We don’t mean to stop flying for a while. It just happens. Something pops up at work, we experience an illness, or we win a trip to Paris. By the time we get back to the airport, we realize that it’s been a long time since we flew.
This situation is common in warmer climes, where flying conditions are great all year long. But I also know pilots who live in northern states who keep flying in the winter.
There’s plenty of advice on how to store your airplane, but there isn’t much information about what to do if you never followed the procedures for storage. The assumption is that you did follow procedures; in that case, you simply reverse the steps. What if there are no steps to reverse?
The one thing I wouldn’t do is not worry about it, jump in, and go. Here are the most common errors and what to do to stay safe.
Energy. Batteries lose their power over time, as you know well. You may want to consider an aviation type trickle charger that you use routinely.
Fuel. Aviation gasoline is pretty durable, but automotive gasoline is not. If you left autogas in the tanks, it will turn to gummy sludge over time. Follow the advice your engine manufacturer gives you, which should be quite specific. You can also ask the engine manufacturer about fuel grades and additives.
Inspect all lines and filters. If the auto gas has left a gummy mess, it will be critical to get everything cleaned up and free flowing again before flight. Remember that fuel problems are high on the list of reasons engines quit.
Pests. What’s new since you last saw the airplane? You might find creatures found their way in. You might not notice this right away, but it could cause serious problems if you go flying. An example is mud daubers plugging up the pitot tube and other critical air-reliant openings.
Mice love sewing cord. Even a short romp inside a fabric and laced wing can produce amazing damage, creating ballooning fabric panels upon flight. Use a suction cup to check panels and look inside with a good flashlight or scope.
Materials. Do you have a checklist for inspecting materials? These items could be rubber or plastic fuel lines, hydraulic lines, hoses, and cables. Don’t assume they are in the same condition as they were when you put the airplane in the corner. The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy always increases with time; in other words, things go downhill unless you intervene.
Engine manufacturers typically give the owner a very thorough and detailed procedure for storage, and the length of time they consider okay for doing nothing. For example, Continental says, “Temporary storage is considered 30-90 days, and indefinite storage is considered to be 90 days or more….”
What to do. I recommend you have a special checklist for these situations that you add to your preflight inspection. Customize it for your own aircraft. Pay special attention to the procedures that come from the manufacturer. Also check with the type club or builders’ club on special procedures.
Now, go fly.
