Today the Great Lakes Region FAASTeam (FAA Safety Team) released its Fiscal Year 2010 2nd Quarter Notice regarding airborne pilot deviation. The Notice discusses pilot deviations (FAR operational violations) and indicates that the FAA believes the most common causes of deviations are “poor technique, inattention, loss of situational awareness, or failure to plan properly.” Specifically, the Notice identifies the most common IFR and VFR deviations. Not surprisingly, altitude, clearance, airspeed and airspace violations top the lists. The Notice also suggests ways pilots can avoid these types of deviations/violations. Although the suggestions are, to a large part, common sense, they are helpful in identifying specific actions pilots can implement to ensure a safe/legal flight.
Generally speaking, it boils down to proper preparation for a flight and then keeping your head in the game while conducting the flight. The information isn’t new, but it is worth reading if for no other reason than as a reminder of the things pilots should be paying attention to before and during a flight.
