Wow! I way underestimated how much I would learn from asking this question. In answer to Hartmut I open the side cowl (I don't have an oil door) and pull the stick all the way out to check the oil level and color before each flight. I take the stick out, wipe it off, put it back in and out again to get a clear reading. Been doing oil checks this way since my 1949 Chevy. I never thought about only pulling the stick part way out. Certainly would cut down on the mess. But John makes a great point about pulling it all the way out and holding it up to the sun to see if there are things that shouldn't be there. I think I will continue to take it all the way out most times and use John's system to keep the mess to a minimum but now I have a better reason to do so. And when only a fast check is needed I'll pull it out only far enough to check the level thus minimizing the mess. Wow, what an education!
Mac McMahon N94184 VKX Friendly, MD --- In [email protected], Caliendo Dan <djcalie...@...> wrote: > > I read all the accident reports I see and they almost always find some way to > call it pilot error. I've NEVER seen them > blame an accident of pilot was too thorough on preflight inspection. > Dan C > > > On May 19, 2010, at 11:51 AM, heave...@... wrote: > > > > > > > I always open the side of the cowl. > > How else would I drain the gascolator and sample what's in it? > > How else would I look at my throttle link and verify it's secure? > > How else would I take a general look for anything that may not be right? > > > > Am I being too thorough on my preflight??? > > > > Eliacim > > > > > > --- e...@... wrote: > > > > From: "Ed Burkhead" <e...@...> > > To: <[email protected]> > > Subject: RE: [ercoupe-tech] Messy oil check > > Date: Wed, 19 May 2010 10:38:36 -0500 > > > > > > > > Besides the good advice of the others, I'd add that I stopped using the > > small oil-check door. My messes disappeared and my pre-flight inspection > > was much more thorough when I skipped the oil-check door and opened the > > whole side cowl. > > > > > > I know that you, like most, have already been opening the side cowl but I > > wanted to mention it in case others, like me, haven't picked up on this > > quickly. > > > > > > > > Ed > > > > > > >
