Aircraft & Engine
Check the Undercarriage on Every Pre-Flight
In the pre-flight, check wheel hubs for orange or pink brake fluid, feel tyres for flat spots, and make sure the wheel fairings are secure and undamaged.
1 min readKapiti Aero Club safety team
We often focus on fuel, oil and control surfaces during a pre-flight, but the undercarriage deserves attention too – there are several key things to check.
- Brake fluid leaks: check around the wheel hubs. The fluid is usually orange or pink and can be easy to miss, especially on dark tarmac.
- Tyres: look closely at the tread and run your hand over the surface to feel for flat spots. These can develop from hard braking and aren't always easy to spot.
- Wheel fairings: check they're secure and free from damage.
As always, let one of the instructing team know if you notice anything unusual.