[[FAR 91.103 Preflight Action]] uses the phrase "all available information concerning that flight" and it's important to understand what it means, and how to get the information it requires. A popular acronym to remember this is [[NWKRAFT]]. **The elements of NWKRAFT are:** 1. [[NOTAM]]s and [[TFR]]s (and [[Approved NOTAM Contractions]]) 2. Weather reports and forecasts 1. [[Weather Brief]] 2. [[PIREP]]s 3. [[ATIS]]/[[METAR]]s (towered airports), [[AWOS]]/[[ASOS]] (non-towered) 1. Can often call instead of using radio 2. [[Crosswind Component]] 4. [[TAF]] 5. [[Inflight Aviation Weather Advisories]] 6. [[Categorical Outlooks]] 7. [[Area Forecast Discussion]] 8. Webcams^[[[Useful Bay Area Webcams]]] or calling someone at the airport 3. Known traffic delays (https://nasstatus.faa.gov/map) 4. Runway lengths 5. Available alternatives 6. Fuel requirements ([[FAR 91.151 VFR Fuel Reqs]], [[POH]]) 1. Some clubs have specific club regulations 7. Takeoff and landing distance -- aircraft performance vs airport elevation, gross weight, wind and temperatures **The best sources for this information are:** 1. ForeFlight and other [[EFB]]s 2. https://aviationweather.gov/ 3. Flight service online: [1800wxbrief.com](http://www.1800wxbrief.com) 4. Flight Service by phone: 1-800-WXBrief 5. Webcams [[Useful Bay Area Webcams]] **When is an NWKRAFT briefing required?** According to [[FAR 91.103 Preflight Action]], not for a VFR flight "in the vicinity of an airport". But even for a flight in the pattern, runway lengths and takeoff/landing distance are required. And it would be foolish not to check the [[ATIS]], [[NOTAM]]s, and the weather forecast.