Preflight - Preflight Action for Aircraft Flashcards
Who is responsible for determining if an aircraft is in an airworthy condition?
The pilot-in-command (PIC) is responsible
What aircraft instruments/equipment are required for VFR day operations?
A T.O.M.A.T.O.E. F.L.A.M.E.S.
Anti-collision lights (a/c certified after 03/11/1996)
Tachometer for each engine
Oil temperature gauge for each air-cooled engine
Manifold pressure gauge for each altitude engine
Altimeter
Temperature gauge for each liquid-cooled engine
Oil pressure gauge for each altitude engine
ELT (electronic locator transmitter)
Fuel gauge for each tank
Landing gear position indicator
Airspeed indicator
Magnetic compass
Emergency equipment
Safety belts
What additional aircraft instruments/equipment are required for VFR night operations?
Those required for VFR day flight plus:
F.L.A.P.S.
Fuses; one spare set or 3 of each kind (or circuit breakers)
Landing light(s) (only if the aircraft is for hire)
Anti-collision lights (beacon or strobes)
Position lights (nav lights; green, red, and white)
Source of electricity (battery, alternator, etc.)
What additional aircraft instruments/equipment are required for IFR operations?
Those required for VFR day and night flight plus:
G.R.A.B.C.A.R.D.D.
Generator/Alternator
Radios (nav./com. suitable for the route of flight)
Altimeter (pressure sensitive/Kollsman window)
Ball (slip/skid indicator)
Clock (sweep second hand or digital readout)
Attitude indicator
Rate of Turn indicator
Directional Gyro/Heading indicator
DME or RNAV (if at or above FL240 using VOR equipment for navigation)
What are the three main acronyms that allow for a pilot to know if the aircraft is legal to fly IFR at night?
A TOMATOE FLAMES (VFR Day)
FLAPS (VFR Night)
GRABCARDD (IFR)
What are the required tests and inspections to be performed on an aircraft? Include inspections for IFR.
A.A.V.1.A.T.E.
Annual (12 calendar months)
Airworthiness directives and life-limited parts
VOR check (30 days) (IFR)
100-hour inspection (if for hire or flight instruction)
Altimeter and static system (24 calendar months) (IFR)
Transponder (24 calendar months)
ELT (emergency locator transmitter) (12 calendar months)
During the preflight inspection in an aircraft that does not have a MEL, you notice that an instrument or equipment item is inoperative. Describe how you will determine if the aircraft is still airworthy for flight.
Are the inoperative instruments or equipment…
…part of the VFR-day type certification?
…listed as required on the aircraft’s equipment list or “Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL)” for the type of flight being conducted?
…required by 14 CFR 91.205, 91.207, or any other rule of 14 CFR Part 91 for the specific kind of flight being conducted? (e.g. VFR, IFR, day, night, etc.)
…required to be operational by an airworthiness directive (AD)?
If the answer is YES to any of these questions, the aircraft is not airworthy for flight
If the answer is NO to all of these questions, the instruments or equipment must be removed (by an A&P) from the aircraft, deactivated and placarded“Inoperative”
May portable electronic devices be operated on board an aircraft?
No person may operate or a PIC allow for the operation of a portable electronic device:
On aircraft operated by an air carrier or commercial operator
On any other aircraft while it is operated under IFR
Exceptions: voice recorders, hearing aids, heart pacemakers, electric shavers, or any other device that the operator of the aircraft has determined will not cause interference with the navigation or communication system(s) aboard the aircraft
Are electronic flight bags (chart systems) approved for use as a replacement for paper reference material in the cockpit?
Yes, but information must be current, up-to-date, and valid
Note: While it is rare, EFBs encounter malfunctions from time to time and it is recommended to have a backup source of aeronautical information necessary for the intended route of flight and a backup source of power for the device (battery pack, charging cables, etc.)
What documents are required to be on board an aircraft prior to flight?
A.R.R.O.W. C.E.
Airworthiness certificate
Registration certificate
Radio station license (if operating outside of U.S.; an FCC regulation)
Operating limitations (AFM/POH, supplements, and placards)
Weight and balance data (up-to-date)
Compass deviation card (legible and readable)
External data plate with serial number
What additional aircraft documentation should be onboard an aircraft equipped with an IFR-approved GPS?
Most systems require:
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement (AFMS)
Cockpit reference guide or quick reference guide
How often are GPS databases required to be updated?
Navigation databases are updated every 28 days
Obstacle databases *may* be updated every 56 days
Terrain and airport map databases are updated as needed
Can a GPS with an expired database be used for navigation under IFR?
The *navigation* database must be current if the system is to be used for IFR operations
*Obstacle* and *terrain* databases can be expired (only advisory in nature)
Some units allow for an expired database if the navigation waypoints are manually verified by referencing an official current source (enroute chart, sectional, etc.)
If in question, refer to the FAA-approved AFMS on board the aircraft
Can a pilot perform the required GPS database updates or must this action be accomplished by authorized maintenance personnel?
Yes, if and only if:
The update can be initiated from the flight deck, performed without disassembly of the avionics unit, and performed without the use of tools and/or special equipment
When utilizing for IFR navigation, are you required to have an alternate means of navigation appropriate for the route of flight?
If you have a WAAS receiver and it is working, NO
If you only have RAIM capability (non-WAAS), YES
If RAIM fails, you have to be actively monitoring the alternate means of navigation
If RAIM is available and functioning, you are not required to be actively monitoring the alternate means of navigation
Note: During preflight, ensure that this alternate means of navigation equipment is onboard and operational and that all required checks have been performed (e.g. 30-day VOR check)
How can a pilot determine what type of operations a GPS receiver is approved for?
The pilot should simply reference the AFM or AFMS to determine the limitations and operating procedures for the particular GPS equipment installed
Generic AFMS limitation pictured:
