VISUAL INSPECTION

The accomplishment of a safe flight begins with a careful

visual inspection of the airplane. The purpose of the

preflight visual inspection is twofold: to determine that

the airplane is legally airworthy, and that it is in condition

for safe flight. The airworthiness of the airplane is

determined, in part, by the following certificates and

documents, which must be on board the airplane when

operated. [Figure 2-1]

Airworthiness certificate.

Registration certificate.

FCC radio station license, if required by the type

of operation.

Airplane operating limitations, which may be in

the form of an FAA-approved Airplane Flight

Manual and/or Pilot's Operating Handbook

(AFM/POH), placards, instrument markings, or

any combination thereof.

Airplane logbooks are not required to be kept in the

airplane when it is operated. However, they should be

inspected prior to flight to show that the airplane has

had required tests and inspections. Maintenance

records for the airframe and engine are required to be

kept. There may also be additional propeller records.

At a minimum, there should be an annual inspection

within the preceding 12-calendar months. In addition,

the airplane may also be required to have a 100-hour

inspection in accordance with Title14 of the Code of

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, section

91.409(b).

If a transponder is to be used, it is required to be

inspected within the preceding 24-calendar months. If

the airplane is operated under instrument flight rules

(IFR) in controlled airspace, the pitot-static system is

also required to be inspected within the preceding

24-calendar months.

The emergency locator transmitter (ELT) should also

be checked. The ELT is battery powered, and the

battery replacement or recharge date should not

be exceeded.

Airworthiness Directives (ADs) have varying

compliance intervals and are usually tracked in a

separate area of the appropriate airframe, engine, or

propeller record.

The determination of whether the airplane is in a condition

for safe flight is made by a preflight inspection

of the airplane and its components. [Figure 2-2] The

preflight inspection should be performed in accordance

with a printed checklist provided by the airplane manufacturer

for the specific make and model airplane.

However, the following general areas are applicable to

all airplanes.

The preflight inspection of the airplane should begin

while approaching the airplane on the ramp. The pilot

should make note of the general appearance of the

airplane, looking for obvious discrepancies such as a

landing gear out of alignment, structural distortion,

skin damage, and dripping fuel or oil leaks. Upon

reaching the airplane, all tiedowns, control locks, and

chocks should be removed.