This post is part of a series sponsored by IAT Insurance Group.
Most aviation accidents are due to human error.Estimation 69% of general aviation non-commercial fixed-wing aircraft accidents in 2021 The cause was pilot error. However, proper winter preparation can help ensure your safety and avoid dire consequences while operating your aircraft in cold climates.
5 ways to keep winter air travel safe
By planning ahead for cold weather, you can avoid costly mistakes and save time, resources, and most importantly, lives. Here are five ways to keep yourself, your passengers, and your aircraft safe this winter.
1. Plan your strategy in cold regions.
Please be especially careful of the following points during winter.
- After landing, fill up the fuel tank Prevents new moisture from forming. Always refuel before flight It removes all contaminants and more importantly, water. If possible, this should be carried out in a heated hangar to ensure that the ice melts and is removed from the tank.
- If the aircraft is equipped with a carbureted engine, Uses cab heat during low power settings to prevent or melt cab ice. Always consult your Pilot Operating Handbook first, as ice in the carburetor can cause partial or complete loss of power to the engine. Carbohydrate ice typically forms at temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 90% humidity, but can also form at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% humidity.
- Please ensure your room has a carbon monoxide detector A leak from the exhaust system to the cabin heating system can quickly cause serious problems, so give us an early warning of potential problems.
- Cover pitot tubes, vents, and engine intakes Prevents insects and small animals from entering the aircraft. It doesn’t take long for these small passengers to cause significant damage.In the $1 million loss incident, a mud dubber hornet took up residence in a fuel vent during a high-altitude flight, disrupting pressure equalization within the wing and destroying the plane’s wing. Warmth-seeking rodents can also enter the engine through uncovered engine intakes. A fuel line can become jammed, causing you to suddenly run out of fuel mid-flight and become stranded.
- Always carry a winter survival pack on board. If you have to make an emergency landing, having blankets, gloves, hats, food, and water can mean the difference between life and death. Check out comprehensive information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). winter survival kit checklist Check out these 14 items you should always have in your pack.
2. Keep your license up to date.
Think of your pilot’s license as an ongoing opportunity to update your knowledge, gain new insights, and hone your skills. Attend safety seminars and learn from other people’s mistakes. Don’t deny the importance of knowing your airplane. If you are transitioning to a new or unfamiliar aircraft, or are facing any issues with your existing aircraft, take the time to consult with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) and learn what you need to do to fly safely. Get support.
While simulators and rental aircraft of the same make and model are convenient, your airplane may have different equipment and safety features than other airplanes you have flown. In severe situations such as vacuum or electrical failure in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), being familiar with your airplane can save your life.
Pilots had accumulated significant simulation time and spent a good amount of time in CFI, but they did not realize that their aircraft had features that flight simulators did not have. This is an example of a fatal accident that could have been prevented if the pilot had flown his own plane rather than just the simulator. Had he known of the feature’s existence during the in-flight event, his life would likely have been saved.
Additionally, frequent flyers can be required to take an accompanying co-pilot course where they learn the basics of lifesaving, such as how to operate an aircraft in an emergency.
3. Respect your limits.
We will implement and comply with the following. FAA’s IM SAFE Personal Checklist Before every flight, Idisease, metereducation, sbunch, bealcohol, ffatigue and/or eMovement can affect your ability to focus on the airplane. Beyond FAA and aircraft certification limits, it’s also important to set and stick to your own personal boundaries. If you have never flown in IMC conditions or there are strong crosswinds, be realistic about what you can handle. If we respect our own boundaries, we can avoid most of the arguments we see.
4. Take your pre-flight and pre-landing preparation seriously.
meanwhile Pre-flight preparations is a requirement, pilots often get impatient or distracted and forget all required actions. Always complete the walk-around procedure and triple-check fuel lines, fuel cap, and quantity.
Examine the airport map, listen to radio communications, and read related stuff. Notification to Air Mission (NOTAM). You may want to ignore this if you are familiar with airports, but there are many variables that can change. Look to NOTAM for airport alerts on everything from taxiway closures to the influx of birds into the airport that day.
Once you’re airborne, use GUMPS to remember your pre-landing checklist. GAs, Utrolley, Msupplies, PWith Lopera Switch / Seat the belt For example, forgetting to lower gear for landing can cause your plane to malfunction.
Most importantly: Do not accept an Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearance if you are unsure about completing it and could pose a safety issue. Although pilots often feel obligated to do whatever air traffic controllers say, you are the final authority and ultimately responsible for your decisions and actions.
In one tragic scenario, a pilot received instructions from an air traffic controller while flying with his wife and friend. Secure firmly, now face base and allow landing. The pilot made a maneuver error, the stall accelerated, and the plane crashed, killing everyone on board. If you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation, prioritize safety, extend your pattern if you are in a heavy traffic situation, and ask ATC for permission to amend.
5. Engage in preventive maintenance.
Your engine will perform better in cold weather and generally give you a smoother ride, but don’t delay your maintenance schedule. Airplane maintenance is determined by time, not distance, and after a specified threshold (usually 2,000 to 2,400 flight hours or 60 months) is reached, an overhaul of the engine, propeller, or specific component is recommended or required. will be done. Always check with your engine, propeller, or component manufacturer for recommended maintenance schedules.
Additionally, engines can deteriorate quickly if they sit, so use your airplane regularly. Stagnant oil in the engine can lead to corrosion and other problems. Regular oil changes (as recommended by the engine manufacturer) will minimize oil deterioration, especially during long downtime periods.
Prevent what you can and plan for the unexpected.
Even if you are well-prepared for cold weather, accidents can still occur, so take the following steps to operate your aircraft efficiently and comply with potential coverage obligations.
- Always record flight timeEven if you don’t make time to fly commercially. Many insurance policies require a minimum number of flight hours to qualify, and the more experience you have, the lower your premiums will be. Logbooks must be submitted for proof.
- Read our policy and review pilot requirements. The differences that exist between insurance and pilot requirements can cause confusion. If you don’t understand something, please feel free to ask.
For example, consider the Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC). Technically, this requirement applies if the pilot does not meet the commodity currency requirement within his 6 calendar months, but some insurance policies require an IPC annually regardless of FAA requirements . In one instance, after a fatal accident, a claim was denied because the pilot had not completed her IPC within 12 months, leaving the widow without compensation for the death of the plane or her husband.
Each policy also outlines specific pilot requirements and qualifications. For example, if you lend your plane to a friend who doesn’t meet these requirements, the plane will no longer be covered by insurance.
Winter weather is full of beauty and wonder, especially when flying. Make the most of this season and do everything you can to stay safe while flying.
Contact a Loss Control Specialist
Have questions about how to reduce your risk? Email losscontroldirect@iatinsurance.com Please give me a chance to see the answers to your questions in future blogs.
Written by Jessica Kernan, Brian Ocejo, and Lauren August
topic
aviation
