The Cessna 152 is undoubtedly one of the safest small airplane models around. It also happens to be the most commonly seen in many private or secondary airports. If your idea of weekend fun is getting into one and fly it over a vast countryside for a few hours, you would most likely be offered with this plane by the rental company that you deal with. This is because, aside from being low-cost in terms of maintenance, it guarantees safety to both the pilot and the passenger. Despite this inherent safety characteristics though, it is still necessary that you implement the pre-flight routines.
You should not just get inside the plane and then immediately start up the engine. As a pilot, it is your responsibility to double-check everything just to make sure that everything is working well. To do this, you may need a manual or a list of every item that has to be checked. The good thing though is that the Cessna 152 is quite a simple aircraft, which means that you do not have to worry over too many buttons and switches in front of you. As a rule, the checklist for the pre-flight routine should be right in the cockpit. You just have to go through every item to avoid possible mishaps while on air.
First, on the list would surely be the flight control lock. Unless you remove this, there is no way that you could maneuver the plane. The next things that you would have to check are the radios and electrical equipment. You should check if these are working fine. However, when you are about to taxi on the runway, you need to put off the radio first. This is, of course, after you have communicated with the control tower about your intention to use the runway. Other items that have to be under scrutiny also before you hit the runway are the circuit breakers, the magneto switch, the fuel selector, and the primer. Never forget to check the master switch.
Just to make sure that everything is functioning well, you may also have to examine the mechanisms outside of the plane. See the status of the fuel pumps on both wings. Aside from finding out if these are filled you should also see if there are no leaks. While inside the plane already, try using the controls and observe if the mechanisms on the wings and the tail are responding. Check the elevator on the wings as well as the rudder and stabilizer. If these do not move accordingly even after you have manipulated the controls, do not proceed to fly. Generally, Cessna 152 is a safe airplane but this does not mean that you should not implement the pre-flight routine. This is for added safety.
You should not just get inside the plane and then immediately start up the engine. As a pilot, it is your responsibility to double-check everything just to make sure that everything is working well. To do this, you may need a manual or a list of every item that has to be checked. The good thing though is that the Cessna 152 is quite a simple aircraft, which means that you do not have to worry over too many buttons and switches in front of you. As a rule, the checklist for the pre-flight routine should be right in the cockpit. You just have to go through every item to avoid possible mishaps while on air.
First, on the list would surely be the flight control lock. Unless you remove this, there is no way that you could maneuver the plane. The next things that you would have to check are the radios and electrical equipment. You should check if these are working fine. However, when you are about to taxi on the runway, you need to put off the radio first. This is, of course, after you have communicated with the control tower about your intention to use the runway. Other items that have to be under scrutiny also before you hit the runway are the circuit breakers, the magneto switch, the fuel selector, and the primer. Never forget to check the master switch.
Just to make sure that everything is functioning well, you may also have to examine the mechanisms outside of the plane. See the status of the fuel pumps on both wings. Aside from finding out if these are filled you should also see if there are no leaks. While inside the plane already, try using the controls and observe if the mechanisms on the wings and the tail are responding. Check the elevator on the wings as well as the rudder and stabilizer. If these do not move accordingly even after you have manipulated the controls, do not proceed to fly. Generally, Cessna 152 is a safe airplane but this does not mean that you should not implement the pre-flight routine. This is for added safety.