Cessna 172 preflight checklist

Document the issue thoroughly in the observation fields provided in the checklist. Take photos if possible. For minor issues that don’t affect airworthiness, note them for maintenance follow-up. For significant problems, abort the flight and contact your maintenance provider immediately with your documented findings.

You can easily adapt this template by adding model-specific inspection points in the observation fields. The core checklist covers all standard Cessna 172 models, but you may need additional checks for specialized equipment or modifications. Consider consulting your aircraft’s maintenance manual for unique requirements.

Complete the preflight inspection as one of your final preparations before flight. Ideally, perform it after checking weather and NOTAMs but before passenger briefing. This ensures you’re evaluating the aircraft in its final pre-flight state and minimizes the chance of someone disturbing the aircraft after inspection.

This digital checklist serves as an excellent training tool by providing a structured inspection sequence. Have new pilots complete it while being supervised initially. The detailed format helps reinforce proper inspection techniques and builds consistent habits. Review completed checklists together to identify areas needing additional attention.