GONE in .60 Seconds…..

Hello Hilltop Flyers!

It’s Safety time again. I want everyone to hear of some recent events that occurred on the hill. Before I continue, please read this:

      Being the club safety officer is an honor and a privilege to me that carries great responsibility. It is NOT my aim to “lord it over” any members at ANY time. I would be remiss if I was always just a “nice guy” and didn’t respond when I get that twinge in my gut that something should be said about an event that has occurred, or a not-followed safety guideline. The goal: no accidents! “Guideline” is a key word here….the spirit of the guideline, not the letter of the law. There are hard and fast rules as well, but we want to achieve a higher standard than the minimum acceptable standard. My job is not always fun, but do it I shall.  Let’s get down to business!

Observations…hard and fast rules:

          It has been brought to my attention and I have noticed first hand that not all pilots on the flight line are doing the following:                                                                                             

1.      Call your landings à “landing from the ________!” (left or right) where all pilots can hear you. These planes are loud. Sometimes you will need to call another pilot by name to make sure that he or she hears you. You may need to call to your left and to your right                                                                                    

2.      Call your takeoffs à “taking off to the ________!” (left or right) where all pilots can hear you. These planes are loud. Sometimes you will need to call another pilot by name to make sure that he or she hears you. You may need to call to your left and to your right.

3.      Clear the runway before you land. “clearing” means: look to make sure no persons or aircraft are already on the field. Formation flying excluded.                                                

4.      Clear the runway before you takeoff. “clearing” means: look to make sure no persons or aircraft are already on the field. Formation flying excluded.                                                

5.      Observe the appropriate flying areas. In other words don’t fly over the pits or so close to the safety fence that pilots feel the wind from your plane (categorized as “close call”).

6.      Call  “on the field!” when walking out onto the runway. Again sound off loud and clear. Your well being depends on your being heard.                                                     

7.      Observe the VR signs on the runway. Technically you are not supposed to takeoff before these signs. The idea is that if a takeoff goes BAD and the plane veers toward the flight line, people and vehicles are less likely to be hit.

Listen out for other pilots. Keep one ear open. Calling out is pointless if no one is listening.

I have broken every rule I just stated. It is my sincere effort not to and that keeps you safer as far as my flying is concerned. Enough said on that.

One final item:  GONE in .60 Seconds…..

Recently two pilots were involved in a mid-air collision. One pilot (pilot1) is fairly new and the other (pilot2) well….I don’t want to say old….how about “more seasoned”? (Humor).

         Pilot2 called for a landing which means he was assuming a typical aircraft landing pattern. Pilot1 was flying around. The two aircraft collided and the aircraft belonging to pilot2 was instantly damaged and then crashed. The other aircraft was essentially undamaged. No fault was found in the incident. Both members were communicated with in regard to this incident.

       Question: can we learn anything from this accident?

       Wiley’s answer: YES!!!!!!!

       Question: WHAT can we learn from this?

       Wiley’s answers: (remember this is NOT the blame game!)

1.      Avoid tunnel vision. Whether flying about randomly or landing or taking off or performing aerobatics or training new pilots on the buddy-box or whatever.

2.      Look where you are going. Just like driving a car.

3.      Be aware of other planes in the sky with you. There’s plenty of room up there.

4.      If there are already three or four planes in the air, (especially if one or two are buddy boxing) consider taking a break.

The point: If the sky feels “crowded”, don’t fly right now.

What are your answers? I want to know what you think!

                      That’s all for now. Fly smart & SAFE!

            Smooth landings,

                        Wiley Cain

P.S. Thanks to John Waggoner and Don Pruitt for sharing the following Safety Alert.