| Before each flight, you do a preflight inspection of the | | | | BAC (blood alcohol content) is greater than 0.04 |
| aircraft that you are going to fly in. You make sure | | | | F - Fatigue: If you are falling asleep at the wheel on |
| that it is airworthy, legal and safe to take to the skies. | | | | your way to the airport... this is a sign to not get in the |
| This is a very important step that you should never, | | | | airplane. In other words, don't fly if you are too tired. |
| ever skip. | | | | This should be a no-brainer. |
| Another item to check is one that might not be in your | | | | E - Emotion: Similar to stress, make sure that you |
| aircraft checklist. That item is you. Make sure that | | | | aren't depressed or otherwise emotionally unable to |
| before each flight you go over the "I'M SAFE" | | | | act as pilot in command of your aircraft. |
| checklist. This will ensure that you are just as airworthy | | | | Another thing that is very, very important to avoid is |
| and safe as your plane. | | | | "get there-itis." This is a disease that plagues many |
| I - Illness: Make sure that you are not sick. You don't | | | | pilots. I'll tell you now, there is NOTHING worth risking |
| want to fly with a headache or other illness that will | | | | your life over just to make a flight on time. Too many |
| impair your flying ability. | | | | pilots feel that they just have to get there and they |
| M - Medication: You don't want to be taking any | | | | feel invincible and take great unnecessary risks. If flying |
| medicines that will make you drowsy or weaken your | | | | conditions (weather especially) are too much for you |
| decision making capability. | | | | to handle, find alternate means of travel, and enjoy |
| S - Stress: When you are flying, stress is dangerous. | | | | your life. |
| Don't ever fly after a breakup, demotion at work, | | | | Remember, if you are thinking about becoming a pilot, |
| family problems, or anything that will take your mind off | | | | do it now. Now is the best time to learn to fly. Too |
| of the task at hand. | | | | many students regret waiting as long as they did to |
| A - Alcohol: 8 hours - bottle to throttle. You can't legally | | | | get their license. Each one is glad they didn't wait a |
| fly within eight hours of consuming alcohol, or if your | | | | minute longer. Good luck! |