Pilot Self-Assessment Curiosity: Healthy or Harmful? The PAVE Checklist 13-6 Today, we continue to learn and investigate the limits  of aviation. We’ve been to the moon, and soon beyond.  Our curiosity will continue to drive us to search for the  next challenge. The pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft is directly  responsible for and is the final authority for the operation  of that aircraft. The list of PIC responsibilities is long,  and nothing should be overlooked. To exercise those  responsibilities effectively and make effective decisions  regarding the outcome of a flight, a pilot must have an  understanding of personal limitations. Pilot performance from  planning the flight to execution of the flight is affected by  many factors, such as health, experience, knowledge, skill  level, and attitude. However, curiosity can also have catastrophic consequences.  Despite over 100 years of aviation practice, we still see  accidents that are caused by impaired judgment formed  from curious behavior. Pilots commonly seek to determine  the limits of their ability as well as the limits of the aircraft.  Unfortunately, too often this leads to mishaps with deadly  results. Inquisitive behavior must be harnessed and displayed  within personal and material limits.  Exercising good judgment begins prior to taking the controls  of an aircraft. Often, pilots thoroughly check their aircraft  to determine airworthiness, yet do not evaluate their own  fitness for flight. Just as a checklist is used when preflighting  an aircraft, a personal checklist based on such factors as  experience, currency, and comfort level can help determine  if a pilot is prepared for a particular flight. Specifying when  refresher training should be accomplished and designating  weather minimums, which may be higher than those listed in  Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91,  are elements that may be included on a personal checklist. Over  confidence can kill just as fast as inexperience. In addition to a  review of personal limitations, a pilot should use the I’M SAFE  checklist to further evaluate fitness for flight.  [Figure 13-3] Deadly curiosity may not seem as obvious to some as it is to  others. Simple thoughts such as, “Is visibility really as bad  as what the ATIS is reporting?” or “Will the 20-minute fuel  light really indicate only 20 minutes worth of fuel?” can lead  to poor decisions and disastrous outcomes. Some aviators blatantly violate rules and aircraft limitations  without thinking through the consequences. “What  indications and change in flight characteristics will I see if  I fly this helicopter above its maximum gross weight?” or  “I’ve heard this helicopter can do aerobatic flight. Why is it  prohibited?” are examples of extremely harmful curiosity.  Even more astounding is their ignoring to the fact that the  damage potentially done to the aircraft will probably manifest  later in the aircraft’s life, affecting other crews. Spontaneous  excursions in aviation can be deadly. The roots of aviation are firmly based on curiosity. Where  would we be today had it not been for the dreams of  Leonardo da Vinci, the Wright Brothers, and Igor Sikorsky?  They all were infatuated with flight, a curiosity that led to  the origins of aviation. The tale of aviation is full of firsts:  first flight, first helicopter, first trans-Atlantic flight, and so  on. But, along the way there were many setbacks, fatalities,  and lessons learned. Curiosity is natural and promotes learning. Airmen should  abide by established procedures until proper and complete  hazard assessment and risk management can be completed. As found in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical  Knowledge, the FAA has designed a personal minimums  checklist. To help pilots with self-assessment, which in turn  helps mitigate risk, the acronym PAVE divides the risks of  flight into four categories. For each category, think of the  applicability specific to helicopter operations: Figure 13-3.  I’M SAFE checklist.  -  Can it carry the necessary fuel? -  Is the helicopter capable of performing the task? • Aircraft -  Flight experience, recency, currency, total time  in type. -  Physical, emotional readiness. •  Pilot (pilot in command) I llness— Do I have any symptoms? M edication —Have I been taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs? S tress —Am I under psychological pressure from  the job? Worried about financial matters, health  problems, or family discord? A lcohol —Have I been drinking within 8 hours? Within 24 hours? F atigue —Am I tired and not adequately rested? E motion —Am I angry, depressed, or anxious? I’M SAFE CHECKLIST