IMSAFE is the Aeronautical Information Manual's recommended

mnemonic A mnemonic ( ) device, or memory device, is any learning technique that aids information retention or retrieval (remembering) in the human memory for better understanding. Mnemonics make use of elaborative encoding, retrieval cues, and imager ...

for

aircraft An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engine ...

pilots to use to assess their fitness to fly.

Definition

The mnemonic is: * Illness - Is the pilot suffering from any

illness A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that ar ...

or symptom of an illness which might affect them in flight? * Medication - Is the pilot currently taking any

drug A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalati ...

s (prescription or over-the-counter)? * Stress - Is the pilot overly worried about other factors in their 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 Sleep is a sedentary state of mind and body. It is characterized by altered consciousness, relatively inhibited Perception, sensory activity, reduced muscle activity and reduced interactions with surroundings. It is distinguished from wakefuln ...

and adequate nutrition? * Emotion - Has the pilot fully recovered from any extremely upsetting events such as the loss of a family member? 'E', while defined under the FAA as standing for Emotion, is considered by other international Aviation Authorities such as the CAA and CASA to stand for Eating, including ensuring proper hydration, sustenance, and correct nutrition. In some instances one might also find the acronym written as IAMSAFE in which the first 'A' stands for Alimentation.http://www.win.tue.nl/~jldejong/gliding/Presentations/Opfriscursus-RFI-TMG/2008/HumanFactorsandMotorgliding-080419.pdf

References

Aviation mnemonics Aviation safety {{aviation-stub