What information should pilots check regarding aircraft performance before a flight?

Pilots must check fuel requirements and runway lengths before a flight to ensure that the aircraft can safely and efficiently complete its journey. Understanding fuel requirements is crucial for determining how much fuel is needed for the planned route and to account for potential diversions or emergencies, thereby ensuring the aircraft does not run out of fuel mid-flight. Runway length is equally important, as it dictates whether the aircraft can safely take off and land at the intended airports given its weight and performance capabilities.

These factors are critical for flight safety, performance, and regulatory compliance, allowing pilots to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with takeoff, alter payloads, or even choose a different airport if necessary due to insufficient runway length. Other considerations, like passenger comfort and insurance details, while important in their own right, do not directly impact the immediate operational safety of the flight in terms of performance settings.