Originally Posted by
Gertrude the Wombat
I do the "full" check every flight, not just first flight of the day. Who knows what the previous renter didn't look at properly? - it is sometimes quite clear that they were not using the checklist.
So you have just flown from A to B to drop a pax off and are going to jump right back into the aircraft and head back to point A. From your quote it appears you would do a full walk around checking everything again. There is of course nothing wrong with this I just personally don't think there is a lot of value in it because IMO a problem with most of the stuff you are going to look at would have been obvious on the flight you just completed. In these kinds of situations I would just complete a walking pace circle around the aircraft looking for anything "hanging or dripping", dip the tanks, check the oil level and get in and go.
One point I did not mention but is important is to make the effort to take a look at the aircraft belly. Evidence of engine compartment oil or fuel leaks will often only be on the belly so get on you knees and take a good look.