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Chapter 5 — Preflight and Ground Operations
Get Ready to Fly
Your preflight preparations should include evaluating
the airworthiness of the:
• Pilot: experience, sleep, food and water, drugs/
medications, stress, illness
• Aircraft: fuel, weight (does not exceed
maximum), density altitude, takeoff and landing
requirements, equipment
• EnVironment: weather conditions and forecast
for departure and destination airfields and route
of flight, runway lengths
• External pressures: schedules, available
alternatives, purpose of flight
Often remembered as PAVE, it is important for you to
consider each of these factors and establish your own
personal minimums for flying.
Once you determine the PAVE factors are favorable
for flight, you should obtain a weather briefing, check the loading is completed, take a short drive, stop, and
check for rubbing or chafing of components.
Prior to taking the trailer on the road, inspect the
tires for proper inflation and adequate tread; check
all lights to make sure they are operating; ensure the
hitch is free moving and well lubricated; make sure
the vehicle attachment is rated for the weight of the
trailer; check the vehicle and trailer brake operation.
When using a trailer, there are other precautions to
note. First, avoid towing with too much or too little
tongue weight as this causes the trailer to fishtail at
certain speeds, and it may become uncontrollable.
Second, take care when unloading the PPC to avoid
damage.
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