What should be done to prepare vehicles for operation in the airside environment?

Preparing vehicles for operation in the airside environment is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. Ensuring that all lighting is operational and that brakes are functional is essential because these aspects play a significant role in safe vehicle operation on the airside.

Operational lighting is vital for visibility, especially in low-light conditions, allowing other personnel and vehicles to see the operator's movements and intentions. Functional brakes are equally critical, as they enable the driver to control the vehicle safely and effectively, preventing accidents and maintaining a safe environment for all airside activities.

In contrast, checking only the fuel levels does not provide a comprehensive safety assurance; a vehicle could have sufficient fuel but still pose significant hazards if other critical systems, like lights or brakes, are faulty. Conducting no pre-operation inspections or only checking for exterior scratches would neglect essential safety checks that could prevent failures during operation. Thus, a thorough inspection process that includes verifying the functionality of tires, lights, brakes, and other critical systems is fundamental for safe airside vehicle operation.