A preflight inspection is the pilot’s systematic check of an aircraft before every flight. Its purpose is to find unsafe conditions on the ground, where they can be corrected before takeoff. The walkaround follows a consistent clockwise path so no major area is missed.
For a small single-engine aircraft, this includes the fuselage, wings, control surfaces, landing gear, propeller, engine area, fuel, oil, and visible structure.
Key Facts
- Use the same clockwise walkaround route every time to reduce the chance of missing an inspection station.
- Fuel needed = planned fuel burn + taxi fuel + reserve fuel.
- Weight and balance must stay within limits: total weight = empty weight + fuel weight + payload weight.
- Moment = weight x arm, and center of gravity = total moment / total weight.
- A control surface check verifies free movement, correct direction, secure hinges, and no visible damage.
- Fuel samples should be checked for correct color, water, sediment, and contamination before flight.
Vocabulary
- Preflight inspection
- A preflight inspection is a required check of an aircraft before flight to confirm that it appears safe and airworthy.
- Walkaround
- A walkaround is the outside portion of the preflight inspection where the pilot moves around the aircraft in a planned sequence.
- Control surface
- A control surface is a movable part of the aircraft, such as an aileron, elevator, or rudder, that helps control flight attitude.
- Fuel sump
- A fuel sump is a low point in the fuel system where a pilot drains a sample to check for water or debris.
- Airworthiness
- Airworthiness means the aircraft meets required safety standards and is in a condition suitable for safe flight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping a checklist item because the aircraft flew recently is wrong because damage, leaks, contamination, or loose parts can occur between flights.
- Checking fuel quantity but not sampling fuel is wrong because tanks can contain water or sediment even when they appear full.
- Moving a control surface without confirming correct direction and secure hinges is wrong because free movement alone does not prove the system is safe.
- Ignoring small dents, cracks, missing screws, or fluid stains is wrong because minor visible signs can indicate structural damage, loose panels, or leaks.
Practice Questions
- 1 A flight is planned for 2.0 hours. The engine burns 8 gallons per hour, taxi requires 1 gallon, and reserve fuel is 5 gallons. How many gallons of fuel are needed before departure?
- 2 An aircraft has an empty weight of 1,500 lb, 240 lb of fuel, and 360 lb of passengers and bags. What is the total weight, and is it within a 2,300 lb maximum takeoff weight?
- 3 During a walkaround, a pilot finds fuel dripping from a wing drain and a small crack near an aileron hinge. Explain why the pilot should not depart until the problems are inspected or corrected.