Hypothetical Question re: Expedited Preflight
Posted by buzburbank@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Non-pilot enthusiast here. I just watched this fascinating microburst video
https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/s/kUqPOVfqNA
and it got me to thinking. Say an unexpected severe thunderstorm is approaching and is somewhat imminent in terms of threats to person and property. You are onsite at an airport/airfield with minimal infrastructure and your GA aircraft is parked out in the open. The weather at your location for the time being is unremarkable. You are confident that inaction will result in total destruction and possibly even endanger your life, and that getting airborne would almost certainly keep both you and the aircraft safe.
Strictly by the book, about how much lead time (i.e., preflight) do you need to execute a safe and legal departure?
Throwing out the rules, how much time would you need to still feel safe about the aircraft and your preparation, at least to get out of harm’s way?
How much of a regulatory no-no would that be, and is there any circumstance under which the risk of sanctions, fines, or penalties would be justified?
sharkbite217@reddit
Well which is it my friend?
Make sure you have gas and oil. Check for any significant damage that would affect the safety of flight. Get going. 2 minutes?
Do a normal preflight per the POH? ~10 minutes
Alarmed_Square_2373@reddit
Fast-tracking preflight procedures could saveve time and imprrove efficiency. Thougghts?
sharkbite217@reddit
Like doing things faster?
Yeah, that might save time….That’s usually how time works
sharkbite217@reddit
Like doing things faster?
Yeah, that might save time….That’s usually how time works
Virtual_Skin7487@reddit
Rushing pre-flights has killed many pilots. It has killed many passengers too.
Never rush the pre-flight. In your hypothetical the best thing to so is to try get the plane under shelter / tied down. If no time, then get yourself to shelter. Rushing pre-flight just gets you to the scene of the accident quicker.
Schmergenheimer@reddit
I would absolutely not want to be pre-flighting under the stress of "gotta hurry up so my plane doesn't get destroyed by the storm." It might take me ten or fifteen minutes normally, and that means it should take me ten or fifteen minutes with a storm approaching. If I don't know for sure that I have that amount of time and then some, I'm either getting lucky or it's the insurance's problem.