Pilot’s Name | Date | Aircraft Make & Model |
1: Review Weather Definitions
Category | Ceiling and Visibility |
VFR | Above 3,000′ AGL and 5 SM |
MVFR | 1,000′ to 3,000′ AGL or 3 to 5 SM |
IFR | 500′ to 1,000′ AGL or 1 to 3 SM |
LIFR | Below 500′ AGL or 1 SM |
2: Assess Your Flight Experience
Most Recent Training Dates
Flight Review (or Practical Test) | |
Instrument Proficiency Check |
Total Aeronautical Experience
Total Pilot Time | |
In Make and Model | |
Actual Instrument | |
Night Hours |
Recent Experience (Last 12 Months)
Pilot Time | |
In Make and Model | |
Total Landings | |
Night Hours | |
Night Landings | |
Actual Instrument | |
Instrument Approaches |
3: Establish Your Baseline Levels
Weather Comfort Levels
VFR | IFR | |
Ceiling–Day | ||
Ceiling–Night | ||
Visibility–Day | ||
Visibility–Night |
Wind and Turbulence Comfort Levels
Surface Wind Speed | |
Surface Wind Gusts | |
Crosswind Component |
Performance Comfort Levels
Shortest Runway | |
Highest Density Altitude |
4: Adjust for Current Conditions
For the following conditions, adjust your comfort levels by at least the amounts below.
- Pilot: Illness, stress, fatigue, emotion, or lack of recent experience
- Aircraft: Unfamiliar equipment or less than 100 PIC hours in type
- Environment: Contaminated runway, difficult airspace, or unfamiliar surroundings
- External Pressures: Passenger pressures, incoming weather, or deadlines
Ceiling | Add at least 500′ |
Visibility | Add at least 1/2 SM |
Wind Speed | Subtract at least 5 knots |
Runway Length | Add at least 500′ |
5. Stick to the Plan
Do not lower personal minimums for a specific flight. The time to consider adjustments is when you are not under any pressure to fly.