Prepare for: Preflight Inspection
A systematic walk-around to confirm the airplane is airworthy and ready for this flight, plus a check of yourself (IMSAFE) and the plan.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Confirm required documents are aboard (ARROW) and inspections are current before touching the airplane.
- Follow the POH preflight checklist in order: cabin, then a full walk-around of wings, empennage, engine and landing gear.
- Sump every fuel drain and check for water, sediment and the correct fuel color (100LL avgas is blue).
- Visually check fuel quantity in the tanks and oil quantity against the POH minimum for the flight.
- Move every control surface through its full range and check hinges, cotter pins and freedom of movement.
- Check tires, brakes, pitot tube and static ports, lights, and remove tie-downs, chocks and covers.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.II.A · Preflight Assessment
- Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist.
- Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
- Perform self-assessment.
- Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B)Task CA.II.A · Preflight Assessment
- Inspect the airplane with reference to an appropriate checklist.
- Verify the airplane is in condition for safe flight and conforms to its type design.
- Perform self-assessment.
- Continue to assess the environment for safe flight.
Flight Instructor ACS (FAA-S-ACS-25)Task FI.V.A · Preflight Assessment
See this task in the official ACS.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Read the POH Section 4 preflight checklist the night before.
- Review ARROW and AV1ATE (see the documents lesson).
- Decide your fuel requirement for the flight before you arrive.
Common mistakes
- Rushing or skipping items because 'the last pilot just flew it'.
- Not sumping every drain, especially after refueling or rain.
- Forgetting to remove the pitot cover or tie-downs.
Questions to ask your instructor
- Which items on this airplane are known trouble spots?
- What fuel and oil minimums do you want me to use?
- What would make you cancel a flight during preflight?
Related lessons
Check yourself
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