Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9)
Appendix D: Personal Minimums Checklist
Pilot:_________________________________
Date Revised: _________________________
Reviewed with: ________________________, (if applicable)
Your Personal Minimums Checklist—
⦁ Is an easy-to-use, personal tool tailored to your level of skill, knowledge, and ability.
⦁ Helps you control and manage risk by identifying even subtle risk factors.
⦁ Allows you to fly with less stress and less risk. Practice “Conservati sm Without Guilt.”
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 hom e 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 margina l
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
Physical Condition
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
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______ hours
______ hours
______ hours
Aircraft
Fuel Reserves (Cross-Country)
VFR day
VFR Night
IFR day
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
familiar with equipment (including autopilot and GPS systems)
equipment appropriate to flight
current
suitable for preflight and flight
appropriate for flight/terrain
______ % of max POH
______ % more than POH
not more than ______ hours old
within aircraft/pilot capabilities
______ feet
______ feet
______ miles
______ miles
______ feet above min.
Aircraft Equipment
Avionics
COM/NAV
Charts
Clothing
Survival gear
Environment
Airport Conditions
Crosswind
Runway length
Weather
Reports and forecasts
Icing conditions
Weather for VFR
Ceiling day
Ceiling Night
Visibility day
Visibility Night
Weather for IFR
Precision Approaches
Ceiling
Visibility ______ mile(s) above min.
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______ feet above min.
______ mile(s) above min.
______ before diverting
______ feet
______ mile(s)
Non-Precision Approaches
Ceiling
Visibility
Missed Approaches
No more than
Takeoff Minimums
Ceiling
Visibility
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.
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