FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)Instructional TechniquesEasy

Before an instrument training flight, a CFII asks the student a series of questions about recent illness, medications, stress level, alcohol use, fatigue, and last meal. Which personal risk-assessment checklist is the CFII using?

  1. A5P
  2. BDECIDE
  3. CIMSAFE
  4. DPAVE
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C. IMSAFE

IMSAFE (Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Eating) is the standard personal self-assessment checklist pilots use to evaluate their fitness to fly.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. 5P (Plan, Plane, Pilot, Passengers, Programming) is a broader risk model, not focused on personal fitness.
  • B. DECIDE is a decision-making model, not a personal fitness checklist.
  • D. PAVE assesses Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External pressures, not personal fitness details.

IMSAFE Checklist

A personal self-assessment checklist pilots use before flight to evaluate physical and mental fitness to fly.

  • Illness, Medication, Stress, Alcohol, Fatigue, Eating
  • Part of Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)
  • Complements the PAVE checklist for overall risk assessment

Memory trick: 'I'm Safe' before you fly—IMSAFE.

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