Most small airplanes cannot safely fly with adult passengers in every seat. The combined weight of passengers, baggage, and fuel must be less than a certain maximum weight (called the “useful load”) that is different for every airplane. This weight also has to be properly positioned in the airplane. If the airplane is overloaded or the load is not properly positioned the airplane is unsafe and illegal to fly.

What should you do?

Ask the pilot to explain the weight and balance calculations used for your particular load of passengers, luggage, and fuel. The pilot should be happy to show you that the airplane is not overloaded, and that the load is safely within the fore and aft center of gravity (also referred to as “CG”) limits for your airplane. DO NOT continue with your planned flight If the pilot is unwilling or unable to show you that the plane is within legal and safe weight and balance limits.

Every year multiple airplanes crash because many pilots do not understand how to safely fly in or over the mountains. Mountain flying requires knowledge and training beyond that required to obtain a pilots license. Pilots commonly make the fatal mistake of flying up a canyon or towards a pass without FIRST climbing to an altitude that is considerably higher than the highest point that must be crossed.

What should you do?

Ask your pilot about their training for and experience in mountain flying, and how they planned for your particular flight. A trained and experienced mountain pilot should explain what altitude they will climb to before entering a canyon or mountainous terrain, how much clearance they will have over the highest point to be crossed (2,000 feet or more is best), and whether the expected wind, cloud, and weather conditions are favorable for your flight. DO NOT continue with your planned flight if the pilot has little or no mountain flying training or cannot explain what measures they will take to ensure a safe flight.

Wings and other devices that the pilot uses to control the airplane do not work properly if they are contaminated with snow, ice, or even a thin layer of frost. Snow and ice also add weight to the airplane, potentially making it overweight or imbalanced. Unlike commercial airliners, most small airplanes do not have the ability to remove snow, ice, or prior to flight and to keep it off during a flight. Some small airplanes have the ability to remove limited amounts of ice during flight, but should still never take off with snow, ice, or frost on the wings.

What should you do?

DO NOT continue with your planned flight if there is snow, ice, or frost on the airplane.

Many small airplane accidents occur because the pilot is under self-imposed pressure or group pressure to complete a flight to a planned destination on schedule. This is such a common cause of flying accidents that pilots have given it the name “get-there-itis”. It causes pilots to take off when a flight should be delayed or canceled due to unacceptable conditions (especially bad weather or pilot fatigue), and encourages pilots to continue a flight that has become unacceptably risky rather than landing at an unplanned destination.

What should you do?

If you plan to travel in a small airplane and have a schedule to keep, make backup travel plans. Refundable airline tickets or an alternate plan to drive are good options. If you have no backup travel plans but your planned flight has become too risky due to weather, pilot fatigue, unplanned darkness, etc. DO NOT fly. No schedule is worth dying for. If your flight is in progress and has become too risky, give up on your plans to reach your planned destination and encourage the pilot to land at a safe location as quickly as is reasonable.

Pilots tend to be safer when they have a reasonable amount of total flying experience, experience in the type of airplane being flown, and recent flying experience. A highly experienced pilot may still be unsafe if they do not have sufficient experience flying a particular type of airplane.

What should you do?

Use caution If the pilot has only recently obtained their pilot license, has not flown much in the last month or two, or does not have much recent experience in the type of airplane to be used for your flight. Such flights might still be done safely, but only under favorable conditions including daylight, good weather, little or no wind, and destinations limited to familiar airports. DO NOT continue with your planned flight unless the pilot can explain their plan to reduce the risks associated with inexperience or lack of recent experience.

A good pilot will be happy to answer any questions you have about flight safety.

What should you do?

DO NOT continue with your planned flight unless the pilot can explain their plan for a safe flight and address all of your concerns and questions.

Mountain flying brings extra hazards including difficult winds, complex weather, poor airplane performance at higher altitudes, impaired judgement from reduced oxygen levels, and limited sites for an emergency landing in the case of an engine outage.

What should you do?

Ask your pilot about their training for and experience in mountain flying, and how they planned for your particular flight. A trained and experienced mountain pilot should explain what altitude they will climb to before entering a canyon or mountainous terrain, how much clearance they will have over the highest point to be crossed (2,000 feet or more is best), and whether the expected wind, cloud, and weather conditions are favorable for your flight. DO NOT continue with your planned flight if the pilot has little or no mountain flying training or cannot explain what measures they will take to ensure a safe flight.

Pilots are not allowed to fly in clouds or other conditions that obscure visibility unless the pilot is trained and licensed to fly on instruments (an Instrument Rating), the pilot has recent instrument flying experience (Instrument Currency), the airplane has the required equipment (IFR Capable), and the flight is on an instrument flight plan (an IFR flight plan).

What should you do?

DO NOT take your planned flight unless the pilot has an instrument rating, is instrument current, the aircraft is IFR capable, and your flight is on an IFR flight plan.

Night flying brings extra hazards including difficulty avoiding mountains, antennas, or other obstacles; illusions that may cause the pilot to lose control of the aircraft; pilot fatigue; limited sites for an emergency landing in the case of an engine outage.

What should you do?

Ask your pilot what precautions they have taken to reduce the risk of night flight. These may include filing an instrument flight plan (flying IFR); flying on a clear moonlight night; avoiding dark areas such as mountains, deserts, and large bodies of water; and flying in a multi-engine airplane. DO NOT continue with your planned flight unless the pilot can explain their plan to reduce the risks associated with night flying.

Flying over a large body of water means that the pilot will have to perform an emergency landing into the water (known as ditching) in the event of an engine outage.

What should you do?

Ask your pilot about their plan to reduce the risk of flying over a large body of water. Prudent pilots will ensure that they are within glide distance of the shoreline or are flying a multi-engine airplane. Specialized safety equipment such as life jackets, survival suits, or a raft may also be needed.

When it is hot airplanes require longer runways for takeoff and landing and climb more slowly.

What should you do?

Ask your pilot if they have calculated whether your airplane has sufficient performance (including a healthy safety margin) to takeoff on the intended runway, enough climb performance to avoid mountains or other obstacles, and sufficient runway for a safe landing. DO NOT continue with your planned flight unless your pilot has completed these calculations.

Your flight is safely within the weight and balance limits of your airplane.

Your entire flight will be in daylight.

Few or no clouds and no precipitation.

Mornings are best in the summer.

Little or no wind.

You are not facing pressure to arrive at your destination on time and can easily cancel the flight or land at an alternate airport.

Your flight will climb above mountain ridges before crossing them and will be over terrain that includes adequate space for an emergency landing in the event of an engine outage.

Your pilot has flown the exact plane you're using several times in the past month or two.