Prior to starting each maneuver, pilots should do what?

• A. Trim the aircraft for level flight
• B. Conduct a radio check
• C. Visually scan the entire area for collision avoidance
• D. Brief the passengers

Answer: (C)

Before you begin any maneuver, you must establish a clear picture of the airspace around you by visually scanning for other aircraft and obstacles. This hands you real-time awareness and lets you see potential conflicts before your flight path changes. Starting a maneuver changes your trajectory and can bring you into proximity with another aircraft if you’re not looking, so a thorough look around—a 360-degree lookout—helps you avoid collisions and maintain safe separation.

Radio checks or passenger briefings aren’t specifically tied to the moment you initiate a maneuver, and while trimming for level flight is important for stable flight, it doesn’t directly address identifying traffic before you start the maneuver.