8 Easy-To-Forget Details Of Flight Planning | Boldmethod
They may not make the biggest difference, but it's easy to miss the fine details of planning.
1) Winds and Runway Heading
Winds reported in METARs and Winds Aloft Forecasts are true north. Runway headings are magnetic north.
Boldmethod2) Unusable Fuel
Basic Empty Weight accounts for unusable fuel. When you're doing your weight and balance, you don't need to add in unusable fuel.
Boldmethod3) Notes Section
When you do performance calculations before your flights, double check the notes section. Grass runways, sloped runways, headwinds and tailwinds can all make a difference.
4) NOTAMs
You don't want to arrive at your destination and realize the runway is closed. Make sure you check the NOTAMs before you go. And if you need help reading them, we have the tool for you.
5) Night Currency
It's getting dark much earlier, and the end of Daylight Saving Time is right around the corner. If your flight is creeping up on an hour after sunset, and you have passengers, make sure you're night current.
6) Fuel Consumption
Most aircraft cruise performance values are calculated based off of the recommended leaning procedures. If you forget to lean or you don't lean according to the POH, you fuel consumption will be higher than planned.
Boldmethod7) Expired Charts
Charts do actually change. Whether it's a new tower on a VFR chart, or a change to an IFR procedure, make sure you have the most current charts with you.
Swayne Martin8) Airspace
Watch out for special airspace along your route. After all, nobody wants to accidentally fly through a restricted area.
What other flight planning details are easy to miss? Tell us in the comments below.
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