- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,363
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
IMSAFE is the Aeronautical Information Manual's recommended mnemonic for aircraft pilots to use to assess their fitness to fly.
• Illness - Is the pilot suffering from any illness or symptom of an illness which might affect them in flight?
• Medication - Is the pilot currently taking any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter)?
• Stress - Is the pilot overly worried about other factors in his life? The psychological pressures of everyday living can be a powerful distraction and consequently affect a pilot's performance.
• Alcohol - Although legal limits vary by jurisdiction (0.04 BAC, any consumption in the past 8 hours or current impairment in the USA[2]), the pilot should consider their alcohol consumption within the last 8 to 24 hours.
• Fatigue - Has the pilot had sufficient sleep and adequate nutrition?
• Emotion - Has the pilot fully recovered from any extremely upsetting events such as the loss of a family member?
I am not a mnemonic enthusiast because I can never remember what the letters stand for. I have it written on a laminated card as part of my pre-flight.
I feel self-assessment is an important part of aviation safety.
I feel many underrate the importance of emotional stability.
It is mentioned because emotional challenges are so often a part of the accident chain.
I have found it is easy to get distracted when performing complex tasks when carrying an emotional burden and it affects my judgement.
• Illness - Is the pilot suffering from any illness or symptom of an illness which might affect them in flight?
• Medication - Is the pilot currently taking any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter)?
• Stress - Is the pilot overly worried about other factors in his life? The psychological pressures of everyday living can be a powerful distraction and consequently affect a pilot's performance.
• Alcohol - Although legal limits vary by jurisdiction (0.04 BAC, any consumption in the past 8 hours or current impairment in the USA[2]), the pilot should consider their alcohol consumption within the last 8 to 24 hours.
• Fatigue - Has the pilot had sufficient sleep and adequate nutrition?
• Emotion - Has the pilot fully recovered from any extremely upsetting events such as the loss of a family member?
I am not a mnemonic enthusiast because I can never remember what the letters stand for. I have it written on a laminated card as part of my pre-flight.
I feel self-assessment is an important part of aviation safety.
I feel many underrate the importance of emotional stability.
It is mentioned because emotional challenges are so often a part of the accident chain.
I have found it is easy to get distracted when performing complex tasks when carrying an emotional burden and it affects my judgement.