Personal minimums
Personal minimum: limit tighter than the legal or aircraft limit, sized to own experience. Set one per PAVE category (aeronautics/pave-checklist).
| Limit | Set by | Crosswind example |
|---|---|---|
| Legal | Regs: what is allowed | |
| Aircraft | Manufacturer: demonstrated figure | 15 kt demonstrated |
| Personal (smart) | Pilot: what to actually do | Only flown 10 kt: 10 kt until further training |
Personal minimums checklist: built on the ground, away from trip pressure. Clear go/no-go or continue/discontinue reference point.
Personal weather minimum:
- Set above regulatory ceiling/visibility minima.
- Weigh against experience, currency, route familiarity, terrain, alternates, training.
- Forecast below limit: don't go.
- Before go/no-go, check trend: current report and the two or three before it, against forecast; watch for reports worse than forecast.
Trap: meeting the legal minimum does not clear a personal minimum; legal is not always smart.
References
- PHAK ch.2 (The PAVE Checklist)
- FAA-H-8083-25 PHAK ch.2
- TP 1102, Pilot Navigation: Weather