USCG Aviation Training Center (detached) LT Andrew Light C130 Pilot Examiner USCG Aviation Training Center (detached) Clearwater, Florida Hello…I’m LT Andrew Light, Pilot Examiner w/ the US Coast Guard Avn Trng Ctr’s C130 Branch – located at the Clrwtr St Pete Airport.

COAST GUARD EXPERIENCE C-130 Instructor Pilot ~ 1900 Hours (Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii & C-130 Standardization Team) Assistant Operations Officer USCG Group Sault Ste Marie, Michigan Naval Flight Training (Pensacola, FL & Corpus Christi, TX) Deck Force (Seaman) USCG Cutter Dauntless, Galveston, Texas I’m a C130 IP with a previous flying tour at A/S Barbers Point, Hawaii

B.S. Airway Science – University of Central Texas CIVILIAN EXPERIENCE B.S. Airway Science – University of Central Texas Flight Instructor (CFI / CFII) for Central Texas College ~ 700 Hours I have a Bachelors degree in Airway Science from the University of Central Texas and used to do some flight instructing for the Central Texas College flight department.

US ARMY EXPERIENCE MOS 93B – Enlisted Aerial Observer ~ 600 Hours in OH-58A/C Kiowa I also served as an enlisted observer on scout helicopters in Army.

Light Aircraft Ditching Today I’m going to talk about light aircraft ditching.

Argentine Air Force C-130 Fuel starvation Sometimes big aircraft ditch too. The techniques & procedures are much the same for large and small aircraft. Small aircraft actually have some advantages over larger aircraft…mostly in the area of speed at which smaller aircraft land. Fuel starvation

National Search & Rescue Manual References USCG C130 Flight Manual Internet National Search & Rescue Manual AIM Much of the information I’m going to talk about came out of the AIM. Chapter 6 contains very helpful information for anyone considering an over water flight.

Pre-ditching Considerations Flight Plan Radar Services Equipment Part of planning for an extended over water flight should take into consideration: Flight planning Radar services Equipment required

FAA Flight Plan Form 7233-1 (8-82)                                                                             Possibly the most valuable tool available to pilots.

Knowing that someone is looking for you after you crash… Filing a flight plan - $0 Activating a flight plan - $0 Knowing that someone is looking for you after you crash… $$ Priceless $$

VFR Direct $100 hamburger Route IFR – I follow roads Victor Airways

Flight following Radar services IFR flight plan ELT / EPIRB It's a good thing... Flight following Radar services IFR flight plan ELT / EPIRB Life raft Food & water Survival gear Altitude SATCOM or HF Being able to talk to ATC is another great tool.

                                             

If you can’t afford a raft one may be appointed…

                                                                                                                                                                  Handheld VHF-AM radio Personal EPIRB Satellite phone

406 mHz EPIRB Life raft Happy to be alive!

See anything??????

Person in the water wearing a personal flotation device as seen from 500 ft altitude.

56 degrees F Florida Water Temps

Estimated Time To Loss Of Useful Consciousness 6 <4 hours ADC or Shorty 4 Hours 2 Flight suit 1 hour 32 41 50 59 68 77 Water Temp in Degrees F

Water Chill Without Anti-exposure Suit 7 6 Death from hypothermia highly probable 5 4 3 4 hours in 57 water Survival Time (hours) Average 2 1 Death from hypothermia improbable 32 41 50 59 68 Water Temp( F)

Ditch near a surface vessel Determine your ditch heading Make mayday call Ditch near a surface vessel Determine your ditch heading Depressurize the aircraft (if applicable) Place survival equipment in accessible location Configure – gear up, flaps as required Fasten/lock seat belts Unlatch/jettison doors

Minor Swell Major Swell

Wind streaks

Flaps may impede your exit from a high wing aircraft Flaps may impede your exit from a high wing aircraft. They will allow slower landing speeds.

SPEED – multiengine with engine out SPEED – with power Best Glide – until with ~ 100 feet of the surface 5 – 10 knots above power-off stall speed SPEED – without power Increase speed – trade airspeed for altitude if required SPEED – multiengine with engine out Use small amount of power and increase speed slightly to increase handling Use less flap setting

Avoid the face of a swell                             Avoid the face of a swell at all costs!!!!

Wind Speed Heading 15 kts compromise 30 kts land into the wind 50+ kts land parallel to swell 15 kts compromise 30 kts land into the wind 50+ kts

Ditching – 15 knot wind (single swell)

15 knot wind (double swell)

Double swell system – 30 knot wind

High wind options (50+ knots)

Next best option High wind option Best option

Night Ditching Wings level Nose up attitude 100 FPM rate of descent

Avoid the face of a swell at all costs!!!!

Ditch parallel to the major swell Land on top of the swell or in the trough Use 5 to 10 knots above power-off stall for touchdown Level wings relative to the sea surface (not the horizon) Remove crab angle prior to touch down Avoid the face of the swell Use soft field landing technique

Egress the aircraft quickly Avoid the temptation to reenter the aircraft

Typical post ditching position for aircraft –

Training Options

Train yourself: Practice egressing your aircraft blindfolded Practice unlatching the seat belt & opening the door with one hand Seek egress training through commercially procure sources (your insurance company can help here) Practice identifying wind and swell direction Create your own personal ditching checklist

Summary Always file & open a flight plan Use ATC services Altitude is your friend Prepare ahead of time Know your aircraft Practice skills that can save your life

Questions or comments regarding this presentation should be forwarded to: LT Andrew Light Email: alight@asclearwater.uscg.mil