1. Inspect the airplane to ensure it is safe to fly.
Before any flight, pilots should carefully inspect the exterior of their aircraft to make sure that it is in proper condition. This includes checking for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or dents in the fuselage, wings, and tail surfaces. Pilots should also check the engine and any other critical systems to make sure they are functioning properly. Finally, pilots should be aware of their surroundings, such as nearby obstacles and potential hazards that could interfere with the flight.
2. Ensure the correct paperwork is in order.
Before a pilot takes off, they must make sure all paperwork is filled out accurately and completely. This includes logs for the aircraft engines and other vital systems, fuel documents, weight balancing records, navigation charts, weather forecasts, flight plans, airport details like runway lengths or communication frequencies, etc.
3. Check fuel levels and weight balance of the aircraft.
Before takeoff, pilots must check both the fuel level of an aircraft as well as its total weight/balance. These checks are important to ensure the aircraft has enough fuel to complete its flight and that it is properly balanced, as an unbalanced plane can have difficulty controlling itself.
4. Test all safety features such as seatbelts, oxygen masks, fire extinguishers, etc.
Prior to taking off, pilots must check all of the onboard safety features on an airplane. This includes checking that seat belts are in working order, making sure oxygen masks are accessible and operational if needed, verifying fire extinguishers are present in case of an emergency, and testing any other safety systems that may be installed onboard.
5. Make sure all onboard electronics are functioning properly (GPS system, communication radios, autopilot controls, etc).
In addition to ensuring all safety equipment is functioning correctly, pilots must also test any electronic systems on board. This includes making sure the GPS system is working properly, that communication radios are functioning as they should and that autopilot controls can be used if needed.
6. Confirm that weather conditions and visibility are suitable for a safe flight.
Before taking off, pilots should always check the current weather conditions to make sure they will not encounter any turbulence or other dangerous situations during their flight. They should also confirm that visibility is good enough to spot other aircraft in the sky and avoid potential collisions.
7. Perform regular maintenance procedures like oil changes or engine inspections per checklist instructions.
Pilots need to perform regular maintenance procedures prescribed by manufacturer-specific checklists every 100 hours of flight time. These checklists typically include items like engine oil changes, inspections of certain parts, and general maintenance of the aircraft's overall condition.
8. Verify that the runway and other areas around it meet safety standards prior to takeoff.
Pilots should make sure the runway they will be taking off from is free of any obstacles or debris, as well as being long enough for their plane to take off safely. They should also look for any other potential hazards such as potential animals or vehicles in the area before beginning their takeoff procedure.
9. Conduct pre-flight checks on any cargo being transported on board.
When transporting cargo on an airplane, pilots must conduct pre-flight checks to ensure the cargo is properly secured and that it will not cause any balance or weight issues during the flight. They should also make sure the cargo is properly labeled and documented before takeoff.
10. Ensure all passengers are buckled in and have their oxygen masks on.
Lastly, pilots must ensure that all passengers onboard are buckled up securely and that they each have an oxygen mask accessible in case of a sudden loss of cabin pressure. This check should be done prior to takeoff as an added measure of safety for everyone onboard.