These important safety tips can save your life.
There's a lot of great safety tips out there, you can also see our previous post FOUR SAFETY TIPS FOR HELICOPTER PILOTS.
Here is a few more:
1. Check yourself first
The MOST important part of any flight is YOU, the pilot.
As the pilot in command it is under your authority and therefore your responsibility to ensure you operate the aircraft safely and according to all applicable rules and regulations.
Before the flight even begin, it is imperative that you, the pilot are READY for the flight.
You can use the IMSAFE check-list to make sure you are ready for the flight.
IMSAFE
Check that you are FREE of the following:
ILLNESS
MEDICATION
STRESS
ALCOHOL OR DRUGS
FATIGUE AND EMOTIONS
The IMSAFE check-list provides you with a quick list of factors with criteria that you can use for self evaluation. If any area does not meet a specific standard, you should consider cancelling the flight as your piloting abilities may become compromised.
2. Always consider the flight
Planning ahead while you are on the ground is very important for safety.
If you are travelling to a specific destination within a designated time frame, then you need to think ahead about the best and safest possible route.
This includes checking:
ALTITUTE
SPEED
WEATHER CONDITIONS
These factors should be considered every time before each and every flight.
If you are doing training around the base then you will consider different factors.
Always plan ahead and stay safe
3. Share your experiences
One of the greatest resources available to you are other pilots.
Learn from other pilots and share your experiences with them.
Don't be afraid to share your mistakes and learn from them. You should also learn from the mistake other pilots make.
Pilot almost always immediately recognize when they make a mistake. Mistakes only become lessons learned when we share and discuss them. Telling stories of what you messed up, learned or discovered about flying helicopters will benefit you and your pilots. It may even help someone else before they end up in a difficult situation.
We are all human, and by sharing our mistakes we can learn from each other.
4. Trust your gut and follow your instinct
If your instinct is telling you that something is wrong or that the weather is too bad, trust yourself!
Do not let yourself be pressured into flying. This could put you in a dangerous situation that would have otherwise been avoided.
Trust yourself and your experience!
5. Don't rely on your GPS!
GPS certainly makes flying easier these days, but don't let it become a crutch for you.
If something transpires and interferes with your GPS, you need to be able to safely navigate your aircraft.
GPS NOTAMS are sent out in briefings and depict where GPS interference testing will take place. Plan your flight paths accordingly and take note if you will be travelling through an interference zone.
Always consider safety first!
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