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Came across this flight review (@ 1:18) on a beautiful TECNAM P2012, and noticed the pilot is walking around with what appears to be a mirror and a stick (which I have never seen).

Inspecting with a mirror

Is this normal? It also caught my attention since she did it so quick and like at specific spot(not like the whole wing). What was she doing?

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  • $\begingroup$ I'm not convinced this is a mirror. From the way she's holding it, and the speed with which she's using it, I suspect it's a camera on a selfie stick, documenting some state of the airframe as a matter of routine. $\endgroup$ Commented 2 days ago
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    $\begingroup$ Eh, I think it's a mirror, and agree with mins that it looks like she's checking the fuel cap is closed. It doesn't take careful examination, it's either latched or it's not. $\endgroup$ Commented 2 days ago
  • $\begingroup$ Eh, you can see the face of the mirror in the video, just as she starts to lower it, slightly turning it in the process. . . $\endgroup$
    – traktor
    Commented 15 hours ago

2 Answers 2

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In short

You can look at another video on which the same aircraft is refueled at Saranac Lake, the destination airfield of this trip. The refueller employee uses tank necks on top of the wing:

Fueling

The aircraft was also refueled at the airport on your video and before starting the engines the pilot comes check the tank caps are in place on both sides. She stands where the cap is located and uses an inspection mirror on a telescopic pole:

Inspecting fuel cap on P2012

Details

Contrary to many large airliners, the fuel tanks on this aircraft are filled from the top of the wing, like this one which seems to be a Cessna Citation with low wings:

Overwing refueling
Source.

The filler necks are not self-closing like fuel couplings on larger aircraft. Fuel spills if the cap is not in place.

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  • $\begingroup$ What surprises me is that this device is somehow specific to aviation? I can think of lots of non-aviation related uses for a mirror on a telescoping stick. (Also slightly amazed you were able to find another relevant shot of the exact same plane - not just the same model but same specific plane.) $\endgroup$ Commented 11 hours ago
  • $\begingroup$ @DarrelHoffman: It's not specific to aviation, it's also commonly used to inspect other vehicles like trucks, and also for maintenance to inspect deep bays. $\endgroup$
    – mins
    Commented 10 hours ago
  • $\begingroup$ I guess it's just that the link you provided seems to be a supplier of aviation-related products rather than just a general tool shop. But I imagine these can be found elsewhere. $\endgroup$ Commented 12 mins ago
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It is likely that she is examining the slats and leading edge of the wing. The type of mirror that she has often are convex, allowing you to see a wide angle from a single point of view.

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