What process do you go through before flights?
 

Hi all.


I'd like to know what you would generally go through before departure.

Such as;

Dispatch Release
Weather
Notams
etc
etc


And what order you may do them in.

I've always been curious. Cheers lads! :)

Part 135 charter pilot here.

I start out using duats.com for all my weather/filing since we don't have a dispatch. Easier and quicker than talking to the FSS(plus all the extra babble). I have it down and I know where to sort through the BS. Takes me 5-10 min to get all weather, and file 4-5 IFR flight plans.

I noticed you are in training, so adds.aviationweather.gov is a great tool. For the VFR pilot the Java METAR's/TAF's are EXCELLENT!!! When I flight instructed, I lived by that for my quick look between flights. It's not an "Officially" recognized weather resource as far as breifings go, but for abbreviated info it's nice, quick, and geographically plotted.

Since you're a student I'd get a duat report and look at it while getting a brief from my FSS. I won't let my students fly without doing this. ADDS is great for students in particular. Go find the worst weather in the country and use the java tool for METARS and practice decoding them.

Have your instructor show you the maint. logs. You're required as pilot in command to make sure the aircraft is airworthy and all too often students are introduced to them just before their checkride. Take time every now and again to comb through them and become familiar.

Pip you are finally a CFI now and not a ramp rat, congrats on the upgrade...

Also a 135 pilot here.

I typically start the evening before. I put the flight plans into fltplan.com for the next day. I also take a look at the prog charts for the weather outlook. About an hour before I leave for the airport, I take one more quick look at the weather and amend my flight plans as necessary (i.e. new alternate, drop alternate, new route). I set it so that the flight plans will be filed automatically. Then it's off to the airport. I get the logs for the airplane, review any squawks, and sign for the airplane. Then it's on to fltplan.com once more to print out nav logs for each leg of the trip. I also print out a fresh copy of the day's trip card. Then I head over to duats.com to get a weather briefing. I cut and paste it into notepad so that I can delete the stuff that I don't need. I print off what's left. Then I work a weight and balance. From this, I determine if I'll be able to carry enough fuel for the whole day or if I'll have to buy some fuel at my destination. Then I go out to preflight the airplane. After I know how much gas I have, I put in a fuel order. Then it's just a matter of waiting for the passengers after I've got my fuel. Hope it helps. It's just one way of doing it. I'm sure there are as many ways to do it as there are people.

1- smoke a doobie
2- have a couple of shots of jack
3- have sex with a 16 yr old boy or girl
4- pop wheelies on my ninja on the way to the fbo
5- call all the chicks "toots" as I saunter by
6- wear my over size rayban aviators indoors
7- wear my leather jacket, even during the summer
8- make sure they play my own theme music as I walk in the fbo
9- use my flt realse/flt plan to cover my head if it is raining, only use for it
10- kick the tires and light the fires
11- have one more shot of jack before I gun it out of the parking spot
12- Yell at all the mechs, so they know i mean biz
13- Have surly tone with the gnd controlers
14- beat up any harie krishna I see
15- constantly re-check my over size avaitors watch, ya know the one with the ELT in it
16- dress down the caterer for having such crappy meals
17- insult the line service guy for not coming to my plane first
18- be insulant to the pax for being late
19- dont actually touch the airplane during a pre-flight, you might get dirty
20- And hate everone for not being as cool as ME










Sorry I couldnt resist

121 routine...

These duties are divided between the CA and FO, who does what can depend on the situation. If somebody needs to go to starbucks or to a sit-down toilet, the other guy does it all:

- Walk-around inspection (pre-flight)
- Start APU
- Safety/acceptance Check (make sur switches are in the right position)
- Get release (often they bring it out, sometimes not)
- Get ATIS/clearance
- review documents/Mx book
- Review release info: Flight plan, Wx, performance, notams
- Program FMS: Flight plan, performance
- Set radios/instrument displays
- Brief FA
- Brief MEL's
- Brief taxi, departure, configuration (flaps/radar/anti-ice/ignition/bleeds/APU), de-icing, Single-engine procedure
- Fill out W&B/Manifest
- Run various checklists
- Establsih comms w/ tug driver
- Get pushback clearance
- Push back and start engine(s)

121...

-Walk Around (make sure all important parts, like wings. are there)
-Look at realease
-Get ATIS and clearance
-Do a lot of checklists
-Put sugar in coffee
-Put seat belt on
-Move some levers and push some buttons until engines start running

Repeat

121 in a Jungle Jet....

Get woken up by noisy people in next room
Get woken up by noisy air conditioner
Get woken up by wake up call
Crawl out of bed, get ready, go to airport

Get molested by TSA
Get molested some more
Finally make it to the gate!

Knock out the safety inspection
Initialize ACARS
Do preflight
Get back in the plane, preferrably still unfrozen
Get ATIS, and figure out perf data

Do a bunch of flows and then start engines
Catch up on some Zzzzs while the capt taxis out
Get woken up by ATC
Fly around a bit
Find my way back to a hotel by the end of a 16 hour day

:D

Hey, Thedude, are you at CO on the 737?