Fighter pre-flight inspections: key steps, technical procedures, safety checks and sample data to ensure safe missions.

The importance of pre-flight inspections for fighter aircraft

Pre-flight inspections of fighter jets are critical operations to ensure the safety of air missions. These rigorous technical procedures are designed to check the integrity of every major component of the aircraft before it takes off. An undetected failure could have serious consequences, up to and including the loss of the aircraft or endangering the pilot’s life. For this reason, pre-flight inspections follow well-defined and standardized steps, based on rigorously established military safety protocols.

External visual inspection

The pre-flight inspection begins with a visual check of the fighter’s exterior. The pilot or a specialized technician examines every surface of the aircraft for cracks, deformation or corrosion. For example, micro-cracks on the wings could compromise the aircraft’s resistance to high speeds. These inspections also include checking fasteners, joints and moving parts such as ailerons, elevators and vertical stabilizers. For a fighter like the Dassault Rafale, the thorough inspection of the flying surface takes around 20 minutes and requires the intervention of two technicians.

Inspection of hydraulic and electrical systems

Hydraulic systems are essential for controlling the aircraft’s control surfaces. Before each flight, hydraulic fluid levels are checked, and circuits inspected for possible leaks. A hydraulic fluid leak could lead to loss of control of the aircraft in flight. Similarly, the electrical systems inspection checks the correct operation of all electrical circuits, from aircraft lighting to communication and navigation systems. For example, on an F-16 Fighting Falcon, electrical malfunctions could be detected using an on-board diagnostic system, reducing inspection time to 15 minutes.

Inspection of propulsion systems

Checking engines is an essential part of the pre-flight inspection. Technicians ensure that the engine is in perfect working order, that there are no fuel leaks, and that oil levels are correct. For example, a Pratt & Whitney F119 engine, which powers the F-22 Raptor, must be inspected to ensure that it is free of foreign bodies. These inspections can last up to 30 minutes, and include no-load start-up tests to ensure there are no abnormal vibrations.

Checking the armament systems

For a fighter aircraft, weapons systems play a crucial role in mission accomplishment. Before flight, all weapons systems are inspected to ensure that ammunition, missiles and other equipment are correctly attached and in good working order. A typical inspection on an Eurofighter Typhoon includes checking the electrical connections of missiles, the stability of bomb racks and the condition of safety capsules. Technicians perform electrical continuity tests to ensure that each missile can be launched without incident.

Inspection of flight instruments and navigation systems

Flight instruments** are the pilot’s main source of information during the mission. Pre-flight checks include altimeters, gyroscopes, airspeed indicators and all other navigation systems. Modern systems, like those on the Lockheed Martin F-35, include multifunction displays and head-up displays (HUD). This equipment must be in perfect working order to provide accurate information to the pilot. An error in instrument reading could jeopardize the mission. Inspections include sensor calibration tests and functional tests of communication with the control center.

Inspection of ejection and survival systems

Pilot safety is a top priority. Before every flight, the ejection systems are thoroughly inspected to ensure that they function properly in the event of an emergency. The ejection seat, like the Martin-Baker Mk.16, must meet all safety requirements. Checks include the correct positioning of the ejection cartridges, the pilot restraint system and the parachute system. Similarly, survival equipment, including flight suits, rations and emergency radios, is inspected to ensure that it is complete and functional.

Precise pre-flight inspections, the key to safety

Pre-flight inspections of fighter aircraft are essential steps in guaranteeing flight safety and mission accomplishment. These highly technical procedures are carried out by qualified technicians following strict protocols. Every check, from the inspection of hydraulic systems to the verification of flight instruments, is designed to minimize the risk of failure. Thanks to these rigorous checks, fighter jets can operate in complete safety and carry out their missions under optimum conditions.

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