Figure 2-3.  Airplane Flight Manuals (AFM) and the Pilot Operating  Handbook (POH) for each individual aircraft explain the required  items for inspection.  A review determines if the required maintenance and  inspections have been performed on the airplane. Any  discrepancies must be addressed prior to flight. Once the pilot  has determined that the airplane’s logbooks provide factual  assurance that the aircraft meets its airworthy requirements,  it is appropriate to visually inspect the airplane. The visual  preflight inspection of the airplane should begin while  approaching the airplane on the ramp. The pilot should make  note of the general appearance of the airplane, looking for  discrepancies such as misalignment of the landing gear and  airplane structure. The pilot should also take note of any  distortions of the wings, fuselage, and tail, as well as skin  damage and any staining, dripping, or puddles of fuel or oils.  It must be determined by the pilot that the following  documents are, as appropriate, on board, attached, or affixed to  the airplane:  AFM/POH must be the reference for conducting the visual  preflight inspection, and each manufacturer has a specified  sequence for conducting the actions. In general, the following  items are likely to be included in the AFM/POH preflight  inspection: The inspection should start with the cabin door. If the door  is hard to open or close, does not fit snugly, or the door  latches do not engage or disengage smoothly, the surrounding  structure, such as the door post, should be inspected for  misalignment which could indicate structural damage. The  visual preflight inspection should continue to the interior of  the cabin or cockpit where carpeting should be inspected  to ensure that it is serviceable, dry, and properly affixed;  seats belts and shoulder harnesses should be inspected to  ensure that they are free from fraying, latch properly, and  are securely attached to their mounting fittings; seats should  be inspected to ensure that the seats properly latch into the  seat rails through the seat lock pins and that seat rail holes  are not abnormally worn to an oval shape;  [Figure 2-5]  the  windshield and windows should be inspected to ensure that  they are clean and free from cracks, and crazing. A dirty,  scratched, and/or a severely crazed window can result in  near zero visibility due to light refraction at certain angles  from the sun.  2-3 • Original Airworthiness Certificate (14 CFR part 91,  section 91.203) • Original Registration Certificate (14 CFR part 91,  section 91.203) • Radio station license for flights outside the United  States or airplanes greater than 12,500 pounds (Federal  Communications Commission (FCC) rule) • Operating limitations, which may be in the form of  an FAA-approved AFM/POH, placards, instrument  markings, or any combination thereof (14 CFR part  91, section 91.9) • Official weight and balance • Compass deviation card (14 CFR part 23, section  23.1547) • External data plate (14 CFR part 45, section 45.11) • Flight instruments must read correctly. Airspeed zero;  altimeter when properly set to the current barometric  setting should indicate the field elevation within 75  feet for IFR flight; the magnetic compass should  indicate the airplane’s direction accurately; and  the compass correction card should be legible and  complete. For conventional wet magnetic compasses,  the instrument face must be clear and the instrument  case full of fluid. A cloudy instrument face, bubbles in  the fluid, or a partially filled case renders the compass  unusable. The vertical speed indictor (VSI) should  read zero. If the VSI does not show a zero reading, a  small screwdriver can be used to zero the instrument.  • Circuit breakers checked IN • Avionics master OFF  • Trim wheels, which include elevator and may include  rudder and aileron, are set for takeoff position. • Fuel selectors should be checked for proper operation  in all positions, including the OFF position. Stiff fuel  selectors or where the tank position is not legible or  lacking detents are unacceptable. • Landing gear control is DOWN • Control column locks are REMOVED • Master, alternator, and magneto switches are OFF Visual Preflight Assessment