Day 24 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge
Day 24 of the 31-Day Safer Pilot Challenge is here, and the finish line is in sight! Jason Schappert encourages pilots to share not only their check-ins, but also the habits and procedures they perform beyond what the checklist requires. Whether one is flying a Cessna, Piper, or any other aircraft, there are always extra steps that make them a safer, smarter pilot.
Student pilots and aviation professionals alike are encouraged to contribute to the growing list of “beyond the checklist” best practices. These shared habits help elevate the standard of safety and efficiency in the flight deck.
Habit #1 – Check the Quality (Not Just the Quantity) of Your Oil
The first habit goes beyond simply verifying oil levels. Most pilots check to ensure there are six quarts, but few take a moment to assess the quality of the oil itself. Is it fresh and clear? Or is it dark, dirty, and possibly overdue for a change?
Jason points out that dirty oil, even in the right quantity, can compromise your aircraft’s performance. Oil does more than lubricate – it cools, cleans, and protects. If it’s saturated with grime, it can’t effectively do its job. Before every long cross-country flight, he ensures his aircraft has clean oil – even if the oil appears to be within limits. That’s proactive maintenance at its finest.
Key takeaway: Don’t just check how much oil is left, check how clean it is, too.
Habit #2 – Know Your Engine Temperature Before Start
One of the most overlooked elements of preflight? Engine temperature. Whether a pilot is dealing with a cold start or a hot start, their starting procedures should be tailored to the engine’s conditions.
If the aircraft just landed and the engine is still warm, a standard start-up routine could flood the engine. Inversely, if it’s been sitting in freezing conditions for days without a heater, you may be setting yourself up for a failed cold start. Pilots flying rental aircraft or in flight school environments should physically check the engine or review flight logs to determine how recently the aircraft was flown.
Cold engines may need a Tannis heater or Red Dragon to warm the cylinders. Hot engines need minimal priming. Learning the aircraft’s unique start-up behaviors in different temperatures is a game-changer.
Habit #3 – Perform a “Dummy Check” Before Engine Start
Once the checklist is done and preflight is completed, Jason recommends a final habit: the “dummy check.” This final walk-around ensures no tie-downs, chocks, oil caps, or baggage are left behind or unsecured.
He recalls stories of pilots leaving cell phones, keys, or fuel caps behind – only to hear a loud “thud” on takeoff. The dummy check takes just a minute but can prevent embarrassment, damage, or worse.
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