How to Remove a "Remove Before Flight" Ribbon
Small aircraft use a system of instruments known as the gauges or panel. Prior to each flight, you must walk around the aircraft doing the pre-flight check. This includes checking the airframe, landing gear and tires, fuel, oil, and removing the "Remove Before Flight" tags from the pitot tube. The pitot tube takes in air and runs it through a series of highly calibrated gyros to provide air speed, wind direction and pressure readings. If the pitot cover is left on, it presents a potentially life threatening situation.
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Instructions
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Pitot Ribbon
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1
Look under the wing of the aircraft to find the pitot tube sleeve ribbon. The sleeve ribbon is typically red and may or may not include a "Remove Before Flight" tag.
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2
Undo the hook-and-loop closure on the back side of the ribbon.
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3
Slide the pitot tube ribbon-cover from the tube like you remove a sock. Look into the pitot tube to ensure no detritus is clogging the tube.
Other PIns and Locks
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4
Grip the flight yoke and pull out gently to align the yoke lock pin with the steering column hole. Pull the yoke pin-flag -- eferred to as the flight control lock -- up and out from the control to free the yoke for flight.
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5
Walk to the empennage -- the tail assembly -- and check there are no tail rudder locks. If present, turn the lock wing-nut screws and gently pull the lock pin out of the empennage assembly.
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6
Walk to the front of the aircraft and check the prop. Locate any foam prop protectors and pull out from the manifold exhaust to free the prop.
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7
Remove any tie-down chains that may have a "remove before flight" indicator from the wings.
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Tips & Warnings
Take the warning of "Remove Before Flight" very seriously. The aircraft's steam panel gauges will not function if the pitot tube is covered. After removing, look into the small pitot tube hole to ensure nothing is blocking the tube. Make this part of every pre-flight check.
References
- Photo Credit cessna 172's image by Edward White from Fotolia.com
