Preflight action14 CFR 91.103 Preflight action
Before beginning a flight, the pilot in command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. The rule names items that must be included: runway lengths and takeoff and landing distance information for every flight, plus weather, fuel, alternatives and known traffic delays advised by ATC for IFR flights and flights not in the vicinity of an airport.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- Before beginning a flight, the pilot in command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight (opening text).
- For any flight: runway lengths at airports of intended use and takeoff and landing distance information (b).
- Takeoff and landing distances come from the approved flight manual when one containing that data is required (b)(1), otherwise from other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft (b)(2).
- For a flight under IFR or not in the vicinity of an airport: weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives if the flight cannot be completed, and known traffic delays ATC has advised (a).
In plain English
Section 91.103 is one of the shortest rules in Part 91 and one of the broadest. It puts the duty on the pilot in command: before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. It then says this information must include certain items, so the listed items are a minimum, not the whole requirement.
Paragraph (b) applies to any flight. The pilot in command must know the runway lengths at airports of intended use and the takeoff and landing distance information. If the aircraft is one for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, that data is what the rule names (b)(1). For other civil aircraft, (b)(2) calls for other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to performance under the expected airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature.
Paragraph (a) adds items for a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport: weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which ATC has advised the pilot in command. The text does not define "in the vicinity of an airport" or name the sources to use. It sets the outcome: familiarity with all available information concerning the flight.
Common mistakes
- Treating the list as the complete requirement. The opening sentence asks for all available information concerning the flight, and the listed items are what that information must include.
- Thinking preflight action matters only for IFR or cross-country flights. Paragraph (a) covers those, but runway lengths and takeoff and landing distance information in (b) are required for any flight, including a local one.
- Leaving out the conditions behind the performance numbers. For aircraft under (b)(2), the information relates to airport elevation, runway slope, gross weight, wind and temperature.
The official text
14 CFR 91.103 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include—
(a) For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of 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 pilot in command has been advised by ATC;
(b) For any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the following takeoff and landing distance information:
(1) For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein; and
(2) For civil aircraft other than those specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 91.103.
Private Pilot
Before beginning any flight, 14 CFR 91.103 requires the pilot in command to become familiar with
- A. all available information concerning that flight, including weather, fuel, alternatives, and runway lengths.
- B. the destination weather forecast only.
- C. the aircraft's maintenance records for the preceding 12 months.
- D. NOTAMs for the departure airport only.
Show answer
A. all available information concerning that flight, including weather, fuel, alternatives, and runway lengths. The rule is deliberately broad: "all available information." For any flight not in the vicinity of an airport it specifically names weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives if the flight cannot be completed, known traffic delays, runway lengths, and takeoff and landing distance data.
More Private Pilot practice →Basic Ground Instructor
A student asks what preflight information is required before ANY flight, even a local one. The regulation specifically requires:
- A. runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the aircraft's takeoff and landing distance data.
- B. weather reports and forecasts, for every flight without exception.
- C. a filed flight plan.
- D. an alternate airport within fuel range.
Show answer
A. runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the aircraft's takeoff and landing distance data. 91.103 requires familiarity with all available information, and names runway lengths and takeoff/landing distance data for every flight. Weather reports, fuel requirements, and alternatives are specifically required only for IFR flights or flights not in the vicinity of an airport.
More Basic Ground Instructor practice →
Questions pilots ask
What does 91.103 require before every flight?
Before beginning any flight, the pilot in command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight, including runway lengths at airports of intended use and takeoff and landing distance information (91.103(b)).
What extra preflight information is required for an IFR flight or a flight away from the airport?
For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, the information must include weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which ATC has advised the pilot in command (91.103(a)).
Where do takeoff and landing distance figures have to come from?
If an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required for the aircraft, the data in it (91.103(b)(1)). For other civil aircraft, other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft relating to performance under expected airport elevation, runway slope, gross weight, wind and temperature (91.103(b)(2)).