Prior to every flight, each pilot must assess whether they are fit to fly. The regulations call this ‘Crew Readiness’. Specifically, the Pilot in Command and all crew members need to be ready for the flight. That begs the question;
How can a Pilot assess crew readiness?
Answer
The Aviation Standard for assessing crew readiness is the IMSAFE Checklist. IMSAFE is an acronym. Consequently, by working through the checklist, a pilot can quickly determine whether they are fit to fly.
I – Illness
You don’t want to fly if you’re feeling sick. Fatigue, dizziness, and headaches can make it difficult to operate safely. Moreover, if a long-term or chronic illness concerns you, please consult an Aviation Physician.
M – Medication
So you’ve got a cold. Why not just dose up on some over-the-counter medication? Also a bad idea. Many over-the-counter meds cause drowsiness. If the bottle says “do not operate heavy machinery” consider that to include aircraft. Similarly, if a medication concerns you, please consult an Aviation Physician.
S – Stress
If there’s something or someone on your mind, it can potentially take you away from flying. A pilot needs to focus on the mission at hand. However, financial stress, family emergencies, or personal conflicts can allow the mind to wander away from the aircraft.
A – Alcohol
12 hours bottle to throttle. You also need to be free from the effects of alcohol. Therefore, if you’ve gone on a binge and are hungover, that won’t cut it. In Canada, cannabis products are now legal. However, per Transport Canada Rules, all aircrew (including drone pilots and visual observers) must not consume cannabis for 28 days before a flight.
F- Fatigue
You need to be well-rested to complete a flight. Specifically, that means sufficient rest in the preceding 24 hours, and feeling alert.
E – Eating and drinking
You should have had sufficient food and water before flying. In the summer especially, insufficient nourishment and liquid can lead to dehydration and dizziness. Eventually, that can cause pilot incapacitation. Therefore, always eat beforehand and keep a water bottle on hand for hot days.
The Aeronautical Information Manual covers the IMSAFE Checklist in more detail. For other notes on crew readiness, please refer to it. (AIM – RPA – 3.2.7)
