Definition
A risk management determination that conditions are acceptable to proceed with a planned flight or flight segment, made after evaluating relevant factors such as weather, aircraft condition, pilot fitness, and operational environment.
Plain English
A deliberate choice that it is safe and sensible to go ahead with the flight, based on checking everything that could affect it.
Context Anchor
Used in preflight and risk management discussions, especially when deciding whether to start a flight, delay it, change the plan, or cancel.
Derivation
“Go” comes from an old English word meaning to move or proceed. “Decision” comes from a Latin word meaning to cut off or settle a choice. Together, the phrase points to settling the question of whether to proceed.
Why Pilots Care
A clear go decision ensures risks are consciously evaluated and accepted rather than ignored, directly supporting safer flight outcomes.
Intuition Check
A go decision does not simply mean “I want to go.” In aviation risk management, it means the pilot has judged that proceeding is acceptable under the actual conditions.
Example Sentence 1
After reviewing the weather, fuel, and aircraft squawks, the instructor and student reached a go decision and taxied for departure.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor stressed that the go decision must follow full consideration of all hazards, not just a quick glance at the weather.