Plain English Meaning

It's the pilot honestly checking themselves: Am I current? Am I rested? Am I prepared for this flight? Did I fly that approach as well as I should have? The pilot is both the student and the examiner.

Full Definition

In aviation training, self-assessment is the pilot's deliberate evaluation of their own knowledge, skills, judgment, and physical and mental fitness against the standards required for safe flight. It is a structured review the pilot performs on themselves — before, during, and after a flight — to identify strengths, weaknesses, and risks that affect decision-making.

Context Anchor

Used in the Aviation Instructor's Handbook when discussing how pilots evaluate their own decision-making and skills.