AIRCRAFT HANDLING Part 4 Flight Preparation

The Captain Aircraft Captain. On any aircraft, there must be one person in charge who, however well his crew are doing their jobs, is the one to take charge in an emergency. That person is the Aircraft Captain. Any member of an aircraft crew may be appointed as the captain, but this appointment is most often held by the pilot.

The Captain The most important quality of the Captain of an aircraft is LEADERSHIP. It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that: He and his crew are fully prepared for the flight. have read and understood all of the relevant order books.

The Captain The most important quality of the Captain of an aircraft is LEADERSHIP. It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that: All necessary information to ensure the safe navigation of the aircraft has been obtained. Serviceability checks have been made on personal safety equipment items by each individual user.

The Captain The most important quality of the Captain of an aircraft is LEADERSHIP. It is the Captain’s responsibility to ensure that: Where passengers are carried, they are fully briefed. On a transport aircraft, the Captain will normally delegate this responsibility to the Air Loadmaster.

Flight Preparation Flight Planning requires knowledge of: The weather conditions at the time and a forecast of how the weather is likely to change during the flight. ATC clearance. Details of available diversion airfields and restricted airspace’s in the region of the flight. Navigation pre-calculations and preparation of maps and charts.

Flight Preparation BRIEFINGS “Self briefings” enable the Pilot/Nav to use Met and ATC information displayed in the Ops/flight planning room to complete the flight plan and prepare maps and charts. Many units hold a mass briefing for all aircrew at the start of the day’s flying; the Sqn OC, ATC, Wx and other departments brief crews on their areas.

Flight Preparation BRIEFINGS Passenger briefings vary but typically include: That the captain of the aircraft is in command, irrespective of rank, whilst in flight. Use of safety straps, crash & ditching positions. Escape hatches & dinghy positions. Fitting oxygen masks & operating the oxygen flow controls. Fitting and operate parachutes. Smoking & naked flame rules when applicable. Operating R/T communication equipment.

Flight Preparation Authorisation Formal authorisation is required before every flight. This is normally done by the Flight or Squadron Commander in the Flight Authorisation Book (Form 3562). In the event of an accident or breach of flying discipline, the relevant form 3562 will be impounded by the investigating authority.

Flight Preparation Authorisation The Captain also signs the Form 705, to certify that: Flight servicing has been carried out. The aircraft is shown as serviceable. Time before the next scheduled servicing is sufficient. The quantities of fuel, oil, oxygen and armament are sufficient for the flight. They are aware of work done on the aircraft since its last flight. It has been signed by the Flight Services Co-ordinator.

Pre-Flight Checks On approaching the aircraft the pilot will note: Position in relation to other aircraft Position in relation to obstructions Routes to the taxiway FOD Whether clear to start engines Condition of ground Aircraft is properly chocked Aids to starting engines properly positioned Starting crew & fire extinguishers in place

Pre-Flight Checks Detailed checks for the type of aircraft will be found in the Aircrew Manual for the type of aircraft, but will normally include: External checks. Cockpit checks before starting engines. Warming up and running up (piston engines). Pre-take off checks.

Pre-Flight Checks Checks may often be in “card” form and are “called off” to the pilot by another crew member by challenge and response. Checks are a pre-requisite of every flight. They are integral to the team work that goes into preparing the aircraft and crew for flight. They are the final steps in ensuring that all is ready for take off.

Pre-Flight Checks The pilot will usually check – Inside the cockpit to ensure the brakes are on and switches are off. The fuselage, wings & tail plane surfaces for signs of damage, ice, fuel or oil leaks etc., and check fastenings of inspection panels. The pitot head & static vent covers, engine covers & blanking plates are removed. The external control & undercarriage locks. The undercarriage for serviceability, noting signs of damage or excessive wear in tyres and wheels.

Pre-Flight Checks Before starting engines, the Captain must check that his starting crew are in place with fire extinguishers at hand, and the crew and passengers are correctly seated and strapped in. He will then check the cockpit to ensure that fuel and other services required are switched on. The undercarriage is selected down and is shown as being locked down. The brakes are locked on and pressurised and the engines are switched as required.

Pre-Flight Checks The pilot will then indicate the engines are ready to be started by shouting “All clear for starting?”. The Ground crew will then check it is clear. The pilot then repeats this before starting the engine.

Check of Understanding Whose duty is it to ensure that a crew is properly prepared for a flight? The station commander The crew chief The air loadmaster The aircraft captain

Check of Understanding Who is responsible for serviceability checks on personal safety equipment items? The crew chief The captain The individual The flight safety officer

Check of Understanding Who is responsible for ensuring that any passengers are briefed before a flight? The crew chief The air loadmaster The captain The movements officer

Check of Understanding When pilots or navigators use information displayed in the flight planning room to do their flight planning it is known as: Team briefing Self briefing Mass briefing Solo briefing

Check of Understanding Following an aircraft accident or breach of flying discipline, Which RAF Form is impounded by the investigating authority? F700 F3562 F705 F3822

Check of Understanding During pre-flight checks a captain will ensure that the starter crew are in place with which of the following close at hand? Spare fuel Ear defenders Fire extinguishers Safety equipment

Check of Understanding Which of the following forms does an aircraft captain sign before flight and after flight? F700 F705 F3562 F3822

Check of Understanding Where would you find detailed checklists for a particular aircraft type? The aircraft manual The aircrew manual The flight manual In the F700

AIRCRAFT HANDLING End of Presentation