Lesson - Airplane Familiarization and Pre-Flight

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Lesson - Airplane Familiarization and Pre-Flight

Student: ________________________________ Date: ___________________

Objective

To develop a good understanding of the aircraft components and the preflight process.

Elements Element Element Use of checklist Airplane inspection Placards and cautions compliance Avionics operating instructions Visually check fuel and oil Maintenance requirements AVIATE checklist

Schedule

Lecture 00:30

Demo/Student 00:15

Equipment

Chalkboard

Airplane

Instructor Actions

Demonstration of Preflight. Explain reason for checking each item on the checklist.

Student Actions

Demonstrate Knowledge of Preflight

Completion Standards

Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the preflight process.

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Lesson Background - Airplane Familiarization and Preflight

Personal

IM SAFE acronym.

• Illness

• Medication

• Stress

• Alcohol

• Fatigue

• Emotion

Illness

• Safest rule not to fly when ill.

• Illness can produce fever and distracting symptoms that can impair judgment, alertness and memory.

• FAR’s prohibit flying with a known medical condition which would prevent the pilot from meeting the standards for a medical certificate.

Medication

• Over the counter and prescription medications can impair performance.

• Medications can make a pilot more susceptible to hypoxia.

Stress

• Affects performance indirectly.

• Various stressful situations occupy thoughts and attention needed while flying.

• Attempt to resolve problems on the ground to avoid poor judgment in the air.

Alcohol

• FAR’s say 8 hours bottle to throttle.

• Must not be under the influence.

• Approximately 3 hours per drink for the body to destroy alcohol.

• Pilot is more susceptible to disorientation or hypoxia.

Fatigue

• Acute: Short term (prevented by adequate rest, sleep, exercise and nutrition).

• Chronic: Occurs form inadequate time between episodes of acute fatigue. Performance continues to decline.

Emotion

• Feelings of anger, depression and anxiety can also decrease alertness.



• Poor emotional stability can lead to unnecessary risk taking and poor judgment.

Medical Certification:

• All pilots must possess a valid medical certificate to exercise the privileges of their airman certificates.

• Private: Third Class. Good for 24 months.

• Commercial: Second Class. Good for 12 months.

• ATP: First Class. Good for 6 months.

Signoffs/Currency

• Student: Must have received and logged flight instruction in the aircraft to be flown. Must be approved by instructor.

• Passenger Carrying: (Day) Must have made three takeoffs and landings within the past 90 days. (Night) Must have made three takeoffs and landings at night within the past 90 days to a full stop.

• Must have biennial flight review within the past 24 months if a recent rating has not been achieved. Completion of a Wings program phase counts as a biennial.

Certificates

• A pilot must hold a current pilot certificate and rating appropriate for the aircraft to be flown.

Weather

• 1-800-WX-BRIEF

• Newspaper

• Locals News Weather Report

• DUATS

• Weather Channel

• Departure, Enroute and Destination

Aircraft

AVIATE acronym

• Annual inspection

• VOR equipment check

• Inspection (100 hour)

• Altimeter Check

• Transponder Check

• ELT



Aircraft Components

In order to facilitate the discussion of preflighting an airplane, the general components of the aircraft must be understood.

Flight Instruments



Airspeed Indicator

Pitot-Static System

Vertical Speed Indicator

Static System

Attitude Indicator

Vacuum System



Altimeter

Static System

Turn Coordinator

Usually Electric



Heading Indicator

Vacuum System

Magnetic Compass

Flight Controls

Elevators

The elevators provide control of the pitch altitude about the airplane’s lateral axis. Elevators are the key to controlling the angle of attack. When the control wheel (yoke) is pulled toward the pilot, the nose pitches up.



When the control wheel (yoke) is pushed forward, away from the pilot, the nose pitches down.

Ailerons

The primary use of the ailerons is to bank, or roll, the airplane around the longitudinal axis. Banking the wings results in the airplane turning in the direction of the bank. When the control wheel (yoke) is turned to the left, the left aileron is raised and the airplane rolls to the left.

When the control wheel is turned to the right, the right aileron is raised and the airplane rolls to the right.

Rudder

The rudder is used to control the direction (left or right) of yaw about the airplane’s vertical axis. When the left rudder is pushed, the nose points to the left.

When the right rudder is pushed, the nose points to the right.



Cockpit Controls

Yoke

Hold the yoke with your left hand. Your grip should be firm but relaxed.

Rudder Pedals

Place your heels on the floor and toes, or the balls of the feet, on the rudder pedals.

Brakes

To apply the airplane breaks, depress the top of the rudder pedals. Do the same when setting the parking brake.

Throttle

Operate the throttle with the right hand. Hold the throttle so that small changes can be made smoothly. Use several fingers to act as a stop against contact with the panel or quadrant. Do not hold the throttle entirely by its knob or lever handle.



Flaps Flaps

Flaps increase the wing’s lift by increasing its area or its camber. Flaps also cause drag because they extend beneath the wing. The lift/drag ratio is determined by the degree of flap extension. Using flaps lowers the wing’s stalling speed, and increases the rate of descent without an increase in airspeed.

Flaps increase the wing’s lift by increasing its area or its camber. Flaps also cause drag because they extend beneath the wing. The lift/drag ratio is determined by the degree of flap extension. Using flaps lowers the wing’s stalling speed, and increases the rate of descent without an increase in airspeed.

Trim tab Trim tab

The purpose of the trim tab is to relieve control pressure on the flight controls. Set trim for airspeed (attitude) desired. The trim tab is operated by the trim wheel. The purpose of the trim tab is to relieve control pressure on the flight controls. Set trim for airspeed (attitude) desired. The trim tab is operated by the trim wheel.





Forces Acting on the Airplane in Flight

Preflight Operations

Upon approaching the airplane:

• Perform visual check for general condition of the aircraft

• Remove accumulations of frost, ice or snow from wing

• Have flashlight available for night flight

Cockpit

Check aircraft paperwork. Use the AROW acronym:

• Airworthiness

• Registration

• Owner’s Manual (and equipment list)

• Weight and balance

Check the pilot’s paperwork, including valid pilot certificate and medical certificate

Set parking brake

Remove control wheel lock



Ignition switch off

Mixture idle cutoff

Master Switch on

Check fuel quantity

Flaps down

Turn aircraft lights on

Visually check lights

Turn aircraft lights off

Master switch off

Fuel selector on both

Tail (Empennage)

Inspect general condition of fuselage, empennage, horizontal stabilizer and tail light

Remove control surface lock

Disconnect tie down

Check elevator for freedom of movement, cable condition and cotter pins

Check rudder for freedom of movement, cable condition and cotter pins

Inspect general condition of trim tab. Inspect general condition of empennage and fuselage.

Right Wing (Rear)

Inspect right flap, on track, rid and hinges free



Check right aileron for freedom of movement, hinges, counterweights, control linkage and security

Check condition of right wing tip

Check condition of right wing leading edge and bottom surface

Right Wing (Forward)

Remove right wing toe down

Check main wheel general condition and tire inflation.

Check brakes, hydraulic line, no leaks

Check fuel condition through quick drain

Visually check fuel quantity and secure cap.

Inspect condition of wing top surface

Engine/Propeller Area

Check oil level per manufacturer recommendations

Fill oil for extended flight

Make sure dipstick is properly seated

Check cowl access door and inspect covers for security

Check engine for signs of oil or fuel leaks

Check ignition wires tight

Check fittings and motor mount

Drain fuel strainer in engine compartment, check for contaminants, water and color



Check for bird or animal nests

Check exhaust for tightness and cracks

Check propeller and spinner for nicks, dents, cracks and security

Check alternator belt and attach bolts are tight and secure

Check carburetor air filter and intake screen for foreign matter

Check nose wheel strut clean and exposed at least 2 inches

Remove nose gear chock

Check nose gear tire for cuts, bruises, and inflation

Check nose gear actuating rods are straight

Check windshield and cabin windows for cleanliness and no cracks

Inspect static source on side of fuselage for blockage

Left Wing (Forward)

Remove left wing tie town

Check main wheel general condition and tire inflation.

Check brakes, hydraulic line, no leaks

Check fuel condition through quick drain

Visually check fuel quantity and secure cap



Inspect condition of wing top surface

Check left wing leading edge and bottom surface

Remove pitot tube cover

Check pitot tube opening for blockage

Check fuel vent opening for blockage

Check stall warning vent opening for blockage and stall warning vane for freedom of movement

Left Wing (Aft)

Check condition of left wing tip

Check left aileron for freedom of movement, hinges, counterweights, control linkage and security

Inspect left flap, on track, rod and hinges free

General Checks

Check underbelly of airplane for excess oil and dirt

Check baggage is secure and baggage compartment door is closed

Check all windows are clean and free of cracks

Inspect the airplane with reference to the checklist

Verify the airplane is in safe flight condition

Maintenance/MEL

• Ensure maintenance records are up to date (100 hour, annual)

• Refer to minimum equipment list if needed

VFR Day Requirements (91.205)

Acronym Double ATOMS ELF

• Altimeter

• Airspeed indicator

• Tachometer



• Temperature Gauge (liquid cooled only)

• Oil Temperature Gauge

• Oil Pressure Gauge

• Magnetic Compass

• Manifold Pressure (constant speed prop only)

• Seats Belts (all seats)

• Shoulder Harnesses (front seats only)

• ELT

• Landing Gear Position Lights (retract only)

• Fuel Quantity Gauges

VFR Night Requirements (91.205)

Acronym FLAPS. All equipment required for day plus:

• Fuses (3 of each type or complete spare set. No need if circuit breaker type)

• Landing Light (for hire only)

• Alternator or generator.

• Position Lights (port-red, starboard-green, tail-white)

• Strobes or anti-collision lights (white or red flashing).

Required Documents

Acronym AROW (Radio no longer required)

• Airworthiness Certificate

• Registration

• Operating Limitations

• Weight and Balance

Airworthiness Certificate

• Good forever with no alterations to the aircraft.

• Must be visible to all occupants entering the aircraft.

Registration

• Name, address of the owner. Name of manufacturer.

• Airplane model and serial number.

• Federal registration number (“N” number).

• Good until change of ownership or “N” number.

Operating Limitations

• May be in the form of an approved flight manual or placard set.

• Must have all limitations appropriate to that aircraft.

• POH. Pilot’s operating handbook.



Weight and Balance

• Must have the current weight and balance of that aircraft with a listing of all equipment, weights and moments.

Walk-Around Inspection

• Always follow checklist for preflight in the aircraft.

• Minimum preflight items (flight controls, oil, fuel, tires, brakes)

Checklist

• Review checklist before flying





1. Turn Coordinator 24. Cabin Heat Control 2. Airspeed Indicator 25. Cabin Air Control 3. Directional Indicator 26. Standby vacuum pump switch 4. Low voltage/Low vacuum warning light 27. Circuit breakers 5. Attitude indicator 28. Wing flap switch and position indicator 6. Suction gage 29. Mixture control 7. Digital Clock 30. Throttle (with friction lock) 8. Vertical Speed Indicator 31. Carburetor Heat Control 9. Altimeter 32. Microphone 10. Airplane Registration Number 33. Headset jacks 11. ADF Bearing indicator 34. Ash tray 12. Course Deviation Indicator and ILS Glide slope 35. Elevator trim control wheel 13. Marker Beacon indicator lights ` 36. Electrical switches 14. Transponder 37. Oil pressure gage 15. ADF Radio 38. Oil Temperature gage 16. Audio control panel 39. Instrument panel and radio dial lights 17. Nav/Com Radio 40. Ignition Switch 18. Tachometer 41. L/R fuel quantity indicators 19. Flight hour recorder 42. Master switch 20. Economy Mixture Indicator (EGT) 43. Primer 21. Passenger’s Mic-Headset Remote Keying Switch 44. Parking brake control 22. Ammeter 45. Pilot’s Mic-Headset Remote Keying Switch 23. Map Compartment
