RMH 2-5

Risk Management Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2A)Step 5—Adjust for Specific Conditions 12411 Any flight a pilot makes involves an infinite combination of pilot skill, experience, conditions, and proficiency. Aircraft equipment and performance, environmental conditions, and external influences vary considerably. Both individually and in combination, these factors can compress or expand the safety buffer provided by baseline personal minimums. Consequently, a pilot should develop a practical way to adjust baseline personal minimums to accommodate specific conditions or aircraft. 12412 Note that the example situations and additional safety margins [Figure 2-9] only provide a starting point. Pilots may develop their own adjustment factors based on experience, aircraft capabilities, and operation. If flying experience is limited or infrequent, the adjustment magnitude could increase. If multiple special conditions apply, a pilot could make an adjustment for each factor. For example, suppose a pilot plans a night cross-country flight to an unfamiliar airport, departing after a full workday. The table in Figure 2-9 suggests raising baseline personal minimums by adding 1,000 feet to the ceiling value, one mile to visibility, and 1,000 feet to required runway length. 12413 Pilot Aircraft enVironment External Pressures Illness, use of medication, stress, or fatigue; lack of currency (e.g., have not flown for several weeks) An unfamiliar airplane or an aircraft with unfamiliar avionics or other equipment Unfamiliar airports and airspace; different terrain or other unfamiliar characteristics “Must meet” deadlines, pressures from passengers, etc. If you are facing Adjust baseline personal minimums by Adding at least 500 feet to ceiling Adding at least 1/2 mile to visibility Adding at least 500 feet to runway length Subtracting at least 5 knots from winds Figure 2-9. Examples of additional safety margins from baseline personal minimums. 12414 Here are several important cautions regarding personal minimums. The pilot should: 12415 1. Not adjust personal minimums to complete a specific flight. The time to consider adjustments is not while under pressure to fly, but rather when time and objectivity permits an honest self-analysis about skill, performance, and comfort level during the last few flights. 12416 2. Make adjustments to one variable at a time. For example, if the goal is to lower baseline personal minimums for visibility; the ceiling, wind, or other values should not change at the same time. 20842 3. Seek training and consult with a flight instructor before making a significant adjustment to personal minimums. Step 6—Stick to the Plan 12417 As many pilots know, adhering to personal minimums sometimes creates an ethical dilemma, especially when pressures exist to make a flight. Professional pilots live by the numbers, and so should general aviation pilots. Established personal minimums enable the pilot to make a no-go or divert decision rather than departing with a sense of unease regarding the outcome of a flight. In addition, a written set of personal minimums can also make it easier to explain tough decisions to passengers who depend on the pilot’s judgment. Using the FAA WINGS Program for Risk Mitigation & Safety 20856 The FAA maintains a safety program that provides courses on a variety of topics as a means to enhance safety. The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience. As an added bonus, completion of a phase of the WINGS Program can count for a flight review and participants may receive a discount on certain flight insurance policies. Pilots may create an account and watch a WINGS video using the following links: 12856 • FAA WINGS Program