Knowing What’s ‘Normal’ Is a Big Part of Preflight Inspections

The learner pilot–with checklist in hand—should never be afraid to ask questions.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 01:58 PM ET

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Using the checklist during the preflight inspection, learning to access and interpret weather, NOTAMs, and determining weight and balance and aircraft performance are vital to mastering flight. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

New pilots should embrace the learning curve of preflight inspections, diligently use checklists, and ask questions to understand normal aircraft conditions and potential discrepancies.
Learners are encouraged to openly report any aircraft issues ("squawks") to instructors and mechanics, fostering a collaborative environment that prioritizes safety and proper maintenance.
Pilots must prioritize safety and never feel compelled to fly an aircraft if they have concerns about its mechanical condition, always erring on the side of caution.

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Anytime you learn a new skill, there will be a phase where you don’t know what you don’t know. Flying is a prime example of this. Expect the first manifestation to be when you are learning to do a preflight inspection of the aircraft. You may find yourself asking questions like “Is that normal?” and “Is it supposed to be like that?” as you look at the aircraft. These questions should be asked as they are part of the process.

What Is Normal?

On your first preflight inspection, your instructor will likely teach you how to perform it, checklist in hand. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been flying, use the checklist. In addition to providing a logical flow to the inspection, it often offers metrics for normal and safe operations, such as “minimum oil level 5 quarts”.