How would you like to be flying around at 4,500 ft. and lose yours wing? Well without a pre-flight inspection of your aircraft it could happen. Back in 1903 when the Wright brothers first took flight at Kitty Hawk, they even did a preflight inspection. The only difference from when they did it, they had no idea if their plane would even fly! Preflight inspections not only make you feel safe, but they could save your life and lives of those peoples flying with you. A preflight inspection is a simple routine practice.
             Your preflight inspection starts inside the cockpit of your aircraft. This particular preflight is a preflight for a Cessna 172. You first begin by checking for the proper aircraft and pilot documents required to operate your aircraft by the FFA. Next you remove the control wheel lock, which keeps the yoke from turning which may cause the airplane to want to roll while sitting on the ground. The next step is to check to make sure the ignition switch is turned to off, the best way of knowing is by removing the keys from the ignition. After that flip the master power switch to on, this turns on you fuel gauges to make sure that you have fuel in your tanks, because everyone knows fuel is very essential to proper running of the engine. Also while your master switch is on, turn on the beacon light, and landing light and check to make sure both are on and the lights are not burnt out. Then turn the mast switch back to off. Now take a fuel sample from left and right wing with your fuel sampler. Here your cross checking the amount of fuel in your tanks with your fuel gauges. Make sure both fuel caps are on correct and are secure.
             Now its time to check the outside of your airplane. First walk along the fuselage checking the "skin" or surface of the aircraft for holes or missing screws or rivets. Now that your at the tail of the aircraft check the elevator for freedom of movement and also check the hinges for the...