I'm not feeling all that well today.  In fact, I'm writing this from my favorite chair at home amid a sea of tissues and self-pitty.  All this got me thinking about an often forgotten checklist that could save a lot of pilots a good deal of trouble.  I'm talking, of course, about the PAVE checklist.

Pilot    

Aircraft

enVironment

                External Pressures

This check list is actually a parent check list for the many other list we use as pilots.  For example, everyone goes through pre-flight checks and maintenance records checks to make sure the plane is fit to fly.  That would fit under the Aircraft section.  We also do the weather routine, calling flight services and gathering weather data for the flight, which would fall into the enVironment section.

While we have those areas down, the other two aren't always looked at with the same seriousness or weight.  As I mentioned, I'm sick (all pitty is readily accepted).  Because I'm sick, I'm in no shape to jump behind the yoke and go flying.  This all falls under the Pilot section of the PAVE checklist.

Other things that fall under the Pilot section include mentality (are you in the right frame of mind), experience (do you think you're experienced enough to make this long/tough a trip?), and recency requirements (have you performed the required # of landings within the 90 day time frame, ect.).

External pressures are factors that 'push' you to complete a flight.  You have to get the kids home for church tomorrow, you'll lose your hotel reservations, canceling might be embarrassing.  The trick here is to forget about these factors.  It's hard to do, but when you make the decision, act as if it's a training flight and your instructor is there.  Base any decisions purely on the available information and your training and deal with lost reservations and missed days at work and school later.

So, remember your PAVE checklist and stay safe.  I'm going to eat some chicken noodle soup.