Pre-flight Checklist (Part 1)

Recent comment and responses observed on several large scale email lists led us to collect this information. NASA would certainly appreciate your help if you have additional information to contribute to this Pre-flight safety check list.

I. With the wing removed, check the following items:

() Are batteries fully charged? Check with E.S.V.
() Is engine broken in?
() Aircraft must have pilot’s identifiation, AMA number, telephone # and address in it.
() Check for any visible cracks or tears.

Engine & Fuel Tank Area

() Blunt faced prop hub (acorn nut) or rounded spinner required.
() Sand off sharp edges of prop and balance it prior to installation.
() Paint prop tips either white or yellow for visibility.
() Is there any prop damage i.e. cracks, nicks?
() Is propeller properly attached? Facing correct direction and installed about the 2-3 o’clock position upon the compression stroke.
() Does engine have proper (needs definition) muffler?
() Is engine mounted securely to engine mount?
() Is throttle arm and pushrod connection secure?
() Is glow plug correct length, type, and installed tightly against it’s compression ring?
() Is engine mount securely mounted to fuselage?
() Are all engine components secure? Lock washers - Locktite - etc. Notice if there is any oily black residue on or near the engine mounting screws/bolts, or muffler mount as this is a sure sign that something is loose, or metal-to-metal rubbing against each other.
() Is there any apparent damage to fuel lines.
() Is fuel tank isolated from vibration?
() Fuel lines should not be too long to be caught in prop. Also the fuel draw line should be as short as possible with a slight amount of slack, to maximize fuel draw. Is there a fuel filter installed?
() Check to see that the fuel tank clunk falls freely.
() Is fuel tank mounted correctly in relation to engine needle valve? Center of fuel tank centered or within 1/2" of needle valve gives optimum performance.
() Is there an engine kill switch?
() Is cowl secure?

Receiver and Servos:

() Is receiver securely mounted and isolated from vibration? Should also be placed into a plastic bag to keep fluids out of receiver (fuel).
() Are all servo tray screws snug against the grommets, not crushed.
() Are all servo arms and wheels secured with a screw to the servo drive shaft?
() Are push rods securely firmly secured to servo arms. If ball links are used are they peened on or was a drop of CA placed onto the threads to secure nut.
() Are servo arms adequate in thinkness and material? Giant scale needs strong ones!
() Are the servo rails secured to the fuselage? Are they made from spruce, or plywood?
() Is the power switch in the aircraft mounted so it can not be accidentally turned off? It is suggested that if you use a rod connected to an internally mounted switch, you mount the switch where "in" is "on".
() Are all connections secure? Did you use "twist ties' to lock servo plugs together?
() Is antenna in good condition w/o cuts, breaks and frayed wire exposed? Never, ever tie a knot in the end of the antenna to affix to the fuselage or vertical fin.
() Was a grommet or fuel tubing used to line the exit hole in fuselage for antenna wire? Never fold excess length of antenna wire back on itself. If long and trails behind the airplane, you should run antenna through a control horn hole to secure it from loosely flying about behind plane.   

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