Before You Fly

As we all very well know, as with anything in life, prior preparation prevents poor performance, knowing your preflight and landing checks goes into this category.  Having a thorough knowledge of your country's checks is essential to a successful flight.  If you’re just learning to fly, then some study and visualisation are required, not only will it save you time and money, it’ll show your instructor that you’re keen, striving for safety first, and will show maturity. Revising these checks yearly too is a good idea, as from time to time your country's requirements may change and it’s an easy ‘tick in the box' for your annual or biannual flight review!

I must make a point though, the below checks are the ones we fly in Australia and I’m not an instructor. I’m providing them here so that you can see how another country does them, plus to build your overall knowledge, perhaps there’s something that you can identify below that will ensure you have a safe flight next time after you’ve given it your own thought or had some friendly ‘hangar talk’ amongst your mates randomly one day.  Let’s get into it!

Before I hop into the glider that I’ll be operating, I go through the following steps.

A – Airframe: Walk around check for damage and/or defects, it’s your last line of defence – perhaps you accidentally hit a large rock on the way to the grid, or forgot to take off the pitot-cover.  Check the Maintenance Release (is it the correct one for the glider?), including the daily inspection validity.

B – Ballast: Ensure that the trim ballast is secure if it’s needed, and is the glider loading is within placard limitations? If ever in doubt, ask!

C – Controls: Check the flight controls, including air brakes and flaps, for correct sense and full deflections

D – Dollies: are all dollies and ground handling equipment removed?

It’s now time to hop into the glider.  Ensure that when you are doing your checks, you aren’t distracted.  If people are talking around you, then politely ask them to give you a moment to focus.  You won’t be the first, nor the last, whom forgets to lock the airbrakes because you were distracted by something – so if you get distracted, start the checks again, it will probably save you from a little fright...

C – Control Access: Seat adjustments, are they secure and positioned to allow for comfortable access to all flight controls?  Can you reach all panel switches/knobs and the tow release? Rudder pedals adjusted for reach.  Identify where the wheel brakes are, some gliders are on the end of the air brake handle, others on the stick, and others are on the rudder pedals.

H – Harness: Ensure that it’s secure, lap belt firm and low on the hips, this is what is going to keep you in the cockpit.  Shoulder straps can be on so they are comfortable. What about the second pilot?

A – Airbrakes and Flaps: airbrakes cycled and set for launch, or closed and locked. Set your flaps as per the flight manual.

O – Outside & Options: Is the airspace and takeoff path clear? What is the wind doing and how will it affect your takeoff technique and emergencies if they eventuate? Have you got a sufficient and competent ground crew available? What is your emergency plan?

T – Trim: trim set as required, ballast confirmed

I – Instruments: altimeter set, other instruments reading normally, no apparent damage. Radio on and on the correct frequency.

C – Canopy: closed, locked, and clean
C – Carriage: undercarriage down and locked
C – Controls: check for full and free movement

Pre-Landing Check, you’re on downwind now, do these early so that you can focus on the traffic pattern, radio calls, and other aircraft in the circuit.

F – Flaps: Set as required

U – Undercarriage: Down and locked

S – Speed: set for your target approach speed as per the flight manual, country standards, and for a safe speed near the ground, have you considered adding a wind increment?

T – Trim: set for selected speed, dispose of any ballast you’ve held during the flight

Remember a good flight doesn’t end once you’ve come to a complete stop, for me it ends when the glider is safely towed back to the hangar, cleaned, and batteries on charge for the next person. One could take it further to ensure that you’re fed, hydrated, and alert for the drive home too!  Happy soaring:)

Banner photo by Sean Franke

 Adam Woolley was born into the gliding world, being the 3rd generation in his family. Going solo at 15, his thirst for efficiency in soaring flight & quest for a world championship title to his name has never wavered. One big passion is sharing his experiences & joy with other glider pilots all around the world. Adam is an airline pilot in Japan on the B767 & spends his off time chasing summer around the globe. He has now won 7 national Championships & represented Australia at 5 WGC's & 1 EGC.