June is National Safety Month, meant to highlight the leading causes of preventable injury and death and allow people to lead safer and healthier lives. In aviation, safety is a top priority.
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According to the Flight Safety Foundation, Jet and turboprop aircraft that are certified to carry at least 14 passengers were involved in 115 accidents around the world in 2022. Out of the 115, 16 were fatal accidents that resulted in 233 fatalities among passengers and crew and four people on the ground. General Aviation accidents make up roughly 80 percent of all aviation crashes, mostly due to the high volume of GA flyers in the sky at a time as opposed to private or commercial aviation.
During National Safety Month, take a look at some of the ways to keep the sky safer and make aviation safety a priority.
Knowing and minimizing the risks of a circling approach
A survey found that pilots misunderstood the circling approach most out of all approach types. A lack of understanding when maneuvering an aircraft close to the ground in poor weather conditions can prove disastrous.
Circling approaches can be the most challenging flight maneuver for many pilots. The maneuver is often conducted at low altitudes, during the day or night, and often with inclement weather like rain affecting visibility, depth perception and the ability to assess the descent profile to the landing runway. These types of approaches are often conducted on runways without the added benefit of electronic navigation aids to support the descent from the Circling Minimums Decision Altitude (CMDA) to the runway.
A pilot must understand the risks involved with the circling approach and use sound judgment when performing it. Consider personal experience and limitations as well as the capabilities of your aircraft when planning to execute the circling approach. Even if ATC issues a clearance for a circling approach, you can request a different approach or divert to an airport with a more capable approach facility. Always make the ATC aware of your concerns rather than attempt an approach you are not fully comfortable with.
Sometimes the age-old phrase, “practice makes perfect” is the way to go. Practice the approach in scenario-based training in realistic environments to increase your proficiency and make you feel more comfortable performing them as needed. If you decide a circling approach is the way to go, conduct a comprehensive briefing to specify when the approach will begin, descent altitudes and locations, airspeeds, aircraft configuration and go-around criteria and procedures.
When conducting this style of approach, it is better to remain at or above the circling altitude until the aircraft is continuously in a position in which a descent to a landing on the intended runway can be made at a normal rate and with normal maneuvers. As always, stay vigilant. Continuously monitor the plane’s altitude while flying, even in VMC.
Spatial disorientation – how to recognize and overcome this phenomenon
Spatial disorientation occurs when a pilot loses their sense of orientation and awareness of their position and motion in relation to the earth’s surface. This can lead to a loss of situational awareness, delayed reaction times, panic and loss of control. This phenomenon can be dangerous, possibly leading to aviation accidents.
Pilots are trained to use their instruments to maintain their situational awareness, even without visual clues or the ability to see the ground. It is essential for pilots to rely on these instruments in low visibility conditions or when experiencing spatial disorientation. Pilots must recognize the different sensations that they may experience with this phenomenon, like a false sense of turning, tilting or banking. Being aware of these sensations can help a pilot correct their orientation.
There is specialized training to recognize and overcome spatial disorientation. This training involves simulating different conditions that lead to spatial disorientation and teaching pilots how to react. Sometimes, living a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk This includes getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and avoiding alcohol and drugs that can impair cognitive function.
If a pilot does experience spatial disorientation, seek help. Other pilots or ATC can help orient the pilot and possibly prevent a crash. Remember that this disorientation can impair decision-making and judgment and it is essential to seek help when it is needed.
Effective radio communication skills
Communication is essential in any field but can prove absolutely imperative in aviation. Communication is between a large variety of team players, including pilots, copilots, ATC, other aircraft, ground handlers, cabin crew, airline staff, security personnel, ramp workers and airport operators. Many people play a part in proper communication and as a result, all individuals in the aviation industry have a responsibility to improve their level of communication and understanding to minimize potential risks of accidents.
Common issues can include information overload, pronunciation, misunderstanding and incorrect terminology. The more information being shared, the more risk that an error could occur. For non-English speakers, there is a large probability of passing incorrect information due to unclear or incorrect pronunciation.
Sometimes, error stems from a simple misunderstanding. This can be caused by variations in speech rate, sentence structure or a pause in communication. The misuse of standardized phrases and terms can cause confusion or lead to a dangerous accident. Saying “inbound” rather than “outbound” or “no” instead of “negative” can begin a chain of events that lead to runway incursions or accidents.
Communication plays a vital role in aviation safety and improving it and using it effectively is paramount in preventing fatal flaws. Pilots need to be aware of what airspace they operate in. Know the roles of the people you are speaking to, whether it’s the control tower or other pilots, everyone has a role to play. Know what is expected of you and understand what to expect of those around you as well.
Keep a mental image of what is happening around you when you fly. Rather than tuning out radio chatter until your tail number is mentioned, listen to other exchanges to improve your mental image and increase your situational awareness.
Sharpen your skills with frequent practice. Develop a rhythm when communicating to help better your skills. Even in emergent situations, talking faster does not equate to getting things done faster. Speak clearly and do not hasten, it is better to say the message once at a slower pace than repeat it three times. At the end of the day, radio communication is simply two people talking. Do not overcomplicate things for yourself and understand that ATC controllers are just people there to help.
From bottle to throttle – don’t drink and fly
Most pilots know that the standard is eight hours from bottle to throttle, meaning do not ingest any alcohol within eight hours of a flight. Some airlines are stricter, requiring at least 12 hours.
Even after the body eliminates a moderate amount of alcohol in its system, a pilot can still be impaired for hours due to a hangover. Meaning, the eight-hour rule does not always mean it is safe for a pilot to enter a cockpit. Pilots are subject to the same temptations as the general population, but the risk of flying while impaired is not one many face the morning after a night out with friends.
At a minimum, adhere to the eight-hour guidelines. Everyone reacts to drinking differently and a pilot needs to know the limitations of their own body and make a sound judgment call. This goes for drugs as well. A more conservative approach is to wait 24 hours before flying, which is especially true if the pilot was intoxicated or they are planning to fly IFR.
There is no true method to speed up the elimination of alcohol in the body other than time and patience. Even while fighting a hangover, pilots need to consider that this is still an impairment to some and is a factor to consider when deciding to fly.
Use your best judgment and hold yourself and those around you accountable. Your life and the lives of your crew and passengers are more important than cold beer. Stay safe in the sky, and enjoy your drink after your flight.
A little rain might not seem concerning, but heavy rainfall will have an impact on even the most experienced pilot. Although most engines are tested and certified to ensure stability under conditions of intense rainfall and water ingestion, it can still impact visibility, aerodynamic principles and takeoff/landing procedures.
Some pilots rely on the instrument to fly the plane and only revert to visual references before landing. Moderately reduced visibility due to heavy rainfall might not be a big problem during the flight, but it will be during the landing. Pilots require minimum horizontal visibility during this phase and if the rainfall is extremely heavy, visibility might be reduced to below this level. This requires the “auto-land” feature, which some airports and facilities do not support.
While flying in rainfall, a film of water will form on the surface of the wing. This will become distorted under frictional stress in the airflow and increase the roughness of the wing’s surface. This will be further increased by the continuing impact of large raindrops. This can lead to an increase in drag and reduce lift, which results in a higher risk of stalling, similar to the effects of wing icing.
Heavy rainfall can also impact the ground. With standing water building up on a runway, an aircraft might not be able to brake sufficiently or stop when landing. While weather patterns like this are not always possible to predict or entirely avoidable, understand the effects and stay grounded if given the option.
A necessary element in flight – is fuel. One small error in fueling can snowball into a fatal situation. Inadequate or incomplete preflight fuel planning can result in a calculation of a total fuel requirement that is not sufficient for the planned flight. Visually inspect your fuel tank or fuel source on a regular basis to help prevent miscalculations.
Before advanced electronic instruments, pilots had to visually confirm the quantity of fuel in their tanks during a pre-flight check. This method is still a good choice today, even with the advantages of modern technology. Do not put all your trust in newer instruments, but know for certain your plane is properly fueled with a visual check. Knowing your aircraft and its fueling system is also key. By knowing your fuel system, you better understand what fuel grade is required and how it works.
If you are not the one refueling your plane, be there to make sure it is done properly. Make sure the right fuel is being used and it is not contaminated, which can have its own consequences. Check to make sure the tanks are adequately filled and the fuel caps are screwed on securely.
Proper preflight fuel planning ensures you do not run out mid-flight. This can also occur when changing the intended destination airport mid-flight. Be aware of how much fuel you have or have left if any flight plans change during your ride.
Controlled flight into terrain
Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) is one of the top three causes of general aviation accidents, claiming up to 17% of all general aviation fatalities, according to the FAA. This occurs when an aircraft under pilot control inadvertently flies into terrain, a body of water or an obstacle. The pilot is often unaware of the impending danger until it is too late.
The most common factor contributing to CFIT is pilot error, usually due to a loss of situational awareness. A lack of situational awareness can lead to poor decision-making and mistakes, particularly a lack of understanding of the aircraft’s geographical position.
Be sure to understand the risks and conduct a personal assessment. Use the PAVE acronym, (Pilot, Aircraft, EnVironment, and External Pressures) to conduct a personal risk assessment before flying. Pilots can hold themselves accountable for an appropriate go/no-go flight decision.
Most CFIT accidents occur in daylight and over half in visual conditions. VFR into IMC is one of the deadliest precursors to a CFIT accident. In a study of a group of 41 CFIT accidents, 25% of the accidents were preceded by continued VFR into IMC, all of which were fatal. By assessing the weather conditions as provided by an acceptable source prior to a flight, a pilot can plan accordingly.
Maintain proficiency through training. Use flight simulators and flight training devices to keep your skills sharp. Most CFIT cases can be avoided with proper training and judgment. While problems like spatial disorientation that cause a lack of situational awareness might be difficult to navigate, being aware of the probable causes of a CFIT accident and how to prevent them can keep you safer.
Figure and drawings from the FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Altimeter and atmospheric pressure
The altimeter provides pilots with the correct altitude measurement above Earth’s surface and proper traffic separation. Legally, pilots need to have an operating altimeter to conduct flight activities. It is important to understand how such a fundamental instrument works.
When flying along a line of constant pressure, the altitude may change as the air temperature changes. When an aircraft is flown from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure without proper adjustments to the altimeter, it might display a constant altitude while the actual distance will be lower than indicated.
Mechanical errors can be caused by normal wear and tear within the instrument, resulting in discrepancies among the mechanisms within the casing. This error is not constant or predictable but rather preventable. Catch mechanical errors during pre-flight checks to prevent an issue. Discrepancies in the mechanisms within the casing can cause a scale error.
An installation or position error involves the static system and the ambient air against which the altimeter’s aneroids expand or contract. The magnitude of this type of error varies with each type of aircraft and its speed or altitude. Some aircraft will come with a correction card to be used to compensate for this error.
Reversal errors can result from large-scale or temporary disruptions to the static pressure system. These generally only occur during abrupt and rapid pitch changes and can result in momentary indications in the opposite direction. This is a rare error as many aircraft are not capable of the performance necessary to generate it.
A hysteresis error is a lag in the instrument altitude indication. This is created by a natural difference in elasticity among the altimeter’s various internal components. This type of error can occur when an aircraft has maintained a constant altitude for an extended period of time, during which the component’s inertia tends to resist movement. This error is minimal or non-existent during climbs and slow descent, or after leveling at a new altitude.
Many of these errors can be reduced or eliminated by regular maintenance and proper care. Knowing the possible risks and results is important to prevent a possible accident due to an incorrect reading.
Many people know the dangers of texting and driving, but the same dangers are present when flying. Operating any machinery while texting, taking photographs or posting on social media is a potential hazard.
Cell phones can not only be a distraction but can also interfere with transmissions. Using a cell phone while airborne might have a greater transmitting range than a land mobile unit. This could cause interference to transmissions at other cell locations since the system uses the same frequency several times within an operating area.
Pilots need to manage personal electronics in the cockpit. Prohibit any non-essential use of phones or other gadgets that can distract a pilot from their duties. This also takes some self-awareness and accountability. Keep your cockpit clean and organized, removing any unwanted clutter or electronics.
Prioritize and define tasks before each flight to stay focused on flying and minimize distractions. Use communication effectively to increase coordination among the flight crew. Use the automation features like autopilot or the flight management system to reduce pilot workload and reduce possible distractions.
Reduce the number of unnecessary radio communications and only operate using essential operational communications. Conduct regular training and educate yourself and other pilots on the importance of avoiding distractions. Maintain focus and encourage others to do the same, minimizing the potential consequences of distracted flying.
One of the most important decisions a pilot can make is whether or not to fly. If the weather is good and the pilot is fit to fly it may seem like an easy decision. However, understanding risks is critical for a pilot to make the right choice on every flight.
Some pilots suffer from “get-there-itis” where they want to reach their destination under any circumstance. This hasty thinking can lead to accidents if the pilot is determined to fly despite weather conditions or mechanical problems.
A pilot must be aware of their surroundings as well as their own limitations when deciding to fly. Flying in conditions a pilot is not comfortable with or not properly rated in can lead to spatial disorientation or loss of control of the plane.
These are many of the potential safety risks pilots face. While many pilots are eager to get in the cockpit and up in the sky, it is important to put safety above all else. Thoroughly consider all aspects of your flight plan, be aware of terrain and any weather risk and make sure your plane is properly cared for and maintained.
Not all accidents are preventable, but following protocol and being educated on the many risks of flying can help pilots prevent problems daily. While June is National Safety Awareness Month, safety should be a priority all year long.
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Name: Haley Davoren
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Company: GlobalAir.com
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