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What Pilots Do Before You Board

2 min read

The short answer

Long before you board, the pilots have studied the weather, the route and the fuel, and checked the plane itself. One walks around the outside while the other sets up the cockpit, and each checks the other's work. By the time the doors close, the whole flight has been planned and double-checked.

Arriving Early

Pilots usually start work about an hour before departure. Their first job is the briefing, where both pilots go through the whole flight together.

The Briefing

  • Weather — at the departure airport, the destination and backup airports, plus forecasts along the route, including any bumpy areas.
  • Notices — up-to-date information about airports and the route, such as a runway closed for works.
  • The route — the planned path, heights and timings.
  • Fuel — the captain decides the final amount, often adding extra. Read how much fuel a plane carries.
  • The plane's logbook — every fault and fix is recorded. An engineer must sign that the plane is fit to fly.

The Walk-Around

One pilot walks all the way around the outside of the plane. They check the tyres, brakes, engines, wings, lights and sensors. They're looking for anything unusual, like a dent, a leak or a loose panel. Engineers have checked the plane too. Read how planes are maintained.

Setting Up the Cockpit

Meanwhile, the other pilot prepares the cockpit. They check the systems, enter the route into the flight computer and work out the take-off speeds and power. These depend on the weather, the runway and the plane's weight.

Then the other pilot checks it all independently. Nothing important ever rests on one person.

The Cabin Crew Briefing

The captain briefs the cabin crew: the flight time, the weather, any expected bumps and any passengers needing extra help. The cabin crew check their safety equipment before boarding starts.

The "What If" Plan

Before take-off, the pilots talk through what they'd do if something unusual happened, such as an engine problem. They do this on every flight, even though it's almost never needed. It means any decision is already made calmly, on the ground.

Checklists, Every Time

Throughout, the pilots use checklists. One reads each item, the other checks it and replies. Even captains with 20,000 flying hours use them on every flight. That's not a lack of confidence — it's how flying stays so consistent.

What This Means for You

By the time you find your seat, your flight has been planned and checked by two pilots, engineers, planners and air traffic control. You can let them do their job.

Sources

Keep reading

How Planes Are Maintained

How planes are checked and maintained — from checks before every flight to a full rebuild every few years.

How Pilots Are Trained

The years of training and regular testing that make airline pilots some of the most qualified professionals anywhere.

How Much Fuel Does a Plane Carry?

Why every airliner takes off with more fuel than the trip needs — the spare layers the rules require, and how pilots keep track of it.

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