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Guest Editorial - The Drone Zone

  • Risks to aviation fromthe growing number of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS or "Drones").
  • Goals of Transport Canada's Task Force, responsible for implementing new regulations, standards, and programs regarding Drones.
  • Update on the Task Force's current findings.
  • How to apply for a RPAS Special Flight Operations Certificates (SFOCs).
  • How to report a drone incident to Transport Canada.
  • If you see a drone operating in a manner that presents an immediate danger, contact your local law enforcement.

Sharing the Skies - Harder than it Sounds

  • Background on "wildlife-strike prevention."
  • Bird Strikes have caused 4 fatal crashes, resulting in 8 casualties.
  • Each year ~45 strikes have damaged aircraft using Canadian Airports.
  • A further 180 "adverse effect events" (AEE) due to wildlife strikes or presence at airports (e.g., aborted takeoffs, rejected landings, etc.) all result in high-risk operations.
  • The need for proper wildlife management program and trained personnel at vulnerable airports.
  • The requirements for ATC to advise pilots of the hazard, its severity, and its location (in three dimensions) on the airport.
  • The inadequacies of "Passive Wildlife Management."
  • A robust wildlife management program requires a variety of audio/visual tools.
  • The need for Accurate Strike Recording (and how to keep them).

A Letter to the Loved Ones of my Friend, a Private Helicopter Pilot

  • A Letter from a Flying Instructor detailing the need to insure pilots keep their knowledge & skills current.
  • Excellent Hints & Reminders of critical factors to consider in insuring a safe flight.

Radium Luminous Devices

  • The dangers of Radium-Painted Aircraft Instruments.
  • Best ways to handle them.
  • Safe ways to dispose of them.

David Charles Abramson Memorial (DCAM) Award

  • Info on the annual award promoting flight safety by recognizing exceptional flight instructors in Canada.

Prospective Memory in the Cockpit

  • First in a series of in-depth reports from the Advanced Cognitive Engineering Laboratory.
  • "Prospective memory" supports your ability to carry out any behaviour that you, at one time in the past, planned to carry out in the future.
  • The four key elements of prospective memory:
    • Forming an intention,
    • Monitoring for cues that signal when the task is to be carried out.
    • Retrieving the details of the desired action.
    • Carrying out the intention.
  • Examples of "PM" failures in high-workload conditions.
  • Helpful ways of learning skills to help avoid PM failures.

TSB Final Report Summaries

TSB Final Report A17Q0162 - In-flight Collision with Drone

  • Details of a mid-air collision between a Beech King Air and a Drone.
  • The drone was destroyed. Luckily, the aircraft received only minimal damage to its left wing.
  • Overview of Canadian Airspace Classes.
  • Summary of incidents involving Drones from 2014 through 2017.
  • Reminder that unapproved Drone operations can result in a fine of up to $25 000, and in some cases, Drone Operators may be found guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction.
  • The use of drones near an aerodrome or within controlled airspace poses a serious risk to aviation safety.
  • All recreational and non-recreational drone operators must know & comply with the regulations, including the requirement to operate within line of sight.
  • It is important for the public to notify TC when observing the use of a drone near an aerodrome so that TC can take appropriate action.

TSB Final Report A16A0032 - Collision with Terrain

  • A Mitsubishi MU2-B pilot "got behind" the airplane in instrument conditions and struck the ground, resulting in the deaths of all on board.
  • Some valuable lessons to be learned from the detailed TSB examination.

TSB Final Report A16A0084 - Collision with Wires

  • A privately operated Bell 206B helicopter collided with and power transmission lines and fell into the river below. There were two fatalities & one survivor.
  • Dangers of fatigue & Cannabis ingestion on a pilot's abilities.
  • Dangers of low flying.
  • Explanation of the difficulty of seeing & avoiding power lines at low altitudes.

TSB Final Report A16Q0020 - Temporary difficulty with aircraft control

  • While the incident involves a Bombardier Dash 8, this report containd valuable information on the combination of turbulence and shear contributing to temporary difficulties with aircraft control effectiveness.

General Aviation Safety Video Gallery

  • A series of Aviation Safety Videos including:
    • An Introduction to General Aviation Safety.
    • Through the Overcast - Floats.
    • Aircraft Egress.
    • Safe take-offs & Landings.
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