Touch the Plane Before Flying?
Stories about pilots tapping an aircraft, touching its exterior, or following a personal preflight ritual occasionally circulate among travelers and aviation enthusiasts.
Individual pilots may indeed have personal habits, just as people in many professions develop routines before demanding tasks.
But there is no universal requirement for pilots to touch an airplane before flying.
A pilot’s preflight responsibilities involve following the appropriate checklists and procedures, reviewing relevant information, and ensuring that required operational checks are completed.
A personal gesture, if a pilot chooses
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