Lesson 9.1 Preflight Planning Review

Lesson 9.1 – Preflight Planning Review

A solid preflight plan brings together weather, aircraft performance, weight and balance, navigation, regulations, airspace, and risk management. Good planning is one of the strongest defenses against accidents and is tested on both the knowledge exam and the practical test.

Reference:

FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)

Risk Management Handbook

Complete Preflight Planning Sequence

Weather
- Obtain a standard weather briefing.
- Review METARs, TAFs, radar, AIRMETs/SIGMETs, and winds aloft.
- Compare current conditions with the forecast.
- Identify weather hazards along the route and at the destination/alternates.
Aircraft Performance, Weight & Balance, Pressure Altitude & Density Altitude
- Calculate weight and balance and confirm the airplane is within limits.
- Determine takeoff and landing distances for the expected conditions.
- Check climb and cruise performance.
- Confirm fuel required (including reserve) versus fuel on board.

Pressure Altitude

Pressure altitude is the altitude shown on the altimeter when it is set to the standard pressure of 29.92 inHg.

Ways to find it:

Set the altimeter to 29.92 and read the altitude, or
Calculate: Pressure Altitude = Field Elevation + (29.92 – current altimeter setting) × 1,000

Example:

Field elevation 2,000 ft, altimeter setting 29.72 →

29.92 – 29.72 = 0.20 → 0.20 × 1,000 = 200

Pressure Altitude = 2,000 + 200 = 2,200 ft

Density Altitude

Density altitude is pressure altitude corrected for non-standard temperature. It is the altitude the airplane “feels” like it is at for performance purposes.

High density altitude occurs with high elevation, high temperature, and (to a lesser extent) high humidity.

Effects of high density altitude:

Longer takeoff roll
Reduced climb performance
Longer landing distance
Reduced engine and propeller efficiency

Calculating Density Altitude with an E6B:

Determine pressure altitude.
On the E6B, set pressure altitude opposite the outside air temperature (OAT) in the density-altitude window.
Read density altitude directly.

Most electronic flight computers and apps also calculate density altitude when you enter pressure altitude and temperature.

Always use density altitude (or the temperature and pressure altitude values required by the chart) when reading takeoff, landing, and climb performance charts in the POH.

Route & Navigation
- Select a safe route considering terrain, airspace, and airports.
- Measure true courses and distances; apply magnetic variation.
- Identify checkpoints and calculate times and fuel for each leg.
- Note frequencies and airspace requirements.
Airspace & Regulations
- Identify airspace along the route and any special requirements.
- Check NOTAMs for TFRs, closures, and outages.
- Confirm currency and regulatory compliance.
Risk Assessment
- Apply the PAVE checklist (Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures).
- Apply the IMSAFE checklist.
- Decide whether the flight fits within your personal minimums.

Personal Minimums

Personal minimums are limits you set that are more restrictive than the regulations (higher weather minimums, maximum crosswind, minimum runway length, maximum density altitude, etc.). Once established, they should be respected.

Lesson 9.1 Preflight Planning Review

Complete Preflight Planning Sequence

Personal Minimums

Key Points for the Written Exam and Practical Test