Sport Pilot Talk

How do you check coolant level in Sportcruiser before each flight. Two CFI's I fly with have told me it can't be done. Thx.

There are 13 dzus fasteners that hold on the upper cowling. Take the cowling off and check everything, including the coolant level. It doesn't take me 5 extra minutes during the preflight. I only use the little door on top to check the oil for the same day return trip.

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Dave

deltafox has it right,
Take the time to undo the 13dzus fastners and check everything under there not just coolant before every flight!
In 3years I have never once used the silly little door on top.

What kind of tool do I need to open?

What do you check in addition to oil and coolant?

And what is the right coolant level?

Just one more reason to open the cowling:

http://lsaeronaut.blogspot.com/2011/05/pests.html

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Dave

I use a stubby flat blade screw driver. Dzus keys are available but not necessary. I check the bottle to insure the tube is in correctly and fluid present. I open the radiator cap (some say I'll wear it out, I do it anyway) and insure fluid is in there. All hoses secure. All plug wires secure. All electrical wire connected, no discoloration. Engines mounts, exhaust, carbs, and generally the overall condition.

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Dave

One thing I have learned about the oil cap, Dave, is that the 'joint' between the gold center disc, and the silver cap should be lightly lubed with motor oil so that when you turn the cap, on or off, the center gold disc (bout dime size) should NOT turn. The gold disc is connected to the gasket underneath, and this should not be turning while cap is coming off or on. Have seen one Rotax engine lose it's coolant that way in a PS. I think the replacement cap was $88!!