Partners in Aviation Safety
The safety and airworthiness of an aircraft are paramount in aviation. While certificated mechanics and inspectors play a critical role in maintaining aircraft, the ultimate responsibility for airworthiness rests with the aircraft owner or operator. This article highlights the importance of proper communication between aircraft owners and mechanics and emphasizes the critical role of proper […]
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee’s (GAJSC) loss of control workgroup believes that a lack of awareness, with respect to angle of attack (AOA), has resulted in the loss of aircraft control and contributed to fatal GA accidents. The GAJSC also maintains that increasing a pilot’s awareness of the aerodynamic effects of AOA and available […]
Circling approaches are a necessary part of general aviation operations due to certain airport environments or situations like unfavorable winds. However, circling approaches present an increased risk to general aviation operations because they require maneuvering at low altitude and low airspeed during the final segment of the approach to landing. This increases the risk of […]
We’ve come a long way in general aviation (GA) safety, and we should celebrate our part in attaining and maintaining the lowest GA accident rates ever. To continue that success and further lower the rate, we must explore new methods to enhance safety. This includes conducting human factors research to understand how humans succeed and […]
Risk management is a formalized way of dealing with hazards. It is a logical process of evaluation where you weigh the potential costs of a risk against the potential benefits you might receive if you allowed that risk to stand uncontrolled. Learn more by clicking below.
While some pilots may opt to hang up their headsets during the cold winter weather, others embrace the change of season, taking advantage of the uncrowded skies, boosted performance, and winter’s unparalleled natural beauty. If you’re among those in the latter category, be sure to recognize the many risks inherent with winter flying, especially if […]
Pop Quiz: Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents occur primarily at night. True or False? Tap/click the link to see the answer and to find out more about avoiding CFIT.
A GAJSC study of fatal general aviation loss-of-control accidents found that a significant number of them were attributable to human performance deficiencies and that basic human factors education would benefit all pilots. In this article, we’ll look at some human performance issues that can impact our piloting abilities, namely fatigue, stress, and maintaining a healthy […]
Failure to properly secure aircraft components can compromise powerplant and control system operation, leading to system and component failures. Properly secure aircraft components with safety wire, ensure that hardware locking mechanisms are properly installed on your aircraft, and check them often to confirm they are taut and ready for flight.
Tips to Help General Aviation Pilots Improve Overwater Flight Planning A General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) study (PDF download) suggests that improved survival planning and training are key factors in increasing pilot survivability in accidents and incidents. Earlier this year, we looked at some basic survival skills and resources. Let’s now take a closer […]