From relatively minor stressors such as an upcoming public speaking engagement to life-changing events like the loss of a loved one, and even positive stress such as starting a new job, the impacts on our fitness to fly are real even if they are not apparent to us in the moment.

The FAA defines stress that’s within our control as self-imposed stress, including such factors as alcohol and drug use, fatigue, and diet. The FAA’s Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge breaks down stress into two types: acute and chronic. The latter is overwhelming long-term stress (financial burdens, social isolation, work-related issues) that affects a person so much that it makes a pilot unsafe to fly while experiencing this type of stress.

It is sometimes difficult for individuals to objectively assess the amount of stress in their lives. There are several tools available to help with that as you determine readiness to fly in regard to stress. The Holmes-Rahe Stress Scale is one such tool. It is widely available and used to determine the risk of illness imposed by stress, so it is not specific to aviation. It assigns a numerical value to 43 life events that could cause stress and affect an individual’s well-being. The user adds up the values of each event they are experiencing, and the total number determines whether the user is at high, moderate, or low risk of illness. This type of tool is also useful to pilots as a preflight review of mental and physical fitness to fly.

Unfortunately, the consequences of flying while dealing with major life stressors can be disastrous. An AOPA Air Safety Institute safety video, No Greater Burden, illustrates that point as it tells the story of a fatal accident and the consequences the pilot bears, as told in the pilot’s own words. By being aware of the amount of stress in your life and factoring that into your go/no-go decision, you can increase the safety of your flights and reduce the risk of stress-imposed negative outcomes. When there’s a possibility that you won’t be fully present mentally during your flight because you are dealing with life stressors, it’s best to make the difficult—yet safe—decision to stay on the ground.