During non-towered operations, what should you do before making turns?

Before making turns during non-towered operations, it is essential to check both left and right to ensure safety and situational awareness. This practice helps to identify any other aircraft that may be in the vicinity, minimizing the risk of a collision. The responsibility for collision avoidance falls on the pilot, especially in a non-towered environment where air traffic is self-directed and not controlled by air traffic services. By checking both directions, a pilot can make informed and safe decisions about executing a turn.

The other options do not enhance safety in the same way. Accelerating before turning may alter the aircraft's handling characteristics and can lead to a higher risk if not executed properly. Announcing speed is not typically necessary and does not provide relevant information to other traffic. Lastly, switching off navigation lights contradicts standard procedures, as they are crucial for visibility, particularly in a non-towered setting where other pilots need to see your aircraft. Thus, checking both left and right is the fundamental step to ensuring safe maneuvers in the air.