Good to go? How to make for a good safe day.

Picture this: competition day, perfect blue sky, light winds kissing the launch. My glider's laid out, harness clipped, and adrenaline building. Pilots are launching left and right, catching sweet thermals and disappearing into the distance. I'm going through my final checks when I hit the last question on my mental checklist: "How are you feeling?"

And honestly? Something felt off. Not the conditions, not the equipment – me. So I stepped back, packed up, and watched from the ground. That decision reinforced something I've learned over years of flying: the most important safety equipment we have isn't our reserve parachute or radio – it's our ability to make good go/no-go decisions.

Let me share the systematic approach I've developed to help ensure every flying day is not just thrilling, but safe.

The I'M SAFE Personal Assessment

Before I even look at the weather forecast, I run through what pilots call the I'M SAFE checklist. This simple acronym has prevented more accidents than any piece of gear ever could.

Start With Your Body and Mind

Illness: Are you sick? Even a mild cold can affect your decision-making and reaction time. Plus, changes in air pressure during flight can make sinus congestion genuinely painful.

Medication: Any medication impairing you? This includes over-the-counter stuff too. That allergy medicine might make you drowsy, and drowsy doesn't mix well with reading thermals at 3,000 feet.

Stress: High stress levels? Work drama, relationship issues, financial worries – they all eat up mental bandwidth you need for flying. If you're stressed, your brain is already working overtime before you even launch.

Alcohol: No alcohol within 8-12 hours? This one's non-negotiable. Alcohol affects your inner ear balance and decision-making long after you feel "sober."

Fatigue: Are you tired? Fatigue kills judgment. If you had a late night or just feel worn down, the mountains will still be there tomorrow.

Emotion: Are you calm? Flying angry, overly excited, or emotionally charged is a recipe for poor decisions. The goal is clear-headed confidence, not emotional intensity.

Here's the deal: if you cannot honestly say you are safe on every single point, do not fly. Period. As pilots, we love to push boundaries in the air, but this personal assessment is where you need to be brutally honest with yourself.

Reading the Sky: Weather Conditions for a Good Go

Now let's talk about what makes for good flying weather, especially as you're building your skills.

Wind: Your Most Important Variable

For beginners, you want wind speeds between 2-15 mph. Under 2 mph and you might struggle to stay up; over 15 mph and things can get sporty quickly. If you're intermediate to advanced, you might handle up to 18 mph, but honestly, some of my best XC flights have happened in gentle 8-12 mph conditions.

More critical than speed is direction – the wind must be directly into the launch slope. Side winds or tail winds can slam you into the hill faster than you can react. I've seen too many close calls from pilots trying to launch in questionable wind direction.

The Perfect Flying Day

Your ideal conditions look like this: dry, clear of clouds below 3,000 feet, and good visibility of at least 1.5 km. You want to see your landing zones clearly and have escape routes mapped out visually.

For thermal activity, light to moderate winds are your sweet spot. Strong, gusty winds or approaching storms are absolute no-gos. Trust me, trying to outrun weather never ends well.

Site Knowledge and Equipment: Your Foundation

Every site has its own personality, and getting to know that personality can save your life.

Local Intel Is Everything

Check for local hazards and always talk to local pilots. They know things that aren't in any guide book – like how that innocent-looking ridge creates nasty rotor, or where the power lines are that you can't see from launch.

Your Pre-Flight Ritual

Develop a systematic equipment check routine. I always perform a thorough pre-flight check of lines, risers, and canopy, followed by the HHRB check right before takeoff: Harness, Helmet, Risers, Buckles. Make it so routine that you do it even when you're excited or distracted.

Most importantly, match the site and conditions to your skill level. That gnarly XC site you've been eyeing? It'll still be there when you're ready for it.

Timing Your Flight Window

When you fly matters as much as where you fly.

Morning flying typically offers calm, stable air – perfect for beginners or when you want a mellow flight. The air hasn't heated up enough for strong thermals yet, so conditions tend to be predictable.

Midday and afternoon bring thermally active conditions that are fantastic for XC flying. But remember, thermal activity can also mean turbulence. As conditions strengthen, they can shift from "fun and challenging" to "outside your comfort zone" pretty quickly.

Late afternoon often smooths out again as the thermal cycle starts winding down. Some of my most peaceful flights have been in that golden hour before sunset.

The Final Decision: Trusting Your Gut

Here's what I've learned after years of flying: all the checklists and weather analysis in the world won't replace your instincts. If something feels off, listen to that feeling.

Remember this phrase: "It is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air, than in the air wishing you were on the ground." I've never regretted a day I didn't fly due to safety concerns, but I have regretted flights where I ignored my gut feeling.

Learn From the Experienced

Pay attention to what more experienced pilots are doing. If veteran pilots aren't launching, ask why. They've learned to read subtle signs that might not be obvious to newer pilots. There's no shame in asking questions – the best pilots I know are always learning from each other.

When in doubt, don't go out. This isn't about being conservative to the point of never flying; it's about being smart enough to fly another day.

Building Your Decision-Making Muscle

That competition day when I chose not to launch? It turned out several pilots had challenging flights, with a couple ending up in landing areas they hadn't planned for. My systematic approach to the go/no-go decision wasn't being overly cautious – it was being appropriately cautious.

The goal isn't to eliminate all risk from paragliding (impossible and boring), but to manage risk intelligently. Every time you work through your I'M SAFE checklist, assess conditions thoroughly, and make a conscious decision about whether to fly, you're building decision-making skills that will serve you throughout your flying career.

The mountains, thermals, and adventure will always be there. But you need to be there too – safe, sound, and ready to enjoy them. So next time you're standing at launch, take a moment to ask yourself: "How am I feeling, and is this a good day to go?" Your answer might just be the most important decision you make all day.