Final answer:
Before take-off, pilots must complete a flight manifest, including details like crew, passenger count, cargo weight, and fuel calculations. They also go through a checklist to ensure all engines and systems are operational.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pilots of multi-engine aircraft must meticulously fill out a flight manifest before each take-off to ensure safe and legal operations. The flight manifest is essential as it includes crucial information regarding the flight such as the names of the crew members, the number of passengers on board, the weight distribution of the cargo, and important fuel calculations. Before pilots take off, they must also complete a pre-flight checklist to ensure the engines, along with all other critical systems of the aircraft, are functioning correctly. This pre-flight process is vital to aviation safety and can prevent incidents, such as what occurred with the 767 flight that ran out of fuel and lost all engine power en route from Montreal to Edmonton. The successful emergency landing of this plane, guided by a glider-experienced captain, underscores the importance of having skilled pilots and robust checklists.