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Preflight Briefing and Weather Checks for Pilots Flying in NJ

17 June 2026   Flight Weather Planning

Pilots know that preflight planning is risk management, as no flight is ever without risk. There may be sudden weather changes or unanticipated airspace closures on the planned route. Preparation is key to arriving safe and sound at a new destination.   

Did you know that Monmouth Executive Airport FBO services include flight planning areas for pilots? We are a few miles outside of New York area “Class B” airspace and 1 mile outside of “Mode C.” Monmouth Executive Airport (BLM/KBLM) has two runways. The main runway is 7371 x 85 ft., and the secondary runway is 3512 x 50 ft.   

In this article, we highlight the NWKRAFT preflight briefing checklist and the importance of comprehensive weather checks by pilots.

Preflight Briefing Checklist for Pilots Before Departure

Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91, 91.103 states, “Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight.” Many pilots use the NWKRAFT acronym, as it’s designed to address several issues the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate in the event of an accident. 

A preflight briefing is non-negotiable for a safe flight. What information must pilots familiarize themselves with before departing?

  • NOTAMS: Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) notices highlight potential hazards pilots might face along a flight route, at airports, or other locations within the flight path. A new, modernized single-source NOTAM Management Service (NMS) is operational.  
  • Weather: Weather-related information for the departure airport, flight route, and destination airport.
  • Known ATC delays: Potential air traffic control (ATC) delays, including temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and military operations airspace (MOA) limitations. 
  • Runway lengths: Length and width of the runways at the departure and destination airports. 
  • Alternatives: Airports on the planned route that can be used in the event of an emergency. 
  • Fuel requirements: Aircraft fuel capacity to reach the first point of intended landing and reserve to fly a further 30 minutes at normal cruising speed, considering wind and forecasted weather conditions. 
  • Takeoff data: Calculate takeoff and landing data (TOLD) to ensure the aircraft can take off and climb under existing conditions. 

Want to add Monmouth Executive Airport to your preflight briefing? We are located in Wall Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, 6 nautical miles west of Belmar.  

Aviation Weather Briefing and Key Weather Reports

Pilots are required to source a range of weather reports during the preflight briefing to understand current and forecast conditions. A variety of forecast products are available, but key weather reports pilots must be familiar with, according to the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), are: 

  • Terminal aerodrome forecast (TAF)
  • Aviation area forecast (FA)
  • In-flight weather advisories: SIGMET and AIRMET
  • Winds and temperatures aloft forecast (FB). 

SIGMET (significant meteorological information) is an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard aviation weather advisory.

Flight Weather Planning for Safe Routes and Conditions

Pilots familiar with New Jersey weather know to prepare for snow, low clouds, fog, wind, and thunderstorms. A storm surge from 2012 even pushed water so far inland that it flooded terminal buildings and jetways at LaGuardia. Superstorms might be rare, but comprehensive flight weather planning is essential to understand conditions along a planned route.  

The Aviation Area Forecast (FA) provides detailed information on en-route weather conditions over a large geographical area. It covers hazards such as icing, turbulence, precipitation, and clouds.

Weather Minimums VFR to Check Before Your Next Flight

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) are the foundation of pilot training, as all pilots must be able to operate an aircraft by navigating through visual clues outside the cockpit rather than relying on instruments. VFR is used for taxiing, take-off, landing, and flying during clear conditions.  

Pilots must, at a minimum, check an AIRMET (Airmen’s Meteorological Information) during their preflight briefing. The in-flight weather advisory is intended for VFR operations and light aircraft, covering moderate-intensity phenomena such as icing and turbulence. It is updated every six hours.

Are you busy with a preflight briefing and need more information on our FBO services? Contact Monmouth today. We welcome piston aircraft, helicopters, and large private jets. You can also visit us at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com/