'Remove before Flight' Classic key ring tag.

Size approximately 5" x 1" (125 mm x 25 mm).

The red “Remove Before Flight” tag is one of the most common items in the aerospace maintenance sphere. If you’ve ever peeked outside the airport windows while waiting to board a flight, you may have seen several of the red tags attached to your plane.

You may have also seen “Remove Before Flight” tags used as a keychain, a baggage tag, or a slogan on a shirt. It’s safe to say that most people recognize the phrase – but how many know about its purpose?

The “Remove Before Flight” tag is an integral safety sign for aircraft maintenance and notifies aircraft personnel that its attached component needs removal before use. The tags are checked during ground handling processes, usually as part of a standardized checklist. Failure to remove the tag and its attachment can result in terrible consequences ranging from a simple part failure to a complete aircraft shutdown!

What Are The “Remove Before Flight” Tags Attached To?

The tags are attached to protective covers or pins for various parts – ranging in size from small devices like pitot tubes to larger ones like entire engines. They are also commonly on stoppers meant to block openings on an aircraft (exhaust covers, shades, plugs, etc.). The cleanliness of those openings is essential to proper aircraft operation; those openings would otherwise be vulnerable to small animals, trash, or weather conditions if left open.

If an aircraft is left to sit idle for several days, mechanics will cover large parts such as engines or propellers, with the covers almost always donning the “Remove Before Flight” tag. Proper storage of the mentioned parts helps maintain the lifespan of the aircraft as a whole.

Aircraft mechanics should be aware of all parts that “Remove Before Flight” tags may be attached to. A simple mistake like leaving protective covers on a tube or engine can cause delays in flight schedules or component breakdowns.