1. Flight Safety

2. Flight Safety
An understanding of the causes of actual and potential accidents and incidents will most likely improve a pilot’s ability to operate safely.
This section will include –
Analysis of accident data
Discussion of prevention techniques
Evaluation of weight and balance issues
Review of flight safety publication resources.

3. Number of Soaring Accidents

4. Flight Safety
Look at glider accidents (fatal and non-fatal) reported to the NTSB

5. Major Accidents Launch PT3 events Mid-air collisions
Intentional vs unintentional release
Mid-air collisions
Glider and Towplane collide turning final
Airplane collides with Towplane towing Glider
Two Gliders collide during cruise flight (contest)
Two Gliders collide while thermaling (contest)
‘04-1, ‘05-0, ‘06-1, ‘07-0, ‘08-2, ‘09-0, ‘10-4

6. Major Accidents Crashed Gliders Approach and Landing
Glider crashed in mountainous terrain
Glider crashed in field
Approach and Landing
Major thrust for the past few years

7. Landing Accidents Hit object on approach -- 10
Stall/spin on approach
Hit object on ground
Hard landing -- 3
Land short (undershoot)
Land long (overshoot)
LANDING ACCIDENT PERCENTAGE HAS BEEN STUBBORNLY STUCK BETWEEN 60% AND 70% OF THE TOTAL OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WITH NO SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT.
WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THIS?

8. Flight Safety
Part 830 accident reporting requirements, needed in the event of unsuccessful prevention, will be reviewed in the FIRC unit on FARs.
FLIGHT SAFETY PUBLICATIONS come in several categories –
Prevention media, including hard copy handouts, issued by the FAA – contact FAA FSDO/Flight Safety Counselor for information and supplies – in process of being superseded by on-line resources.
NTSB Accident and Incident Reports – URL listed on p. 10 of ivory FIRC Supplement book.

9. Flight Safety
Problem solving sections of gliding books like the FAA Glider Flying Handbook – section on Systems and Equipment Malfunctions is a good example.
Primary Flight Control Systems – Examples of problem solving are:
Aileron Malfunctions –
Improper connection during assembly
Failure to remove control locks
Separation of gap seal tape
Interference of a foreign object preventing full and free travel of stick or aileron control circuit
Structural failure of aileron or damage from flutter.

10. Flight Safety
These examples are followed by analysis and suggested action to counteract the aileron malfunction – for example roll control using secondary effects of rudder.
Such an approach gives a new level of focus in student training.

11. Flight Safety The GFH also discusses
Elevator malfunctions and possible remedies.
Rudder malfunctions and possible remedies.
Elevator trim malfunctions and possible remedies.
Spoiler/dive brake malfunctions and possible remedies.

12. Flight Safety
Incorrect WEIGHT AND BALANCE has been highlighted as a particular problem affecting flight safety.
Despite available information in the glider (A R O W) and reminders in checklists (CB SIFT BEC), pilots are still getting it wrong
Pilots need better awareness of the importance of getting the weight and balance correct.
Apart from knowing how to make weight and balance calculations and to make proper use of them, a student needs to know other possible causes of imbalance situations.
The FAA GFH discusses problems associated with CG forward of forward limit, and with CG aft of aft limit.

13. Flight Safety PREVENTION TECHNIQUES
Planning ahead – if 2 crew, consider how to use SPRM
SPRM generally – what are other resources on the field available to the pilot?
Checks:
Pilot IMSAFE - p. 12 of desert sand FIRC Supplement book.
Glider Rigging (Flight Manual)
Pre-Flight (Flight Manual)
Critical Assembly Check (SSF)
Pre-Takeoff (Flight and Operations Manuals)
UNINTERRUPTED CHECKS

14. Flight Safety PRE-TAKE OFF VITAL ACTIONS “CB SIFT BEC”
COMPLETE ALL CHECKS BEFORE ATTACHING TOWROPE!

15. Scenario Based Training
Landing scenario
Collision avoidance scenario
PT3 scenario

16. Flight Safety Don’t be rushed Don’t assume
Structured uninterrupted preparation