A remote pilot is about to launch for a routine inspection flight when they receive news of a stressful personal situation. They feel distracted and their mind is not on the mission. Under IMSAFE, what should they do?

Question

Accepted Answer

Postpone the flight. The S in IMSAFE covers stress, and significant distraction is a legitimate no-fly condition. The S in IMSAFE stands for Stress, defined as any psychological pressure that affects judgment or attention. A pilot who is distracted by personal news and self-reports that their mind is not on the mission has already identified an IMSAFE failure. The FAA recognizes stress as a physiological hazard equivalent to illness or fatigue. Postponing the flight is the correct response. A routine inspection can be rescheduled. An accident cannot be undone.

Answer

Launch as planned. Personal matters should be set aside during professional work

Answer

Conduct a quick preflight inspection and make a go/no-go decision after completing it