Safety Publications/Articles
ASF Safety Advisors online
Read the full text of our ASF Safety Advisors online by clicking the links below.
ASOS 2005 (PDF file - 220KB) — Automated weather reporting systems are being installed at airports across the country. They provide more weather data than ever before but also require pilots to interpret the information they receive. Describes the systems and their strengths and weaknesses and offers weather gathering and interpretation information. Describes the automated observation systems and provides guidelines for understanding their performance. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
Aircraft Deicing and Anti-icing Equipment (PDF file - 356KB) — If you shell out thousands of dollars for deicing equipment ? whether on a new airplane or retrofitted to an existing older aircraft ? you should reasonably expect your investment to see you safely through icy clouds or other freezing precipitation, right? Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Aircraft Icing (PDF file - 447KB) — Winter flying brings the potential for encountering icing conditions in flight. Do you know how to anticipate areas of probable icing? Is your aircraft's anti-icing equipment enough to provide safe flight through ice-laden air? How can you know if your aircraft is accumulating ice on areas you can't see - like the propeller or the tail? This Safety Advisor discusses icing and provides tips on how to avoid this potentially deadly foe. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Airspace for Everyone (PDF file - 809KB) — This publication examines the airspace structure and how pilots are expected (and required) to operate within it. Can you define all six airspace categories? Do you know the differences between controlled and uncontrolled airspace? You'll find the answers to these and many other airspace questions. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Collision Avoidance (PDF file - 572KB) — Collision avoidance, in the air and on the ground, is one of the most basic responsibilities of a pilot operating an aircraft in VFR conditions. During primary training, pilots are taught to keep their eyes outside the cockpit and look for conflicting traffic. But little formal instruction is given on the best ways to visually identify potential collision threats ¿ or in procedures that can lessen their risk of occurring. Make the strategies and tactics in this Safety Advisor part of your standard procedures to keep the skies safer for you, and for those you share it with. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Fuel Awareness (PDF file - 387KB) — There is much that pilots should know about fuel and fuel management. In this Safety Advisor, we'll discuss these subjects in detail to reduce your chances of having a fuel-related accident. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
GPS Technology (PDF file - 674KB) — There's little doubt that GPS will be the primary navigation system of the future. Although not yet approved as a sole means of IFR navigation, it can be used as a supplemental system for en route navigation and nonprecision approaches. Get the full story on GPS development - from WAAS to receivers - in this latest safety advisor from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Instructor's Guide to the Pre-Solo Written Test (PDF file - 233KB) — Do you look at the pre-solo written test as a speed bump on the private pilot road? It¿s not. A properly designed pre-solo written test serves as a wonderful study guide, in addition to preparation for the first solo flight. However, you need to know the correct way to create and administer a pre-solo test. You need to cover the requirements of the Federal Aviation Regulations, but not make the test so complex that it discourages your students. You want your students to have the technical knowledge to safely solo an airplane. This safety advisor can help you and your students to prepare for that all important first solo flight. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
Maneuvering Flight - Hazardous to Your Health? (PDF file - 120KB) — More than one-quarter (26.6 percent) of all fatal accidents in the last 10 years occurred during maneuvering flight, which includes buzzing, formation flying, aerial work, stalls/spins, canyon flying, aerobatics, and normal flight operation. Basically, any type of flying performed close to the ground - the traffic pattern, for example - or involving steep turns and aerobatics is considered maneuvering. Read this safety advisor to learn about performing maneuvering flight safely. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Operations at Nontowered Airports (PDF file - 741KB) — It's a shorthand way to refer to airports not served by operating air traffic control towers, and that includes most of the airports in the United States. At present, some 12,000 airports are nontowered, compared to approximately 400 that have FAA towers. Millions of safe operations in all types of aircraft are conducted at nontowered airports in a variety of weather conditions. It works because pilots put safety first and use commonly known procedures. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Operations at Towered Airports (PDF file - 1.49MB) — Runway incursions are occurring more frequently each year. This new Safety Advisor gives pilots the information they must know to operate more safely at busy towered airports. [FAA's Runway Safety Program - Visit the the FAA Runway Safety Program web site for more information.] Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Pilot's Guide to the Flight Review (PDF file - 103KB) — Whether you're a flight instructor or a pilot getting ready for the flight review. It makes good sense to get the most out of the process. This safety advisor will give you the list of the 50 most frequently asked questions, with answers to dispel common misconceptions about the review process. It will help instructors and pilots to identify deteriorating areas that may adversely affect personal flight safety. This safety advisor will make the flight review more meaningful and fun. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
Propeller Safety (PDF file - 798KB) — Do you know how important it is to maintain and inspect your propeller? This Safety Advisor gives you tips on maintenance, preflight considerations, and other things to look out for in order to have a safe flight. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Say Intentions...When you need ATC's help (PDF file - 284KB) — More than 92% of all flight assists involve general aviation pilots. Do you know how to ask for ATC assistance during emergency or urgency situations? Read this 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. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Single-Pilot IFR (PDF file - 159KB) — Single-pilot IFR is the most challenging flight operation most general aviation pilots face. This safety advisor presents suggestions that will stimulate serious thought and discusses proven procedures for safe single-pilot flying. Give yourself the Air Safety Foundation advantage and enjoy safe, efficient IFR flight. Read the "Single Pilot IFR" safety advisor. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Spatial Disorientation (PDF file - 5338KB) — We humans are VFR-only creatures. The senses we use to maintain our balance and know "which end is up" are completely unreliable when our bodies are in motion without visual reference to the world around us. No amount of training or experience can overcome this physiological limitation. Pilots deprived of visual references while flying can quickly lose control of the aircraft and succumb to one of general aviation's biggest killers: spatial disorientation. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Ups and Downs of Takeoffs and Landings (PDF file - 251KB) — More accidents occur in the take off and landing phases of flight than any other. It is the close proximity to the ground that leaves less margin for error. Some pilots never really master the basics, then it's only a matter of time before they have a problem. Is the runway long enough? Are there obstructions? What is the density altitude? Is there a cross-wind? How good is your airspeed control? Do you know how to successfully recover from a bounced landing or when to go around? These are just some of the considerations that are addressed in this new safety advisor. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files).
Weather Strategies (PDF file - 1.92MB) — An ASF safety seminar, "Weather Strategies" takes pilots through the planning portion of a flight that seems, at first glance, impossible to fly. But is it? Join us as we study the weather, think about our options, and decide whether to go. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
Weather Tactics (PDF file - 1.51MB) — A must-see for VFR and IFR pilots, Weather Tactics is the sequel to ASF's acclaimed Weather Strategies seminar. Join us for an interactive tour of ATC enroute and approach control radar facilities. Learn what controllers can and cannot do to help pilots avoid hazardous weather. Later you'll see a general aviation flight in convective weather. You'll see what the pilot and controllers see and you'll learn how to work with ATC to find the best way around the weather. Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
WeatherWise (PDF file - 284KB) — Weather is the most critical and complex variable that affects your flying. But you don?t have to be a meteorologist to understand what makes weather, and use that understanding to help make sound flight decisions. This is what being weather wise is all about... the ability to integrate official reports and forecasts with what you can see outside to cope with changing flight conditions in the real world. Wouldn't you like to be WeatherWise? Note: This document is made available in PDF format (see the bottom of this page for info on PDF files). [Out of print.]
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