(1) The PIC of an aircraft shall not commence a flight unless he or she is satisfied that—
(a) the aircraft is airworthy;
(b) the instruments and navigation, communication and other equipment required for the particular type of operation to be undertaken, are installed and are serviceable and functioning correctly, except as provided for in the MEL, if any;
(c) the aircraft has been released to service in accordance with Part 43;
(d) the mass of the aircraft at any time does not exceed the MCM calculated from the performance information provided in the AFM referred to in regulation 91.03.2, in terms of which the operating limitations referred to in Subpart 9 are complied with;
(e) the load carried by the aircraft is properly secured, fit to be conveyed in accordance with Part 92 and is so distributed that the centre of gravity is within the limits prescribed in the AFM referred to in regulation 91.03.2;
(f) an ATS flight plan, referred to in regulation 91.03.4, has been properly completed and filed with the appropriate ATSU, if such flight plan is required in terms of regulation 91.03.4;
(g) all the documents and forms required to be carried on board are carried as specified in regulation 91.03.1;
(h) a check has been completed indicating that the operating limitations referred to in Subpart 8 will not be exceeded;
(i) the search and rescue information, referred to in regulation 91.01.4, is available on board;
(j) the requirements in respect of fuel, oil, oxygen, weather, minimum safe altitudes, aerodrome operating minima and availability of alternate aerodromes for the route being flown and any likely alternatives, whether flown under instrument or VFR, are complied with;
(k) the aerodrome operating minima are not less than the operating minima of the aerodrome being operated to or from, established by the appropriate authority of the State in which the aerodrome is located, unless such appropriate authority approves lower aerodrome operating minima;
(l) current and suitable IFR or VFR, as applicable, charts and related publications required to—
(i) depart the place of origin;
(ii) operate on the route to the destination, or other route that a flight could reasonably be expected to be diverted to; and
(iii) arrive at the destination or any alternate, are carried on board;
(m) the external surfaces are checked prior to take-off for any deposit which might adversely affect the performance or controllability of the aircraft, unless otherwise permitted in the AFM referred to in regulation 91.03.2, and if such deposit is found, to have it removed;
(n) according to the information available to him or her—
(i) in respect of an aeroplane, the condition of the runway intended to be used will not prevent a safe take-off at departure or a safe landing at the destination aerodrome or alternate aerodrome, as applicable; and
(ii) the weather at the departure and arrival aerodromes and en-route, including any possible alternate aerodromes or routes, will not preclude safe completion of the flight;
(o) the RVR or visibility in the take-off direction of the aircraft is equal to, or better than, the applicable minimum;
(p) the flight crew members are properly qualified for the specific operation to be undertaken, except that for commercial air operations, the air operator shall ensure that the flight crew are properly qualified;
(q) an adequate and suitable aerodrome is available for take-off, en-route and destination, should it become inadvisable to continue to or land at the destination aerodrome; and
(r) if flight in RVSM airspace is contemplated—
(i) the aircraft has been approved for RVSM operations;
(ii) the crew has been trained and is otherwise qualified for the flight;
(iii) the minimum required equipment pertaining to height-keeping and alerting systems is installed and serviceable; and
(iv) no airframe or operating restrictions prevent operation in the particular RVSM airspace.
(2) The PIC of an aircraft shall—
(a) not commence a flight unless he or she has ascertained through the relevant NOTAM), AIC, IAIP or IAIP Supplement that the aerodromes, navigation aids and communication facilities are adequate for the manner in which the flight is to be conducted;
(b) prior to take-off from an aerodrome at which an ATSU is in operation, determine through the aeronautical information services available from the unit or any other reliable source, that the unserviceability of any aerodrome, navigation aids or communication facilities required for such flight, will not prejudice the safe conduct of the flight; and
(c) advise an ATSU, as soon as it is practical to do so, of any inadequate facilities encountered in the course of operations.
(3) Where a load and trim sheet is required in terms of these regulations, the load and trim sheet shall be acceptable to and countersigned by the PIC before a flight commences: Provided that if the load and trim sheet is submitted to the PIC by electronic data transfer, commencement of the flight shall be deemed to be the acceptance thereof by such PIC.