The FAA Safety Team recently issued Notc2999 The Do’s and Don’ts of Maneuvering Flight recommending the following do’s and don’ts that can keep pilots safe:
DO:
- Do remember that the majority of fatal stall/spin accidents occur at low altitudes, because the closer you are to the ground the less time you will have for a successful recovery.
- Do practice stalls or approaches to stalls at a safe altitude. If you’re rusty take a CFI with you.
- Do fly at a safe altitude so that you won’t be surprised by obstacles that may require abrupt maneuvers to avoid.
- Do remember that turns and sudden climbs increase the wing loading which will increase the stall speed, sometimes dramatically.
DON’T:
- Don’t explore the flight envelope close to the ground.
- Don’t exceed 30 degrees of bank in the traffic pattern.
- Don’t buzz or otherwise show off with an aircraft. Not only are you putting yourself at risk, but your pilot certificate too. The FAA gets lots of complaints that include cell phone pictures and videos.
- Don’t attempt maneuvers for which you have not been trained. Get an Instructor on board the first time!
Good advice. Seems obvious to me though. But I guess even advice that is obvious, but also good, bears repeating every now and then.
Fly safe.
