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Management of external pressure is the single most important key to risk management because it is the one risk factor category that can cause a pilot to ignore all the other risk factors. External pressures put time-related pressure on the pilot and figure into a majority of accidents. 

The use of personal standard operating procedures (SOPs) is one way to manage external pressures. The goal is to supply a release for the external pressures of a flight. These procedures include but are not limited to: 

⦁ $_{Allow time on a trip for an extra fuel stop or to make an unexpected landing because of weather. }$ 

⦁ $_{Have alternate plans for a late arrival or make backup airline reservations for must-be-there trips. }$ 

⦁ $_{For important trips, plan to leave early enough so that there would still be time to drive to the destination. }$ 

⦁ $_{Advise those who are waiting at the destination that the arrival may be delayed. Know how to notify them }$ when delays are encountered. 

⦁ $_{Manage passengers’ expectations. Make sure passengers know that they might not arrive on a firm}$$_{ }$ schedule, but if they need to arrive by a certain time, they may make alternative plans. 

⦁ $_{Eliminate pressure to return home, even on a casual day flight, by carrying a small overnight kit containing }$ prescriptions, contact lens solutions, toiletries, or other necessities on every flight. 

The key to managing external pressure is to be ready for and accept delays. Remember that people get delayed when traveling on airlines, driving a car, or taking a bus. The pilot’s goal is to manage risk, not create hazards.$_{ }$ 

During each flight, decisions should be made regarding events involving interactions between the four risk elements—PIC, aircraft, environment, and external pressures. The decision-making process involves an evaluation of each of these risk elements to achieve an accurate perception of the flight situation. [Figure 1-2] 

<img src='content_image/553253.jpg'>

## IMSAFE Checklist 

As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways that single pilots can identify risk associated with physical and mental readiness for flying is to use the IMSAFE checklist acronym. [Figure 1-3] 

