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

Verified

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 be cautious during preflight inspections, using checklists diligently and openly asking instructors or mechanics about anything that seems abnormal.
Reporting aircraft discrepancies ("squawks") is crucial, and pilots should never hesitate to consult mechanics or formalize concerns without fear of blame.
Always prioritize safety; if uncomfortable with an aircraft's mechanical condition, pilots have the right to refuse to fly it.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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”.