Begin checking the weather several days before the flight.

The night before the flight, conduct a thorough flight planning that includes:

- Weather (Call 1-800-WXBrief [Get an outlook briefing])
- Runway Lengths
- Airplane Performance
- Route of Flight (including altitudes)
- Amount of Fuel needed and fuel on board.

Before departing on the flight, both you and your instructor will go over your flight planning and make corrections (if any).

- Get the latest weather (1-800-WXBrief [Get a standard briefing])
- File the flight plan