Spring and summer are great times to reconsider flying and taking out your aircraft. You might have your personal plane sitting in the garage, and you might be waiting for the perfect season to fly it. Commercial jets and big aircraft undergo service and repairs periodically to ensure they are fit for flying. Unfortunately, that is not true for private jets. Thus, if you own a private jet, a business jet, or a small plane, it is time to prepare it for your next flight and the summer season.
Before starting your aircraft's engine and taking off, it is better to make sure your aircraft will fly perfectly. This includes checking several things about it, and repairing them if needed, welding broken parts or structures, and getting it ready for the next flight. This preparation ensures a safe flight and avoids any mishaps.
Preparing your aircraft for the next flight after a long period of inactivity is possible by following a few steps. Failing to do so can have a negative impact on its safety and flight performance. This blog post mentions some common tips required to prepare your aircraft for its next flight.
Check For Any Required Maintenance
Proper inspection and maintenance are required for an aircraft before you can use it for a flight. This inspection should be done at regular intervals to make sure that the aircraft is ready for flight at any time. An aircraft might need maintenance after six months or so.
Sometimes, the sudden use of an aircraft is required, and at that moment, it might not be feasible to conduct maintenance and inspection. Apart from conducting its maintenance and inspection, it is also necessary to consider its maintenance history and see what was done and when.
Check which repairs and inspections were done last year and if there is any overdue maintenance. Taking a closer look at the maintenance and inspection history of your aircraft will help give you a good overview of the aircraft's condition.
Change The Oil
Just as maintenance is important, it is also important to periodically change the aircraft's oil. Different aircraft parts require oil for effective engine functioning and to avoid wear and tear. Changing the oil of important components, such as the crankcase, is necessary to avoid friction between the parts. This also helps to reduce rust and corrosion and prevent the components from failing. Conducting an oil change in the spring can help prepare your aircraft for flight in harsh climatic conditions.
Clean Your Aircraft
You might have cleaned up your aircraft prior to winter to store it. This cleaning up helps to prevent contaminants and grease from building up. However, it is also necessary to clean up your aircraft prior to the spring or summer season.
It is better to wash your aircraft well before using it for its next flight. Make sure there is no dust and grease accumulated on the propeller, exhaust, and other important components of the aircraft. This will ensure a safe and smooth flight every time.
Check The Fuel System
Condensation in the fuel system is common if your aircraft has been in the hangar for a long time. This condensation can affect the performance of the fuel and, thus, the aircraft. Therefore, you must check the fuel system of your aircraft and remove any impurities there. Check the fuel lines and valve for any leaks and damages.
Inspect The Battery
Check the battery and other electrical connections to make sure your aircraft is ready to fly. Not using your aircraft for a long time can affect its battery life. Therefore, it is better to check it before having to deal with a failed wire mid air.
Repair Any Damages
Lastly, you must check for any damages in the aircraft's parts and go for aviation welding if needed. These damages can be repaired using different welding procedures making them ready for a flight again.
About Acorn Welding
Acorn Welding is committed to complete customer satisfaction by being a reliable source of parts of unsurpassed quality, workmanship, and airworthiness. We provide quality welding processes for your aircraft of all kinds. We are also a Transport Canada Civil Aviation approved manufacturer. Acorn Welding holds ratings for Welding, Components, NDT, and Structures and distribution of aviation parts. Contact us for further information.
