Preflight Planning/Overview

Lesson Objective

During this lesson, the student/candidate will become familiar with the preparation required before walking out to the flight line. This includes weather preparation, understanding weather services, go/no decision, required documents for the pilot.

Regulatory Requirement

Pre-Solo pilot (Student Pilot and Transition Pilots): §61.87(i)(1)
Private Pilot Test Candidate: PTS Area of Operation IA, IB

Content

Collecting information required for this flight
Weather Information systems
Required Documents in possession of the pilot
Pilot Logbook

Completion Standards

When complete, the student will

use DUATS and/or WX-BRIEF to obtain a weather briefing
be able to make a go/no-go decision based on weather briefing information
be able to explain the hazards associated with flight in the vicinity of thunderstorms
understand the different types of Aviation Weather services, as defined in AC 00-45E
exhibits knowledge pertaining to required documents when acting as a pilot in command (pilots license, photo ID).

Prerequisite Study

AC 00-45E Aviation Weather Services
Glider Flying Handbook, pages 9-25 through 9-40
14 CFR §61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.
14 CFR §91.103 Preflight action.

Required Homework

Register as a user on the DUATS web page, and get a weather briefing for the day you will fly. (http://www.duats.com/)
Dial in to 1-800-WX-BRIEF and get a standard VFR weather briefing for a local flight at Front Royal for the hours you plan to be flying. Also get a soaring forecast (if available).

Further Interesting reading

Oxygen Paradox (Approach)

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