Pre-Flight Inspection

OBJECTIVE:  To develop the pilot’s skill in performing a preflight inspection.
ELEMENTS:
  • Reasons for the preflight inspection: 
  • Determine aircraft is legally airworthy 
  • Determine aircraft in safe condition for flight 
  • Items that should be inspected 
  • How defects are detected 
  • Importance of using the appropriate checklist 
  • How to determine fuel and oil quantity and contamination 
  • Detection of fuel, oil, and hydraulic leaks 
  • Inspection of the flight controls 
  • Detection of visible structural damage 
  • Removal of tie-downs, control locks, and wheel chocks 
  • Removal of ice and frost 
  • Importance of the proper loading and securing of baggage, cargo, and equipment 
  • Use of judgment in determining that the airplane is airworthy and in condition for safe flight. 


PTS COMPLETION STANDARDS:
  1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to preflight inspection. This shall include which items must be inspected, the reasons for checking each item, and how to detect possible defects 
  2.  Inspects the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist 
  3. Verifies the airplane is in condition for safe flight 
COMMON ERRORS
  • Failure to use or the improper use of checklist 
  • Hazards which may result from allowing distractions to interrupt a visual inspection 
  • Inability to recognize discrepancies to determine airworthiness 
  • Failure to ensure servicing with the proper fuel and oil 
  • Failure to ensure proper loading and securing of baggage, cargo, and equipment


THINGS TO REMEMBER
  • Leave all problems on the ground 
  • Proper squawk write-up procedure 
  • Use of MEL and Kinds of Operation Equipment Lists 
  • Airworthiness includes placards 
  • EPA prohibits dumping fuel samples 
  • Introduce student to flight school mechanics as resource for questions encountered on preflight. 
  • Walk around ramp, pointing out preflight discrepancies possibly found on other aircraft (on ‘skid row’) and taxiing hazards 
  • Introduce ramp safety on walk out to aircraft. Include propellers, noise and jetblast from turbines as hazards. Introduce FOD (foreign object debris) walking, i.e. pick up trash on ramp on walk out to and from aircraft. The engine or life you save may be your own. 

STUDY:
  •  “Airplane Flying Handbook” 
  •  “Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge” Ch. 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, & 13 
  •  POH/AFM 

Pre-flight Planning

To meet the requirements of 14 CFR 91.103, you should use the following acronym to help you complete the pre-flight planning portion of your pre-flight.

NOTAMS
Wx

Known ATC Delays
Runway Length
Alternates
Fuel
Take-off and Landing Distances