PREFLIGHT

When inspecting your aircraft prior to flight, think of it as looking for trouble. Give serious effort to finding anything that seems irregular, or different from before. Progressive wear (on hinges, canopy seals, brake discs and pads, tires and tip wheels, skid plates, fabric, cracks in Gelcoat, etc.) may not prohibit this flight, but if you fail to inspect them today, you’re more apt to forget next time – and you won’t have a firm idea of how rapid the wear is. Subtle signs of progressive deterioration may be observed, sometimes for years before maintenance is necessary, but aircraft cannot heal themselves. They require constant, thoughtful CARE. 

Also, after this recent wet spell, it's smart to look close for stray water in all sorts of unusual places, like your wing roots, and all around the tail!