What preflight action must a pilot perform prior to any flight?

Prior to any flight, it is essential that a pilot becomes familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This encompasses a range of critical factors, including weather conditions, airspace restrictions, and any NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) that might affect the planned route. By gathering this information, pilots are able to make informed decisions, ensuring the safety and efficiency of the flight. This foundational step is a key aspect of flight planning and is mandated by aviation regulations, emphasizing its importance in the overall safety management of flight operations.

In contrast, checking gauges and indicators, calculating fuel requirements, and briefing passengers about safety procedures, while necessary, are part of specific preflight actions that follow the broader obligation to understand the entirety of the flight situation. Awareness of all available information lays the groundwork for reliable preflight checks and effective preparedness. Therefore, familiarizing oneself with all flight-related information is the most comprehensive and critical preflight action a pilot must take.