Teaching and Learning Flying - Flight Scholars



Preflight Preparation

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DEFINITION

• Preflight preparation includes consideration of all factors that may reasonably have an impact on the safe conduct of a proposed flight

• Four major areas of preflight preparation are

1. Pilot

2. Weather

3. Airplane

4. Planned flight (see Lesson Plan: VFR Cross-Country Planning)

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SAFETY FACTORS

Thorough preflight preparation provides the essential background for exercising good judgment in making go/no-go decisions, and contributes substantially to safe and efficient flight.

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TOLERANCES

Private Pilot PTS:

A. Explain

▪ Pilot certificate

▪ Medical certificate

▪ Logbook or flight record

▪ FCC station license

▪ Airworthiness and registration certificates

▪ Operating limitations, POH

▪ Equipment list

▪ Weight and balance data

▪ Maintenance requirements and records

B. Obtain and analyze

▪ Weather reports and forecasts

▪ Weather charts

▪ PIREP's

▪ SIGMET's and AIRMET's

▪ NOTAM's

▪ Wind shear reports

C. Compute and analyze

▪ weight and balance

▪ performance

D. Explain airplane systems and operation

E. Visual inspection

▪ Explain reasons for checking each item

▪ Determine airplane is in condition for safe flight

Commercial Pilot PTS: as above +

o Commercial certificate privileges and limitations

o Maintenance requirements applicable to flights for hire

o More detailed and specific explanation of airplane systems

Make "go/no-go" decision using all available information and good judgment

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OBJECTIVES

To develop the student's knowledge, skill, and judgment in all major areas of preflight preparation to meet the FAA Practical Test Standards and to enhance the safety of flight.

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PROCEDURES

• Discuss the definition, safety factors, objectives, practical test standards, common errors and other elements of the four major areas of preflight preparation: 1. Pilot, 2. Weather, 3. Airplane, 4. Planned flight

1. Pilot:

▪ Personal checklist: "I'M SAFE" = not impaired by illness, medication,stress, alcohol, fatigue, emotion (AIM Ch 8)

▪ Current Medical Certificate (FAR 67 & 61)

▪ Pilot certificate, rating(s), endorsement(s), flight review, and recency of experience (FAR 61)

▪ Personal pilot logbook or flight record

▪ FCC station license and operator's permit

▪ Personal limitations and comfort

2. Preflight weather briefing

▪ Thorough briefing is critical first step in flight planning

▪ Various means of obtaining weather information

▪ TV

▪ Computer - DUATS

▪ Radio

▪ Telephone (PATWAS, Standard, Abbreviated, Outlook briefings)

▪ Use of weather reports, forecasts, and charts

METAR, TAF, FA, TWEB, WST, WS, WA, FD, CWA, AC, WW; Weather depiction, surface analysis, radar summary, significant weather prognostics, composite moisture stability, severe weather outlook, constant pressure analysis, tropopause data chart

▪ Use of PIREP's, SIGMET's, AIRMET's, and NOTAM's

▪ Recognition of aviation weather hazards to include wind shear

▪ Factors to be considered in making a "go/no-go" decision

▪ Pilot experience, currency, comfort

▪ Need good alternative preflight plans to avoid:

▪ T-storms (esp. lines or embedded)

▪ fast-moving fronts

▪ icing

▪ fog

▪ more than moderate turbulence

▪ MVFR or IFR weather for VFR pilot

3. Airplane

▪ Documents ARROW:

▪ airworthiness certificate

▪ registration certificate

▪ radio license

▪ operating limitations

▪ weight and balance information

▪ Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)

▪ Maintenance requirements, tests, and records (FAR 43 & 91)

▪ Annual inspection

▪ Commercial operations (flight instruction): 100-hour check

▪ Transponder: 24 mos

▪ IFR in controlled airspace:

▪ Static and altimeter: 24 mos

▪ VOR: 30 days

▪ Performance and limitations

▪ Determination of weight and balance condition

▪ Use of performance charts, tables and other data in determining performance in various phases of flight

▪ Effects of atmospheric conditions on performance

▪ Density altitude, wind, runway condition

▪ Determine that the required performance is within the airplane's capabilities

▪ Careful preflight inspection, following CHECKLISTS

4. Planned Flight - see FAR 91.103 and Lesson Plan: VFR Cross Country Planning

FAR 91.103 Preflight Action.

Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include - 

(a) IFR or not in the vicinity of an airport:

▪ Weather reports and forecasts

▪ Fuel requirements

▪ Alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed

▪ Any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC

(b) For any flight:

▪ Runway lengths at airports of intended use

▪ Takeoff and landing distance information:

▪ Approved Airplane Flight Manual data or

▪ Other reliable aircraft performance data applicable to the expected runway, aircraft and weather conditions

• Coach student DUAT and telephone weather briefing

• Help student determine and analyze airplane weight and balance and performance using POH

• Demonstrate airplane preflight using checklist

• Coach student airplane preflight using checklist

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COMMON ERRORS

• Pilot neglecting to "preflight the pilot"

• Inadequate or incomplete weather briefing

o Inform FSS specialist of intended route of flight, destination, departure time, estimated time enroute, if VFR only, aircraft type and identification, if student pilot

o Ask specific questions

• Failure to confirm that weight and balance are within tolerances

• Failure to use a checklist or omitting checklist items

• Neglecting pilot recency of experience with actual conditions when making go/no-go decision

• Inadequate estimation of fuel requirement

• Poor selection of and information gathering regarding alternates

• Failure to confirm that airplane is capable of the required performance (consider density altitude)

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