You will need:

1. A general plan for the flight. Where are you going? How far is it? How long will it take? What obstacles to you need to avoid? What altitudes can you fly at to avoid obstacles and controlled airspace?
2. The freeware flight planning software application Plan-G, the best tool we have found for the purpose.
3. As an optional addition, but not essential, an aviation chart (preferably) or a road map which will provide additional information not provided by Plan-G.
4. A watch
5. Preferably a printed "Pilot's Log" form (Download some examples) or a blank sheet of paper.
6. Two pencils (in case you drop one and it rolls under the desk at a vital moment)
7. A note of all the radio frequencies you need.
8. Be sure you know how to send a flightplan and how to switch on "Mode Charlie" in FSInn/Squawkbox.

Obtain the following before departure:

1. Airport Information from the NATS website
2. Taxiways and holds (from Aerodrome chart)
3. Circuit height and direction
4. Visual Reporting points for your destination.
5. What type of joining instructions you might expect (overhead, base leg etc.) for your destination.
6. Any areas to avoid en route - Restricted Areas, Danger Zones, Controlled Airspace etc.
7. Estimated time of arrival at destination.

Flight Planning

1. Draw your route on your map
2. Build a detailed flight plan from this route using either the Club Flight Planner or other flight planning tool.  (The Club also recommends the goFlying Flight Planner for which there is a link on the Club website).
3. Check your plan to see that the headings and distances are sensible and agree with the lines on your map.

Starting Flight Simulator

1. Reboot your PC to ensure a "clean" start
2. Plug in your yoke, joystick & pedals etc.
3. Start FS and ensure you are parked off any runway.

1. Log into VATSIM with FSInn or Squawkbox.
2. Check that you have assigned a PTT keyboard key (and Joystick button if possible) for VATSIM and that it is working.
3. Log into the Club's TeamSpeak Server.
4. Ensure that Teamspeak Voice Activation mode is OFF.
5. Check that you have assigned a PTT keyboard key for TeamSpeak and that it is working.
6. Ensure that your ATC PTT key is different from your TeamSpeak PTT key.
7. Check Departure and Destination Airports ATIS on Servinfo or VATSpy.
8. From the ATIS Note the weather, particularly any strong cross wind, poor visibility and/or low cloud.
9. From the ATIS, note the Airfield QNH and set your Altimeter subscale. There is a millibar/inches conversion table on the website. Or simply press "B" on the keyboard.
10. Note down runway in use and circuit direction.
11. If there is no ATIS determine the most into-wind runway and be prepared for that to be your landing runway.  Circuits will be left hand unless otherwise advised
12. Revise your flight plan to take account of the wind.
13. Complete and send a Squawkbox or FSInn flight plan from your Club Flight Planner or other detailed plan..

Pre-Flight Checks

Before engine start:

1. Check that hardware controls (Yoke, Joystick, Pedals, etc.) are all functioning correctly.
2. Check you have sufficient fuel for the flight. (Full tanks will do).
3. Set parking brake ON.

After engine start:

1. Check parking brake still ON.
2. Set radios to the departure and en route frequencies.
3. Set Transponder to 7000 or as required by ATC
4. Check your Comms by making a "Radio Check" call to ATC
5. Switch on Mode Charlie as you enter the runway for take off