AIRCRAFT HANDLING

Part 4

Flight Preparation

The CaptainOn 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 CaptainThe 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.

He and his crew have read and understood

all of the relevant order books.

The CaptainThe 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 CaptainThe 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 PreparationFlight 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 PreparationBRIEFINGS

“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 PreparationBRIEFINGS

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 PreparationAuthorisation

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 PreparationAuthorisation

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 goesinto preparing the aircraft and crew for flight.

They are the final steps in ensuring

that all is ready for take off.

Pre-Flight ChecksThe pilot will usually check –

Inside the cockpit to ensure the brakes are on and switches are off.

The fuselage, wings & tail plane surfacesfor 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 ChecksBefore starting engines,

the Captain must check that his starting crew are in place with fire extinguishers at hand,

and the crew and passengersare 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 pressurisedand 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.

Whose duty is it to ensure that a crew is properly prepared for a flight?

The aircraft captain

The station commander

The air loadmaster

The crew chief

Check of Understanding

Who is responsible for serviceability checkson personal safety equipment items?

The flight safety officer

The crew chief

The individual

The captain

Check of Understanding

Who is responsible for ensuring that any passengers are briefed before a flight?

The movements officer

The crew chief

The captain

The air loadmaster

Check of Understanding

When pilots or navigators use information displayed in the flight planning room

to do their flight planning it is known as:

Solo briefing

Team briefing

Mass briefing

Self briefing

Check of Understanding

Following an aircraft accident or breach of flying discipline,

Which RAF Form is impounded by the investigating authority?

F3822

F700

F705

F3562

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?

Safety equipment

Spare fuel

Fire extinguishers

Ear defenders

Check of Understanding

Which of the following forms does an aircraft captain sign before flight and after flight?

F3822

F700

F3562

F705

Check of Understanding

Where would you find detailed checklists for a particular aircraft type?

In the F700

The aircraft manual

The flight manual

The aircrew manual

Check of Understanding

AIRCRAFT HANDLING

End of Presentation