Pre-flight inspections are a critical part of every pilot’s daily routine. The process ensures an aircraft is safe, airworthy, and ready for takeoff before every flight. The steps involved in every inspection follow a carefully designed pre-flight checklist to examine various components and systems to verify an aircraft is in optimal condition. 

Leopard Aviation is a leading flight school in Arizona that trains students on the importance of pre-flight inspections and all essential safety checks. Read below for more information about the process of properly conducting a pre-flight inspection. 

The Steps Involved in a Pre-Flight Inspection

Pre-flight inspections require the pilot to carefully examine and check their aircraft’s structure, exterior and interior checks, and documentation. The overriding objective and purpose of the inspection is to ensure that the aircraft is airworthy and has been sufficiently prepared for flight. 

Student pilots can expect to be trained extensively on mastering the inspection process. In addition to providing essential hands-on experience, the process trains students to anticipate safety issues and identify any problems while on the ground. 

Becoming a pilot involves mastering every part of the pre-flight process. 

Reviewing Documentation 

The initial step in the pre-flight inspection involves carefully reviewing all relevant documentation. 

Pilots review their aircraft’s Pilot Operating Handbook (POH), which includes information about safety procedures, operation, and performance specifications. 

Pilots must verify the aircraft’s registration, maintenance logs, and airworthiness certificate. 

Every aircraft is legally required to maintain current and accurate documents to establish it is permitted to fly. 

Exterior Inspection 

The exterior inspection is much more than a walk-around. It involves a comprehensive visual and hands-on inspection of the aircraft’s exterior surfaces and structures for any dents, cracks, corrosion, or other damage. 

The inspection covers all exterior aircraft conditions, including the wings, fuselage, landing gear, and control surfaces. Pilots look for foreign objects that do not belong on the aircraft and ensure that all covers and plugs are removed as necessary.  

Fuel, Oil, and Fluid Level Checks

Pilots verify that the aircraft’s fuel tanks contain the correct amount and type of fuel for the upcoming flight plan. They also examine all appropriate hoses and structures for oil or fluid leaks and accurately verify the required oil and fluid levels.

Cockpit and Controls Check 

Pilots move to the cockpit to examine all instruments and gauges for proper function during the pre-flight inspection. 

The process includes running checks on navigation and communication systems. The pilot checks the position and function of all switches and controls. The examination then moves to checking safety equipment like fire extinguishers and life jackets.

Weather and Flight Plan Verification 

The final part of the pre-flight inspection involves reviewing weather conditions expected along the flight path for the duration of the flight. Pilots must review and verify the accuracy and completeness of the flight plan as filed. 

Pilots are responsible for requesting and making necessary flight plan adjustments based on weather conditions. 

Roles and Responsibilities During a Pre-Flight Inspection

During training at Leopard Aviation, students learn the pre-flight inspection process as part of an expert team.

Students can expect to be involved with others in the process, each with specific duties and responsibilities. They include:

• Instructor pilot. The instructor pilot oversees and supervises the entire pre-flight inspection process. They ensure correct compliance with all procedures. They also assess the competence and training of the student pilot and provide meaningful feedback and instruction.
• Student/co-pilot. The student pilot works under the supervision of the instructor pilot to learn every part of the pre-flight process. From the fundamentals to learning through observation, successful students progress to taking on more hands-on responsibilities under the guidance of their instructor pilots. 
• Qualified technical personnel. These persons ensure that the aircraft is mechanically sound and operationally airworthy. The technical personnel sign off on the pre-flight inspection to confirm that the aircraft has met essential mechanical safety standards.

As students become more adept at the training process in learning and mastering pre-flight inspections, they take on more responsibilities. 

Experienced licensed pilots typically spend up to 30 minutes on a pre-flight inspection. Most expert fliers believe that the quality of the time spent on the pre-flight inspection is more important than the quantity. As with every aspect of learning aviation, there is no real substitute for experience and competent training. 

Learn To Fly With Leopard Aviation

Leopard Aviation provides top professional flight training in a supportive and engaging environment. Our modern fleet includes Cessna 172S Skyhawks equipped with advanced Garmin G1000 avionics. Our students learn using the latest available technology and advanced safety features. 

Every pilot must master the pre-flight inspection process to ensure the safety and success of every flight. Leopard Aviation trains students in all aspects of safe flying, including comprehensive pre-flight inspections, short-field landing techniques, and everything else you will need to know for a successful career in aviation. 

If you are ready to begin training at our locations at the airports in Scottsdale and Mesa, AZ, Leopard Aviation is ready to get you on your way. Contact us online or call (480) 372-9815 today to learn more about enrollment.