F.R.E.D.A. CHECKS

We use the acronym FREDA for the frequent checks we are to conduct during flight. Namely;

F — Fuel

R — Radio

E — Engine

D — Directional Indicator

A — Altimeter

FUEL

Despite having checked our fuel tanks visually during our preflight inspection, we must keep a vigilant eye on our fuel burn throughout flight. As we check the remaining fuel quantity we consider if it is time to switch tanks, making sure to turn on the fuel pump before changing and turning it off afterwards.

RADIO

As we fly a sector we will fly into other air traffic control zones, and as such we must continuously monitor current and upcoming frequencies, programming them into our ‘COMBOX’ as active and standby frequencies, checking the volume and the squelch.

Ensure the active frequency is correctly set and take time to preselect upcoming COM and NAV frequencies as standby.

Always ask yourself; “What is next?”

ENGINE

We won’t stay airborne for very long without an engine, so throughout the flight we must continuously monitor our temperatures and pressures, ensuring all indications are ‘in the green’ and within operating parameters.

DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR

Our DI is a gyroscopic device that drifts over time. This ‘drifting’ leads to false readings if we do not adjust it at regular intervals. It is good practice when flying straight and level to ensure that magnetic compass and DI are aligned.

ALTIMETER

Finally, we cross check our altitude ensuring that not only are we sticking to our flight plan, but more importantly that we are not violating any controlled airspace. We make sure that we have the correct altimeter setting selected, as the barometric pressures vary between regions and as such need to be recalibrated periodically based on ATIS information provided by local ATC.

Furthermore, ‘A’ also reminds us to check our AMMETER for positive load, which is a indication that the aircraft battery is charging. Ammeters monitor the performance of aircraft electrical system and indicates if the alternator/generator is producing sufficient electricity. This information is important to the pilot because, if the issue gets serious enough, it could mean that we need to find a place to land at our earliest convenience.