Safety Spotlight
VFR Into IMC
Over a recent 10-year period, VFR flight into instrument conditions led to more than 380 accidents, 85 percent of which were fatal. Fortunately, it's not difficult to manage the risks associated with these tragic accidents. To learn more, check out the resources below.
Resources
VFR into IMC Syllabus
The best defense against flying under visual flight rules (VFR) into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) is to avoid entering them in the first place. This syllabus is designed to help protect pilots against GA's most fatal type of weather-related accident: VFR into IMC. Recommended for use by flight instructors and schools. Note: To print a kneeboard sized-PDF, select “Actual Size” in your printer options menu or “Choose paper by PDF page size,” and then cut along dotted line. Download the syllabus >>>
Accident Case Study: Time Lapse
One of the great advances in general aviation in recent years has been the widespread availability of datalink weather. Like any technology, though, it can be used improperly. Come along as we examine a tragic accident that highlights an important and often-overlooked limitation of datalink radar. 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). Watch the video >>
Accident Case Study: VFR Into IMC Online Course
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 >>>
Weather Wise: Ceiling and Visibility Online Course
Low ceilings and restricted visibilities are aviation's deadliest killers. With a little knowledge, you can minimize the risk these conditions pose (approx. 45-60 minutes). Take the course >>>
SkySpotter: Pireps Made Easy Online Course
Created by pilots, for pilots, pireps are a great source of real-time, in-flight weather conditions-offering a "sneak peek" of what you'll encounter in flight. This course covers how to get, use, and give pireps to help you become a better SkySpotter (approx. 45-60 minutes) Take the course >>>
Spatial Disorientation Safety Advisor
We humans are VFR-only creatures. The senses we use to maintain our balance and know "which end is up" are completely unreliable when deprived of visual references. Caught off guard in IMC, a pilot can quickly lose control of the aricraft and succumb to one of general aviation's biggest killers: spatial disorientation.(PDF file—320KB) Download it now >>>
Say Intentions: When You Need ATC's Help Safety Advisor
Do you know how to ask for ATC assistance during emergency or urgency situations? Read this safety advisor to learn how ATC can help you, what controllers cannot do to help, and whether you'll have to face paperwork and enforcement action following an emergency. (PDF file—246KB) Download it now >>>
Updated Monday, June 1, 2009
