Before departure you should have determined if you are completely prepared for the flight and any emergencies that may arise; checked that all navigation planning, navigation equipment and aircraft equipment requirements have been met; lodged your detailed flight plan — in the form of a Flight Note — with a responsible person; and finally, assessed that your own physical and psychological condition is conducive to safe flight.

6.1 Being prepared for an emergency

6.2 Planning and equipment check list

• Have I established the safest route and minimum safe altitude; avoiding high ground, tiger country, hazards, restricted areas and CTA/CTR — or airspace where a functioning transponder is mandatory?
  
  
• Have I double checked that all magnetic bearings and distances on the flight plan have been measured correctly?
  
  
• Have I checked the locations and the suitability of refuelling stops, of the destination airfield and of alternate landing areas? Have I checked their details in ERSA including ASIC requirements? For airfields not listed in ERSA have I checked with the owner/operator about the airfield dimensions, slope, condition, approach and departure limitations, animals, power lines and other obstructions? Is my skill level sufficient to safely land and take-off at those airfields?
  
  
• Have I checked the en route, destination and alternate airfields' weather, cloud base and visibility (ARFOR, TAFs, METARS and surface chart) and NOTAM (ADs, ALAs and restricted areas)?
  
  
• Have I calculated density altitude for the departure and destination airfields, and ascertained that the effect on take-off, climb-out and landing performance at the expected aircraft weight will still provide an adequate safety margin?
  
  
• Have I left a Flight Note, showing the itinerary, with a responsible person who knows what action to take if I fail to check in by the agreed time?
  
  
• Have I checked that watch, compass, ASI and altimeter function okay and that nothing is placed in such proximity that compass operation will be affected?
  
  
• Should I be equipped with a functional VHF transceiver; if so, have I noted/loaded all the required frequencies?
  
  
• Should I be equipped with a satellite-compatible 406MHz radio distress beacon?
  
  
• Do I have approved life jackets on board, if any part of my flight is over water?
  
  
• Do I need to take an inflatable life raft with emergency survival kit?
  
  
• Have I back-up batteries for handheld equipment?
  
  
• Am I wearing clothing suitable for the surface conditions, in case of an unplanned landing?
  
  
• Should there be a first aid kit in the aircraft?
  
  
• Should I take an extra supply of prescribed medication?
  
  
• Is there an adequate water supply in the aircraft?
  
  
• Is tie-down gear loaded?
  
  
• Have I physically confirmed that the actual fuel load provides a reasonable margin, on top of the flight plan needs — including the reserve?
  
  
• Has the fuel in the tanks been physically checked for suitability, quality and water or other contamination?
  
  
• Have I checked aircraft weight & balance with everything and everyone loaded?

6.3 Personal fitness for flight

Illness?

Do I have an illness or any symptoms of an illness or disorder?

Medication and other drugs?

Have I been taking/mixing prescription, over-the-counter or 'recreational' drugs?

Stress?

Am I under psychological pressure from the job or personal circumstances? Am I worried about financial matters, health problems, family problems or discord?

Alcohol?

Have I been consuming alcohol within the previous 8 hours? (Even within 8–16 hours after consumption, blood alcohol levels can be significant; if tested by an authorised person, the permissible blood alcohol content is less than 0.02.) Would my average alcohol consumption be classified at greater than 'very low risk'?

Fatigue?

Am I tired or inadequately rested?

Eating and drinking?

Am I inadequately nourished and/or dehydrated?

[ The next section in the airmanship and safety sequence is the section describing the
Procedure when 'lost' ]