Today's brief:

• Damage checks: Back to basics on preflighting a rental. 
• Plus: Canada nixes its aircraft luxury tax, and CAP sunsets its glider program.

🛩️ Estimated time en route: 4 minutes

When you begin flight training, there’s a lot you don’t yet know—including what “damage” looks like on the airplane you’re renting. Even after you’ve earned your certificate, when the airplane isn’t your own, it still deserves extra attention.

Let’s be honest: most shared-use airplanes have a few scars. A little hangar rash, some cracked fairing plastic, a missing screw, maybe a small dent or two. None of that necessarily means the airplane isn’t airworthy—but it does mean you need to know what’s normal, and what’s not.

More than just a walk-around

Think of the preflight inspection like checking a rental car for scratches before you drive off the lot. The big difference? Your airplane inspection is guided by an aircraft-specific checklist—often performed as a flow. Oh, and the stakes are much higher.

If you’re interrupted during preflight, back up three items on the checklist before resuming. It’s a simple habit that helps prevent missed steps.

Pro Tip: Consider checking the fuel level first. That way, if you need to call the fuel truck, you can do it early and give them time to arrive while you complete the rest of your inspection.

Always use the aircraft’s specific checklist. If you don’t have one, refer to the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH)—it’s required by regulation to be on board.

Protect the battery

If the checklist calls for lowering the flaps or turning on electrical items, go ahead—but move quickly. Check what you need to check, then turn everything off so you don’t drain the battery.

Leave the flaps down after testing, since you’ll need them down to inspect hinges and tracks.

What you’re looking for

During preflight, you’re checking for any discrepancies: missing screws, flat spots on tires, cracks in fairings, leaking oil, or missing placards. There’s no shortcut here—take the time it takes.

Keep small items like the control lock, pitot cover, and fuel sampler in consistent spots so you can find them quickly. And know how your school, club, or FBO disposes of sumped fuel—some have collection containers; others (less ideally) just dump it on the ground.

Pro Tip: If you find something questionable, leave the left wing tie-down in place until you’ve talked to a mechanic. It’s a simple visual cue that reminds you there’s an open issue before flight.

Ask, don’t assume

Never hesitate to point out potential issues to maintenance personnel or an instructor. What looks like a new crack might be old cosmetic damage—or it could be something serious, like structural stress or a developing oil leak.

If you find a problem (“squawk”), follow the maintenance reporting procedure—whether that’s a paper binder, a dispatch sheet, or an electronic form.

It’s never fun to scrub a flight, but making that call is part of being the PIC. It’s not a sign of bad luck—it’s a sign of good judgment.

The FAA has acknowledged an error on FAA Form 8700-2 (the Comprehensive Medical Examination Checklist), which incorrectly states that BasicMed pilots are limited to flying aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds and with as many as six occupants. The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 expanded these privileges on November 12 of last year, increasing the limits to 12,500 maximum aircraft weight and seven occupants. 

• The form should be corrected soon, now that the government shutdown has ended. However, as pointed out by AOPA, complying with the federal Paperwork Reduction Act and directives from the White House budget office could mean the form takes some time to fix. 
• The FAA has updated its website consistent with the 2024 changes.

Archer Aviation revealed in its third-quarter earnings announcement late last week that it has acquired Hawthorne Municipal Airport (KHHR) for $126 million. The eVTOL company plans to transform the airport, which is under three miles from LAX, into "L.A.'s Grand Central Station for air taxis." 

The Civil Air Patrol has decided to sunset its glider program after pausing it late last year for a review period that lasted eight months. 

• CAP noted that maintaining and replacing its fleet of 41 gliders (average age of 33 years) factored into the decision.
• CAP reported 154 active glider pilots at the end of 2024 (median age of 62). Per the review, less than 6% of CAP cadets participate in glider flights annually.

Canada is nixing the 10% luxury tax it imposed just two years ago on the sale of new aircraft valued at more than $100,000 CAD (about $70,800 USD). The tax was introduced by the previous government led by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and the change comes as part of Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget. 

Before you take the plunge, you may want to consider a few factors.