Many people worry about fatal aircraft accidents, but they’re actually very rare. The odds of fatal plane crashes are around one in 200,000. If you compare that fact with the ratio of one in 100 people who may die in car crashes, this is a relatively lesser thing to fear. Also, individuals who enroll in a reputable pilot school in the Philippines or other countries take their training seriously. Ultimately, their goal is to learn everything they can to safely and effectively operate an aircraft. This may include researching the common causes of aircraft accidents and how to best avoid them.
As a pilot trainee, such information is vital whether you’re in the early stages of your pilot training course or preparing for your next flight. It will help you better understand what you can expect as a pilot and identify skills you need to develop. To assist in your training, here are four tips on how to avoid an aircraft accident.
Make Sure You’re Fit to Fly
One of the best ways to avoid an aircraft accident is to ensure you’re fit to fly. In the past, aviation experts consider human error as one of the leading causes of aircraft accidents. Since then, human factors became the main topic when training pilots and preparing for pilots’ exams for all types of pilot licenses. For example, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) requires pilots to have a Class 1 medical certificate before they can obtain a commercial or airline transport pilot license. Aside from this requirement, it’s imperative to be certain that you’re well before each flight.
If you’re not in a healthy state, it can affect your performance as a pilot and can lead to fatal aircraft accidents. In one example, it was found that a pilot was experiencing severe fatigue. This degraded their performance and led to a crash. As such, more efforts are constantly being made to ensure pilots don’t become too fatigued and aren’t overloaded by work pressures to reduce accidents from happening. Similarly, you must be aware of your health and well-being before each flight. Otherwise, it’s better to stay on the ground.
Prioritize Flying Under Visual Flying Rules
Many modern aircraft today are equipped with the latest instruments to operate in almost any weather condition. However, flying in bad weather is very dangerous. Heavy rains, fog, and snow can make it more difficult for pilots to safely maneuver the aircraft. These types of weather conditions can also cause spatial disorientation among pilots and can lead to aircraft accidents such as skidding during takeoff and landing or crashing into terrain. That said, remember to check if the aircraft you’re piloting is meant to only operate under visual flight rules (VFR). This is when the weather is nice and clear. It’s also when most of your flight training sessions will occur.
On the other hand, instrument flight rules (IFR) apply when you operate an aircraft during cloudy or adverse weather conditions. As you progress your training, you might take up an instrument rating to be proficient in flying on an IFR flight plan or aircraft. However, take note that just because your aircraft is equipped with the necessary instruments and you’re qualified to fly IFR doesn’t always mean you should. You must consider factors like the equipment available on the aircraft as well as current and forecast weather conditions. But in most cases, it’s always better to fly under VFR or wait until the weather improves to avoid aircraft accidents.
Ensure the Aircraft’s Properly Maintained
Compared to past aircraft models, modern planes are much safer as they’re now equipped with more safety instruments. However, an aircraft is a complex machine and is composed of many different systems and parts. A defect or failure in any one of these systems can lead to a dangerous situation for you and your passengers. That said, an aircraft must undergo regular maintenance to ensure that all these systems and parts are in optimal condition. As a pilot, this is one of the things you must pay attention to before your next flight.
Diligently Perform All Pre-Flight Checks
Aside from the aircraft’s proper maintenance, one way to avoid mechanical issue-related accidents is to perform all pre-flight checks. This is a list of tasks and items every pilot must check and accomplish before the plane can take off. Doing so allows you to identify and address potential technical issues while still on the ground. Although every crew member has a different responsibility when performing pre-flight checks, you must understand everyone’s role so you don’t miss any vital detail of the process.
For example, a First Officer is responsible for the physical inspection of the aircraft. They must ensure that everything is in order and that the plane is safe to fly. Also, they must check the plane’s controls, flight software, and communication system when they return to the cockpit. On the other hand, the Captain briefs the crew about the flight details and discusses backup plans for emergencies.
While training, it’s important to understand the common causes of aircraft accidents and how to avoid them. This way, you’re better prepared and can identify what skills you’ll need to develop to ensure you safely operate an aircraft. Hopefully, these tips will help you become a better aviator.