I.M.S.A.F.E. Are You?

IMSAFE is the Standard for Safe Flying Practices

As any good pilot knows, safety should always be one’s top priority when flying. Pilots must always do a pre-flight checklist of themselves and their aircraft as a safety procedure before they take off. This safety checklist for the pilot can be easily remembered as IMSAFE. Each letter stands for a different safety issue that the pilot should be checked for before taking off.

Illness

Is the pilot healthy enough for this flight? Consider the following factors:

• An upset stomach is worsened while on an aircraft in flight
• Congestion is aggravated by changes in altitude
• Sinus problems quickly become unbearably painful during descents
• Flying an aircraft requires the utmost attention
• Illness drains the body and mind
• Sickness prevents pilots from being at their best

Medication

The simple fact is that most medications have side effects. A pilot is more than likely not going to be at 100 percent if they are taking any sort of medication, and there are several medications which are illegal to use while piloting a private aircraft or training others who are piloting.  From major pain killers to minor allergy medication, there are unsafe side effects for flying.

Stress

Pilots shouldn’t fly while they are under stress because it can hinder judgment and cause sloppy mistakes. Before flying make sure you’re not letting these stressors get to you:

• Nervousness about the route/weather
• Personal problems
• Stress about getting to destination on time (i.e. wedding, funeral, graduation)

Alcohol

A pilot simply shouldn’t fly if he or she has ANY alcohol in their system.

• The legal alcohol limit for flying is .04% BAC
• Even half a drink can impair your ability to fly
• If you have consumed alcohol in the last eight hours, it’s illegal to fly
• The dangers of flying under the influence are worse than those of DUI
• You won’t just get a ticket – the FAA won’t let you fly again

Fatigue

Always make sure you sleep enough before you fly. If you’re flying at an odd hour, you should adjust your sleep accordingly beforehand.

• Even autopilot won’t save you
• Imagine the horror of falling asleep while flying
• It’s easy for a tired pilot to drift into sleep while the flight is calm and smooth
• As you climb in altitude, your body naturally gets tired as it is

Emotion

Anger and depression can compromise decision-making skills. If you are an emotional person, it’s even more important to be aware of your emotions.

Some versions of the IMSAFE checklist also use Eat, because high elevations affect the body more dramatically on an empty stomach. So make sure to eat a well-balanced meal before flying.

Using this simple acronym you should always be able to remember how to pre flight yourself for a flight.  It is important enough that on every Cirrus, this checklist is the first thing that comes up on the MFD when the plane is turned to on to ensure you have thought about it.