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Safety Hub
Safety messages and practical flying reminders from the Kapiti Aero Club safety team.
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Fuel Bowser Displays
CAA has recently highlighted a change to BP fuel bowsers that is catching some pilots out. The dollar amount is now shown large at the top of the display, with the number of litres below in a smaller font.
Ground Ops8 October 20261 min read
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20 articles in Aircraft & Engine
Aircraft & Engine22 August 20261 min read
Fuel Contamination: Drain, Settle, Inspect
Around 40% of engine failures involve fuel problems – drain after refuelling and every pre-flight, let fuel settle and check it's blue and clean.
Aircraft & Engine24 July 20261 min read
Carb Icing Refresher for Cold, Damp Days
Carb icing is most common on cold, damp days but possible from -10°C to +25°C – use carb heat below the green arc and watch for it in SCADIE checks.
Aircraft & Engine17 July 20261 min read
Check Oil Quality and Quantity Every Pre-Flight
Check oil quality and quantity every pre-flight, then close the oil cap finger-tight only so the next pilot can open it.
Aircraft & Engine15 May 20261 min read
Brake Leaks, Flat Spots and Fairings
Check the undercarriage in every pre-flight: look for orange or pink brake fluid, feel the tyres for flat spots, and confirm the fairings are secure.
Aircraft & Engine12 February 20261 min read
Keeping Wheel Spats Clean
Clean wheel spats make oil and fuel leaks obvious – clean dirty spats with the green-handled spray bottles in the hangar, especially on ZK-KAZ and ZK-KAL.
Aircraft & Engine16 January 20261 min read
Carb Icing Can Happen All Year Round
Carb icing can happen in any season from -10°C to +25°C and is most likely at 10–15°C with humidity above 40%; use carb heat below the green arc.
Aircraft & Engine17 October 20251 min read
Save Your Starter Motor
Follow your starter's duty cycle – in ELA, crank no more than 10 seconds, cool 20 seconds between attempts, and rest 30 minutes after six tries.
Aircraft & Engine8 August 20251 min read
Best Practice for Managing Fuel Contamination
Drain fuel after refuelling and at every pre-flight, let it settle, check it's blue and clean, and discard drained fuel into the club jerry cans.
Aircraft & Engine27 June 20251 min read
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.
Aircraft & Engine23 May 20251 min read
Look After the Propeller
Feel prop leading edges for nicks in the pre-flight, keep the area in front clear, taxi carefully on gravel, avoid rough-ground run-ups and stay off the northern grass where possible.
Aircraft & Engine28 March 20251 min read
Walk Around the Aircraft After Every Flight
Do a quick post-flight walkaround and report anything unusual through MIFIS, even if you don't think you caused it.
Aircraft & Engine21 March 20251 min read
Report Defects, However Minor
Even minor damage such as a broken wheel spat must be reported to an instructor and logged on MIFIS straight away.
Aircraft & Engine6 February 20251 min read
Report Aircraft Damage Straight Away
Report any damage or defect to an instructor immediately and complete the MIFIS form – unreported issues, like a cracked window, can get worse.
Aircraft & Engine20 December 20241 min read
Carb Ice Forms Even on Warm Days
Carb icing is a year-round threat because the carburettor is much colder than outside air; use carb heat below the green arc and check for icing in SCADIE checks.
Aircraft & Engine1 November 20241 min read
Drain and Check Fuel Before Every Flight
Drain fuel from all points before every flight, let fuel settle after refuelling (15 min per 30 cm for avgas), and get an engineer's check if contamination persists after three drains.