Federal Aviation Administration’s Post

Pilots are prone to several illusions while flying without reference to a horizon, many of which can have deadly consequences if not properly mitigated. Nighttime operations offer many of the same dangers, along with some optical illusions that can completely disorient a pilot and compromise safety. The mystery of many of these illusions is unraveled in the article “Your Senses in the Shadows” and provided a few solid strategies to keep these misleading manifestations at bay.

Why “Aviation Weather Pattern Navigation” Matters Weather is one of the most significant factors affecting aviation safety. Pilots and aviation professionals must understand how weather patterns can impact flight operations. “Aviation Weather Pattern Navigation” provides a solid foundation for recognizing weather-related risks and making informed decisions. From thunderstorms to turbulence, from icing to fog, this course covers the full spectrum of weather challenges you might encounter during flight operations. https://buff.ly/3YAhJmk

Pilots: Did you know that 5-10% of all general aviation accidents are attributed to spatial disorientation? Learn how sensory conflicts can lead to disorientation and strategies for preventing incidents: https://bit.ly/4e31Cn5.

When routine flights turn into tragedy, the lessons learned can save lives. In AOPA "Accident Case Study Season 2" we analyze real-life aviation accidents to help you make better decisions in the cockpit. Whether it's the chilling consequences of VFR into IMC or a miscommunication in busy airspace, each episode provides critical insights to improve your safety. Sign up for your FREE trial and start learning today https://lnkd.in/g2mDGEN6 #AviationSafety #PilotEducation #GeneralAviation #AviationCommunity #Aeroverse

Anti-collision lights are specialized lighting systems installed on aircraft to enhance visibility and promote safety. These lights, usually in the form of red beacons or white strobes, are strategically mounted on the aircraft's fuselage, wings, or tail. Their primary function is to make the aircraft easily noticeable to other pilots, ground crew, and air traffic controllers, especially in low-visibility or crowded airspace conditions. Activated during specific phases of flight operations—such as engine start, taxi, takeoff, and landing—anti-collision lights ensure that an aircraft’s presence and movement are unmistakably signaled. This reduces the risk of mid-air or ground collisions, playing a vital role in maintaining overall aviation safety. #AviationSafety #AntiCollisionLights #AircraftTechnology #FlightSafety #AirplaneVisibility #MidAirCollisionPrevention #AviationInnovation #FlightOperations #AviationIndustry #AircraftLights

💨 Wake turbulence is caused by the wings of large aircraft displacing air as they move. This invisible turbulence can be dangerous to smaller planes, so pilots need to maintain proper separation distances to avoid it. It’s one of the reasons behind those long wait times on the runway! #WakeTurbulence #PilotKnowledge #FlyingSafe #AviationScience

“They said in the beginning it was blue sky… but it was a huge thunderstorm covering the whole island!” Thomas Amdal has 27 years’ experience as an airline pilot. In his line of work, sometimes mother nature throws you a curveball. In our latest blog, he gives us the pilot’s perspective on weather situational awareness: one of the biggest challenges facing aviation. We explore how innovative tech is bridging the gap between pilots, dispatchers, and ATC, creating a unified approach to weather hazard avoidance. Read all about it: https://ow.ly/Cl0r50TtvYg #AviationInnovation #WeatherSituationalAwareness #FlightPlanning

An essential safety manoeuvre for pilots is the Go Around. Whenever an approach becomes unstable or the weather drops below the minimum requirements a Go Around is required. A call for a Go Around can be commanded by both the pilot flying and the pilot monitoring. When a command for a Go Around is ignored by the pilot flying this can have serious consequences for the outcome of the landing. This week's aviation history blog looks at an approach where the pilot flying became fixated on landing the aircraft, although the pilot monitoring made several calls for a Go Around. Click on the link below to go to the short read; https://lnkd.in/efRS-JVS

Did you know what a Squawk Code is? It's the four-digit transponder code assigned to an aircraft by air traffic control! Pilots use this code to help radar systems identify and track their aircraft's position. Follow @Zinoaviation to learn more pilot phrases. #PilotLife #StopDreamingStartFlying #Pilotphrase #aviation #Squawkcode

Issues that would play a role in the investigation, not listed according to relevance or importance: 1.The fact that both helicopter and regional jet were on different radio frequencies. 2.The helicopter’s published route indicated a maximum altitude of 200 ft. AGL. The accident occurred at 400 ft. AGL. 3.The fact that the pilots of the helicopter were using night vision goggles (NVG), with the loss of peripheral vision and depth perception. 4.The decision to use the “Circle to Land” approach to runway 33 instead of a straight landing on runway 1. 5.The presence of another aircraft on takeoff and one Airbus 319 immediately behind the regional jet.