14 CFR 91.103 — Preflight Action (Explained)

What does 14 CFR 91.103 actually require?

14 CFR 91.103 imposes a two-part preflight duty on every PIC. The opening clause — "shall become familiar with all available information concerning that flight" — is deliberately broad. The FAA and NTSB have interpreted "all available information" to include NOTAMs, TFRs, and any other data a reasonably prudent pilot would consult.

The regulation then breaks into two specific requirements based on the type of flight:

• Section 91.103(a) — applies to IFR flights and flights not in the vicinity of an airport
• Section 91.103(b) — applies to every civil flight regardless of flight rules

What information is required for an IFR flight under 91.103(a)?

Section 91.103(a) requires the PIC to determine, before any IFR flight or any flight not in the vicinity of an airport:

• Weather reports and forecasts
• Fuel requirements
• Alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed
• Any known traffic delays of which ATC has advised

"Weather reports and forecasts" means current and prognostic data — a METAR alone does not satisfy the requirement. The AIM Chapter 7 identifies the standard products: METAR, TAF, PIREP, AIRMET, SIGMET, and prog charts. "Alternatives available" is the hook for alternate airport planning; the specific trigger and minimums are governed by the companion rules at 14 CFR 91.167 (fuel) and 14 CFR 91.169 (alternate requirements).

What runway and performance data does 91.103(b) require for every flight?

Section 91.103(b) applies to every civil flight — VFR or IFR — and requires the PIC to determine runway lengths at all airports of intended use, plus takeoff and landing distance data. The standard applied depends on aircraft type:

In practice, for most GA aircraft used on instrument checkrides, this means pulling the POH performance charts for the departure and destination airports, accounting for pressure altitude, temperature, aircraft weight, and runway slope.

How does NWKRAFT map to 91.103?

NWKRAFT is a CFII mnemonic — not a regulatory term — that maps the preflight information categories to 14 CFR 91.103. It is widely taught and frequently cited by DPEs on the oral exam:

1. 1
   N — NOTAMs

   Not named in 91.103 by term, but included under 'all available information.' Check via FAA NOTAM Search for destination, departure, and all alternates.
2. 2
   W — Weather

   91.103(a): weather reports (METAR, PIREP) and forecasts (TAF, prog charts, AIRMET/SIGMET). 'Reports and forecasts' is plural — both current and prognostic data required.
3. 3
   K — Known ATC Delays

   91.103(a): any known traffic delays of which ATC has advised. Check for ground delay programs, ground stops, or flow-control advisories on ATIS/D-ATIS or via FSS.
4. 4
   R — Runway Lengths

   91.103(b): runway lengths at all airports of intended use — including alternates. Cross-check published data in the Chart Supplement (A/FD) against NOTAMs for closures or displaced thresholds.
5. 5
   A — Alternatives Available

   91.103(a): alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed. The specific alternate-required trigger is in 91.169 (1-2-3 rule); 91.103 requires you to have considered the alternatives.
6. 6
   F — Fuel Requirements

   91.103(a): fuel to destination plus the IFR reserve. Specific minimums are in 91.167: destination + alternate (if required) + 45 minutes at normal cruising speed.
7. 7
   T — Takeoff and Landing Distance

   91.103(b): performance data from the approved AFM/POH for the actual conditions (pressure altitude, temperature, weight, wind, runway slope) at departure and destination.

How do 91.103, 91.167, and 91.169 work together?

These three regulations form the core IFR preflight planning framework. Section 91.103 is the umbrella rule — it establishes the duty to determine fuel requirements and alternatives. The companion sections supply the specific standards:

A DPE asking "what are your IFR preflight requirements?" expects you to anchor the answer in 91.103 and then trace the fuel and alternate threads to 91.167 and 91.169 respectively.

What are the common 91.103 exam pitfalls?

DPEs frequently probe the edges of 91.103 compliance. The most common errors candidates make:

• Treating 91.103 as IFR-only — 91.103(b) runway and performance requirements apply on every flight
• Citing NWKRAFT as a regulation — it is a mnemonic; cite the actual 91.103 subsections
• Omitting NOTAMs — 'all available information' in 91.103 has been enforced to include NOTAM review even though the word is absent
• Confusing the alternate-required rule (91.169) with the alternate planning minimum rule (also 91.169(c)) — they are in the same section but answer different questions
• Using fuel calculation rules from memory rather than the POH performance charts as required by 91.103(b)

Practice Questions