Ten Commandments of Overwater
Flight
by Darren Smith, CFII/MEI
from PocketLearning, May 2003
There isn't much more exciting than a trip to a warm, wind
swept island.
Within a few hours flight, 50% of the US population can achieve the
dream
weekend that makes flying worthwhile. The following are required
actions for safe overwater flight.
1. Preflight - ensure that your ELT is in good working
order.
FAR 91.205 indicates that it is required for all phases of flight.
2. Emergencies: Stop & Think, Observe current
situation
& Plan a resolution. Use checklists.
3. Use good aeronautical judgment and decision making -
from your
weather briefing to flying over water, be sure that you execute a safe
plan and always have a way out. File a flight plan if you
undertake
an overwater flight. Especially important are winds aloft.
Be aware of changing weather and get enroute updates.
4. Fuel - fill your tanks. Remember your fuel burn
per hour
and monitor your fuel burn. Prepare a good cross country flight
log
to manage your fuel and reserve requirements.
5. IM SAFE - Ensure you meet your personal flight
minimums.
Especially important is the no-go decision.
6. Passenger Briefings - be sure to properly brief your
passengers
for the basics (exits & seat belts) but also for the additional
factors
of overwater flight such as use of floatation devices, survival
equipment,
signaling devices, and water egress.
7. Mental Preparation - stay calm, don't panic, stay
together,
and don't give up. The Coast Guard reports that many die just as
they are being rescued.
8. Water Egress - practice water egress on the
ground. A
simple 1 minute drill can save your life.
9. Ditching - ditch the aircraft with the gear up and at
the slowest
possible forward speed with doors unlocked ajar. Be sure all
passengers
are using shoulder harnesses. Land into the wind. Transmit
mayday, 7700, and activate ELT. Secure or ditch loose items.
10. Survival - Basic first aid supplies, VHF handheld, flares,
dye markers, whistles, strobe lights, and a signaling mirror are very
useful
tools. Extra water for each passenger is very
important.
Flotation devices such as vests & rafts are bare minimums for
extended
overwater flights. Protect yourself from hypothermia by bringing
large garbage bags. Step inside of those bags if you must float
in
water... they will keep your core body temperature several degrees
warmer
than without it.
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