The following preflight checklist has been provided by Gil Halbleib.  He says "Being that I tend to forget certain things, I made up a preflight checklist that might be of help to other flyers. I’m sure there are other checks that can be added so I welcome any additions or changes."  Links to downloadable files in Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat formats for easy printing are given at the end of this page.

PREFLIGHT CHECKLIST

 This checklist is general information intended for experienced radio controlled airplane flyers to promote safety consciousness. This general information does not supersede procedures, instructions, warnings and cautions of applicable products as well as rules and regulations of the AMA (Academy Model Aeronautics) and applicable radio controlled aircraft clubs. An inexperienced flyer is encouraged to seek assistance of an experienced flyer when performing the steps noted in “AT FLYING FIELD”.

 BEFORE LEAVING FOR FLYING FIELD

1. Run each servo to maximum throw using sticks and trims. Listen for a buzzing servo that indicates a linkage adjustment is needed or a control surface is binding.
2. Consider doing a radio equipment range check per manufacturer instructions.
3. Check fasteners for tightness such as engine mount screws, props, muffler screws, landing gear, wheel collars, etc.
4. Do a quick-check of the CG to make sure plane is still in balance.
5. Check wing bolts and their threaded inserts. If using rubber bands to retain wing onto fuselage, it is a good idea to replace them with unused ones during pre-flight preparation.
6. At least once monthly, remove fuel tank from plane and check for leaks as well as clean or replace fuel line filters.
7. Make sure flight box is prepared with charged battery, fuel, extra props, glow plugs, paper towels, hand cleaner, etc.
8. Consider drinking water, snacks, sun glasses, sunshield, hats, insect repellent, etc.

AT FLYING FIELD

1. If using a gas engine, be sure kill switch is enabled to keep engine from starting accidentally. At flying field, assemble plane making sure to connect plugs of servos in wing to receiver and connect any retractable gear linkage, etc.
2. Fill fuel tank and check fuel lines for leaks and good tension on fittings.
3. Put AMA card in proper frequency slot of flight board and be sure frequency flag is placed on antenna of your transmitter.
4. Place plane and flight box on flight line, and switch on the transmitter with antenna collapsed and then switch on the flight pack.
5. Operate sticks in all directions and make sure control surfaces are functioning properly in correct directions, and throttle and any retracts are working properly. Watch for glitches that might indicate frequency interference or radio problems.
6. If using a gas engine, be sure kill switch is enabled to keep engine from starting accidentally. Prime (if necessary) engine through carburetor and make sure needle valve is adjusted per manufacturer’s instructions.
7. Make sure throttle is set to low speed (slightly above idle)!
8. Connect glow plug connector/battery making sure it is clear of prop. If using a control panel, set heat control to proper setting. If using gas engine, disable kill switch to allow engine to start.
9. Tether plane or have an assistant hold fuselage from behind tail.
10. Flip the prop or use engine starter to turn it while keeping clear of prop!
11. Once engine starts, move behind prop and keep fingers clear of prop while removing glow plug connector/battery of non-gas engine.
12. With plane still being held, rev up engine and if necessary, adjust needle valve.
13. Set throttle to idle and if necessary, adjust low speed setting.
14. Rev up engine slowly to full speed while working control surfaces to make sure they function properly.
15. Throttle back and make final carburetor adjustments if necessary (engine still running rich or lean).
16. Once the carburetor is properly adjusted, it is a good idea for your assistant to hold the plane in a high attack mode while you are revving the engine up to about half speed and back to idle to make sure fuel feed is constant. Full speed is not recommended for .45 and larger size engines during high attack mode testing.
17. Fully extend antenna of transmitter and with the throttle set to idle, at your signal, your assistant will release plane pointed away from flight line.
18. Check for other flyers and spectators to make they are clear of the runway.
19. Rev up your engine enough to get plane to taxi and check steering is working properly. If not, bring plane back to flight line, Kill engine (including enabling kill switch of gas engine) and make adjustment to steering. Restart engine as noted in steps 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and then jump to step 17 to continue.
20. Once the plane can taxi properly, rev up engine to adequate speed for plane to take off.
21. While flying, follow AMA and flying club rules and regulations. Have fun flying but Safety First!
22. When preparing to land or do any type of low altitude pass over the runway (never fly across the runway!), always check the runway to make sure it is clear of personnel. If you are coming in “dead-stick” and personnel are on the runway, yell for them to clear the runway. You must ditch the plane off the runway if it is still not clear of personnel in time for your “dead-stick” landing.
23. Once your plane has landed, apply just enough throttle to taxi at a safe speed (slow) back to your position at the flight line while keeping an eye out for personnel that may be in the path of your plane.
24. Throttle back to kill engine and turn off flight pack and transmitter. For gas engines, also enable kill switch to prevent accidental starting of engine!
25. Take plane and flight box from flight line, and pick up your AMA card from the flight board.
26. Wipe down plane and make adjustments to control surface linkage if found necessary when the plane was airborne.

Preflight Checklist in Microsoft Word

Preflight Checklist in Adobe Acrobat

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