In addition to other preflight actions for a VFR flight away from the vicinity of the departure airport, what must the PIC determine?

• A. Runway lengths at airports of intended use and the aircraft’s takeoff and landing distance
• B. Weather briefing multiple times
• C. Nearest weather reporting station
• D. Aircraft weight and balance only

Answer: (A)

When planning a VFR flight away from the departure area, you must ensure that the airports you intend to use have enough runway for your aircraft’s performance under the expected conditions. The key point is that takeoff and landing distances change with weight, density altitude (altitude and temperature), wind, runway surface, and obstacles. Therefore the PIC must determine the runway lengths at airports of intended use and compare them to the aircraft’s published takeoff distance and landing distance data for the planned weight and conditions. This confirms you can safely operate from those runways, and helps you decide if you need to adjust weight, choose a different airport, or plan for longer distances.

Weather briefings and nearest weather reporting stations are important parts of preflight planning, but the requirement described focuses specifically on having runway length information and the aircraft’s performance distances to ensure safe takeoff and landing at the airports you'll use. Weight and balance is also important for performance, but the essential point here is matching runway lengths with takeoff/landing distances for the planned flight.