Aircraft Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Overall Condition

• first and foremost, the wings should be checked thoroughly for cracks, dents, and bends. Visible damage should be reported immediately and sent for repairing.

Fuel Tank

• in most aircraft, the fuel is stored in the wings. Look for any leakages.

Lenses of Positions

• also known as position lights, these are located on the tips of the wings and are used to signal the moving direction of the aircraft to other pilots in the sky. Make sure that they’re working just fine.

Cowlings/Fairings

• these are cover plates that should be taken off and cleaned (this doesn’t require the removal of the propeller). If you see any loose fasteners, cracks, or dents, remove or replace the cowling.

Fuel Lines

• make sure that the fuel lines and pumps are safely secured and don’t have any leakages.

Spark Plugs

• these should be removed and cleaned. When reinstalling them, make sure to re-gap them according to the recommendations of the manufacturer with a spark plug gap clearance tool.

Landing Gear Tires

• if the tires are worn out or even slightly damaged, they should be removed, repaired, and reinstalled (or replaced).

Landing Gear Shock Struts

• these are hydraulic shock absorbers that absorb most of the impact upon touchdown and minimize oscillations. These should be lubricated with oil, serviced by adding air, or both.

Elastic Shock Absorbers

• if your aircraft uses bungee cords, and they’re showing signs of damages, replace them.

Landing Gear Wheel Bearings

• these should be examined for cracks, thoroughly cleaned, and properly lubricated.

Landing Light

• replace broken bulbs and check the wiring in the landing lights.

Rudder

• this is the control surface that helps steer the aircraft left and right. Ensure that it’s lubricated, not damaged, and working properly.

Elevator

• this component helps move the aircraft upwards and downwards. Make sure it’s properly lubricated and isn’t visibly damaged.

Stabilizers

• these include the vertical and the horizontal stabilizers. They should be examined for any damages (such as bird-strikes).