IMSAFE
IMSAFE is the Aeronautical Information Manual's recommended mnemonic for aircraft pilots to use to assess their fitness to fly.
Definition
The mnemonic is:
Illness - Is the pilot suffering from any illness or symptom of an illness which might affect them in flight?
Medication - Is the pilot currently taking any drugs (prescription or over-the-counter)?
Stress - Is the pilot overly worried about other factors in his life? The psychological pressures of everyday living can be a powerful distraction and consequently affect a pilot's performance.
Alcohol - Although legal limits vary by jurisdiction (0.04 BAC, any consumption in the past 8 hours or current impairment in the USA), the pilot should consider their alcohol consumption within the last 8 to 24 hours.
Fatigue - Has the pilot had sufficient sleep and adequate nutrition?
Emotion - Has the pilot fully recovered from any extremely upsetting events such as the loss of a family member?
A common misconception perpetuated throughout training aids and popular culture is that the final "E" stands for eating. Some sources even list both. However, this is incorrect as eating is actually included as a sub-section of Fatigue.
