Pre-flight action (SERA.2010)

Pre-flight action — SERA.2010(b) / Annex 2 §2.3.2

A flight is decided on the ground: the law obliges you to inform yourself thoroughly before every flight. The legal hook is often misquoted, so note it carefully — pre-flight action is part of the PIC's responsibilities in SERA.2010(b) (ICAO Annex 2 §2.3.2), and the exam expects you to know both what must be checked and when a full weather study is required.

The rule

ICAO Annex 2 §2.3.2 (Pre-flight action) and its European counterpart SERA.2010(b) require the PIC, before beginning a flight, to become familiar with all available information appropriate to the intended operation. For flights away from the vicinity of an aerodrome, and for all IFR flights, this expressly includes a careful study of current weather reports and forecasts, taking into account fuel requirements and an alternative course of action if the flight cannot be completed as planned.

The minimum briefing

Before departure the PIC works through at least:

• Weather for departure, route and destination (reports and forecasts)
• NOTAMs
• AIP information for the aerodromes concerned
• Fuel calculation including reserves
• Mass and balance and performance (take-off/landing distances)
• Airworthiness of the aircraft (documents, technical status)

Fuel reserves (NCO.OP.125)

For non-commercial operation of light aeroplanes, NCO.OP.125 sets the minimum fuel to be carried: enough for the intended flight plus a reserve of

When is the full weather study required?

• Required for every flight away from the vicinity of the aerodrome and for all IFR flights (SERA.2010(b)).
• Flights remaining in the traffic circuit / vicinity of the aerodrome do not require the full weather study — general familiarity with available information still applies.

Details of the planning process are covered in Subject 030 ("Planning") and Subject 060 ("Pre-flight"); the weather briefing itself in Subject 050.

Germany

Compliance can be checked on the ground by the Beauftragter für Luftaufsicht (aviation supervision officer): this officer is permitted to check whether a pilot has properly pre-planned the flight (e.g. weather documents, NOTAMs, fuel plan). See the lesson "National Law — Germany".

Exam essentials

• Pre-flight action is regulated by SERA.2010(b) and ICAO Annex 2 §2.3.2 — not by SERA.2020, which deals with psychoactive substances.
• Before every flight the PIC must become familiar with all available information appropriate to the intended operation.
• For flights away from the aerodrome vicinity and all IFR flights, a careful study of current weather reports and forecasts including an alternative course of action is mandatory.
• Minimum fuel reserve under NCO.OP.125: 30 minutes (VFR day), 45 minutes (VFR night).
• Pre-flight action also covers fuel, mass and balance, performance and airworthiness.
• In Germany the Beauftragter für Luftaufsicht may check whether the flight was properly pre-planned.