5 Additional Safety Tips for Preflight Inspection of a Plane

Assuming that you have successfully completed a pilot training course, one or several lessons included in your training will surely have tackled the dos and don'ts of preflight inspection of a plane. The following will serve only as additional tips to increase your safety during the flight.

Tip #1 Follow the Book

All planes and pilots come with a checklist for preflight inspection of a plane. Even though you've memorized these steps already, why risk your safety if you don't have to by neglecting to double check items with the list? When you're a thousand miles off the ground, it's best not to take chances, don't you think?

Tip #2 Know Your Partner

And by partner, we mean your plane because when you're flying, you should think about nothing else but where you're going and working in harmony with your aircraft. In the passage of time, there might be a few things that you'll have to pay special attention to and which won't be included on your checklist. This is primarily due to the increasing age of your plane. Being familiar with your plane will let you know beforehand what these "chinks" are and how to make sure they won't endanger your journey.

Tip #3 Consider Flying Conditions

There are days when you can fly in perfect conditions and there are days when you can't. When flying in the latter, make sure you include the additional necessary steps to your preflight inspection. Flying during the winter, for instance, might place extra pressure on your plane's heating capacity...will it be able to deliver if and when it's called to task? Flying at night places extra significance on your plane's lights and navigation facilities...are they all in good working order?

Tip #4 Check Your Supplies

Your plane, besides being well-conditioned, must also be properly equipped with all the necessary supplies and equipment in the event of an emergency. Besides having more than enough fuel supply and the necessary tools and equipment for repairing malfunctioning parts of your plane, make sure that you've got enough supplies for YOUR survival as well.

Tip #5 Double Check Everything

Once you're done with the whole process, start over again from scratch. Granted, double checking every item in your list will be time-consuming, but that's a small price to pay for ensuring your safety, isn't it?

If you have a buddy with you, divide the inspection process into two parts then exchange tasks on your second inspection.