Prior to beginning any aircraft operations, it is necessary to undertake a pre-flight check of the aircraft. Every aircraft should be provided with a checklist. Notwithstanding the importance of thoroughly checking the aircraft prior to each flight, it is all too common to see pilots walking round 'going through the motions' but seeing nothing. Recently a pilot did a preflight walk round but still tried to take off with a large water container tied to each wing!

There is a standard procedure for checking the aircraft, starting at the left wingtip and moving around clockwise.

Included below is a typical checklist. This one is used by Vista Aviation for one of their Cessna 172s.