P.A.V.E. Checklist 

P = Pilot - Are you really ready for this flight?  Are you current… More importantly, are you proficient  How’s your heath?  Are you rested?  You know the drill…

A = Aircraft - Is this airplane appropriate for the mission?  Does it have the requisite performance?  How familiar are you with the aircraft?  Do you know the panel and avionics?  Is the GPS database current?  A.R.R.O.W.?

V = enVironment - The environment encompasses much more than just the weather.  How do your personal minimums stack up against the conditions where you're headed?  What about the conditions enroute?  Are you prepared for an overly optimistic forecast?  How will you recognize an inaccurate forecast?  Do you have passengers?  Will they be a help or a distraction?

E = External Pressures - Where's your head?  Are you truly capable of transitioning from the office to your cockpit?  Do you have to be somewhere at a certain time?  Do you feel rushed?  Are you prepared to be late?  Be focused 100% on the job at hand and fly the airplane.

IMSAFE-R

I = Illness - Are you suffering from any symptoms of an illness which might affect you in flight?

M = Medication - Are you currently taking any drugs (prescription / over the counter / illegal)?

S = Stress - Are you overly worried about other factors in his life? The psychological pressures of everyday living can be a powerful distraction and affect your pilot performance.

A = Alcohol - You should consider the amount, and the effects of any alcohol consumption within the last 8 to 24 hours.

F = Fatigue - Are you adequately rested and properly nourished?

E = Emotions - Are you dealing with any personal of business crisis that could impact your ability to pilot an airplane?

and Doug's personal addition...

R = Recency - How long has it been since your last flight?  Your last flight in these conditions?

Key Environmental Elements

Ceilings & Visibility - What are the current and forecast ceilings and visibilities at your destination, alternate(s) and along the route? Are the forecasts holding true? Do they meet legal limits and more importantly are they within your personal minimums? If you have an emergency or abnormal situation where will you divert?

Convection - What is the outlook at your destination and general area? What's your 'escape' if you encounter convective activity enroute? Thunderstorms should be treated with the utmost respect!

Icing - If you encounter icing what is your escape.. climb, descend, or turn? Which way is the warmer air… up, or down? Where are the cloud tops and bases? Knowing the answers to these questions provides a plan to get out of any icing condition. And don't be afraid to declare an emergency.

Winds - What is the most efficient altitude relative the winds? What are the winds at the surface of your destination and along your route of flight? Do those winds exceed your personal minimums, or aircraft limits?

Runway Condition - Is the runway contaminated with standing water, snow, or ice? Are you prepared for a potential hydroplaning situation?

Airplane Performance

It is critically important for us to know “the numbers” of every airplane that we fly in order to stay ahead of the airplane. What “knowing the numbers” means is that every combination of pitch, power and configuration will yield a known performance, be it a climb or descent at a rate and/or speed, a cruise speed, or the bank angle required for a standard rate turn at any given airspeed.

If you know these numbers you won’t have to chase an airspeed, pitch attitude, or rate of descent or climb. Set the “numbers” and you’ll get the performance.

Aviation Communication

Phraseology - Using standard phraseology will help you maintain “command” of your flight. ATC is much more likely to approve your requests if you use it. Remember to speak Aviation, not English.  Controllers appreciate and respect proper use of the radio and will treat you accordingly.

Communicating Command - You are the PIC.  You are in charge of your mission, not ATC.  The most important phrase in your aviation vocabulary is “UNABLE” Just remember, when the controller's shift is over they get to go home.  You can't do that until you land safely.  Just make sure you do.