SAFE FLOAT FLYING Plan your Way Out Before You Plan Your Way In!

As opposed To: UNSAFE FLOAT FLYING

MOST COMMON OCCURENCES BY PHASE OF FLIGHT (T/O CRUISE) 34 % n Loss of Control n Engine failure n Stalls n Collision with submerged obstacles n Fuel (mismanagement) (contamination) n Improper load c of g out / overloaded external loads *-poor selection of t/o & landing areas (too short) -

MOST COMMON OCCURENCES BY PHASE OF FLIGHT (ENROUTE) 23% n C. F. I. T. - Controlled flight into terrain -collisions with obstructions towers etc. n Loss of Situational -awareness: –usually caused by deteriorating wx –insufficient wx brfg. –Unfamiliar with local geography

MOST COMMON OCCURENCES BY PHASE (LANDGS &APPRCH) 34% n Stalls n Dragged wing tips (cartwheel) n Nose over n Hard landings n Wheels down on landing n Landing & t/o areas too short rough wind & water cond.’s n Glassy water n improper landing attitude

HARD LANDINGS

Amphibian Landing

COMMON OCCURENCES TAXIING PRE-FLT & POST FLT 15% n Collision with submerged obstacles n Loss of control while taxiing n Manouvering area not checked n Rough water strong cross winds

CHECK YOUR MANOUVERING AREA n ENSURE THAT TAKE OFF & DEPARTURE PATHS ARE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS n ENSURE THAT TAKE OFF & DEPARTURE PATHS ARE FREE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS PLAN YOUR WAY OUT BEFORE YOUR WAY IN!!! n n About 50% of the accidents reviewed could have been prevented if the manouvering area had been checked prior to TO or landing

Two Separate Issues n Technical Issues – how to fly to avoid the problems n Human Factors Issues – how to avoid the situations

Technical Issues n What are the most common mistakes that you see? n What advice do you want to give your fellow float plane pilots?

FUEL MANAGEMENT n Filter all fuel from remote locations n Sample before adding to aircraft n Perform enroute fuel calculations. n “Pre-” flight plan your trip, don’t plan as you go (winds, wx, fuel availability & grade.)

AIRCRAFT LOADING n Confirmwithin c of g and structural limits (mtow) n Confirm within c of g and structural limits (mtow) n If carrying external loads ensure that they are attached as per manual or manual ammendment ( boat racks) n If you believe that you may be heavy; carry extra airspeed reduce angle of bank in turns

BE WEATHER WISE n Don’t push weather n Familiarize yourself with significant towers and high terrain along route. n Avoid flying in wx below 1000 feet n Watch your attitude

C.F.I.T CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN n Concentrate on flying theaircraft when in marginal wx. Or when in high traffic areas. n Keep communications brief & to the point. Eliminate all unnecessary conversation. n Be & stay aware of your situation, and surrounding geography

GLASSY WATER n Don’t land in middle of lake n If shoreline is free from submerged hazards; Land close to it. n Avoid max t.o.w.’s for glassy water departures n Allow extra room for glassy water landing n Use “power-on” landing technique n Allow for extra room in high temperatures

TAXIING & MANOUVERING n Sail or sail taxi in strong or gusty wind conditions n Avoid having to taxi downwind in strong winds n Use shorelines & other natural “windbreaks” to turn aircraft. n Be “current concious” n Clients & pax should be advised that they may have to move to where they can be picked up

Human Factors Issues n Why do people put themselves into the situations described? –High winds –Large waves –Over-gross n Why do people land without checking for submerged objects?

Situations and Behaviour n People react to situations in fairly predictable ways –Good Samaritan Study –Electric Shock Study n Our personality is a factor in the kind of situation we put ourselves into

Error Producing Situations n When you put yourself into stressful, fatiguing situations, you will react instinctively not rationally. n When you stop thinking in terms of hazards, and how to minimize risk, you will become complacent. n When you stop looking for information in a systematic, active manner, you will miss things.

Case Study

Background Information n Pilot –Private pilot –Licensed since 1966 –Multi rating, Night rating –Previous accident in 1983 n Aircraft –Cessna 180H on EDO floats –Max weight 2820 –Load =4 adult males, 30 imp. Gals. Mogas, outboard motor, fishing gear, tools, jerry can of fuel, collapsible boat lashed to the floats –Requires 3000 feet for TO and climb over 50’ obstacle

Background Information n Operation –Day of fishing –Pax. were relatives –Pilot familiar with lake –Never operated into lake with more than 3 POB –Longest straight run is about 7000’ –Departed Little Shuswap early AM, attempted departure from Tobe Lake at 2 PM n Weather –Clear, sunny, 25ºC –29.84” –Lake elevation 3900’, density alt. 6100’ –wind from the east at 5 to 10 knots