Drone exam · Human performance limitations

Before a routine job, the pilot has a headache, took medication, skipped breakfast, and is worried about a family problem. How should they assess fitness?

Answer

The pilot should use a structured self check for illness, medication, stress, alcohol or drugs, fatigue, emotion, and food or hydration. If any item may impair performance, delay, reassign, simplify, or cancel.

Explanation

Self assessment works better when it is structured. Under stress, a pilot can rationalize one problem at a time; a checklist shows the combined picture.