Check the Undercarriage on Every Pre-Flight

In the pre-flight, check wheel hubs for orange or pink brake fluid, feel tyres for flat spots, and make sure the wheel fairings are secure and undamaged.

27 June 20251 min readKapiti Aero Club safety team

We often focus on fuel, oil and control surfaces during a pre-flight, but the undercarriage deserves attention too – there are several key things to check.

Brake fluid leaks: check around the wheel hubs. The fluid is usually orange or pink and can be easy to miss, especially on dark tarmac.
Tyres: look closely at the tread and run your hand over the surface to feel for flat spots. These can develop from hard braking and aren't always easy to spot.
Wheel fairings: check they're secure and free from damage.

As always, let one of the instructing team know if you notice anything unusual.

Check the Undercarriage on Every Pre-Flight

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