The 'Mags' Preflight

Approach each preflight inspection with methodical attention to detail, not taking the tiniest bits for granted.

Julie Boatman

Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 03:56 PM ET

Verified

The Air Force Academy's initial pilot training programs made a good foundational impact on 'Mags.'

Key Takeaways:

Experienced aviators like Mags Slawinski, William Kershner, and Roger Sharp exemplify the critical importance of meticulous preflight inspections and detailed briefings, consistently approaching every flight with methodical attention to detail.
Despite their extensive experience, these pilots emphasize the need to treat each preflight with "fresh eyes" and a "beginner's mind," as one "could never know what any given preflight might present."
The author adopted these rigorous preparatory habits for their own flights, and *FLYING* magazine similarly applies this diligent, detail-oriented approach to its content and aircraft features.

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Lt. Col. (Ret.) Terry “Mags” Slawinski graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1972. He went from the F-4 to the F-16, and he served as an instructor in his squadron before joining the U.S. Air Force’s legendary Fighter Weapons School, where he also taught in the F-16.

I first met Mags not long after I’d obtained my Formation and Safety Team Wing Pilot qualification, back in 2001. I quickly learned about this modest pilot’s precision and consummate skill from flying alongside him—he wore his silver wings with pride, but with a certain lightness of heart.