Build a Preflight Checklist That Matches Your Flight
Pick your aircraft, set the weather and flight type, and get a printable inspection list. No two flights are the same, and your checklist should not be either.
Checklist Generator
Your Preflight Checklist
Select your aircraft and conditions, then click Update Checklist to generate your preflight list.
Getting the Most from Your Checklist
A Real Scenario: Cold Morning Cross-Country
Imagine a December flight from Denver to Kansas City in a Cessna 172. The temperature at the field is 28°F and there is high humidity from overnight fog. You pick "Cessna 172", "Cold", and "Cross-Country" in the generator. The checklist adds pitot heat verification, frost inspection on wings and tail, and a longer engine run-up to check for carb ice. It also reminds you to bring cold-weather gear and to check survival equipment since you are flying over rural areas. A standard checklist would not flag half of those items. Print this list and walk around the aircraft with it. When you get to the run-up area, the engine warm-up note is right there. No flipping pages, no forgotten steps.
Common Preflight Mistakes Pilots Make
| Mistake | Why It Happens | How This Builder Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Skipping the fuel sump drain in cold weather | Pilots rush through the exterior check when it is cold and skip the sump because it is uncomfortable to handle fuel. | The cold-weather modifier highlights sump draining with a note about water contamination risk in low temperatures. |
| Forgetting flashlight and panel light check for night flights | Daytime habits carry over. Pilots do the same walkaround they always do and miss night-specific items. | Selecting "Night Operations" adds a dedicated lighting section: flashlight battery, panel dimmer, position lights, and landing light. |
| Not adjusting tire pressure expectations in hot weather | Tire pressure changes with temperature, but many pilots use the same touch-and-look method year-round. | The hot-weather modifier adds a tire inspection note with a reminder that overinflation risk increases on hot pavement. |
| Overlooking passenger briefing items | Solo pilots get used to a solo flow. When a passenger comes along, seatbelt and exit briefing steps get skipped. | The passenger flight purpose adds a cabin section: seatbelt check, exit briefing card, and sick-sack availability. |
FAA References Worth Reviewing
- Advisory Circular 91-67: Minimum equipment and inspection requirements for general aviation aircraft. This circular describes what a preflight inspection must cover and how to document discrepancies.
- 14 CFR Part 91.7: Civil aircraft airworthiness. The pilot in command is responsible for determining whether the aircraft is in condition for safe flight.
- Pilot Operating Handbook (POH): Your aircraft's POH contains the manufacturer's recommended preflight checklist. Always use it as the primary reference. This builder supplements it; it does not replace it.
- AC 00-45H: Aviation Weather Services. Understand how to interpret weather briefings so you can set the right weather mode here.