In this presentation, you will learn what a preflight inspection is, the proper way to conduct one, what to look for, and how to address a problem you may find upon conducting the preflight inspection.

1. Preflight Inspection

2. Essential Questions
• What is preflight inspection?
• Why do we conduct a preflight inspection?
• Why is it important to go in order of the
checklist?
• What sorts of things am I looking for
specifically during the preflight inspection?
• What should I do if I find something that is out
of the ordinary?

3. Who Preflights?
• we, Cessna pilots, preflight

4. Who Preflights?
• helicopters preflight

5. Who Preflights?
• airline pilots preflight

6. Who Preflights?
• yes, even the navy preflights… get used to it

7. Preflight Inspection
• The preflight inspection is an inspection that
we perform on the plane before each and
every flight to ensure the safety and correct
operation of all aspects of the airplane.
• cover everything on plane
• test systems and instruments
• etc.

8. Preflight Inspection Diagram
Begin
1. cabin
2. tail
3. right wing
4. right fuel tank
5. nose
6. left fuel tank
7. left wing
8. more left wing
End

9. Why do we conduct a preflight
inspection?
• make sure airplane is 110% safe to fly
• make sure everything is running normally and
correctly
• test systems to ensure their operation is safe
for flight (engine, instruments, radios, etc.)

10. How to Conduct Preflight Inspection
• Remember:
– do a good job
– don’t rush
– be thorough
– DO NOT GO OUT OF ORDER; if anything is missed,
it may be unsafe
– preflight inspection is one of the most important
phases of flight - don’t mess it up
– when in doubt, check it again; once you’re sure,
check it again; once you’re positive, check it one
more time

11. How to Conduct Preflight Inspection
• Categories of inspection
– check - look at it and make sure it’s correct
• ex. lights ………………… check - check to make sure lights
are functioning properly
– on/off - turn switch on or off (as specified)
• ex. master …………………… off - turn master off
– set - set it for takeoff
• ex. all trim tabs ………………… set - set any trim tabs to
the takeoff setting

12. How to Conduct Preflight Inspection
section of preflight in which
v you are checking
^ specific thing
you’re looking for
check for this on the ^
topic you’re looking at
All three of the above red boxes say that in the cabin,
the master switch should be in the off position. This
works the same way throughout the entire checklist.

13. What You’re Looking For
• the purpose of the preflight inspection is to
ensure the plane is safe for flight; therefore,
look for:
– dents
– holes
– cracks
– chips
– anything that looks out of the ordinary

14. What To Do
• What if I find something that doesn’t look right?
• TELL THE PIC (pilot in command) or any other
pilot of your flight
• In this case, Rohan.
• Anything that looks weird, feels weird, or is just
weird, tell PIC. If you have a feeling or you are
doubtful of anything, let someone else know.
There could be serious consequences for
something that’s left unsaid.

15. Quiz Time!!
• Q: You’re conducting the preflight inspection
and you see that one of the screws inside the
engine cowling is missing. You know it’s not a
major concern. What do you do?
A: Tell PIC/any other pilot

16. Quiz Time!!
• Q: You see a dent in the aileron that looks
symmetrical that matches and is in the same
place as another dent in the other aileron.
Although the dents are questionable in size, you
assume this is part of the design of the plane, so
you ignore it and worry about it. Is this the best
choice?
A: Absolutely not. It’s a dent and it looks and makes
you suspicious, so you should definitely ask about it.

17. Quiz Time!!
• Q: As you’re checking the oil, you notice that
it’s just barely above the 6 quarts line (the
minimum is 6). Should you mention this to
possibly add another quart of oil, or should
you ignore it because the oil level is adequate
and meets the requirement?
A: Tell PIC/any other pilot

18. Quiz Time!!
• Q: As you’re checking the strut, tire, and brake
of the right landing gear, you notice that the
tire seems just a bit flat. It may just be you, or
that the plane hasn’t been flying in 2 days and
the weight temporarily flattened it. What
should you do?
A: Tell PIC/any other pilot - The tire pressure
is supposed to be 29 PSI but it was only 15.
Good call!

19. Essential Questions
• What is preflight inspection?
• Why do we conduct a preflight inspection?
• Why is it important to go in order of the
checklist?
• What sorts of things am I looking for
specifically during the preflight inspection?
• What should I do if I find something that is out
of the ordinary?

20. Any Questions?
• Email me any time at:
• logan@centennialaviationclub.com