How Long Does a Preflight Take on a Larger Jet?

[Tedeye]

Being more complex I would presume the preflight on larger jet, say something like a Gulfstream G650, takes longer than a smaller plane like a piston single. How long does the preflight take on a larger airplane, which I know is subjective, but is there a ballpark figure? Thanks for any help.

 

[Groundpounder]

By preflight, do you mean walk around, or from dark jet to being ready for engine start?

 

[falconkidding]

Cold dark to ready to taxi 15 min. Already powered up 5 min or so.

 

[Tedeye]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, I meant that it was long enough that it needed a thorough preflight, not a fuel stop, but not that it sat for an extended period. I presumed a large jet being more complex would require more time to ensure it's in working order, but perhaps I am incorrect in thinking this? Thanks again.

 

[Groundpounder]

On the 757/767 with a three man crew, probably 25 min. Two man crew, probably 35 min. A320, 15-20 min. Challenger 605, 15 min.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

What do they do on a fast turn-around, where they changed the crew? As a passenger, I've noticed some fast turns where the new crew seemed to show up at the gate as the previous flight's passengers were nearly deplaned.

 

[jordane93]

What do they do on a fast turn-around, where they changed the crew? As a passenger, I've noticed some fast turns where the new crew seemed to show up at the gate as the previous flight's passengers were nearly deplaned.

They do the same thing. Preflight the plane and get it ready for the next flight.

 

[dmspilot]

Being more complex I would presume the preflight on larger jet, say something like a Gulfstream G650, takes longer than a smaller plane like a piston single. How long does the preflight take on a larger airplane, which I know is subjective, but is there a ballpark figure? Thanks for any help.

Are you talking about the exterior walkaround or everything that goes on until ready to taxi? Never flown a business jet but an RJ walkaround doesn't take much longer than a piston single. Yes, it's bigger and more complex, but think of the things you check on a piston single that take the longest amount of time: sumping the fuel, manually checking the fuel quantity, and checking the oil — we don't do any of that.

 

[dmspilot]

What do they do on a fast turn-around, where they changed the crew? As a passenger, I've noticed some fast turns where the new crew seemed to show up at the gate as the previous flight's passengers were nearly deplaned.

I often accompanied the gate agent down to the jetbridge as the plane was pulling up. As the gate agent was connecting the jetbridge to the plane, I was already doing the walkaround and usually finished by the time the pax had deplaned.

 

[Larry in TN]

On the 737, about ten minutes on the preflight planning, usually done at the hotel or in operations. Then about 30 or 35 minutes at the airplane. We're almost always done well before boarding and cargo loading is complete.

 

[Tools]

The walk around is literally that. It takes the time required to walk around the thing. On BIG jets you can hardly see anything. But literally much further to walk.

In the cockpit there are three situations:

1. First flight of the day.
2. New crew.
3. Turnaround with same crew.

I dunno, 30, 20 and 10 respectively? Ballpark.

 

[Tedeye]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking a large jet like a Gulfstream that's privately owned. It's been a few weeks since it's flown and the owner wants to go somewhere, so how long would it take to get it ready to fly is what I was trying ask? Third time's the charm. Thanks again.

 

[Groundpounder]

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking a large jet like a Gulfstream that's privately owned. It's been a few weeks since it's flown and the owner wants to go somewhere, so how long would it take to get it ready to fly is what I was trying ask? Third time's the charm. Thanks again.

30 minutes.

 

[MooneyDriver78]

Related question, does preflight include sampling fuel? If not then why?

I’ve never seen a jet pilot do anything but a walk around.

 

[Groundpounder]

Related question, does preflight include sampling fuel? If not then why?

I’ve never seen a jet pilot do anything but a walk around.

No.

It is a maintenance function.

Back in the late 90's when I worked line service, we would drain the sumps on the airliners that overnighted at my airport, but only during the summer. Eventually that went away.