I've noticed an alarming trend in the fight bays among younger EC pilots. These young "hotshots" are skipping the preflight inspection before mission launch. I suspect these younger pilots have yet to experience equipment failures that could have been avoided by performing a thorough preflight before launch. You want to know that those weapons systems will be there and functioning 100% when the fur flies. Remember, it might not be just your hide but your wing man's too! Those 10 minutes in the launch bay, before engines heat, may save your life someday. Remember, with recent budget cuts, most maintenance is performed by non-EC contract labor. Even if you are lucky enough to be stationed where EC personal perform your maintenance, you need to do the preflight. To review the mandatory steps:

1. Perform a complete visual inspection of the hull. In particular, look for correct repair of any previous damage. Bang on those hull patches. Check those welds!
2. Verify proper attachment of all weapons systems. Grab them and shake them vigorously. You'll be happy you did the first time a launcher drops to the hangar floor!
3. Confirm your mission load out order. Paperwork mistakes happen. Don't find out the plasma you ordered is explosive because of a clerical error.
4. Manually confirm the weapons load out matches the paper work.
5. Inspect that ammo load is correctly stowed. A firefight is no place to find out a missile was backwards in a tube!
6. Verify that engine ducting and thrust ducts are clear of debris. You would be surprised at what can end up there after flying through a debris cloud. You want the engine to be in top form when you need it most.

Other advice: I personally suggest you watch your 90 day shield test and reactor calibration. Nothing makes me feel better than knowing I saw my shield perform under stress to spec. Also, if you have a permanent duty station, get to know your maintenance crew and let them know you appreciate them keeping your first rate. A few after-mission beers in the station lounge could save your life someday!

Finally, be aware that senior officers will begin to write up pilots that fail to perform adequate preflight inspection. You don't want to explain a simple error to avoid write up in your jacket next rank review.

In my next column I'll talk about the importance of the post-flight debrief. Until then, tear them up and make EC proud!

Commodore Amelee McConner (call sign Diva)