Safety Spotlight
Aeronautical Decision Making
Good decision making is about avoiding the circumstances that lead to really tough choices. As you will learn from the three Accident Case Studies included in this spotlight, it is not always easy to do. Check out the resources below, which will help you avoid making poor choices and hone your good judgment.
Resources
ASI Flight Risk Evaluator Online Application
As pilots, we make informal judgments about risk all the time—but there are safety benefits to taking a more formal approach. This innovative tool lets you input the details of a flight, then get an objective assessment of the risks. Use the application >>>
Do the Right Thing: Decision Making for Pilots Online Course
In flying, making the right choices isn't always easy. This course offers some simple but effective ways to improve your aeronautical decision making skills-no psychology degree required! (approx. 45-60 minutes). Take the Course >>>
Accident Case Study: Cross-Country Crisis
Experience the chilling reality of an ill-fated VFR flight from Chicago to Raleigh, North Carolina. Cross-Country Crisis examines the pilot's actions as weather deteriorates and fuel becomes critical in this gripping video-recreation (approx. 14 minutes). Take the minicourse >>>
Accident Case Study: Airframe Icing
Ride along for this chilling re-creation and analysis of an accident that occurred when the pilot of a Cirrus SR22 encountered unforecast icing over the Sierra Nevada mountains (approx. 20-30 minutes). Take the minicourse >>>
Accident Case Study: VFR Into IMC
VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions is a leading cause of fatal GA accidents. This minicourse re-creates an actual VFR-into-IMC accident and examines the lessons we can learn from it (approx. 20-30 minutes). Take the minicourse >>>
Mayday at Mount McKinley Real Pilot Story
Imagine flying the gorgeous Alaska Mountain Range, sharing spectacular views of Denali Park with your passengers. Then, just as the stunning panorama of Mount McKinley spreads out before your eyes, something goes terribly wrong with the airplane—the aircraft becomes uncontrollable at 11,000 feet. Learn how the pilot managed the almost impossible task of flying his aircraft and watch actual footage of the developing dilemma (approx. 9 minutes). Hear the pilot tell the story >>>
Three Seconds, Three Choices Real Pilot Story
Relinquishing PIC authority is never a good idea (approx.5 minutes). Hear the pilot tell the story >>>
178 Seconds to Live Pilot Safety Announcement
Don’t get lured into the trap. That reported five mile visibility looks more like two…but, you’ve flown through weather like this before. Suddenly you’re in the soup and somewhere a voice is saying, “You should have turned back.” Nearly 90 percent of VFR-into-IMC accidents are fatal—better not be tempted to press on. Check it out >>>
Do the Right Thing - Decision Making for Pilots Safety Advisor
It's a sad fact of aviation that, every year, approximately 75% of all aircraft accidents are caused by pilot error, with a very large number the direct result of poor decisions. The good news is that making superior decisions about flying doesn't require superhuman skill or exceptional judgment—just the ability to anticipate and recognize basic problems, and then take timely action to correct them. This Safety Advisor provides practical advice to help you do that, as well as guidance and recommendations for developing your own set of personal minimums. (PDF file—312KB) Download it now >>>
Emergency Procedures Safety Advisor
Practice, planning, and good judgment can improve the odds tremendously, but despite our best intentions, sometimes things just go wrong. In this Safety Advisor, we'll look at ways to handle those critical "up here, wishing you were down there" situations as safely as possible. (PDF file—308KB) Download it now >>>
ASI Safety Quizzes
You've checked the weather and notams, calculated your weight and balance and performance, but how much thought have you given to the aircraft preflight? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
You may not be 'good to the last drop'. Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
You’ve read plenty about weather in textbooks, but how well does the theory translate into everyday use? Underwritten by the AOPA Insurance Agency, Inc.
