📘14 CFR §91.103 Preflight Action (NWKRAFT)
✏️ Plain-English Summary:
Before every flight, the PIC must know key info about the flight — including weather, fuel, traffic delays, runway info, and performance data. This applies to all flights, not just cross-countries.
To help remember what you need, use the classic acronym:
✈️ NWKRAFT
✅ Key Takeaways for PPL Students:
To comply with §91.103, you must be familiar with:
🧠 N – NOTAMs
Temporary flight restrictions, taxiway/runway closures, GPS outages, special events
🧠 W – Weather
Forecasts, METARs, radar, winds aloft, convective activity, etc. — enough to make a good go/no-go decision
🧠 K – Known ATC Delays
Check your destination for arrival delays (especially near busy airspace)
🧠 R – Runway Lengths
At departure and destination airports — cross-check with POH
🧠 A – Alternatives Available
What will you do if you can’t land at your destination? (Divert field, holding fuel, etc.)
🧠 F – Fuel Requirements
VFR: Enough to reach destination plus 30 min (day) or 45 min (night) at cruise
🧠 T – Takeoff and Landing Distances
Based on today’s weight, temperature, elevation, and wind — calculate from the POH (not a guess)
✈️ Scenario:
You’re flying from KLAN to KTVC. It’s clear skies and calm winds, but you didn’t check NOTAMs. ❌ Turns out the main runway at KTVC is closed for resurfacing. You’re now legally in violation of §91.103 for not knowing runway info.
🧠 Pro Tip:
Preflight action isn’t about memorizing numbers — it’s about making smart, legal decisions based on the actual conditions of your flight.
Use your ForeFlight briefing, aviationweather.gov, or 1800WXBrief to satisfy these elements — but make sure you understand what you’re looking at.
🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:
Quiz your students before every dual cross-country:
“What does NWKRAFT say you need to know?” Then make them show it to you — don’t accept “I looked at ForeFlight” without proof.
Use printed nav logs or tablet screenshots to confirm performance and fuel calculations are realistic.
📚 References:
FAR: 14 CFR §91.103
AC 91-92: Preflight planning & weather
PHAK Ch. 2 & 10: Preflight preparation and performance