The Importance of Pre-Flighting Your Aircraft
At Monadnock Choppers, safety is our top priority in all operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends using the PAVE checklist for aeronautical decision making. It is a critical tool for pilots, helping them assess and mitigate risks before every flight. It stands for:
Pilot-in-command (PIC): Evaluating personal readiness, including physical and mental health, experience, and proficiency. Fatigue, stress, or lack of recent flight time can impact decision-making.
Aircraft: Ensuring the aircraft is airworthy, properly equipped for the flight, and within operational limits. This includes fuel, maintenance status, and performance considerations.
Vironment: Assessing weather conditions, terrain, airspace restrictions, and alternate airports. Flying in unfamiliar areas or poor weather increases risk.
External pressures: Recognizing external factors like time constraints, passenger expectations, or personal commitments that could lead to poor decisions or unnecessary risk-taking.
Image from the Pilot Institute.
Using the PAVE checklist helps pilots develop a safety-first mindset, reducing the likelihood of accidents by encouraging thorough preflight planning and risk management. By breaking risk assessment into clear categories, pilots can make informed decisions and enhance overall flight safety.
One of the most critical steps of the PAVE checklist is the “A” for aircraft. A critical component to ensuring a safe flight is a thorough pre-flight inspection of your aircraft. Whether you're a student pilot or a seasoned aviator, performing a comprehensive pre-flight check is essential to identify and address potential issues before they become serious problems. In this article, we’ll explore the key aspects of pre-flighting your airplane or helicopter, including FAA recommendations, safety checklists, and personal readiness factors. Beyond the aircraft itself, it’s equally important to assess flight planning, weather conditions and even pre-flight yourself—making sure you’re physically and mentally fit for the flight. These topics will be covered in more detail in future posts.
CFI Caleb demonstrating a proper pre-flight at a Young Eagles event.
Why Pre-Flighting Your Aircraft is Crucial
A proper pre-flight inspection ensures that your aircraft is airworthy and free of mechanical issues that could jeopardize your flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandates thorough pre-flight procedures as outlined in 14 CFR §91.103 (Preflight Action). Inadequate pre-flights generally result from insufficient training, time constraints, or complacency. The key to a good preflight is understanding what you are checking and why you are checking it. You must know what is normal and abnormal, what is airworthy and what is not. What follows is not a comprehensive guide to preflight inspections—the aircraft's pilot operating handbook (POH) or approved flight manual (AFM) gives this information—but a reminder for our pilots.
What is a thorough pre-flight?
Preperation
It is important to make sure you have everything you need to conduct a proper preflight. Make sure you have a working flashlight that is not your cell phone light. Even if you are preflight during the day, it will be helpful for checking dark or shadowed areas such as the engine compartment. If you are conducting a pre-flight at night, make sure your flashlight has a red light option to maximize your night vision. Include any special tools needed like a fuel sampler and screwdriver. Have a step ladder accessible to check fuel levels or the rotor blades. Being prepared with all equipment for a successful pre-flight ensures there are no interruptions or skipped items. You should also ensure you can conduct a pre-flight with no distractions, such as passenger conversations or your cell phone.
Documentation
Make sure you have all the required documents on board. The A.R.R.O.W. checklist is a simple way to remember the essential paperwork required for flight. Without these documents, your aircraft is not legally authorized to fly.
✅ A – Airworthiness Certificate (must be displayed and valid)
✅ R – Registration Certificate (must be current)
✅ R – Radio Station License (only required for international flights)
✅ O – Operating Limitations (found in the Pilot’s Operating Handbook)
✅ W – Weight and Balance (ensure the aircraft is within limits)
The Big Picture
A big picture walk around should be done twice on your pre-flight inspection. As you approach the aircraft, give it a "once over" as you approach. This gives you a holistic first glace to the condition of the aircraft. Any large physical damage, low tire pressures, etc… should be quickly visible as you approach. The second walk around should be done at the end of your preflight and before entering the aircraft. This is to ensure that you haven’t missed anything and it allows you to make fix any mistakes from the pre-flight such as a missed gust lock or open fuel cap.
The checklist inspection
A detailed pre-flight should be conducted using the proper checklist. Many pilots may have their established flows, and preflight as a memory item, but it should always be verified by the checklist. A thorough pre-flight should include but is not limited to:
✅ Interior Inspection - Check the condition of seats, controls, and instruments for any abnormalities or malfunctions. Ensure that all switches and valves are in their correct positions. Turn on the battery switch and note the fuel quantities to compare them with your visual inspection later. Turn on lights and pitot heat for inspection.
✅ Checking fuel levels & quality – Contaminated or insufficient fuel is a leading cause of engine failure. Verify the fuel quantity and quality, ensuring fuel caps are securely fastened.
✅ Fuel Sumps & Drains – Drain fuel from all sumps to check for water, debris, or fuel contamination (especially after rain or overnight parking). Check the color of fuel to ensure the fuel type is correct.
✅ Tie-Downs Pitot Tube, Static Port Covers, Gust Locks – Remove all tie-downs covers and locks.
✅ Check engine inlets, exhausts, pitot/static system and cowling for debris - Even if a plane is kept in a hangar, animals may still build nests in cozy places.
✅ Inspecting rotor blades & control linkages (Rotorcraft) – Cracks or loose components can compromise flight stability. Make sure the rotor blades are clear of obstacles or people if you are moving them.
✅ Propeller (For Fixed-Wing Aircraft) – Check for nicks, cracks, or oil leaks from the hub.
✅ Flight Controls: Ensure smooth movement and secure attachment of ailerons, elevators, and rudders. Confirm trim settings are correct. Confirm all hardware is intact.
✅ Flaps - Test extension and retraction of flaps.
✅ Examining engine oil levels & leaks – Engine health is vital for performance.
✅ Hydraulic System – Inspect hydraulic reservoirs for leaks and verify proper levels for aircraft with retractable landing gear or hydraulic flight controls.
✅ Testing avionics & electrical systems – Ensure all instruments, radios, and lights function correctly.
✅ Battery Voltage Check – Verify battery levels to avoid electrical system failures mid-flight.
✅ Static Wicks & Antennas – Confirm all are intact and antennas are securely mounted for proper avionics function.
✅ Reviewing landing gear or skids – Any structural weakness could be hazardous during takeoff and landing. Ensure all tires are inflated properly and no fluid is leaking from the brakes. Check brake pad and tire wear.
✅ Windshield & Windows – Cleaning the windshield is often missed. Ensure clarity and no cracks that could obstruct visibility or worsen in-flight.
✅ Emergency Equipment Check – Ensure that all emergency gear is present and functional, including the fire extinguisher, first aid kit, ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter), and life vests (if required).
✅ Security of Loose Items – Inside the cockpit and baggage compartments, ensure no unsecured objects could become projectiles during turbulence.
🛑 Pro Tip: Use an FAA-approved checklist, like those found in your Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), to ensure no step is missed.
Image 1: CFI, Caleb, fueling an airplane for a training flight. Image 2: Student, Chelsea, checking the Enstrom rotor hub and mast. Image 3: Chief Pilot, Kevin, and helicopter pilot, Joe, pre-flighting the Enstrom for a training flight.
Pre-Flighting Yourself: Are You Ready to Fly?
An often-overlooked aspect of pre-flight preparation is personal readiness. The FAA promotes the "IMSAFE" checklist to assess pilot fitness:
🛑 I – Illness: Are you feeling well enough to fly?
💊 M – Medication: Any prescription or over-the-counter drugs that could impair performance?
🥱 S – Stress: External pressures and stressors can cloud judgment.
🍷 A – Alcohol: Adhere to the FAA’s 8-hour bottle-to-throttle rule.
🛌 F – Fatigue: Lack of rest slows reaction times and decision-making.
🍔 E – Eating & Hydration: Low blood sugar and dehydration can lead to dizziness and reduced concentration.
🚁 Helicopter Pilots Need Extra Focus – Because helicopter flying demands constant hands-on control, fatigue or distractions can quickly become hazardous.
Final Thoughts
Pre-flighting your aircraft and ensuring your personal readiness are non-negotiable steps for a successful flight. Monadnock Choppers emphasizes these principles to help every student and experienced pilot build safe, effective flying habits. Also remember that maintenance and other pilot resources are your friend. If you have any questions or concerns ASK! We have an extremely knowledgeable maintenance team and many other experienced pilots. Asking questions will ensure something is safe and you will likely learn something for your next pre-flight.
🛑 Remember: A rushed pre-flight is a dangerous pre-flight. Take the time, follow the checklist, and always err on the side of caution.
✈️ Safe flying! 🚁
