MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT

The Commander must ensure the required documents (license, passport, SEP card, etc.) of all the operating tech crew are valid. This will be made by crosschecking each other’s documents at the office itself. He shall obtain and check all available aeronautical and meteorological information pertinent to his flight including NOTAMs, SNOWTAMs, runway condition, temperature/pressure reports, and upper wind and aerodrome meteorological forecasts.

Prior to the flight Commander shall:

• Observe and meet the requirements concerning route and aerodrome competence qualification;
• Obtain and check required aeronautical and meteorological information pertinent to his next flight;
• Select destination alternate(s) and take-off alternate aerodromes, as required, with due regard to the prescribed planning minima;
• Calculate/check the operational flight plan, the planned amount of fuel and oil being based on the expected operating conditions and sufficing for a safe completion of flight (whenever the OFP is being calculated by third parties, it is his responsibility to ensure that these requirements are met);
• Submit to the appropriate ATS unit a flight plan or sufficient information for the initiation of SAR action should the flight become overdue (if not already performed by ground personnel);
• Check that the prescribed manuals, maps, charts, documents and forms are on board and cover the aeroplanes intended operation including possible crew changes until return to a home base;
• Ensure that the prescribed pre-flight maintenance checks and inspections have been or are being carried out, and decide whether to accept the aeroplane with unserviceable items allowed by the CDL or MEL;
• Not accept the aeroplane, if dissatisfied with any aspect of airworthiness and/or maintenance;
• Conduct a cabin crew briefing, relating information and particulars pertinent to the individual flight;
• Examine the required aeroplane documents and maintenance releases of authorised personnel;
• As appropriate, check the use of the correct fuel type, supervise the fuelling of the aeroplane and ensure the proper distribution of fuel;
• Ascertain that fuel on board and fuel assumed for take-off data calculation are identical, and equal to or higher than the minimum fuel specified by the OFP and to check, fill and sign the fuelling order;
• Certify by his signature in Aircraft Technical Log and Loadsheet that:

- The aeroplane is airworthy;
- The aeroplane configuration is in accordance with the CDL;
- Instruments and equipment, required for the flight to be conducted, are available;
- Instruments and equipment are in operable condition except as provided in the MEL;
- Those parts of the OM which are required for the conduct of the flight are available;
- Aeroplane documents, required additional information and forms are on board;
- Current maps, charts and associated documents or equivalent data are available to cover the intended operation of the aeroplane including any diversion which may reasonably be expected;
- Ground facilities and services required for the planned flight are available and adequate;
- Provisions specified in the OM in respect of fuel, oil and oxygen requirements, minimum safe altitudes, aerodrome operating minima and availability of alternate aerodromes, where required, are complied with for the planned flight;
- Traffic load is properly distributed and safely secured;
- Only traffic load authorised by the Company has been taken on board;
- The mass of the aeroplane, at the commencement of taxiing and take-off roll, will be such that the flight can be conducted in compliance with the OM Part B and any additional operational limitation.