Check For FOD Before You Fly

Before you fly, you want to make sure that you check inside the airplane and outside on the ground for "FOD."

What is FOD? It is Foreign Object Debris. It is anything that does not belong where it is. For instance, sticks or rocks on the ramp around the airplane are considered FOD. Pens or papers in the floor of the airplane also are considered FOD. Again, anything that is out of place is foreign object debris.

Why is this a problem? Debris on the ground around the airplane could get sucked into the propellar and damage the airplane. Or, as you taxi, the debris might not hit your airplane, but it might blow back and hit other airplanes or people.

Another problem with FOD inside the airplane is that it might get in the way of something you need to operate. You don't want loose papers or objects in the airplane that could distract you from your primary duty of flying.

I heard a story once about a guy who had to make an emergency landing because he lost some control of the airplane. He landed safely, but found out that a pen that he had left in the floor of his airplane months previously had gotten jammed into some of the control cables. It was a little thing that could have been a lot worse. And it could have been easily avoided.

One way to avoid FOD inside the airplane is to make sure that you are taking away from the airplane everything that you brought to the flight. This will help to ensure that nothing is accidentally in the airplane without you knowing about it.

This is just one of many things you can do each and every time you fly. Also, having good flying habits are great for safety as well as professionalism.

Just remember to check before you fly, and be safe!

About the Author: Matt Tanner is an experienced flight instructor in the Atlanta, Georgia area. He has been training private pilots throughout the United States for many years. Matt has compiled his extensive flying experience and advice into a book for people who want to learn to fly at www.privatepilotguide.com