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Safety In Aviation

The purpose of this page is to provide the flying public with safety information that is convenient and easy to review based on the FAA's model. This page contains, among other information,  safety tips and checklists for pilots and operators to use in briefing passengers on procedures that will prevent their injury or even death.

Most accidents in aviation are totally avoidable if people simply used commonsense before a costly mistake is made. Being humans, many of us can be distracted by several factors such as emotions, external stimuli, and sometimes, physical conditions such as simply being fatigued. Because of all this, the true value of carefully following checklists becomes very evident, and below, we shall provide you, dear reader, with a few lists, which we will continue to add to as time goes by and suggestions are provided to us. Your feedback plays an important roll, so, please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any good ideas or advice that we can share with our fellow members and visitors. TOPICS: Avoiding Propeller Contact Accidents: Floatplanes -- Helicopters (rotary wing) -- Landplanes (fixed wing) Hand-propping Accident (FAA Video) NTSB Safety Alerts (PDF format) First Responder Safety at a Small Aircraft or Helicopter Accident (FAA online training modules/presentations) First Aid Instructions Study CPR and First Aid Online (For Free)   Aviation Safety Tips

Avoiding propeller contact accidents

Floatplanes

Every year people are seriously or fatally injured by floatplane propellers. These accidents can happen when inexperienced persons attempt to assist the pilot in docking the floatplane, or when the safety zones on the dock, float, or pier are inadequate to protect bystanders from rotating propellers.

>> Tips

- Approach the dock with as little speed as practical.

- Stop the engine(s) prior to reaching the dock when possible.
- Approach the dock at a 45 degree angle or less to allow a slower speed for docking, and provide a wing for dock attendants to catch rather than a turning propeller.
- Tie the aft float strut to the dock first, as it is the farthest from the propeller. The bow cleat should not be used until there is no longer a possibility of propeller rotation.
- Never ask an untrained person to hand prop your aircraft.
- The airplane engine(s) should be shut down for loading or unloading passengers. Walkways should be identified by barriers or lines painted on docks, floats, and piers to direct passengers and bystanders away from the area near the propellers.

>> Briefing Points

Boarding

- Walk only in designated walkways.
- Never walk under the wing, except to enter the cabin door.
- Always stay clear of the engine(s) and propeller(s). The danger area is usually identified by red lines painted on the airplane float.
- Step carefully from the dock or pier, to the airplane float or entry steps.

Exiting

- Step carefully onto the dock, float, or pier and walk only in designated walkways when provided.
When walkways are not provided, walk toward the wingtip until clear of the engine(s) and propeller(s) before changing your exit path.
- Walk to the wingtip before changing your exit path.
- Avoid the area of the engine and propeller of any aircraft whether the engine(s) is running or not.

>> Other Safety Considerations During Floatplane Operations

Seatbelts and shoulder belts should be fastened during takeoff and landing. When provided, life jackets should be worn during taxi, takeoff, and landing. When floatation cushions are used, each passenger should have one.
 

Helicopters/Rotary wings
 

>> Tips

- Always brief your passengers on the safe routes to and from the helicopter, and stress that the aft end of the helicopter must be avoided. The danger lies in the fact that tail rotors become invisible when rotating.

- When possible, the helicopter should be shut down for loading and unloading of passengers or cargo.


>> Briefing Points

Boarding

- Approach the helicopter from the front side within the pilot's field of vision. Never approach a helicopter from the rear.
- Carry all objects below your waist level - never upright or over the shoulder. Remove loose headgear, unless it is secured by a chinstrap.
- Approach the helicopter from the downslope side when on uneven terrain.

Exiting

- Walk to the side or forward of the helicopter when leaving the aircraft.
- Never walk toward the aft end of a helicopter.
- Before exiting the helicopter, secure your headgear chinstrap or remove it.
- Keep any objects being carried below your waist level.
- When operating around uneven terrain, exit on the downslope side or cross in front of the helicopter before walking away from the aircraft.

External Load Operation

When the load hookup is complete, ground personnel should move forward clear of the rotor blades before giving maneuvering signals to the pilot.
 

Landplanes/Fixed wings

>>  Tips

- Always brief your passengers on the safe routes to and from the airplane, and stress that the area around the propeller is dangerous.

- Emphasize that the greatest danger of the propeller is its being invisible when rotating.
 

- Need assistance? First shut your engine down and brief your assistants on their assigned task. Emphasize that the area around the propeller is to be avoided.
 

- Never ask an untrained person to hand prop your aircraft.
 

- Never ask an unqualified person to hold the brakes or operate the engine controls while you swing the propeller.

>>  Briefing Points

Boarding

- Approach the airplane only on the passenger entrance side.
- Walk behind the wing from outboard of the wingtip toward the entry door, except when the engines are stopped and the cabin entry door is forward of the wing.
- Never walk under the wing, except to enter the cabin door.
- Always stay clear of the propeller(s) whether the engine(s) is running or not.

Exiting

- Walk directly behind the wing toward the wingtip when leaving the airplane, except when the cabin exit door is forward of the wing. Wait until the propeller has stopped rotating and always avoid the propeller area.
- Do not walk under the wing.
- Walk to the wingtip before changing your exit path.
- Avoid the area of the engine and propeller of any aircraft whether the engine(s) is running or not.

Loading

- When practical, the airplane engine(s) should be shut down for loading or discharging passengers or cargo. Paths to and from the airplane should be the same as listed above.

Hand propping an aircraft engine can only be justified under extreme circumstances. Aircraft with sophisticated electrical systems and/or avionics equipment should not be dispatched with a dead or weak battery.
 

Hand-propping accident (FAA Video)

NTSB Safety Alerts (PDF format)

Aviation Safety

Take action to improve your safety and the safety of your family and friends by following the suggestions in these NTSB Safety Alerts. NTSB Safety Alerts provide safety information you can use, and urge you to encourage lawmakers to improve safety at the State level.

• Aircraft Ground Icing (SA-006) (518 KB)
• Thunderstorm Encounters (SA-011) (231 KB)
• Controlled Flight Into Terrain in Visual Conditions (SA-013) (134 KB)
• Aircraft Inflight Icing (SA-014) (126 KB)
• Child Passenger Safety on Aircraft (SA-015) (121 KB)
• Meteorological Evaluation Towers (SA-016) (105 KB)

If you have any feedback, concerns, or questions about these "alerts", please contact us!

First Responder Safety at a Small Aircraft or Helicopter Accident

As small aircraft and helicopters have become more complex, technology has provided systems that have enhanced operational safety. In the event of an accident, many of these systems have presented additional hazards to first responders or any potential rescuer at an aircraft accident scene. The FAA, in cooperation with General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), various manufacturers and first responder professional organizations, has developed training for safety at an aircraft accident scene. While the material was initially developed for firefighters, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police, it provides useful information for any persons that may come across an aircraft accident. Flash Player is required to view each module.

(Each of these training/presentation modules will open in new browser windows)

Module 1 Systems & Material Hazards

• Recommended for firefighters and EMS.
• Primary module that identifies hazards unique to aircraft accidents.

Module 2 Aircraft Type Familiarization & Mission Specific Hazards

• Recommended for firefighters and EMS.
• Outlines aircraft variations in service and hazards associated with certain aircraft usage.

Module 3 Command & Recovery

• Recommended for firefighters, EMS and law enforcement for aircraft accident protocol development.
• Recognizes operational protocol for managing an accident scene and requirements related to the investigation of the accident.

Module 4 Ballistic Parachute System Familiarization

• Recommended for firefighters and recovery personnel.
• Provides information that will detail the installation, operation and techniques used by manufacturers to disable a Ballistic Parachute System so that the first responder will have a better understanding if tasked by the manufacturer to disable the system.

Module 5 Systems and Material Hazards for Rescuers

• Recommended for police, airport and the aviation community or others that may be tasked with initial rescue.
• Provides material from Module 1, however recognizes that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) may not be equivalent to firefighter/EMS Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and does not address extrication.

First Aid Instructions

? The Texas Pilots Association