Pre Flight an Aircraft
Preflighting an airplane is the process of inspecting it prior to takeoff. This is a general outline of steps to assure the airworthiness of your aircraft for takeoff. Actual preflight requirements may vary from one type aircraft to another, and these steps would not be appropriate for military or commercial aircraft.
Steps
- Use a preflight checklist if you have one. Many rental or fleet aircraft have one which may have all recent service, inspection, and maintenance information updated for each aircraft. Here are some things you may see:
- Flight hours. Because aircraft maintenance is usually scheduled at flight hour intervals, the actual hours flown are logged to accommodate scheduling service dates for these activities.
- Pilot observations. When more than one pilot is likely to operate an aircraft, it is beneficial to have input from each pilot as to the flight characteristics of the plane. One pilot may notice a vibration, shudder, or other physical anomaly, or unusual readouts from gauges while in flight, that the next pilot should be aware of.
- Service schedule. If a component (airframe, engine, etc) has a scheduled 100 hrs inspection due after 5 more flight hours, a longer flight could be postponed until the service is performed, or another aircraft utilized.
- Begin your preflight in the cockpit, since before flying, you will need to make sure all cockpit equipment is operating, and the fuel tanks have sufficient fuel for your flight.
- Make sure the aircraft registration, certification, and other paperwork is in the cabin and up to date.
- Make sure the ignition switch is in the off position.
- Turn on the master power switch.
- Check the fuel gauges. If the fuel is low, call for the service truck to bring your fuel out while you continue to do the rest of your checks.
- Listen to the sounds of equipment powering on. Radio cooling fans, instrument gyros, and other equipment make noticeable sounds, and when unusual sounds are heard, it may be a warning an instrument or radio could fail in-flight.
- Check flaps, landing gear lockdown levers, and other flight controllers for smooth, normal function.
- Exit the aircraft.
- As you climb out of the cabin, take a look at the seat support rails (on small aircraft) to make sure the seat is anchored securely and all fasteners are in place.
- Check the cabin door to be sure it operates smoothly and shuts securely. Worn hinges or latches that do not secure properly can cause an inflight emergency. If the door does not move smoothly into open and closed positions, it may indicate the airframe and internal structure are damaged.
- Walk around the aircraft, looking for damage cause by impacts or cracks and seams separating from airframe fatigue, hard landings, or other mishaps.
- Begin at the right wing, after exiting the aircraft, and look at the forward wing surface for nicks, loose fasteners, dents, or other damage. Look at the flight control surfaces, flaps, and ailerons. Make sure that items are secure and have no loose fasteners.
- Remove the fuel cap (for wing fuel tanks) and visually confirm they have sufficient fuel to make your flight. Replace the fuel cap securely.
- Check stall indicator (depending on which wing it is mounted on), struts, if applicable, and other features on the right wing.
- Move down the right side of the aircraft. Continue looking at the aircraft surface. Be particularly careful to observe defects or loose fasteners in the aircraft surface.
- Move to the tail assembly. While at the tail, you may remove the wheel chock or tail tie-down. Look at the elevators and the rudder. As with all control surfaces, these should be tight, with no loose motion or free play.
- Look at the antennae assembly, which is usually located at the tail, as well as the tail wheel, to be sure no lubricants or brake fluid is leaking, and that the tire is properly inflated. Give the gear suspension a once-over, too, making sure any boots or covers are in place, and that all support cables are tight.
- Move to the opposite side of the aircraft, continuing to look over the aircraft skin to the wing. Remove the fuel cap and look into the tank to be sure it is fueled, replace the tank cap securely, and check out the control surfaces (again, the ailerons and flaps).
- Move to the front of the aircraft and look at the exhaust; looking for oil blow-out and other damage.
- Check the engine oil, the ignition wires, magneto electrical connections, and the fuel lines and other hoses to be sure they are seated properly and tightly clamped. Look at the alternator belt to make sure it is tight, and the air intake to be sure it is not obstructed.
- Move to the propeller. Never place your body in the swing radius of an airplane propeller. Check the "spinner" for lubricant leaks, missing bolts and pins, or other problems. Look at the propeller itself, to be sure the blades are not cracked, bent, delaminated, or damaged in other ways.
- Check for fuel or lubricant leaks around the engine compartment, cowling, and fuel tank locations. Any leaks or appearance of fluid on the aircraft skin should be inspected by a trained maintenance person prior to flight.
- Take a look at the wheels, landing gear, and landing gear compartment doors. Look for loose fittings, tires which may have tread separation, low inflation pressure, and other defects.
- Remove the wing tie downs and wheel chocks, walk to the front of the aircraft, and take a long, careful look to make sure you have not overlooked anything.
Tips
- Check landing lights, navigation lights, and other electronics frequently, if not before every flight.
- Check the fire extinguisher to make sure it is charged, accessible, and in its service date.
- Check the weight and balance charts if you are hauling a payload.
- Make sure the battery is fully charged, and the connections are tight and free of corrosion.
- Ensure we are wearing ramp safety jacket.
- Check the fuel separator filters for water or foreign material often, if not prior to each flight.
- Check the cargo to make sure it is properly secured.
- In the U.S., only FAA certified mechanics can do certain maintenance and service work on an aircraft.
Warnings
- Even with routine inspection by trained maintenance personnel, it is the pilot's responsibility to check the aircraft for airworthiness prior to take off.
