Every Safe Flight at KCAK Starts on the Ramp

After a summer thunderstorm, your SR22 sits overnight on the KCAK ramp. A careful, unhurried walk-around can reveal:

• Contaminated fuel (water in the sumps)
• Loose or missing fuel caps
• Foreign objects (yes, even a small bird nest in the cowling)

Any of these can compromise safety before you even start the engine.

Pro tip: Move slowly and systematically. Your best safety gear is your attention.

• Fluids: Oil at proper level; no visible leaks.
• Fuel: Caps secure; quantity checked against plan; sump each tank until clear.
• Airframe & Surfaces: Hinges, linkages, and control security; check for nicks/dings.
• Inlets & Antennas: Cowling intact; no obstructions; static/pitot ports clear; pitot cover removed.
• Landing Gear & Tires: Inflation, tread, and condition; no cords or flats; brake lines intact.
• Lights & Avionics: Beacon, nav, strobes, landing/taxi; PFD/MFD boot; GPS databases as required.
• Docs & Tools: ARROW docs, checklists, fuel tester, flashlight.

Local lesson learned: A pilot once caught a flat tire before taxi. That delay on the ramp beat a gear issue on the roll by a mile.

• Control check: full, free, and correct movement.
• Switches & breakers: set; no popped CBs.
• COM & audio: working; intercom checked.
• Environmental & defrost: as needed for conditions.

A pre-flight is about confidence. When you know the airplane is ready, you can focus on flying—not on what you might have missed.

1. Walk the left wing → nose → right wing → tail → cockpit (same order every time).
2. Fuel & oil verified; sumps clear; caps on.
3. Tires & brakes good; no flats or leaks.
4. Covers/pins removed (pitot, tie-downs if departing).
5. Controls & lights tested; avionics online.
6. Dispatch decision: If anything’s off, stop and resolve.