Part 2. | Pre-flight Preparation, Go/No Go Decision
Pre-flight preparation is considered to be one of the most important elements of risk management. The goal of risk management is to proactively identify safety-related hazards and mitigate the associated risks. Risk management is an important component of aeronautical decision making. When a pilot follows good decision-making practices, the inherent risk in a flight is reduced or even eliminated. The ability to make good decisions is based upon direct or indirect experience and education.
The purpose of this part is to demonstrate to you the logic of the pre-flight portion of Flying Academy operations, show the tools that we use in preparation of the flight, and highlight the points we consider in our decision making process.
Self-Assessment
Health evaluation
In Flying Academy, we teach our pilots that exercising good judgment begins prior to taking the controls of an aircraft. Often, pilots thoroughly check the weather, airspaces and aircraft, yet do not evaluate their own fitness for flight. Just as a checklist is used in aircrafts, a personal checklist can help determine if a pilot is prepared for a particular flight. A standardized method used for this purpose employs the “IMSAFE” checklist. It can easily and effectively be used to determine physical and mental readiness for flying and provides a good overall assessment of the pilot’s well being.
- Illness – Do I have any symptoms?
- Medication – Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs?
- Stress – Am I under psychological pressure?
- Alcohol – Have I been drinking within 8 hours? Within 24 hours?
- Fatigue – Am I tired and not adequately rested?
- Emotion – Am I emotionally upset?
Time on duty check
To offset the risk of fatigue, every pilot should get plenty of rest before the flight. Refer to Flying Academy Operational Manual to check duty time limitations and verify that you are eligible to fly.
Pilot Documents
All Flying Academy pilots shall comply with obligation to carry and present the following documents:
- Valid pilot license
- Valid medical license
- Radiotelephony license
- Passport, ID
- Logbook
- Pilot’s insurance
- Instructor’s endorsement (for students going for the solo flight during their PPL training)
Flight Planning
Before boarding an aircraft, a pilot must thoroughly plan the flight. A well-planned flight provides a professional atmosphere, enhancing safety, and accomplishment of flight objectives. Also, adequate flight planning prior to flight can avoid unnecessary in-flight problems. This subpart of the guide demonstrates the logic of flight planning we use in Flying Academy. It points out the aspects a professional pilot should consider prior to taking the “Go/ No Go” decision.
Weather
Be it a local flight or a long cross-country flight, decisions based on weather can dramatically affect aircraft performance and flying safety. This subpart is designed to point out the tools we use to make informed decisions regarding weather and flight safety before and during a flight.
- METAR & TAF
- GAMET
- Precipitation radar
- Significant weather charts
- Predictive synoptic map of Europe
- Satellite images
- Webcameras
- Icing levels
- Phone call to the weather briefing office (optional)
- Czech hydrometeorological institute (+420) 244 032 231
- Airport meteorological office BRNO (+420) 604 210 865 ; (+420) 545 216 487
- ATIS BRNO (+420) 545 521 222
- Airport meteorological office OSTRAVA (+420) 597 471 131 ; (+420) 602 558 465
- Airport meteorological office KARLOVY VARY (+420) 353 331 104 ; (+420) 731 431 247
- Airport meteorological office PRAHA (+420) 220 372 141 ; (+420) 220 372 144
- Meteorological watch office PRAHA (+420) 220 372 143
- ATIS PRAHA (+420) 220 378 300
- Airport meteorological office KBELY (+ 420) 255 762 609
Aerodromes and airspace checks
- NOTAMs
- AisView
- Airspace use plan (AUP)
- Sunset & sunrise tables
- LARS (in case local flight activity at Brno/Tuřany, Ostrava/Mošnov and Karlovy Vary controlled airports is planned)
Preparation of the route
- Aerodrome(s) charts (departure, destination, en-route, alternate)
- Aeronautical VFR Chart
- Navigation LOG
- Manual filling
- Skyvector (optional)
- Rocket Route (optional)
- Destination/alternate aerodrome: (fuel availability, local procedures, landing fees)
Performance calculations
The performance or operational information for the aircraft such as the data pertaining to takeoff, climb, range, endurance, descent, and landing can be found in Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) and Flying Academy Operational Manual. The use of this data in flying operations is mandatory for safe and efficient operation.
- Fuel calculations
- Weight and balance
- MyFBO
- Manual calculations
- Take off, landing performance
- POH
- Operational Manual
Aircraft documents
The following documents, manuals, and information shall be carried on each flight as originals or copies unless otherwise specified:
- Maintenance statement
- Certificate of airworthiness and Airworthiness review certificate
- Certificate of registration
- Third party liability insurance certificate
- Radio station license
- ATO certificate
- Airplane logbook
- Weighing protocol
- Noise abatement certificate (if applicable)
- POH
- Operational manual
- SOP
- QRH
Final Checks Before you go to Airport
After all the preparations are done, don’t forget to check if you have all the following items with you:
- Weight and balance
- Navigation Log
- Aircraft keys
- Dispatch
- Headsets
- Ipad
- Safety vest
- Airport card
Now you are ready to go. Request for handling that will take you to the airport. Handling can be requested in one of the following ways :
- Handling BRNO: (+420) 731 655 033 or ask the front desk to call handling for you.
- Handling PRAHA: ask the front desk to call handling when you are ready to go to the airport