Lesson 2c - Glider Daily Inspection

Lesson Objective

The student/candidate will learn the importance of the glider daily inspection, the correct procedure and habits of a successful preflight.

Regulatory Requirement

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

Content

• Purpose and Procedures of Preflight
• Use of Preflight Checklists
• Required aircraft documents (ARROW)
• Critical Assembly Checklist
• Weight and Balance

Completion Standards

• know the role of the aircraft preflight procedure
• know how to use the POH/GFM to discern proper preflight procedures
• use loading charts to determine weight and balance limits
• understand the importance of proper weight and balance
• use appropriate checklists during preflight
• know what documents are required in the aircraft for legal flight
• know the roles of the Airworthiness and Registration Certificates

Prerequisite Study

• Glider Flying Handbook (2024), Chapter 6, figure 6-15.
• 14 CFR §91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command.
• 14 CFR §91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness.

Recommended Study

• Glider Flight Manual for the ASK-21
• Glider Flight Manual for the PW-5
• Skyline Soaring Cockpit Cards (with preflight checklists for each glider)