https://www.driftaviation.com/journal daily 0.75 2025-10-06 https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/podcast-talking-all-things-tailwheel-with-mpp monthly 0.5 2024-04-19 https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/what-i-learned-from-my-first-national-stol-competition monthly 0.5 2024-04-19 https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/flying-feature-when-a-new-airplane-taps-into-old-dreams monthly 0.5 2023-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1a89dd7e-1339-454c-b8b3-94b6dc9d2f0e/Cessna-140-Landing-Ben-Lehman-e1680106352888.jpg Journal - Flying Feature: When a New Airplane Taps Into Old Dreams - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/learning-to-fly-a-cessna-140 monthly 0.5 2022-11-29 https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/10-common-tailwheel-mistakes monthly 0.5 2022-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/4df65918-0584-48f7-93d9-3f4152a22503/IMG_8258+3.jpg Journal - 10 Common Tailwheel Mistakes - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/carbon-negative monthly 0.5 2022-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/0d9274cd-c468-4883-bf49-4404ba9d314d/Photo+Sep+06%2C+6+10+20+PM+%281%29.jpg Journal - Carbon Negative - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/my-1950-cessna-140a monthly 0.5 2022-02-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/0fd9c1ea-acc9-4e11-9432-d5241d5c1cbe/IMG_8576.jpg Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419154757-A5ZM59OE4WRCDMQPCIXP/IMG_8285.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419175645-B4UNDXUX1FO2BAJAXTXD/IMG_6953.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419183649-PBTIW4TEYLIN5QEVDGM5/IMG_8026.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419195023-HGLEAT1KME0N2HKOAQ5I/IMG_8034.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419207754-R1BVDBJ1NC4H2S2MYXIQ/IMG_8224+2.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419374270-UNQG230ZUK00LE2HNQGX/Snapshot_20220111_150100.jpg Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419417341-J0VNMNJ7DQKN8CLBIFJ7/IMG_8828.jpg Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1644419526558-5ZL8URPLSOWSAM6HKPJJ/IMG_8215.JPG Journal - My 1950 Cessna 140A https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/aviation-gifts-that-dont-suck monthly 0.5 2022-03-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1625165459836-7RMNM1IKIDRO6F7FDQEN/IMG_6979.jpg Journal - Aviation Gifts That Don’t Suck - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/the-turn-formerly-known-as-impossible monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1622665273404-A5QEWGFY2WSUO1J5MH1Q/CremaAIR-65.jpg Journal - The Turn Formerly Known as Impossible - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/flying-tailwheel monthly 0.5 2025-10-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1617812101059-3ULKPAX7AHD8ABWYNVVE/IMG_6380.JPG Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618457804139-6YHMB3Z487YOAAQMR6U0/Teaching+Tailwheel+Flying.jpg Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618457740249-G7ZEVA8EZWY3WV69ZB0W/The+Thinking+Pilots+Flight+Manual.jpg Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618458870623-DE9QKDRLCMWU66R498IP/compleat-taildragger-pil032.jpg Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618458372151-LDZJ86G1NVGL4TLPUSK8/So+you+want+to+fly+a+taildragger+part+1 Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618458274729-3YHI4QEY5TDLELU6CVX4/So+you+want+to+fly+a+taildragger+part+2 Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618458200430-LZUQPWZZ21QVPFUYRCSM/So+you+want+to+fly+a+taildragger+part+3 Journal - Flying tailwheel https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1618458055449-KSMEK5VS9C5DK3XP7BCQ/So+you+want+to+fly+a+taildragger+part+4 Journal - Flying tailwheel https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/so-you-want-to-be-a-pilot monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631462968927-34FHZTFFIDX7LE9NTPOV/IMG_7982.jpg Journal - So you want to be a pilot https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/whats-in-my-flight-bag monthly 0.5 2021-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1614009263347-43WKS4689QLRTKGIS0IE/What%27s+in+my+flight+bag Journal - What’s in my flight bag https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/high-to-low-im-going-to-blow monthly 0.5 2021-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1610291088293-KAEDXWFU6BIQKTSQVBIQ/High+to+low%2C+look+out+below Journal - High to low, I’m going to blow https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/find-the-right-flight-instructor-cfi monthly 0.5 2022-10-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1610057424526-SQ2HI6X4LYHFF0UNYSY1/How+to+find+a+flight+instructor Journal - How to find a really great Flight Instructor (CFI) https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/a-very-wishful-pilot-gift-guide monthly 0.5 2021-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607489495459-NL3IIXYWVHEOVGIMQLEK/balloons+at+oshkosh Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607523549370-SCJITFVHZI58OZCF4P5L/Redbird+MX2+Flight+Simulator Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607523618715-DDD32OSHL11E61WIKSPP/Nasa+%7C+Past+and+Present+Dreams+of+the+Future Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607523671051-2656XH3PFDPE316O5U9J/Hand+crafted+Culver+Prop Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607523706869-6HKX69V0WXDJ1O5F7QVV/Freedom+Paramotor+Tullahuma+TN Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607524109568-NWDCXAJQFZZ8JCEML7CX/Discovery+flight+Nashville Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607524901569-B8YW9A548WWM8SHE9XNC/Mason+Wing+Walking%2C+Sequim+WA Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607525992372-3410EH888V2FEZFIO7TE/Get+your+tailwheel+endorsement%21 Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607527179817-IAQPMSQX9AKKQ5E1KYPD/EAA+Airventure+2021 Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607528059670-AHLC5O09S67B9KRM4HQ1/Coffees+from+Crema%2C+Coffee+Roasters Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607528842174-H7HHE68JI5GZH83B5I9H/image-asset.jpeg Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607529186967-I26FOEMN1DIMDIZ3VGZY/Flight+of+Passage+by+Rinker+Buck Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607529691225-H3X6UA2N4ZUXKVB14ER0/AOPA+and+Industry+aviation+scholarships Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607530777293-3975R5CEDRCYT4YN62NJ/Airline+Pilot%E2%80%99s+Historical+Society%2C+www.oncealoft.com Journal - A very wishful pilot gift guide https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/discovery-flight monthly 0.5 2021-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631464063858-L01A1BWQVHEQLTQOKSKP/IMG_7194+2.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360384529-KRZDE7BF2RZDJGGFD37Y/IMG_6525.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607357307890-7UTZ6IDINU5XJWPVO3L6/fly-18.jpg Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1649864093074-39PQP5ZJPUSWST218P6Y/Snapshot_20220367_150300.jpg Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607359454100-2QESOZ1KIKHS7RPNZQNE/IMG_5075.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360359826-GM6JCOCBI7N6Z99SMP6S/37B8130E-720A-4552-9C6C-9CA4C7A6A4A9-86DDC38D-43C5-4216-8241-59D2E1C2F43E.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463665588-COC5V4E7LR37O9J2I9CO/IMG_8012.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631464128918-HPQLMBWI4QQWPQ0J5INC/Screen+Shot+2021-09-12+at+11.26.34+AM.png Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360362595-96RG8430P28WIGO80LOX/IMG_2441.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360403408-KHQXW3EJCIVP0QBZI8MJ/IMG_6649.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360880009-EZW03DSJOWY61W00ICQB/IMG_6324A85C6FFB-1.jpeg Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607361509554-JRF0W6OOON57BLZF9FEP/Screen+Shot+2020-12-07+at+11.17.29+AM.png Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463674009-EKD560GIAQGP7ECEG47K/IMG_7788.jpg Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607361512268-C4MP8TAKVDV9EM9MJRN3/Screen+Shot+2020-12-07+at+11.17.44+AM.png Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463665240-3QQ8ALXYBIDPUU429BCZ/IMG_7188.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463666704-9O5TP1LDGPW5Y6BNZR70/IMG_2365.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607360355491-R8J15DSZEB6VTI2HHQSG/E6267D87-EA13-4AFC-A85A-2FB009F1E0BF.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463668997-VWU9NUQFHOOBPFNPCVL0/IMG_7177.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463670044-JWOI5P88GR9BHVWJ8EVG/IMG_7194+2.JPG Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1631463673193-GZSM78NGHBMPIUMC00B6/IMG_7701+2.jpg Journal - Take a Discovery Flight https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/the-meaning-of-leaning monthly 0.5 2021-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607367940005-ACHIO22MIZ9RPH49WJDM/IMG_7148.jpg Journal - The meaning of leaning https://www.driftaviation.com/journal/i-love-to-preflight monthly 0.5 2021-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607400137261-S4P2J3C5TUC83SH3RM0X/Preflighting+a+Cessna+172N Journal - I love preflighting https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1622597507872-DG8Y2L57N3SYQLS9DQBB/broken+cowling+vibration+mount.JPG Journal - I love preflighting - Make it stand out Broken cowling vibration mount found only by shinning a flashlight into the interior base of cowling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1622598371923-0GMF8SZ8Z4S8M65J9EAX/loose+vacuum+line.jpg Journal - I love preflighting - Make it stand out This loose vacuum line was only found by placing a hand on the line and wiggling it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1622598207228-WKNWNVPFR1CYZ9W3GSK9/beginnings+of+bees+nest+stall+horn.jpg Journal - I love preflighting - Make it stand out A bee decided the stall horn opening was a great place to homestead. Sadly for the bee we found his project before construction was completed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1622597913437-Y6DTUWGX9CEOO2E2O2YI/lycoming+oil+leak.jpg Journal - I love preflighting - Make it stand out Large oil leak from near top of cylinder. it was enough oil that the A&P (aircraft mechanic) recommended remediation before flight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607401189375-9OYCLG69736M12GA99G9/IMG_4916.JPG Journal - I love preflighting Always start by inspecting the cabin first. Is it summer? Check for murder hornets, trust me you do not want to discover you have a very large bee stowaway during takeoff (ask me how I know). And have you ever taken the time to peer under the dash and see how all those cables and wires intersect? I bet once you see you’ll be curious to check in regularly and make sure everything is in order. Also, preflights are a great time to engage your little one’s curious mind! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607401335663-Y2MWNZADDZT0OC2PBCWZ/IMG_5576.JPG Journal - I love preflighting Did you know that if you only get your knees greasy you can peer through the front wheel strut opening or exhaust opening and inspect the throttle cable (cable on right), mixture cable (cable on back of carb), oil / gas leaks, carb heat ducting, fuel lines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607401542789-XZTNH7812KUZ2Q4YKYUO/IMG_5577.JPG Journal - I love preflighting Again, if you put some effort in you can see both the positive crankcase and battery vent tubes. Are they are? Are they plugged or dripping excessively? What exactly are their functions? Hmmmmm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607401722190-HPSQNY9S0BM8K3Y236GQ/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting You can’t preflight without a great flashlight. Here’s a perfect example, with a small bright light you can look in the vent openings and inspect for your arch nemesis, wasps! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607401866840-QT8F1FX4ASYSFA0V6XMZ/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Guess what? These piano hinges wear out. They can begin to crack from the wingtip side in. Also, note that the hinge rod is securely fastened and not working its way out. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402009690-LM2P1EVX14S2VM36VCT2/IMG_5583.JPG Journal - I love preflighting That thing there, it’s called a jam nut. It should be tight against the pushrod end. If it’s loose that pushrod could become loose. I point this out because I asked an A&P, I was never taught what to check here, only that it should be checked…ask your CFI not only what to check but to explain the why. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402267884-8GFJNV311U3901VM57BA/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting When those flaps are extended you can see a lot! Take your time and familiarize yourself with it all. Check those cables over, they do in fact fray and there are tolerances for how many individual pieces can fray before requiring replacement. Why wait for your A&P to find it…you’re the one that’s about to go fly it. If you’re a real geek you can even bring your Milwaukee / Ryobi / Dewalt inspection camera with you and peep inside these openings until your heart is happy and full of cable-y goodness. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402542887-PF511HGRNI48TMJHBAJF/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting It’s like they say, you don’t know until you know. I didn’t know that a brake fluid leak could be easily overlooked. It’s probably not going to be a large puddle of pink fluid on the ground, more likely it could be a darkish staining sweeping back from the brake caliper or lines. Yes, clean brake fluid is typically pink but if it’s been overheated it can turn to a gray and often will collect dirt and oil when on a wheel skirt. Now I take an extra close look at wheels skirts, you must think like the fluid…be the fluid. lol https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402683964-3IZYRHA1IJ5SUFY4ENUB/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Ever since the one time I went to fly a rental C152 and found the rear horizontal stabilizer loose I always check for rigidity and glance underneath because this is where a previous pilot’s off runway adventure might show up as mud, dents, etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402853445-8XPXQ15SSUGPGSIEF3Y3/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Here’s a great example of why a small flashlight is invaluable, look at all you can see in the rear empennage! This is where I once found a mouse house. Not a big deal? Guess what, unmitigated mouse droppings are corrosive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607402874092-TX011EDR43Y5KF8NCFOE/IMG_5596.JPG Journal - I love preflighting Get yourself a great flashlight! I recommend Nebo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403006777-9UG3DAQU191NSNVD6PEB/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting One preflight with a kiddo and you’ll realize they have to touch everything. At first I was scolding not to touch, then I realized I had no idea what the tensions of the cables felt like. What was I missing by only visually inspecting? Now I touch everything I inspect, this helps build muscle memory and you learn much more about the rigidity and tensions of things and how they normally feel. Just maybe this will help you spot a problem early! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403278521-3KF5W4XOZ83KLCO2KEI1/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Know your planes belly! It can be a world of information about fuel and oil leaks. When you fly the same plane regularly you’ll be accustomed to what is normal so you’ll be able to spot what isn’t when it occurs. Be wary of a cleaned plane, all the evidence might have been wiped away! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403493627-7LZSJBAYI9PFLF5JWDJ3/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Again, using a flashlight you can illuminate compartments you wouldn’t normally be able to see well. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403517142-JASVJROUG0BDQSGHGOTU/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting The firewall and rear of the engine is one of my favorite places to peek at. You can examine everything from engine mounts, to oil lines, to electrical. Take your time and get accustomed to what you’re seeing and learn what normal is so you can spot when something isn’t. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403677808-UQBASKYG2LQ14797UMLA/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting I watch A&P’s (airplane mechanics) closely. Once, I saw one run his hand across the back of the prop. When was the last time you checked the back for dings? Surprisingly when I did this I felt many abrasions, now I familiarize myself with it so I have a benchmark for every flight going forward. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403704949-6YI8O2S38Y32DT24XQRP/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Ever started a plane where the entire engine cowl almost came loose? I have. And that’s why I always check to make sure the cowl is securely fastened. It’s just a guess, but I bet you don’t want it coming loose mid-flight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f6a6226930be12978b25b1a/1607403929542-ODARAR8O5GS8MF4Y7Z1E/image-asset.jpeg Journal - I love preflighting Using your flashlight you can inspect the cowl cooling baffling, push rod tubes, cylinder fins, alternator, starter, belt, and so on. I recently learned how important that cooling baffling is, I encourage you to google it. 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