Every flight starts with a good Pre-Flight!

Pre-Flights are required before all training and cross-country events. All flights start with a thorough Pre-Flight to ensure the aircraft is in airworthy condition. Please utilize the following resources prior to each flight.

A Requirement by Federal Regulations

§ 91.103 Preflight action

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

All pilots must be familiar with the weather that affects all aspect of flight from departure to arrival. By obtaining the current weather, we can understand how it.

Inspection includes documentation checks, performance calculations for the given day, and the weight and balance for the given configuration.

Weight and Balance

The weight and balance calculation is paramount to calculate as without it, we would be unaware of what our aircraft center gravity (CG) is as well as how it might affect our performance. Utilize the given weight and balance sheets below.

Remember, no flight can commence unless a weight and balance has been calculated ahead of time and has been determined to be within the CG envelope.

Pre-Flight Weather

Obtaining the weather is critical to the understanding of how our aircraft is going to perform for the given day. There are several sources to obtain the weather including the preflight weather page under the student resources tab.

Online or Electronic Flight Bags (EFB) are acceptable sources of aviation weather. You may also contact the ATIS or AWOS to obtain current conditions.

Aviation Weather
Leidos Weather

Performance Calculations

After calculating the weight and balance as well as determining the current weather conditions, you must determine the performance of the aircraft. The aircraft performs best on high pressure, low temperature days. Given the temperature and pressure fluctuations of the planet, it is necessary that we calculate the following data:

  • Take off and Landing Distances

  • Climb gradients (Climb and Cruise)

  • Climb Gradients in FPM (IFR Pilots)

  • Accelerate Stop and Accelerate Go Distance (Multiengine)

  • Single Engine Service Ceilings (Multiengine

E6B

Documentation Inspection

Prior to Beginning any air mission, we must inspect the documentation of the aircraft to determine the airworthy status. The first step of this inspection is a detailed aircraft examination, understood by the mnemonic ARROW. The ARROW inspection is as follows:

  • A - Airworthiness Certificate (Expiration: None)

  • R - Registration Certificate (Expiration: 3 Years)

  • R - FCC Radio Operator Permit (Expiration: None) (Not Required for Local)

  • O - Operating Handbook (AFH/POH must be in the aircraft)

  • W - Weight and Balance (For the physical airplane)

Maintenance Inspection

In addition to documentation, the physical maintenance must be completed prior to any flight. While pilots are not able to perform maintenance on aircraft outside of what is allowed by law, you are still required to ensure the work has been performed. This is done through the AV1ATE mnemonic.

  • A - Annual Inspection (Every 12 Calendar Months)

  • V - VOR Check (Every 30 Days) (IFR Pilots Only)

  • 1 - 100hr Inspection (Every 100 Tach Hours) (For Hire Only)

  • A - Altimeter/Pitot Static (Every 24 Calendar Months)

  • T - Transponder (Every 12 Calendar Months)

  • E - ELT (Inspection Every 12 Calendar months - Batteries 1 hour or 50%)