Personal Minimums Checklist

[Ender]

Hey guys...just a question...how many of you have and actually use a personal minimums checklist?

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

I always try to...Sometimes you have to argue with the company and your co-pilot (if you have one) but in the end if you dont feel comfortable, dont go. My first flight instructor always told me "If you have more reasons not to go, than to go, dont go!"

And luckly for me I always carry my trusty Hanzo Sword to emphasize my point


wiggle your big toe...

 

[Say Again Over]

Personal minimums checklist? Is that anything like common sense, I don't use a checklist but I try to obtain all the information that is available and then together (second pilot) make a decision trying to error on the conservative side.

 

[Ender]

Personal minimums checklist? Is that anything like common sense, I don't use a checklist but I try to obtain all the information that is available and then together (second pilot) make a decision trying to error on the conservative side.

thats sort of what i meant...but do you have an actual checklist that says if winds are at or above such and such...you just definately wont go.

 

[wheelsup]

thats sort of what i meant...but do you have an actual checklist that says if winds are at or above such and such...you just definately wont go.

No checklist, but I always said if it took me more than 10 minutes to make a go/no-go decision it was an automatic no-go. That, and anytime I had that "feeling" that things just weren't right.

Both worked pretty well.

~wheelsup

 

[midlifeflyer]

thats sort of what i meant...but do you have an actual checklist that says if winds are at or above such and such...you just definately wont go.

No. Nothing in writing. Personal minimums change as you continue to learn and become more proficient, and, hopefully, that is happening all the time.

 

[Say Again Over]

Yes if you are doing a single pilot operation a checklist may be the way to go, people at good operations have some guidelines such as the FOM, bottom line is you are PIC, you have to make the big decisions, sometimes it is not to go or maybe some type of delay, that's why you make the big bucks!

 

[JediNein]

For my personal minimums, some items are in writing just long enough for them to become a habit then I don't need them in writing anymore. I keep an old one around for students to see as an example, otherwise the "PAVE" one that is online somewhere works well for instructing new pilots.

Our company is producing a SOP/FOM so that will be our guide while the students are encouraged to keep their own minimums -- more conservative if they desire, but not less conservative.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[Foxcow]

I do. When I earned my private, I did not go up when the winds were 15G25 unless it was right down the pipe. It took time to build experience and confidence. When I first became instrument rated, I sure as hell did not rush out to the airport when it was 200' and half mile to shoot approaches either.


Its just common sense.