Which of the following is a preflight action that must be performed before flight?

The necessity of reviewing NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) before flight cannot be overstated. NOTAMs provide critical information about the status of navigation facilities, airports, and airspace. This includes temporary flight restrictions, runway closures, and other essential data that can significantly impact flight safety. By reviewing NOTAMs, pilots are equipped with relevant information that might affect their planned route or operational considerations that need to be addressed before departure.

While checking aircraft maintenance history, calculating fuel consumption, and preparing a flight plan are all important preflight actions and contribute to general safety and efficiency, they do not specifically address the immediate and dynamic changes that can occur in the airspace, which is what NOTAMs are designed to communicate. Therefore, reviewing NOTAMs is an essential step in the preflight process to ensure adherence to safety protocols and regulations.