Once More Around The Aircraft Before Departure
by Aviation & Safety Editor Gary Wiblin
Some time ago I wrote in this column of the need for a
pre-take-off walk-around. Not a replacement for the pre-flight
inspection mind you but, just before entering the cockpit, a final
walk around the entire aircraft. This is because, more often than
not, pilots and passengers do not enter the aircraft immediately
after the pre-flight inspection has been completed. The reason I
would like to elaborate on this subject is because there have
recently been three incidents that I know of where a pre-flight
walk-around would have saved the day. I will describe all three
scenarios in order to hammer home the vital need for a pre-take-off
walk-around, EVERY time. No matter what!