The Importance of the Pre/Post-flight Inspection

MIKE SHAMA

AIM

To discuss the criticality of the Pre/Post-flight Inspection of the helicopter and its systems in order to ensure the safe execution of the assigned task/mission, as well as the professional post-flight inspection in order to confirm the status of the aircraft and identify any defects

CONTENTS

• What is a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?• Who does a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?• Why do a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?• What sorts of things am I looking for during the

Pre/Post-flight Inspection?• What should I do if I find something that is out of

the ordinary?

The Pre/Post-flight Inspection - FAA

• “Any pilot worthy of the name knows the importance of a good pre-flight, but too often he is a total stranger to its close cousin – the post-flight. No flight is truly completed until proper care of the aircraft has been completed.

• No regulation covers the post-flight inspection, but good sense does. When you leave the aircraft, the safety of the next pilot to fly it may depend upon you – and that pilot may be you.”

What is a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?

• The pre-flight inspection is an inspection that is performed on the aircraft before each and every flight to ensure the safety and correct operation of all aspects of the aircraft, and to discover defects and maladjustments that, if not corrected, would cause accidents or aborted missions• Checks of the airframe• Blades• Engine• Fuel System• Instruments

• The post-flight inspection is accomplished after each flight or ground operation of the aircraft. The post-flight inspection is mainly a check for obvious defects (hydraulic, fuel, and oil leakage or structural damage), and to detect degradation that may have occurred during the previous flight.

Who does a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?

• The short answer: YOU• Don’t shirk this responsibility. It’s not just your life you are

putting at risk• You put at risk the lives of other crew, pax, ground personnel • The financial viability of the company that you work for can be

destroyed in a single accident• What you can expect when deployed on operations

• AME conducts a pre-flight before handing over to the pilot/s• Co-Pilot conducts external pre-flight before assisting with the

internal pre-flight

Why do a Pre/Post-flight Inspection?

• The statistics (US) show that the helicopter accident rate was 7.5 per 100,000 hours of flying, whereas the airplane accident rate was approximately 0.175 per 100,000 flying hours. Due to the nature of heli operations the inherent risk is higher• You reduce your risk profile

• Identifying an issue with the aircraft in the post-flight inspection allows for a number of positive actions to take place:• Maintenance can deal with snags allowing the aircraft to return to the line• Dispatch can make adjustments to scheduling

• A defect can be found that might be missed by the next pilot – demonstrates good AIRMANSHIP

What Should I Do If I Find Something That Is Out Of The Ordinary?

• REPORT IT• Snag it in the Flight Folio• Alert Dispatch• Alert CFI/Training Coordinator (if at a training school)• Alert an AME (Maintenance Department)

• Rather lose a training slot, a charter flight, an operational sortie

• You have a responsibility to yourself, the lives of other pilots, the lives of pax, the lives of those on the ground, and to your company’s well-being. The results can be devastating ...

SUMMARY

• “Aviation is intolerant of mediocrity” ~ Eric Fischer• The Pre-flight inspection is your best opportunity to catch a

potentially fatal issue before you initiate your mission• The Post-flight inspection, often over-looked, should be as

thorough as your pre-flight inspection, and is your responsibility. It provides you the opportunity to identify defects early, and to potentially save other pilots’ lives

• The Pre/Post-Flight Inspection saves lives• Aspire to be a professional AVIATOR in all aspects of operations

QUESTIONS

The Importance of the Pre/Post-flight Inspection

MIKE SHAMA