Mon, Oct 23, 2006
Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.")
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators. Some of them, you
may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be
something we might never have considered before, or something that
didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized
it for the practical test.
Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you
through the Aero-News Network.
Aero-Tips 10.23.06
Although they aren't ranked in order of frequency, the ninth
item on the FAA's Top 10 list of contributors to pilot-error
accidents is "selection of unsuitable terrain". This cause category
can apply to planned landings on unimproved surfaces, precautionary
landings for weather or other reasons, and unplanned landings that
result from engine or other in-flight failures.
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) tells us:
In the event of an off-airport landing, pilots have used a
number of different visual cues to gain reference. Use whatever you
must to create the contrast you need. Natural references seem to
work best (trees, rocks, snow ribs, etc.)
- Over flight. Pass over the intended landing spot at a safe but
slow airspeed, at a safe but low altitude-this gives you the best
view of surface conditions.
-
- Use of markers. Any sort of items on the ground or dropped to
the ground that delineate the landing zone.
-
- Weighted flags. Again, to outline the area of
intended use.
- Smoke bombs.
- Any colored rags.
- Dye markers.
- Kool-aid. Oh, yeah.
- Trees or tree branches.
- Dropping items from the aircraft to use as reference points
should be used as a visual aid only and not as a primary landing
reference. Unless your marker is biodegradable, be sure to retrieve
it after landing. Never put yourself in a position where no visual
references exist.
- Abort landing if blowing snow obscures your reference. Make
your decisions early. Don't assume you can pick up a lost reference
point when you get closer.
- Exercise extreme caution when flying from sunlight into shade.
Physical awareness may tell you that you are flying straight but
you may actually be in a spiral dive with centrifugal force
pressing against you. Having no visual references enhances this
illusion. Just because you have a good visual reference does not
mean that it's safe to continue. There may be snow-covered terrain
not visible in the direction that you are traveling. Getting caught
in a no visual reference situation can be fatal.
Watch! The wind
When picking a landing area don't forget to gauge the direction
and strength of surface winds. Look for:
- Motion of trees, branches or large shrubs.
- Blowing dust or debris on or near the surface.
- Waves on nearby ponds or lakes.
- Animals, especially livestock. Cattle tend to turn so their
faces are away from the wind; if wind speeds are great (and it's
cold outside) cows usually lie down.
Aero-tip of the day: Look closely at surface
conditions and wind characteristics before choosing an off-airport
landing surface.
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