Commercial Pilot how-to

How to Plan a Charter Flight

Good planning makes safe flights routine.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good planning makes safe flights routine. In short: review; check; calculate, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Review passengers, cargo and destination requirements.

  2. Check weather, NOTAMs and airport information.

  3. Calculate fuel, weight and balance and performance.

  4. File a flight plan.

  5. Brief passengers on safety.

  6. Review alternates in case weather changes.

Safety reminders for commercial pilots

  • Use checklists for every phase of flight
  • Follow personal and legal weather minimums
  • Manage fatigue and duty limits
  • Keep medical certification current

Part 61 · Part 141 · Part 135 · IFR · VFR · NOTAM: see the full commercial pilot glossary.

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