The PAVE model helps to identify risks and assists in the decision-making process

P – Pilot
A – Aircraft
V – Environment
E – External Pressures

Pilot

Experience
Currency

Pilot’s Health – IMSAFE

I – Illness – Are you sick? Are there any symptoms?
M – Medication – Are you taking medication that could affect your judgement?
S – Stress – Are you under psychological pressure from your job? Do you have money, health, or family problems?
A – Alcohol – Have you been drinking in the last 8 hours? In the last 24 hours? Alcohol impairs abilities and also makes you more susceptible to disorientation and hypoxia.
F – Fatigue – Are you tired and not adequately rested?
E – Emotion – Have you experienced any emotionally upsetting event?

Stress

• Environmental – temperature, humidity, comfort, noise, vibration, oxygen level, etc…
• Physiological stress – fatigue, sleep loss, hunger, illness, lack of physical fitness
• Psychological stress – emotional factors, traumatic events, etc…, e.g. death in the family, caretaking for another, demotion at work, relationship issues, etc…

Aircraft

Is the aircraft appropriate for the mission?
Are you familiar with the aircraft?
Is the aircraft adequately equipped for the flight?
Can the aircraft use the available runways with adequate margin of safety under the conditions it is to be flown?
Can the aircraft carry the planned load?
Can the aircraft operate with the equipment that is installed?
Does the aircraft have sufficient fuel capacity?
Is the fuel quantity correct?
Is installed equipment in good condition for the potential hazards?

Environment

Weather

Ceiling
Visibility
Terrain effect on weather
Possibility of weather different from forecast – alternate plans.
Wind strength and cross-wind component.
Winds aloft in mountainous or hilly terrain
Thunderstorms now or in forecast?
Icing conditions?
Temperature/dewpoint spread and temperature at altitude. Can a descent be made safely along the route?

Terrain

Obstacles, especially at night or low visibility – what is the safe altitude for the flight?
Maximum elevation figures for obstacles

Airport

White lights are available?
Approach lights and glideslope guidance?
NOTAMs
Closed runways or taxiways
Airports along route
Short or obstructed fields at destination / alternate airports?

Airspace

If over remote areas, is appropriate clothing, water, survival gear on board?
If flying over water or unpopulated areas with the chance of losing visual reference to the horizon, pilot prepared to fly IFR?

Nighttime

If flying at night over water or unpopulated areas with the chance of losing visual reference to the horizon, pilot prepared to fly IFR?
Flight conditions allow safe emergency landing at night?
Preflight all lights, interior and exterior
Flashlights carried

Visual Illusions

Perception of distance
Lack of visual cues

External Pressures

People waiting
Desire to not disappoint
Desire to demonstrate qualifications or impress
Desire to satisfy personal goals / goal completion
Inability to admit skill or experience or lower that a pilot would like them to be
Importance of flight outcome

Mitigating Actions

Allow for extra time
Have alternate plans for a late arrival or no-go
Plan to leave early enough to drive if necessary
Advise anyone waiting at the arrival that there may be a delay
Manage passenger expectations
Eliminate pressure to return home – have an overnight kit