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Fox Valley Flying ClubNewsletter, March 2002 |
DDT is Focus of Illinois Ultralight Safety Seminar
Story submitted by Evan WrightIn the post 9-11 aviation environment, keeping a low profile is more important than ever. Keeping a low profile means not "doing dumb things", and more specifically, minimizing airspace incursions and unsightly crashes. This year's safety seminar outlined several strategies to help pilots avoid such unpleasantness.
Maintenance and inspection was stressed as a key weapon in the fight against getting noticed. Always performing a preflight inspection (even if the aircraft was just flown), verifying controls are free and clear, and visually checking amount of fuel onboard, are all measures the smart pilot can take to avoid turning his aircraft into a "project".
Before any flight, pilots should contact Flight Services by telephone at 1-800-WXBRIEF to receive the latest weather, NOTAMs, and airspace restrictions. When asked to supply an 'N' number, pilots should state they are flying an ultralight. This will alert the briefer to slow down, and focus on flying conditions most relevant to our type of aviation. Checking NOTAMs is particularly relevant to those of us at Cushing Field, because of our proximity to nuclear power plants.
Once airborne, pilots should not rely on automotive GPS units as their sole means of navigation, and should carry current sectional charts. Non-aviation GPS units do not display airspace classifications, and will not alert the pilot the he may be straying into controlled airspace. In addition, should the batteries die, a GPS will not alert the pilot to anything at all (except that he needs new batteries).
The seminar also featured an update of the Sport Pilot NPRM we've all been following so closely. Now that the NPRM has entered the comments phase, the speaker stressed the importance of giving the FAA both positive and negative feedback. Anyone wanting the latest status of the proposal can view it on the web, courtesy of EAA, at sportpilot.org
On a less formal note, this year's safety seminar was great fun, and it was encouraging to see such a large turn out from our club. I'd like to thank Vance for providing transportation in his "Party Van", as well as the other members in the club who made it possible for so many of us to attend. It is a real shame we didn't win more of the door-prizes we so richly deserved (Kevin's hat doesn't count). It figures the guy with no airplane would win the case of Penzoil. Let's hope our luck is better next year, and in the meantime do our best not to get noticed.
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