UPDATE: Now that I’ve earned my wings, I’m still flying, still learning and the cameras are still rolling. This blog will remain open and active for those interested in the flight training process. However, if you want to see what I’ve been up to since becoming a sport pilot, come on over to EAA.org/abinitio to watch videos of my most recent flights. - Brady

The windshield repair on the Remos is finished, so this morning Jason and I went over to re-install the cameras and give the plane a thorough lookover. 

Every preflight we do is thorough, but an extra-thorough preflight is always good after any maintenance work has been performed.  After two hours with a flashlight, I realized there are parts of this plane I had never seen before and now feel I have a much better understanding of the plane.

I also learned the importance of familiarizing yourself with the special little quirks of the plane you're flying.  Each plane has unique items that require extra attention, or at least knowledge about. 

For instance, after reading a safety directive (PDF) on Remos' site, we took special care to check the aileron quick-fasteners today.  One of them was slightly loose, so we clicked it into place.  I normally check to make sure the aileron controls are working properly, but now I'm also going to make sure to check these connections before each flight.

Remos does a nice job posting these safety directives and other information on their site - complete with pictures showing what to look for in your preflight.  So, whatever you're flying, go find these documents and give them a read.

I left the hangar this morning feeling I was a much safer pilot even though we never left the ground.  We are going to have a mechanic check on one small thing for us (a washer on the wing strut) before hopefully going for a flight this afternoon.

So, check back soon because if the mechanic gives us a thumbs up and the weather stays nice, I'll get to go up and see if I remember how to do all this.

Update:  It seems we're needing to replace a washer, so we aren't going to be able to fly today—but next week looks promising.