PAVE Risk Assessment

A comprehensive pre-flight risk assessment using the FAA's PAVE methodology.

What Is PAVE?

PAVE is a risk assessment framework developed by the FAA to help pilots evaluate all factors that could affect flight safety. It stands for:

P – Pilot

Your physical and mental readiness to fly (IMSAFE checklist)

A – Aircraft

The aircraft's airworthiness, equipment, and suitability for the flight

V – enVironment

Weather, terrain, airspace, and airport conditions

E – External Pressures

Time pressure, passenger expectations, financial pressure, "get-there-itis"

When Is PAVE Available?

Available within 12 hours of departure

PAVE is designed to assess your current state—physical, mental, and situational. Completing it too early wouldn't accurately reflect how you'll feel on departure day.

When your departure is within 12 hours, you'll see a "Start PAVE Assessment" option in your briefing.

The IMSAFE Checklist (Pilot)

The Pilot section uses the IMSAFE checklist to assess your fitness to fly:

IIllness – Am I sick or feeling unwell?

MMedication – Am I taking any medications that could impair my performance?

SStress – Am I under unusual psychological stress?

AAlcohol – Have I consumed alcohol in the last 8 hours? Am I free of aftereffects?

FFatigue – Am I well-rested and alert?

EEmotion – Am I emotionally ready to fly?

Understanding Risk Levels

Each PAVE category is evaluated and assigned a risk level:

LOW Risk

No significant concerns in this category

MEDIUM Risk

Some concerns—consider mitigations

HIGH Risk

Significant concerns—strongly consider not flying

TEAM Mitigations

After identifying risks, PlaneWX prompts you to apply TEAM mitigations:

TransferTransfer the risk to someone else (e.g., CFI flies with you, professional pilot takes over)

EliminateRemove the risk entirely (e.g., cancel the flight, take commercial)

AcceptConsciously accept the risk after considering alternatives

MitigateReduce the risk (e.g., fly lower, delay departure, reduce passenger load)

Recording Your Decision

After completing the assessment, you'll record your final decision:

GO– Proceed with the flight as planned
NO-GO– Cancel the flight
POSTPONE– Delay to a better time
MODIFY– Adjust the flight (different route, altitude, etc.)

Your completed assessment is saved and can be reviewed later—useful for building self-awareness about your decision-making patterns.

PAVE in Your Final Briefing

Your PAVE assessment is included in the Final Pre-Flight Briefing email sent ~30 minutes before departure. This email shows:

• Overall risk level (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH)
• Individual category scores (Pilot, Aircraft, Environment, External)
• Your final GO/NO-GO decision

PAVE Reminder

If you haven't completed your PAVE assessment ~1 hour before departure, PlaneWX will send a reminder email (if you have this setting enabled in your profile).

Why PAVE Matters

Weather is just one part of flight safety. A perfectly clear day can still be dangerous if you're fatigued, the aircraft has a maintenance issue, or you're under pressure to "make it work." PAVE helps you step back and consider the complete picture before committing to fly.