Question

During the preflight inspection who is responsible for determining the aircraft is safe for flight?

1) The Remote PIC
2) The owner or operator
3) The certificated mechanic who performed the annual inspection

Answer 1

The Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC) is responsible for ensuring the aircraft's safety during the preflight inspection through the use of a detailed checklist.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the preflight inspection, the person responsible for determining if the aircraft is safe to fly is the Remote Pilot in Command (Remote PIC). Although the owner or operator and the certificated mechanic have roles in maintaining and certifying the aircraft's safety at different intervals, it is ultimately the Remote PIC's responsibility to ensure the aircraft is safe before every flight. This includes following a preflight checklist to systematically review all essential equipment and components, similar to the checklists utilized in other safety-critical professions such as astronauts before launch and surgeons using the surgical safety checklist from the World Health Organization (WHO).