FAA Airman's Information Manual

By Mark Bralley
(From lecture at AAAA Crew School)

AN ACRONYM TO REMEMBER:
I'M SAFE

I = Illness

Do you have an illness that will make you less safe in the job or position you will have while ballooning?

M = Medication

Are you taking some form of medication (prescription or over the counter) that will make it illegal if you pilot the balloon or make you less than 100% in handling your crew position?

S = Stress

Is there stress in your life that will effect the judgment calls you will have to make as a member of the balloon team?

A=Alcohol

Are you legal? Has it been 8 hours (FAR 91.11) since your last alcoholic drink? Do you have such a hangover that you won't be 100% efficient?

F = Fatigue

How tired are you? Fatigue is described as a depletion of body energy reserves leading to below-par performance. Acute fatigue is short term and chronic fatigue is long term. If needed, would you be able to and act fast enough to avoid an incident and/or accident?

E=Eating

When was the last time you ate? What are you running on and how long will it last?

Any pilot or crew who is not in top condition is severely handicapped. Alcohol is a depressant. If in addition, you happen to be fatigued, hungry, or under stress the handicap will be compounded. Hangovers can be just as hazardous.

FAR 91.11

a. No person may act as a crew member of a civil aircraft

i. Within 8 hours after the consumption of any alcoholic beverage,

ii. While under the influence of alcohol, or

iii. While using any drug that affects their facilities in any way contrary to safety.

b. Except in an emergency, no pilot of a civil aircraft may allow a person who is obviously under the influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs (except a medical patient under proper care) to be carried in that aircraft.

If you pass all of these points and can say 'I'm safe', then go out and enjoy the sport and have a safe time ballooning.