Check Your Journey Log for 24-month checks... you don't want to engage in illegal flying into Class B or C (or A for that matter if your plane can fly that high)

It might come at a surprise that completing the annuals alone doesn't necessarily make the aircraft maintained to be airworthy - it's the pilot in command's (and the owner's) responsibility to ensure certain things are checked over for the 24-month maintenance requirements (as the 12-month checks will likely be looked after by the annuals)

After considerable prep for my instrument renewal, flying to another airport for the flight test, everything came to a halt as there were two oversights making the plane not airworthy for IFR flights (or for VFR flights into Class B or C airspace).

Despite the inconvenience, it was a good lesson learned as I learned something new:

• First is the Transponder Encoder which needs to be checked once every 24 calendar months 
• The other is the pitot/static leak check, also once every 24 calendar months.  

The compass swings, ELT checks and the other requirements where done - except for the above two.

 https://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/civilaviation/publications/tp9939-aircraft-954.htm

"(c) have the aircraft's transponder, including any associated altitude sensing reporting mechanisms, tested and recertified within the previous 24 months in accordance with CAR 625 Appendix C and CAR 571 Appendices B and F"



Lessons learned - not only do you need to be sure you comply with the MOOFACTAR for VFR...

Manifold pressure guage
Oil temperature guage
Oil pressure guage
Fuel qantity indicators
Aairspeed indicator
Compass
Tachometer
Altimeter
Radiocommunication  

and the below for VFR night flying...

Fuses
Attitude indicator
Turn coordinator
Directional Gyro
Altimeter (sensitive)
Pitot Heat
Postion/anticollision lights
Instrument lights
Landing light (if carrying pax)
OAT guage
Vertical speed indicator  

Requirements for IFR flying

Vertical Speed Indicator
Radio Navigation for the flight and missed

...but also all the maintenance requirements for IFR (like the transponder-encoder 24-month check that I missed) AND checks outside of the annual that you need to be familiar with (the pitot-static leak check).

p.s. Also be familiar with the minimum equipment list for the specific airplane which can be found in the POH (eg. can you fly with the door off? check the POH minimum equipment list)

Oh, and one last thing - and check your aviation license booklet - it might be expiring soon, and you need to apply as soon as within 90 days prior the expiry.  Any endorsements added just before license expires when you are in between books is not valid.