Royal Newcastle Aero Club Flight Training Briefing Notes Supplement Summary Only Please Note The following information is for Royal Newcastle Aero Club student pilots and members only. If you are not a RNAC members or RNAC student pilot the following information should not be used or reproduced in any way without written approval from the RNAC Board. Table of Contents Definition... 2 Reasons to conduct a Precautionary Search and Land... 2 Key Points... 2 Precautionary search & landings can often be attributed to;... 2 Poor flight planning... 2 Poor In-Flight Management... 2 Flight in Poor Visibility... 3 Selecting a Landing Area... 3 Determining Wind Direction... 3 Flying the PSL... 4 Position aircraft for an Initial Low Inspection Run... 4 Second Inspection Run... 4 PAN PAN Call... 4 Passenger Brief... 5 Final Run... 5 After Landing... 5 CAUTION: Low Flying... 5 Airmanship... 5 Threat and Error Management... 5
Definition ROYAL NEWCASTLE AERO CLUB A precautionary search & landing is an unplanned landing, at a place other than a licensed airfield or ALA, forced upon the pilot by circumstances, other than an engine failure, encountered during the flight. Reasons to conduct a Precautionary Search and Land Uncertain of position. Weather is closing in. Low on fuel. Running out of daylight. Key Points Precautionary Search & Landing procedures are almost always avoidable through Thorough pre-flight planning, or A timely decision to not fly/divert. If you must conduct a precautionary search and land, then you must! Regardless of why a PSL is required, if it is the safest thing to do, then it must be done. Leave enough time, fuel & daylight. Time, fuel & daylight are Safety Resources Quickly asses your reality & make an early conservative decision to conduct a thorough PSL. Precautionary search & landings can often be attributed to; Poor flight planning Incorrect track measured. Weather forecast ignored. Time intervals wrong - winds ignored. Fuel calculations incorrect - quantity/consumption. Not considering Last light. Poor Pre-flight Checks FUEL QUANTITY - not properly checked. CAPS SECURE ensure vents not blocked. Is it the correct fuel? Inadequate knowledge of the fuel system or consumption. Did the fuel drain shut off after you checked the quality? Poor In-Flight Management Incorrect use of mixture control. Not monitoring fuel consumption. Extended flight time - diversion or adverse winds. Poor decision making with regard to weather. Royal Newcastle Aero Club v1.02. 2
ROYAL NEWCASTLE AERO CLUB Flight in Poor Visibility When in poor visibility flying slow makes the most of the visibility you do have and low ensuring you maintain visibility with the ground. SLOW. 70 KIAS in a C152. LOW. Initially not below 500 ft, lower only if absolutely essential. Don t lose sight of the ground! CONFIGURATION. Use 10 degrees of flap in C152. (approx 1900rpm) With A PSL Time is Usually Critical With Fuel, Weather & Light are running out PSL tasks must be managed, prioritised, & efficiently expedited if a safe outcome is to be achieved. Selecting a Landing Area Wind. Size. Shape. Surface. Surroundings. Slope. Survival. Sun. Determining Wind Direction Fields fitting this could be; Paddocks Road. Beach. ALA. Can the aeroplane take off again from the field??? Look for one of the following to give an indication of the prevailing winds; Smoke. Dust. Ripples on a dam. Trees. Windmills. Cloud shadows. Normally landing into wind is the preferred option but an up sloping field could be considered Royal Newcastle Aero Club v1.02. 3
Flying the PSL ROYAL NEWCASTLE AERO CLUB Position yourself as though joining a circuit around the field Position aircraft for an Initial Low Inspection Run 500 ft AGL 10degrees of flap 1900 rpm 70 kts. Stabilize the aircraft before Fly to right of field optimum view of field. Measure field length 70kts = 35m/s 20 seconds of flight time @ 70kts, x 35m/s = 700 meters. ****No point conducting a through survey if the field or site is too short**** Check for obstacles on approach & departure - power lines - look for poles. General condition of landing area. Fly tight circuit - leave flap down. Consider Aligning DI with North if in poor visibility Confirm reason for conducting search. Second Inspection Run If field still suitable and time permits conduct a second inspection run. Twice the height of Select touchdown zone - usually within first 100m. Check surface for obstacles & condition - washouts, stumps. Climb to 500 ft AGL flap up reconfigure for downwind leg. Confirm reason for conducting search. Conduct a PAN call and a Passenger Brief PAN PAN Call On Area Frequency PAN PAN PAN. Aircraft call-sign x 3 times. Nature of urgency. Position. Number of people on board. Royal Newcastle Aero Club v1.02. 4
ROYAL NEWCASTLE AERO CLUB Passenger Brief Without information passengers can become agitated. Quickly inform them of the following; What is going on & why. What to do with the Harnesses & Hatches. Brace positions. The Actions after landing. Location of first aid/ survival equipment. Final Run Base leg - as for short field landing - even if plenty of length - be aware of the illusion of slip or skid during turns close to ground. NO STEEP TURNS. Final approach - if apparent you won t make touchdown zone, GO AROUND. If time permits, make several practice approaches. Touchdown - at minimum speed - keep nose wheel clear soft field technique. After Landing Safety of passengers is paramount. Ensure they are evacuated quickly & safely. Secure aircraft & protect from further damage (eg off road, tie down, isolate from animals); electrics & fuel off, check for fuel leaks. Make a radio call from the ground if possible; transmit in the blind if no response. Also consider relay via other aircraft. CAUTION: Low Flying Turning at low level - watch out for: Apparent changes in airspeed due to wind direction & strength. Stalling without height to recover - monitor SSP. Slip & skid illusions due to effect of wind. Only descend on final approaches, inspect, then climb again. Avoid turning at low level. Be conservative with height management. Don t go any lower than necessary. If not low enough first time, try again. Airmanship If in doubt GO AROUND. No steep turns. Try to avoid over-flying livestock. Lookout - aircraft & obstacles. Simulate PAN PAN Call When practicing at an location other than an aerodrome, do not decent below 500 AGL Threat and Error Management Flying low over unfamiliar terrain will threaten safety. CAR 157 states you are not allowed to descend below 1000 feet over a populated area and below 500 feet over an unpopulated area, unless forced to due to weather When people are stressed such they tend to make rushed and poor decisions. Be aware of this and make rational decisions. End Royal Newcastle Aero Club v1.02. 5