---
title: "What information must a pilot in command review before beginning a flight under preflight action rules? Answer in under 100 words."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/aviation/information-must-pilot-command-review-before-beginning-flight-under-preflight
jurisdiction: "US Federal · FAA · 14 CFR Part 91"
last_verified: 2026-08-26
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What information must a pilot in command review before beginning a flight under preflight action rules? Answer in under 100 words.

Under 14 CFR § 91.103, each pilot in command must, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. For an IFR flight or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, this includes weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives if the flight cannot be completed, and any traffic delays advised by ATC. For any flight, it also includes runway lengths at airports of intended use and takeoff and landing distance data.

## Details / How it works

§ 91.103 requires every pilot in command to gather preflight information in two categories:

- **IFR or not near an airport:** weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which the PIC has been advised by ATC.
- **Any flight:** runway lengths at airports of intended use, plus takeoff and landing distance information.

## Exceptions & edge cases

- If the civil aircraft has an **approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual** containing takeoff and landing distance data, the PIC must use the data contained therein.
- For civil aircraft without such a required manual, the PIC must use **other reliable information** appropriate to the aircraft, covering performance under expected values of airport elevation, runway slope, aircraft gross weight, wind, and temperature.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. National Archives, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations — 14 CFR 91.103 — Preflight action · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/section-91.103 · as of 2026-08-26