Pilot:________________________________
Date Revised:_________________________
Reviewed with:________________________, (if applicable)
Your Personal Minimums Checklist—
Each item provides you with either a space to complete a personal minimum or a checklist item to think about. Spend some quiet time completing each blank and consider other items that apply to your personal minimums. Give yourself permission to choose higher minimums than those specified in the regulations, aircraft flight manuals, or other rules.
How To Use Your Checklist
Use this checklist just as you would use one for your aircraft. Carry the checklist in your flight kit. Use it at home as you start planning a flight and again just before you make your final decision to fly. Be wary if you have an item that’s marginal in any single risk factor category. But if you have items in more than one category, you may be headed for trouble. If you have marginal items in two or more risk factors/categories, do not go!
Periodically review and revise your checklist as your personal circumstances change, such as your proficiency, recency, or training. You should never make your minimums less restrictive unless a significant positive event has occurred. However, it is okay to make your minimums more restrictive at any time. And never make your minimums less restrictive when you are planning a specific flight, or else external pressures will influence you.
Have a fun and safe flight!
Pilot
Takeoffs/landings in the last
days
Hours in make/model in the last days
Instrument approaches (simulated or actual) in the last days
Instrument flight hours (simulated or actual) in the last days
Terrain and airspace familiar
Sleep hours in the last 24 hours
Food and water in the last hours
Alcohol None in the last hours
Drugs or medication None in the last hours
Stressful events None in the last days
Illnesses None in the last days
Aircraft
Fuel Reserves (Cross-Country)
VFR day hours
VFR Night hours
IFR day hours
IFR Night hours
Experience in Type
Takeoffs/landings in the last days
Takeoffs/landings in aircraft type
Aircraft Performance
Establish that you have additional performance available over that required. Consider the following:
- Gross weight
- Load distribution
- Density altitude
- Performance charts
Aircraft Equipment
Avionics familiar with equipment (including autopilot and GPS systems)
COM/NAV equipment appropriate to flight
Charts current
Clothing suitable for preflight and flight
Survival gear appropriate for flight/terrain
Environment
Airport Conditions
Crosswind % of max POH
Runway length % more than POH
Weather
Reports and forecasts not more than hours old
Icing conditions within aircraft/pilot capabilities
Weather for VFR
Ceiling day feet
Ceiling Night feet
Visibility day miles
Visibility Night miles
Weather for IFR
Precision Approaches
Ceiling feet above min.
Visibility mile(s) above min.
Non-Precision Approaches
Ceiling feet above min.
Visibility mile(s) above min.
Missed Approaches
No more than before diverting
Takeoff Minimums
Ceiling feet
Visibility mile(s)
External Pressures
Trip Planning
Allowance for delays minutes
Alternate Plans for Diversion or Cancellation
- Notification of person(s) you are meeting
- Passengers briefed on diversion or cancellation plans and alternatives
- Modification or cancellation of car rental, restaurant, or hotel reservations
- Arrangement of alternative transportation (airline, car, etc.)
Personal Equipment
- Credit card and telephone numbers available for alternate plans
- Appropriate clothing or personal needs (eyewear, medication, etc.) in the event of unexpected stay
Importance of Trip
The more important the trip, the more tendency there is to compromise personal minimums, and the more important it becomes to have alternate plans.
APPENDIX
