ASCI 602 ESSAY 5
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University *
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Course
602
Subject
Geography
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by ProfessorOkapiMaster906
Climate change has affected general aviation in the United States of America. General Aviation
consists of visual and instrument rated flight. IFR ratings are sought out by many aviators
because the weather is constantly changing, and with an IFR rating pilots are afforded the
opportunity to fly in weather non-conducive for visual flight (AOPA, 2008). As the Earth
experiences shifts in weather, pilots must train and continue to stay proficient in instrument
flight. A private pilot will inevitably become obsolete because there will simply be more days
spent in Instrument Meteorological conditions (IMC). Visual flight rules (VFR) into IMC is still the
number one killer of private pilots (AOPA, 2008). Private pilots who are not interested in a
career in aviation and simply just want to fly, need to realize the importance of trusting their
instruments in a time of peril. Too often pilots rely on their kinesthetic senses to fly the airplane.
The problem is that private pilots who are flying for business are not inclined to pay the extra
eight to ten thousand dollars to receive instrument training.
Many factors and influences can lead to trouble in flight. However, weather is one of the most
pervasive and prominent. According to AOPA’s Nall Report, approximately four percent of GA
accidents are weather related, yet these accidents account for more than twenty-five percent of
all fatalities (Ison, 2014). In other words, the chances of a fatality occurring in weather accidents
is sixty-three percent. A common weather-related incident is continued flight under VFR into
IMC. More than seventy-two percent of VFR into IMC accidents were reported as fatal. Only
seventeen percent of other GA accidents were reported as fatal. IMC accidents remain a “major
safety hazard within general aviation” (Ison, 2014). Terrain and the receipt of a weather briefing
are two major factors the NTSB came up with that lead to VFR into IMC fatalities.
Embry-Riddle University Worldwide conducted a study of continued VFR into IMC accidents.
Faculty at ERAU-WW used a type of regression analysis, to predict how strongly variables were
predicted to these incidents. The variables they came up with were terrain, time of day, receipt
of a weather briefing, filing a flight plan, pilot age, pilot flight time, pilot certification and
communication with air traffic control. The purpose of this study is to better understand what
influences pilots to make and continue flights in which they’re threated by poor weather (Ison,
2014). The ERAU study found that as pilot certification level increased, the likelihood of VFR into
IMC went down. This supports my statement that IFR ratings are crucial to aviation safety.
Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between flight time and VFR into IMC accidents,
meaning pilots involved in these accidents had higher flight time. Concluding that higher-time,
lower-certified pilots are more at risk of weather-related incidents (Ison, 2014).
A common misconception between pilots is that an instrument rating is just a “good thing to
have in your back pocket in case you need it”. In fact, an instrument rating is essential in
modern day aviation. Not only does instrument training help the pilot master his or her
instruments, but it also gives the pilot much needed time in the left seat. Benefits of IFR training
include; higher intelligence of weather, situational awareness of instruments, confidence to
trust instruments and higher competency as a pilot.
References:
Ison, D. (2014, 03). Understanding VFR into IMC accidents.
Plane and Pilot, 50
, 60-62. Retrieved
from
http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/1503668823?
accountid=27203
AOPA's Air Safety Foundation has a new course on IFR. (2008, June).
IFR
,
24
(6), 3. Retrieved
from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/apps/doc/A203027749/AONE?
u=embry&sid=AONE&xid=0ca93d64
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