Section 8.

RADIO

FIGURE 8-l. Inspection chart-radio.

Radio equipment should be removed pe-

riodically by certificated personnel to inspect
shock mounts and bounding, and to clean and
inspect racks and adjacent structure. Plugs
and connectors should be opened and inspected
for corrosion, dirt, and moisture. Ensure that
all plugs and connectors are properly mated
and secured.
Disconnect battery ground cable BEFORE
removing radio equipment. Check for broken
bonding strips. Poor radio reception will gen-
erally result from broken bonding strips.
Examine installation of communication and
navigation equipment (transceivers, ADF,
OMNI, DME, etc.) for security of attachment,. FIGURE 8-2. Communication/navigation equipment
Check all jacks, knobs, and switches for se- installation checkpoints.

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 curity. Volume controls should work smoothly. Inspect dynamotors for security of attach-
Swit.ches should have positive action. Indi- ment and clean1 iness. Inspect. power supply
cator dials should be clean and have proper installation for security of attachment. Check
motion. Check for defective light bulbs. Spare wiring and connections for proper grounding,
light bulbs and fuses should be readily avail- condition, insulation, and security. Check
8 able in the cockpit or cabin. switches for operation and condition.
Periodically, check the voltage regulator . sys-
t em. Low voltage settings will result in im-
proper radio opera.tion. High voltage setting
(over 10 percent) may result in damage to
radios, particularly t,hose incorporating tran-
sistors.

FIGURE 8-3. Bonding radio equipment to shock mount.

FIGURE 8-5. Typical communication/navigation
Inspect electrical wiring and shielding for equipment control.
defects, chafing, and security. Ensure that
connections, terminals, and clips are tight. An operational check should be performed
Look, for evidence of shock mounted equip- on all equipment during engine warmup. Re-
ment contacting adjacent components or struc- ception should be free of interference caused
ture. Inspect fuses for corrosion, continuity, by ignition, boenerators, navigation lights, or
and security. any other electrical or mechanical unit.
Headsets and microphones should be in-
spected for broken or sticking switches, and
dirty, worn, or damaged plugs. Inspect cord
for wear and damage.
Unsatisfactory operation of communication
or navigation equipment should be referred to
authorized personnel for repair or adjustment.
Open junction boxes and inspect for extra-
neous material, security of connections, and
condition .of wiring and cables. Inspect remote
control shafts for condition, security, and ease
of operation.
The emergency locator transmitter (ELT)
should be inspected for general condition, se-
curity of attachment, and other defects. The
FIGURE 8-4. Communication/navigation equipment antenna cable and remote switch cable should .
shock mount. be securely attached with no corrosion of com- ..

.
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 F~URE 85. Antenna installations checkpoints.

ponents and routed so as not to interfere with Check antennas for condition and security
controls. Be sure that the battery replacement of attachment. Inspect wire antennas for
date has not expired. Look for leakage and proper t.ension. Inspect insulators, fittings,
corrosion of the battery pack or ELT unit if terminals, and supporting masts for condition
and security. Clean all insulators.
batteries are utilized internally. Inspect the
ELT antenna for security, corrosion, or ,4 broken antenna may foul the controls or
cause other damage. Inspect rigid antennas
damage. Inspect the cockpit ELT remote
and masts for evidence of lightning strikes.
function switch for security and proper posi-
Check rubber seals for evidence of cracks or
tion. Note: Operational tests may be con- leakage.
ducted only at certain times. Generally,
Check manual and automatic rotation of
. operational tests will be performed by repair automatic direction finder (ADF) loop.
agencies following maintenance or repair of
ELT.

FIGURE 8-8. ADF antenna-fixed loop.

Refinishing an ADF loop housing requires

a special paint.
Inspect trailing edge static wicks for proper
FIGURE 8-7. ADF Antenna-internal loop-tail mount. length, condition, and security.
3
 Section 9. MISCELLANEOUS

Miscellaneous equipment should be inspected

for general condition, proper storage, and to
ensure that it is readily accessible. Ensure
that all equipment is secured so that it cannot
interfere with the controls.
Parachutes, lift rafts, flares, and similar
emergency equipment should be inspected by
qualified, personnel within prescribed time pe-
riods according to manufacturer’s recommen-
dations. All noted defects or discrepancies
should be referred to an approved repair
facility .

FIGURE 9-2. Autopilot control panel.

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FIGURE 9-l.
9-1. Rotating beacon instabtioa
indlation.

Inspect rotating or flashing beacons for se-

curity of mounting, cleanliness, and general
condition. Inspect wiring for condition and
possible chafing. Check switches for proper
operation. Examine connections for tightness,
corrosion, and condition of insulation. Ensure
that fuses or circuit breakers are in good con-
dition and operating satisfactorily.
Inspect the autopilot system for general con-
dition, security of attachment, and for other
defects. Functional checks should be per-
formed in accordance with the manufacturer’s
instructions. 9-3. Emergency locator transmitter - remote mou.n$
 Check ELT mounting and connections for
security. Check batteries for expiration/re-
placement date. Any evidence of corrosion
should be investigated by qualified personnel.
Perform an operational check periodically.
Fire extinguishers should be checked for
indication of being discharged, proper quantity
of extinguishant, and location-away from
any area of excessive heat or direct sunlight.
The first aid kit should be checked to deter-
mine the condition and sufficiency of its con-
tent.

9-d. Emergency locator transmitter - portable mount.

76
 The following Preflight Inspection Check- Lights-navigation and anticollision
list may be used as a guide when developing lights for condition and security.
a preflight checklist for your aircraft. It
should be modified to suit the aircraft type 4. Fuselage : Left. side
and to incl ude the manu factu .rer’s recommenda- Same as item 2.
tions (normally found i:: the Pilots/Owners
Operation Handbook). 5. Wing:
The numbers on the inspection chart cor- Control surface locks-“REMOVE.”
respond t.o the numbers indicated on the item-
Control surf aces, including flaps-dents,
ized list. By following the numerical route,
cracks, excess play, hinge pins and
an effective and organized preflight inspection
bolts for security and condition, mov-
can be accomplished.
able surfaces for full travel and free-
1. The first three items to be accomplished dom of movement.
are : General condition of wings and cover-
Battery and ignition switches-OFF ing-torn fabric, bulges or wrinkles,
Control locks-REMOVED loose or missing rivets, “oil cans,” etc.

Landing gear control-GEl’lR DOWN 6. Wing t.ip and navigation light,-condi-

,4ND LOCKED tion and security.
After completion of item Number 1, proceed
with the preflight inspection. 7 . Deicer boots-general condition and se-
curity.
Carefully observe the general overall ap-
pearance of the airplane. Landing light-condition, cleanliness,
and security.
2. Fuselage: Right side Stall warning vane-freedom of move-
Exterior of cockpit doors/passenger ment. Prior to inspection, turn
door-check for security of hinges and switch “ON” so that stall warning
latch lock. Check condition of skin signal can be checked when vane is
and windows. deflected.
Baggage compartment-contents secured
and door locked. 8 . Landing gear :
source-free from ob- Wheels and brakes-condition and se-
Airspeed static
curity, indications of fluid leakage at
structions.
fittings, fluid lines, and adjacent area.
. Condition of covering-missing or loose
Tires--cuts, bruises, excessive wear, and
rivets, cracks, tears in fabric, etc.
proper inflation.
3. Empennage : Oleos and shock struts-cleanliness and
Deicer boots-condition and security. proper inflation.

Control surf ace locks-“REMOVE.” Shock cords-general condition.

Fixed and movable control surfaces- Wheel Fairings-general condition and

dents, cracks, excess play, hinge pins security. On streamlined wheel fair-
and bolts for security and movable sur- ings, look inside for accumulation of
faces for full travel and freedom of mud, ice, etc.
movement. Limit and position switches-security,
Tailwheel-spring, steering arms and cleanliness, and condition.
chains, tire inflation, and condition. Ground safety locks-“REMOVE?

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 Fuel quantity in tank: 15. Pitot:
Fuel tank filler cap and fairing covers- Pitot cover-“REMOVE.”
secure. Pitot and static ports-free of obstruc-
Fuel tank vents-obstructions. tions.
When fuel tank is equipped with a quick General condition and alignment.
or snap-type drain valve, drain a suf- Deicer boots and landing edge of wing.
ficient amount of fuel into a container
to check for the presence of water and 16. Same as item 6 (Wing tip and navigation
sediment.. light-condition and security). ’

10. Engine : 17. Same as item 5 (Wing).

Engine oil quantity-secure filler cap.
General condition and evidence of fuel 18. Cockpit:
and oil leaks. Interior of cockpit door/passenger doors
Cowling, access doors, and cowl flaps- -check for security of hinges and
condition and security. latch or lock. Check for condition of
door linings.
Air inlet screen--cleanliness and security.
Drain a sufficient quantity of fuel from Cleanliness and loose articles.
the main fuel sump drain to determine Windshield and windows-obvious de-
that there is no water or sediment re- f ects and cleanliness.
maining in the system. Safety belt and shoulder harness-con-
11. Nose landing gear: dition and security.
‘Wheel and tire-cuts. bruises, excessive Check security and adjustment of pilot’s
wear, and proper inflation. seat.
Oleo and shock strut-proper inflation Pilot’s seat-locked.
and cleanliness.
Adjust rudder pedals to ensure full rud-
Wheel well and f airing-general condi- der travel.
tion and security.
Check all flight control surface and trim
Limit and position switches-cleanliness,
tabs for full travel, right or left, up
condition, and security.
or down.
Ground safety lock-“REMOVE.”
Trim tabs-“SET.”
12 . Propeller :
Parking brake-“SET.”
Propeller and spinner--security, oil
leakage, and condition. Landing gear and flap switches or levers
in proper position.
Bo particularly observant for nicks and
scratches. If the engine runup will be Check all switches and controls.
accomplished at this location, ensure Cabin atmosphere control system.
that ground area under propeller is Oxygen system.
free of loose stones, cinders, etc. Communication system.
Emergency locator beacon.
13. Fuel tank :
With a fireguard’ available, start the
Same as item 9.
engine/engines and proceed with en-
14. Landing gear : gine run-up following the engine man-
Same as item 8. uf acturer’s recommendations.

79
 Section 11. AFTER STORAGE

After storage, an aircraft, should have a thor- Fuel tank vents.

ough inspection. It is especially recommended Pitot tubes.
for aircraft that, have been tied down outside, Fuselage interior and baggage areas.
or stored for an extended period of time. Air- Interior of wings and cont.rol surfaces.
craft are frequently used for nesting by insects, Static vents.
birds, and animals. Bird nests in air intake Exposed drain tubes.
scoops will impair airflow, result in excessively Open wheel wells.
rich mixtures, and may even cause engine stop- Engine cylinders and baffles.
page. Nests lodged between engine cylinders Fluid lines and hoses.
and engine baffles c-an cause overheating, pre-
Winter Operation
ignition, detonation, and fires.
When fuel caps are flush with the wing
Bird nests may also be found inside wings,
upper surface, they may collect water in the
control surfaces, and fuselage, if there is an
filler overflow well. This water may freeze
entrance available. Wheel wells of retractable
during cold weather operations, resulting in
landing gear aircraft are a favorite nesting
blockage of the fuel tank vent and engine op-
area.
eration. Partial obstruction of the vent may
cause erratic engine operation and loss of
power. In aircraft using engine-driven fuel
pumps, the tank may collapse causing struc-
tural damage.
Check carburetor air scoop for obstructions
and open the drain if so equipped. Reclose.
Check carburetor air filter screens for obstruc-
tions to airflow from ice and snow accumula-
tion.
Drain fuel tank sumpa regularly. Water
can form in the fuel tank and t.his can result
in restricted fuel flow, cracked lines, and
cracked fuel strainer bowls.
FIGURE 11-l. Bids nest. Blowing snow may seep into the fuselage,
Insect nests can obstruct fuel tank vents and wings, and control surfaces, where it will melt
cause lean mixtures and fuel starvation. Mice and may accumulate in a low point and freeze.
will cut rib stitching and make the wings un- The weight of this ice: may be great enough to
safe. Excretions from rodents are highly cor- seriously affect. safe flight. Make sure that all
rosive to aluminum alloy metals and are frost, snow, and ice are removed from the air-
harmful to fabric and wood. Deterioration craft,, especially from the top of wings and
or excessive weather-checking of fuel, oil, hy- other airfoil surf aces.
draulic, or induction hoses may result in leaks Check for proper operation of oil cooler
and faulty operation. In view of these facts, shutters or use of covers as specified by the
it is mandatory that the following be checked: aircraft manufacturer. Determine that the oil
Oil coolers and intake scoops. used is recommended by the engine manufac-
Carburetors, intake screens, and passages. turer.

80