Fly Safe Campaign aims to prevent Loss of Control accidents.
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Press Release Summary:
Organized and implemented by FAA and general aviation (GA) group, #FlySafe national safety campaign intends to educate GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents. Current topic, regarding survival, stresses importance of being equipped with appropriate equipment and being able to use proper techniques. Tips for pilots span areas of knowledge, discipline, and planning: seatbelt operation/placement, equipment upgrades, dress, roadway layouts, and flight plan filing.
Original Press Release:
Fly Safe: Prevent Loss of Control Accidents
The FAA and general aviation (GA) group’s #FlySafe national safety campaign aims to educate the GA community on how to prevent Loss of Control (LOC) accidents this flying season.
What is Loss of Control (LOC)?
A Loss of Control (LOC) accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC can happen because the aircraft enters a flight regime that is outside its normal flight envelope and may quickly develop into a stall or spin. It can introduce an element of surprise for the pilot. Contributing factors may include: poor judgment/aeronautical decision making, failure to recognize an aerodynamic stall or spin and execute corrective action, intentional regulatory non-compliance, low pilot time in aircraft make and model, lack of piloting ability, failure to maintain airspeed, failure to follow procedure, pilot inexperience and proficiency, or the use of over-the-counter drugs that impact pilot performance.
Current topic: survival
Many GA accidents are survivable if you are equipped with the right equipment and can use the right techniques. For example, in Alaska, 60 percent of lives might be saved in aircraft accidents by adding seatbelts, especially four- or five-point seatbelts, or adding helmets. Are you prepared and do you have the tools you need to survive an accident?
Tips for pilots
Accidents can happen quickly. Three factors will impact your ability to survive: knowledge, discipline, and planning. Here are some quick tips:
Know your aircraft. Do you know which way your seatbelt unbuckles? There is no standard so practice unbuckling in your airplane. Have you checked your seatbelt placement to ensure it’s unobstructed during an emergency?
Upgrade your equipment. Installing four- or five-point seatbelts and using a helmet might save your life.
Sometimes you can only get out with the clothes on your back. Wear a survival vest and carry tools, lighting, and signaling devices. Also consider carrying a small first aid kit and a bottle of water.
Know what roads are along your route and what direction they are in.
Dress in layers for anticipated weather conditions along your route. Clothing is your primary shelter. File a flight plan even when flying VFR. This enables flight following and means that emergency services will be alerted should you not arrive when expected.
File a flight plan and request flight following when flying VFR. This means that emergency services will be alerted should you not arrive when expected and have a better idea of where to look should you need rescue.
Have the will to survive!         Â
Message from FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker:
The FAA and industry are working together to prevent Loss of Control accidents and save lives. You can help make a difference by joining our Fly Safe campaign! Each month on FAA.gov, we’re providing pilots with a Loss of Control solution developed by a team of experts. They have studied the data and developed solutions – some of which are already reducing risk. We hope you will join us in this effort and spread the word. Follow #FlySafe on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. I know that we can reduce these accidents by working together as a community.
Did you know?
Approximately 450 people are killed each year in GA accidents.
Loss of Control is the number one cause of these accidents.
Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight. It can happen anywhere and at any time.
There is one fatal accident involving LOC every four days.
Learn more
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) safety spotlighthas several videos and publications on survival.
Fly Alaska Safely: Alaskan Off Airport Operations Guide
FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) Airman Education Programs:Â Basic Survival Skills for Aviation.
Aeromedical Advisory: Are You Safe? FAA Safety Briefing, September/October 2014, page 7. (PDF)
What would MacGyver do? Defensive Flying, Beyond the Checklist, Distressed Over Emergency Beacons? FAA Safety Briefing, July/Aug 2013. (PDF)
FAA Airmen Education Programs: Aircrew Survival Videos
FAA CAMI 1-day Survival Course information and enrollment directions.
The FAASafety.gov website has Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars and more on key general aviation safety topics.
Check out the 2015 GA Safety Enhancements (SEs) fact sheets on the main FAA Safety Briefing website, including Flight Risk Assessment Tools.
The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program helps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirements. It is based on the premise that pilots who maintain currency and proficiency in the basics of flight will enjoy a safer and more stress-free flying experience.
The Fly Safe campaign partners are: Air Bonanza Society (ABS) Air Safety Foundation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), FAA Air Transportation Center for Excellence (COE) for General Aviation, FAASTeam, GA Joint Steering Committee, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Lancair Owners and Builders Organization (LOBO), 1800wxbrief/Lockheed Martin, National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI, National Business Aircraft Association (NBAA), Soaring Society of America (SSA), Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE), and the U.S. Parachute Association (USPA).
