What is required of ATP students and instructors before each flight?

The requirement for ATP students and instructors before each flight emphasizes the importance of safety and operational efficiency. The correct choice indicates that calculating weight and balance manually is essential because it directly impacts aircraft stability and performance. This calculation ensures that the aircraft is loaded within its specified limits, which is crucial for safe operation.

Weight and balance assessments allow the pilot to determine how the load affects the aircraft's center of gravity. An improperly balanced aircraft can lead to difficulty in controlling the aircraft during flight, landing, or takeoff. Thus, this practice is a fundamental aspect of pre-flight preparations, reinforcing the safety culture that ATP strives to instill in its students and instructors.

While confirming weather conditions, reviewing flight plans, and inspecting the aircraft are also important aspects of pre-flight procedures, the manual calculation of weight and balance stands out as a specific requirement that directly influences flight safety and adherence to regulatory standards.