| CHAPTER 5. Prefl ight and Ground Operations
Chapter Summary
Prefl ight preparations should include the overall evaluation
of the:
- Pilot: experience, sleep, food and water, drugs or
medications, stress, illness and overall aeromedical
factors, as discussed in Chapter 1, Introduction to
Weight-Shift Control.
- Aircraft: proper transport, fuel, weight (does not
exceed maximum), ARROW, takeoff and landing
requirements, equipment.
- EnVironment: where to fly, weather conditions,
forecast for departure and destination airfi elds, route
of fl ight, and specifi c airport patterns/runway lengths.
Pilot capabilities must be compared to the weather
limitations for the decision of whether to go to the
airfi eld.
- External pressures: schedules, available alternatives,
purpose of fl ight.
Prefl ight procedures include:
- Set up of the wing and mounting the wing on the
carriage (if trailered or taken down).
- Tuning the wing to fl y straight and at the proper trim
speed.
- Prefl ight inspection with written checklist of wing,
carriage, powerplant, systems, and fl ight deck.
- Readying aircraft to enter by proper positioning and
occupant prefl ight brief.
- Engine start, taxi, and performing before takeoff
check.
Postfl ight procedures include:
- Taxi off runway to appropriate location.
- Park, exit, post flight and documenting any
discrepancies.
- Hangar, secure or take down.
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