Post-Flight Checks

[paulw]

Hi

What post flight checks do one do on a YAK in general?

I do almost a complete pre-flight, but not everything.


1. Pitot cover back
2. Go around complete plane and check for potential damages
3. check undercarriage and tyres (possible cracks, etc to prevent burst tyres next time you take off)
4. Check inside engine cowl
5. Snot valve
6. Prop
7. Catching of birds in cowl opening in front. (it happens)
8. General condition
9. wash off oil and grime and wash off with hosepipe underneath before putting plane in hanger (no dripping oil on floor and to be able to see oil leaks and just general good care of the plane)
10. open fuel caps to give tanks breathing space (can't remember why exactly, something to do with tank crimping/shrinking in cold hanger overnight and tank maybe cracking?)
11. drip cans underneath exhaust and drain mod for catching oil -Edited: open drain tap
12. make sure air closed
13. all electrics off. Master in middle, not down. Radio and Transponder off. Transponder back to 2000 if you had to squawk.
14. Magnetos and especially rear magneto off
15. Undercarriage down and LOCKED
16. seat belts nicely tuck away
17. remove loose items !!
18. close canopy (you don't want stray birds S#!t in the plane and dust and least of all stray children or @$#0i$ playing with switches, gear, etc) Closed canopy difficult to open.
19. Oil topped up to minimum in case you or other next pilot don't have oil handy or forget to check.

This is what I do. Anything I should add?

We all know a YAK is like a little child. Wash it, put it to bed (Gently), switch off the hanger lights and walk out slowly and quietly and don't bang the hanger door.
Else the next time you get back to plane, you will see it was crying oil all night long, one wing on the floor and just generally sad.

[paulw]

Edit: forgot these items
20. Flaps retracted
21. Trim back to neutral position
22. Fuel tanks full - refueled
23. Cowl shutters open - to let engine cool down quicker.