Lesson 1a - Preflight Planning/Overview

Lesson Objective

During this lesson, the student/candidate will become familiar with the preparation required before walking out to the flight line. This includes weather preparation, understanding weather services, go/no decision, required documents for the pilot.

Regulatory Requirement

Pre-Solo pilot (Student Pilot and Transition Pilots): §61.87(i)(1)
Private Pilot Test Candidate: PTS Area of Operation IA, IB

Content

• Collecting information required for this flight
• Weather Information systems
• Required Documents in possession of the pilot

See Also

• Lesson Plan 7g. Special Awareness Training

Completion Standards

When complete, the student will:

• use WX-BRIEF to obtain a weather briefing
• be able to make a go/no-go decision based on weather briefing information
• be able to explain the hazards associated with flight in the vicinity of thunderstorms
• understand the different types of Aviation Weather services, as defined in Aviation Weather Handbook
• exhibit knowledge pertaining to required documents when acting as a pilot in command (pilots license, photo ID).

Prerequisite Study

• PPL Practical Test candidates should be familiar with Aviation Weather Handbook
• Glider Flying Handbook (2013)  Chapter 9 pages 9-21 through 9-25
• 14 CFR §61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.
• 14 CFR §91.103 Preflight action.

Required Homework

• Register as a user on www.1800wxbrief.com (need email address for username)
• Call 1-800-WX-BRIEF and get a standard VFR weather briefing for a local flight at Front Royal for the hours you plan to be flying.