Preflight Procedures
Lesson Plans

Preflight Assessment:

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with preparing for safe flight
  • FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23; POH/AFM; AC 00-6

Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:

  • PA.II.A.K1:

    Pilot self-assessment

  • PA.II.A.K2:

    Determining that the airplane to be used is appropriate and airworthy

  • PA.II.A.K3:

    Airplane preflight inspection including:
    • PA.II.A.K3a:
      Which items must must be inspected
    • PA.II.A.K3b:
      The reasons for checking each item
    • PA.II.A.K3c:
      How to detect possible defects
    • PA.II.A.K3d:
      The associated regulations

  • PA.II.A.K4:

    Environmental factors including weather, terrain, route selection, and obstructions

Risk Management:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

  • PA.II.A.R1:

    Pilot

  • PA.II.A.R2:

    Aircraft

  • PA.II.A.R3:

    Environment (e.g., weather, airports, airspace, terrain, obstacles)

  • PA.II.A.R4:

    External pressures

  • PA.II.A.R5:

    Aviation security concerns

Skills:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

  • PA.II.A.S1:

    Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist

  • PA.II.A.S2:

    Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design

Engine Starting:

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with recommended engine starting procedures
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM

Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:

  • PA.II.C.K1:

    Starting under various conditions

  • PA.II.C.K2:

    Starting the engine(s) by use of external power

  • PA.II.C.K3:

    Engine limitations as they relate to starting

Risk Management:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

  • PA.II.C.R1:

    Propeller safety

Skills:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

  • PA.II.C.S1:

    Position the airplane properly considering structures, other aircraft, wind, and the safety of nearby persons and property

  • PA.II.C.S2:

    Complete the appropriate checklist

Taxiing and Sailing:

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with safe taxiing and sailing operations, including runway incursion avoidance
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM; AC 91-73; Chart Supplements; AIM

Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:

  • PA.II.E.K1:

    Airport information resources including Chart Supplements, airport diagram, and appropriate references

  • PA.II.E.K2:

    Taxi instructions/clearances

  • PA.II.E.K3:

    Airport/seaplane base markings, signs, and lights

  • PA.II.E.K4:

    Visual indicators for wind

  • PA.II.E.K5:

    Airplane lighting

  • PA.II.E.K6:

    Procedures for:
    • PA.II.E.K6a:
      Appropriate flight deck activities during taxiing or sailing
    • PA.II.E.K6b:
      . Radio communications at towered and nontowered seaplane bases

Risk Management:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

  • PA.II.E.R1:

    Inappropriate activities and distractions

  • PA.II.E.R2:

    Porpoising and skipping

  • PA.II.E.R3:

    Low visibility taxi and sailing operations

  • PA.II.E.R4:

    Other aircraft, vessels, and hazards

Skills:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

  • PA.II.E.S1:

    Receive and correctly read back clearances/instructions, if applicable

  • PA.II.E.S2:

    Use an appropriate diagram or chart during taxi, if published

  • PA.II.E.S3:

    Comply with seaplane base/airport/taxiway markings, signals, and signs

  • PA.II.E.S4:

    Depart the dock/mooring buoy or beach/ramp in a safe manner, considering wind, current, traffic, and hazards

  • PA.II.E.S5:

    Complete the appropriate checklist

  • PA.II.E.S6:

    Position the flight controls, flaps, doors, water rudders, and power correctly for the existing conditions to follow the desired course while sailing and to prevent or correct for porpoising and skipping during step taxi

  • PA.II.E.S7:

    Exhibit procedures for steering and maneuvering while maintaining proper situational awareness and desired orientation, path, and position while taxiing using idle, plow, or step taxi technique, as appropriate

  • PA.II.E.S8:

    Plan and follow the most favorable taxi or sailing course for current conditions

  • PA.II.E.S9:

    Abide by right-of-way rules, maintain positive airplane control, proper speed, and separation between other aircraft, vessels, and persons

  • PA.II.E.S10:

    Comply with applicable taxi elements in Task D if the practical test is conducted in an amphibious airplane

Before Takeoff Check:

  • To determine that the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with the before takeoff check
  • References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23; POH/AFM

Knowledge:

The applicant must demonstrate an understanding of:

  • PA.II.F.K1:

    Airport information resources including Chart Supplements, airport diagram, and appropriate references
    • PA.II.F.K1a:
      Reasons for checking each item
    • PA.II.F.K1b:
      Detecting malfunctions
    • PA.II.F.K1c:
      Ensuring the airplane is in safe operating condition as recommended by the manufacturer

Risk Management:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess and mitigate risks, encompassing:

  • PA.II.F.R1:

    Division of attention while conducting pre-flight checks

  • PA.II.F.R2:

    Unexpected runway changes by ATC

  • PA.II.F.R3:

    Wake turbulence

  • PA.II.F.R4:

    A powerplant failure during takeoff or other malfunction considering operational factors such as airplane characteristics, runway/takeoff path length, surface conditions, environmental conditions, and obstructions

Skills:

The applicant demonstrates the ability to:

  • PA.II.F.S1:

    Review takeoff performance

  • PA.II.F.S2:

    Complete the appropriate checklist

  • PA.II.F.S3:

    Position the airplane appropriately considering other aircraft, vessels, and wind

  • PA.II.F.S4:

    Divide attention inside and outside the flight deck

  • PA.II.F.S5:

    Verify that engine parameters and airplane configuration are suitable

References:

  • FAA (FAA-H-8083-2) Risk Management Handbook
  • FAA (FAA-H-8083-3)
  • FAA (FAA-H-8083-23)
  • POH/AFM
  • AC 00-6