here's one specific to my Hotspot, as an example. It is especially important to use when you are being constantly interupted/distracted at flying events and air shows. It measures about 1.5" x 2.5" (#6 Arial Font size) and is hinged with tape underneath the canopy area in the fuse so I can stow it out of the way as needed.

Hello again,

Just to add another example to Tom's checklist I included my personal one. It can give some thoughts and ideas to other jetfriends and I think there are some checks on my list which will sound familiar to some jockeys...!
Mine is taped to my external start box, next to some switches. My turbines are still "old fashioned" manually started and when reaching for the buttons you can't miss the list. Needles to say that a good visual inspection back home is a must, I always do this specially after my flying day so the model is completely ready when grabbing it for a next flying session. At this home check all hatches are removed, including the ducted engine cover cap to actually see the turbine and compressor area. (F.O.D. can happen to all of us, even on your last flight when you didn't really noticed it! So true, Hans?) The landing gear is also submitted to this inspection.
Hoping to give some modellers a direction to go, but I seriously doubt if the ones who really need these pre-checks will ever use them!

Gerald Rutten.

Tom, Ive just saved that to my documents its exactly what im talking about. You are absolutely right about field and rally distractions & although I totally trust my pilot ability I dont even close to trust my ability to remember all that pre & post flight stuff for each flight session over the years.
Woketman, I agree with you also the checklist should be like wingbags & bodycovers, although I do believe you could combine certain groups of aircraft.
Im very impressed with you guys responses & as far as im concerned if I ran the AMA a pre/post checklist would be mandatory at all time & to not have one should be an automatic waiver failure...... I Know...strong words, but although Im not a ball buster I totally believe many, infact MANY MANY crashes could have been avoided with a checklist.
Tom, love the onboard Idea. Did you build the cobra ?
Jermaine

Sorry, something went wrong on the attachement.

Let's try again, Gerald Rutten.

Jermaine,

You have a good point. However, I think MOST of us do use a checklist. Not all of us use a written list though. I personally double check my flying buddies planes before they fly for the day and I have one of them check my planes. This system has worked for us for many years. The 2 most overlooked preflight checks that I've noticed recently are a range check and a battery check (with a load). I don't think having a piece of paper tied to your box will make those people any more thorough.

Mark M.

Mark I respect & value your opinion, However your system is not the industry standard in general aviation & the reason is because we are all human & it leaves far to much to chance. Besides I highly doubt you can come up with a situation where a checklist would hurt, & not everyone always flies with friends who have a clue to the complexity of turbine machienes.
Jermaine

Jermaine,

Don't get me wrong. I agree a checklist is a good thing. I also agree that it can't hurt to have one. However, we live in a society where McDonalds has pictures of burgers on the keypad and the operators still get your order wrong.

My point is, having a list and USING a list are two different things. I've seen as well as read about many incidents where a pilot flew knowing something wasn't quite right. For example, how many times have you seen a ducted fan with an engine obviously out of tune rotate anyway (these generally don't make it back in one piece). My system works for me. Is there a better way...maybe. Will my way work for everyone...I doubt it. Should everyone at least consider keeping a list (if they don't already have one)...YES! However, I would hate to see yet another thing added to the already cumbersome process.


Mark M.