Preflight Planning

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

Preflight Planning

Introduction to Preflight Planning

  • FAR 91.103 that "Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight" which includes
    • Aircraft Procedures
    • Aircraft Performance
    • Airport Information
    • Equipment Familiarity
  • Test your understanding of Preflight Planning by completing the knowledge quiz, applying your knowledge in the interactive scenario, comparing your performance against the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and concluding with the topic summary to reinforce the key concepts before moving on to the next lesson.
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    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning Key Highlights

    • Preflight planning involves evaluating all operational, weather, aircraft, and regulatory factors before conducting a flight.
    • Effective preflight planning improves situational awareness, aeronautical decision-making, and operational safety.
    • Pilots should review weather forecasts, NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), airspace restrictions, airport information, and navigation requirements before departure.
    • Aircraft performance calculations include fuel requirements, weight and balance, runway performance, and density altitude considerations.
    • Route planning should account for terrain, alternates, fuel stops, weather trends, and anticipated operational conditions.
    • Pilots are responsible for determining aircraft airworthiness and verifying required inspections and maintenance status before flight.
    • Risk management principles help pilots identify hazards and develop mitigation strategies during preflight preparation.
    • Electronic Flight Bags (EFBs), weather tools, and modern navigation systems improve planning efficiency and situational awareness.
    • Inadequate preflight planning can increase workload, fuel risk, weather exposure, and operational decision errors.
    • Understanding preflight planning improves operational preparedness, regulatory compliance, and overall flight safety.
    Preflight Planning

    Aircraft Procedures

    • If you don't own an airplane, you probably rent your favorite aircraft at the same FBO each time you fly however, for many, that may not be a possibility
    • Variations in airplanes which you are licensed and probably signed off to rent by your local FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) must be considered
    • While normal procedures can generally be done at the pilot's pace, emergency procedures cannot, making their understanding crucial
    Preflight Planning

    Aircraft Performance

    • Aircraft perform differently based on the environmentals and type of operation expected
    • Be cognizant of "what is different today" and brief to it up front, so factors like density altitude and weight and balance are taken into consideration
    Preflight Planning

    Destination Airport & Route Information

    • ALD (available landing distance) (if LAHSO (Land and Hold Short Operations) is expected)
    • Review and print, or tab a copy of the arrival and departure airport, as required
    • Portions of clearances can be expected (for example, the departure frequency) making it possible to anticipate certain numbers which can be written on a kneeboard card ahead of time
      • Be wary of "expectation bias;" listen to what a controller actually says, not what you expect
    • Enroute sector boundaries can be found on enroute charts allowing you to anticipate where about a switch will occur, and to what frequency
    • Don't ignore what you are flying over as water conditions/temperatures and terrain may impact what you bring and how you may react to an emergency
    • Airnav provides an airport search to help you find nearby airports that meet a pilot's desired characteristics
    Preflight Planning

    Equipment Familiarity

    • Pilots must be familiar with what equipment is installed in the airplane
      • Equipment familiarity includes learning and practicing with the electronic flight bag and flight-planning software on the ground before relying on them in flight.
    • Just as important, pilots must be familiar with where that equipment is installed
    • The most obvious example is the instrument panel, where equipment like transponders maybe in a new location, even across the same brand of airplane but a different model
    • Less obvious examples are safety equipment
    Preflight Planning

    Jamming and Interference of Space-Based Signals

    • GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation is highly reliable but not infallible.
    • Pilots should be aware that GPS signals may be degraded, interrupted, or unavailable due to interference, equipment malfunctions, space weather, or military testing and training activities.
    • In addition to navigational degradation, terrain clearance may become compromised.
    • Maintain proficiency using alternative navigation methods and be prepared to navigate without GPS assistance when necessary.
    Preflight Planning

    Tools

    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning Interactive Scenario

    Interactive Scenario

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    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning Knowledge Check

    Choose the knowledge check that matches your current training for Preflight Planning.

    Private Pilot quiz illustration Private Pilot

    PPL knowledge check

    Core Knowledge Review

    Review foundational knowledge, key concepts, and practical considerations. Topic: Preflight Planning.

    • Immediate feedback
    • Answer explanations
    • Account progress tracking

    Why Take a Quiz?

    Quizzes reinforce key concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for real-world decisions. Quiz material is representative of the information provided here and is not based on or sourced from the Federal Aviation Administration test bank.

    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning Lessons & Case Studies

    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: ERA26LA227:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a rejected takeoff from a tailwind departure and subsequent runway excursion.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: WPR26LA089:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilots inadequate preflight planning and improper in-flight decision-making, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion and a subsequent landing on rough terrain.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: ERA25LA279:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a rejected takeoff and subsequent runway excursion.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA240:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering at low altitude in mountainous terrain. Contributing was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and aeronautical decision making.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA231:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate planning for the high density altitude conditions which resulted in reduced airplane performance, climb capability, and subsequent forced landing.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: ERA25LA210:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA074:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and poor preflight inspection and decision-making, which led to a takeoff attempt above the airplane’s certified maximum takeoff weight with snow-contaminated wings, resulting in a rejected takeoff at an airspeed above the takeoff decision speed and a subsequent runway excursion.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA060:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA057:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor’s inadequate verification of his student’s preflight planning.
    • National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA037:
      • The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The airplane’s collision with a stake on a closed runway. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s inadequate preflight planning and failure to see the closed runway markings.
    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning Conclusion

    • There are many official sources from which to gather information pertinent to preflight planning
    • Note that though not required, it is recommended a call be placed to Flight Service prior to flight
    • You may wish to consider fuel prices, services available, landing fees, and hours of operation when planning for suitable diverts
      • Although these factors may run through your mind in an ad-hoc divert, that is a divert due to an unforeseen circumstance, then remember an airfield where a safe landing can be performed outweighs conveniences
    • Preflight planning can feel monotonous when repeatedly flying in the same region, in similar weather, and for the same purpose.
      • In those situations, ask yourself, “What is different today?” to identify what requires particular attention.
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    Preflight Planning

    Preflight Planning References