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Trike Inspection Checklist

Triker’s Corner (Jeff Stewart, September 2002.) This is a somewhat detailed checklist for pre-flighting a trike. It looks like a lot but it can be completed fairly quickly. For a REALLY detailed pre-flight inspection checklist get a copy of “Trikes - The Flex-Wing Flyers” by Lucian Bartostik and Hal McSwain. Remember to use your eyes AND your hands when pre- flighting your trike... TRIKE PRE-FLIGHT CHECKLIST A) WING - WEAR & TEAR; ALIGNMENT & STRUCTURE; CONNECTIONS - inspect for dents/bends in leading edge tube - fabric wear on leading edge, both surfaces - inspect inside wing for mice etc. - cable wear: check lower fore & aft rigging wires for fraying - underwing inspection flaps where cables attach to cross tube - check attachment points of all other lower rigging cables - ensure swan clamp in nose is secured - check cross tube tensioning cable(s) at rear of keel for tension - check wing tip deflectors for positioning - check trailing edge for batten security - check wing for excessive moisture - inspect A-frame thoroughly - inspect hang point thoroughly; use eyes and fingers - nose catch secure, pin locked, nose cover velcroed securely - check luff lines and attachments to king post - stand 20 feet behind trike: check wing symmetry B) TRIKE CARRIAGE - LANDING GEAR; MAIN FRAME, CONTROLS - tire wear, inflation, valve alignment - wheel bearing play/grinding, creep marks (if tire shifts on rim) - main gear in symmetry; axles intact; main gear struts unbent - nose wheel play; front suspension; fork free from play or bending - wheel/axle nuts secure - all tubes for cracks, bends or dents; especially main keel - check engine mount for cracks; condition of rubber lord mounts - check seatbelts - mast: unbent, undented and untwisted - check all surfaces for corrosion - check bolt holes/fittings for hair line cracks or hole elongation - check foot & hand throttle and choke lever for tightness - check brake pedal for full range of motion or excessive play - control cables for chafing, corrosion and proper sliding motion - nose wheel brake releases fully; brake stops wheel effectively - brake cable fittings properly positioned for tension - foot throttle returns to neutral position on release - check grease fittings on front wheel steering mechanism - instruments secure, clean & checked when engine on - ignition kill switches protected from accidental movement - check for loose seat cushions etc.; ensure saddle bags zipped C) POWER DRIVE - ENGINE; ENGINE MOUNTS; REDUCTION DRIVE - sparkplugs: under 25 hrs, plugs not oiled or burnt, torqued properly - plug wires/caps firmly attached to spark plugs - air filter: securely attached (wire-locking), “lubricated” (not dry) - engine casing sealed & gasket intact (check for leaking gas/oil) - exhaust manifold bolted, no leaks in flange area - exhaust ball joints free to move; high temperature lubricant present - exhaust springs: wire-locked, not chafing, secured with silicone - check fuel level & fuel/oil ratio - fuel tank secure, fuel drain valve (on bottom of tank) not leaking - fuel tank properly vented; check for insects blocking vent tube(!) - fuel lines secure & clamped, not kinked, cracked or leaking - fuel filter clear of large debris - fuel primer bulb relatively new (if not, replace it) - carburetor needle on either “summer or winter” setting - carburetor: clean, clear of debris, no leaks, intact - rubber intake manifold uncracked and securely clamped - carburetor: throttle cables return to fully closed position - carburetor: float bowl retaining clips in proper location - cooling fan intact, freely moveable, no debris inside, belt intact - gear reduction drive: no excessive gear axis play; no leaks - rotate prop to check for abrasive sounds in gear box and crankcase - check propeller flange/bolts & nuts - check prop blades carefully for knicks or cracks; remove bug guts - check entire engine for foreign objects (stray tools etc.)

 

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