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mid April 2020

Covid-19 ...I need a break!

Hi, just a reminder that you're receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in aviation. You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive emails  Link below.
NOTE: I’m firstly a Recreational Pilot. I have had some wonderful experiences as a pilot and in recent years as an RAAus Senior Flying Instructor. I’m sharing my experiences. Content can be of my own or in part may be from other sources. Do not use my content for flight instruction. Please consult a qualified flight instructor in your area.
Fly safe.


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THE MOTHER OF ALL VIRUS'S

Obviously I'm not alone in this global pandemic war we face. Shocking numbers of sick and dying people. But I try to find positive ways to look at the pandemic and the future after it passes. My research indicates that the Spanish Flu reportedly killed 50 million people. A 1/3rd of the world population at that time. With all the technology and communication systems at our disposal this pandemic will abate and no doubt disappear. Life will have altered in the short term but it will go on as it did back in 1919-1920. Just 100 years ago.

So I have decided to keep my large number of newsletter followers updated on things aviation on a twice monthly schedule rather than monthly for the time being...just to keep us all focused.

BUT WHAT TO DO AS AN AVIATOR WHEN SUFFERING FROM CABIN FEVER?
Well here are a few suggestions:

 
1. AOPA -They provide a massive array of great pilot training information, newsletters and videos -
 
2. How about some new reading material - found this book to be a great Australian reference book. Home delivery available on line from many shops. Bureau of Meteorology - manual of Aviation Meteorology.

3. Grab a copy of the golden "oldie".. Stick and Rudder. It will challenge your thinking about how you see flight. Stick and rudder can be bought online from many bookstores and aviation shops. If you like to read digital books click below for the free PDF copy.


4. The back catalogue of my newsletters is here. Loads of interesting information to ponder:


5. Plus - in Australia we all use NAIPS for our area and weather briefings. But would you like to understand the briefings? AirServices produce some good videos to help us.
This one in particular helps with Restricted Area briefings. Vital if you fly near one.
Access and understand restricted area briefing information

Finally - want to really get up to speed on the NAIPS system? The user manual can be found here:

So i hope that's started your "flying revision" task for the time being. How about you tell me what you like to read or watch during our enforced isolation so we can all share and remain connected.

ENGINE FAILURE
So lets get started....
We can all be critical of others. It seems inherently part of our human nature. So when we get an opportunity to be right seat along with a fellow pilot when he sustains a total engine failure, we should all be thankful firstly that he saved himself and secondly his aircraft. Most importantly we can all learn from this type of event and make sure if or when it happens to us we can plan for the best outcome possible. It's easy to say "oh I would have done this or that...or why did he forget this etc". But we weren't there and whilst we train with simulated engine failures its not until it happens for real that our training should come to the fore. The fan out front stops...what then.

So here is the video that will take you through the flight and how the pilot on a solo navigation exercise managed the failure.


A summary of my observations:
1. He didn’t panic.
2. His cockpit was disorganised and too many loose items.
3. He attempted to use the EPIRB but discarded ...I assume because he didn't know what to do to activate it.
4. He couldn’t / didn’t enunciate where he was. This may have been due to the fact that with no power the radio had "failed". The EPIRB would have been a significant help if his "arrival" had been an accident.
5. He was fortunate to have chosen a paddock that was a hard surface. It could have been a soft field.
6. He didn't use a momentary "zoom" upwards when obstacles (the fence) came his way. Luck was on his side. Converting airspeed speed to a momentary small pitch up to overfly the fence uses little airspeed but gives immediate short term lift.

Again I wish to state clearly that I'm not the least critical of how this unfolded. But what can we learn from this real life example?

Emergency checklist for engine failure
 
1. Stabilize- pitch immediately for best glide and trim for it. My experience says that full trim back will hold an aircraft at roughly its best glide speed (but check this in your aircraft to confirm). Once trimmed you can focus on the checklist. Do you have one? I'm guessing most will not.
2. Choose a landing spot and estimate wind direction and approach. I see far too many pilots who return for a BFR when confronted with a simulated engine failure, pick a field usually ahead and try to "make it" with a direct flight. Most fail to reach it and find themselves making a last minute change for a "reachable" paddock.
3. Check fuel tap/tank. Try a restart if stoppage was not preceded by bad vibration.
4, Try choke start, carbie heat, fuel pump. Look to undo last action.
5. Radio- on area frequency (why because someone is listening and the call is recorded with full access to emergency services) then try the local frequency and 121.5 if time. 121.5 is the international air distress frequency monitored by all airliners overhead. And I have first hand experience with a pilot who had a failure in the country, called 121.5 and a passing jet overhead was able to-monitor the emergency landing and check on the pilot as he "arrived"...safely.
6. “Mayday(x3), location, POB (How many "people on board"), plane description, nature of emergency.”
7. Repeat if time
8. Secure cockpit, arm EPIRB, advise passenger(s). Tighten seat belts.
If unable to restart..switch off all non essential powered units..ie fuel pump. Turn off fuel tap (in case of fire). Leave Master on...for flaps until flaps are set for landing.
9. Land. Plan approach as in a circuit.
10. Do not stretch glide- put nose down to maintain airspeed and use it if needed to clear last obstacles.
Visualize a "runway" in the landing area. And make adjusted "circuits" to normalize your approach.
Open doors in flight. They won't pop open but will make exiting must easier on landing
Land just as you were taught. Slow and safely. Don't stretch the glide.
If you would like to watch the entire video click here



So my take away from this video lies in do you have in your aircraft and use an engine failure checklist?  I'm developing one for my aircraft. What are your thoughts?  it would be great to have a checklist that enabled me to not only fly the aircraft but to ensure I did everything possible to make my passenger and myself as safe as I can. And that's why commercial airline pilots do exactly that. Something happens...they immediately grab the manual and follow the checklist.

Till next time, stay safe, stay isolated and fly regularly (solo) if able. Currency is vital if you are able.

This months thought:  If you're faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible. - Bob Hoover 

Cheers

 Ian McDonald
PS - do you have any questions or points of interest you'd like me to discuss or investigate. Drop me a note.
PS if at anytime you don't want to receive this email then please use the unsubscribe link.
 







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Vision10conversions · Rostrevor · Rostrevor, SA 5073 · Australia

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