Originally Posted by rickair7777

I have seen, but not used these forms.

Basically it is a list of risk factors, with weighted values assigned. You check off the factors which apply to the flight you are preparing for and then total up the numbers. A low risk means good-to-go, a high risk means abort. A medium risk means you either abort or take some extra risk-mitigation steps...ie additional weather brief, extra fuel, alternate, establish some in-flight abort parameters, etc.

It would be easy to make such a checklist, just base it on your missions, terrain, airspace, climate, and the limitations of your airplanes and pilots.

Here are some examples which come to mind

Risk Factor/value

Night/1
Wx < 5SM or 5000' / 2
IMC / 3
Forecast icing / No Go
Crosswind > 5kts/1
Crosswind > 10kts/2

Non-IR Current Private Pilot Solo/1
Student Pilot Solo/2
Student Pilot Solo XC/3
Solo to unfamiliar airspace/2

High Density Alt/2
Aircraft at Max Gross/2
Mountainous Terrain/3
Flight Over Water/1
Class C Airspace/1
Class B Airspace/2

A score of 3-5 might warrant careful mission review and briefing, above 5 is getting scary.