Cross country VFR

Recently I was going through a brochure put out by the Air League of New Zealand (Inc.), in the interests of safe flying. Titled Cross Country VFR the brochure is undated but must have been published around 25 years ago. The interesting thing is that the points it raises are all still the ones that affect VFR flying today.

The brochure covers a number of worthwhile subjects. Some of them are discussed below:

The issue of your pilots licence, PPL or CPL, is in reality a licence to learn. It cannot be stressed too strongly that at this stage you do not know how much you do not know.

Your greatest enemy as a VFR pilot is undoubtedly bad weather. Admit to yourself the fact that every pilot will from time to time meet weather conditions that will be beyond the level of his capabilities. You will be no exception – but you can train yourself to know where the dangers lie and to react appropriately to them. The weather in Australia is better than a lot of other countries but it can on occasion still make VFR flying a no-go. Respect it.

The aircraft that you fly today has not changed much in the last 40 or so years. Certainly they have got more comfortable and reliable and can fly further than an Auster or Tiger Moth but they still fly by the same laws of aerodynamics. Yes, things like nav aids, GPS and autopilots help make flying easier but in spite of these tools accidents still happen. Have respect for the limitations of the aircraft. Flight aids do assist but they are only as useful as their pilot’s ability to understand their correct use and this can only come as a result of properly-planned, intensive and ongoing training.

Maintain visibility. As the VFR regulations imply, the essential basis of all safe VFR flight is to maintain visibility at all times. Avoid low cloud. Many inexperienced pilots seem to have an irresistible urge to climb up into cloud when the ceiling is low. You must avoid this. Entering low cloud inevitably produces a whole host of difficulties, every one of them fraught with potential disaster.

Roads and railways lines. The days of following roads and railways went out with better charts, better forecasts and better airmanship. If it gets to the stage where you feel you have to resort to this form of navigation it is time to make a landing, be it a diversion or precautionary landing.

Fuel tanks. Having adequate fuel on board will give you greater flexibility in the event of a sudden deterioration in the weather. If nothing else you will have removed one possible source of anxiety at a time when your judgement may be required for other things.

Flying under stress. No pilot is immune to stress. You can easily bring about a thoroughly stressful situation by hurried flight-planning or by making a wrong in-flight decision. Always allow yourself ample time to make a well considered flight-plan. Do not rush. Think well ahead.

Carrying passengers means that as pilots we are responsible for the welfare of other human beings. We need to exercise extreme care in flying an aircraft carrying passengers as we have their lives in our hands. You control the aircraft, not the passengers. You have a legal and moral responsibility to deliver them safely to their destination.

Regulations. We can all say that we do not like all the regulations that we have to fly by but as an experienced pilot once said to me ‘Regulations are written in blood’. Obey the regs; listen to the voice of experience; train yourself to think ahead and above all, use your head.

Ten Points to Remember

• The basis of all good airmanship is self-discipline • Plan carefully – don’t rush – think well ahead • Maintain adequate visibility at all times • If you can’t clearly see the way ahead, get back on the ground and wait until you can • Do not press on in the hope that conditions will improve • Keep out of low cloud – it has all the makings of potential disaster • Never follow roads and railways as your sole guide at low altitudes and in bad weather • Keep your fuel tanks as full as practicable at all times • Do not fly when you are tired, unfit or under emotional strain • Stick to the regulations – they have been made for your protection.

Fly safely and pass the message to others.

Contact Dave by email at: [email protected]