Piloteock, are you serious? I have never heard of that policy before. (Not being able to open cowlings) what is the reasoning behind this? Is somebody afraid that a well trained pilot does not know how to close a,cowling or is somebody afraid a pilot may find questionable practices? I too am flying in Nigeria, (does not matter where really) however I will always look. It is just the proffesional thing to do. By the way, I have been flying since 1974. I always look.