1. AIRCRAFT HANDLING
Part 4
Flight Preparation

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

24. 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

25. AIRCRAFT HANDLING
End of Presentation