§ 91.103 Preflight action
14 CFR Part 91 — Subpart B—Flight Rules
Official text — 14 CFR § 91.103
REGULATION — LEGALLY BINDINGEach pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This information must include—
(a) For a flight under IFR or a flight not in the vicinity of an airport, weather reports and forecasts, fuel requirements, alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed, and any known traffic delays of which the pilot in command has been advised by ATC;
(b) For any flight, runway lengths at airports of intended use, and the following takeoff and landing distance information:
(1) For civil aircraft for which an approved Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual containing takeoff and landing distance data is required, the takeoff and landing distance data contained therein; and
(2) For civil aircraft other than those specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, other reliable information appropriate to the aircraft, relating to aircraft performance under expected values of airport elevation and runway slope, aircraft gross weight, and wind and temperature.
Reproduced from the eCFR. Text as amended through 2026-07-31. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.
SkeyeMentor explanation
Educational — not an FAA sourceIn plain English
Before beginning a flight, the pilot in command must become familiar with all available information concerning that flight — with specific items called out for IFR flights, flights not in the vicinity of an airport, and runway performance data.
Why it matters
This is the regulatory basis for preflight planning. It is written broadly on purpose: "all available information" is the standard.
Common mistake
Reading the specific list in paragraphs (a) and (b) as the complete requirement, and ignoring the broader "all available information" language that precedes it.
Quick example
List the runway-length and takeoff/landing-distance information this section requires for a flight to a nontowered airport.
Written and reviewed by the SkeyeMentor editorial team. This explanation is a study aid, not legal advice, and it is not part of the official text above. Verify current requirements through the official source before relying on them operationally.
Is this a regulation?
Yes — this is regulatory text and is legally binding.
Text published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Regulations are legally binding on pilots and operators.
Yes — this is the text of a Federal Aviation Regulation. It is legally binding. The explanation below it is SkeyeMentor educational content, not part of the regulation.