170’, the points you make are undoubtedly sound and steeped in tradition.
Part of the preflight check for a Bell 206, for example, calls for ‘Engine – condition, security of attachments …throttle linkage – condition, security, and freedom of operation…Hoses and Tubing – chafing, security and condition’ etc., etc.
Why do we have to go through such a check procedure when Maintenance personnel have just inspected the aircraft? I don’t see our distant cousins on fixed wing aircraft opening engine cowlings and poking around inside the engine bay prior to strapping an Airbus A 340 on to their backs for an 18-hour flight across the Oceans. Why do we consider it is necessary to do it immediately after a maintainer has checked our rotorcraft when our maximum flight duration is about three hours?
Today’s aircraft are supposed to be getting simpler and easier to fly and maintain. Do you think that part of that simplification should be extended to the Daily Inspection and Pre-flight check? Reviewing the Flight Manuals of the latest Eurocopter models I think that you could reasonably come to that conclusion.