Just posted to SmartPilot.ca, a Canadian web portal for all things related to flying safely, are three segments dealing with upset training.
Additional installments will follow in the coming weeks, according to Ted Rankine, project manager.
“One of the most dangerous types of aircraft accidents are those which fall under the general heading of ‘Aircraft Upsets,’” he said. “This sudden, drastic loss of control of an aircraft accounts for only 17% of all accidents, however 80% of these incidents result in fatalities. In keeping with the purpose of SmartPilot.ca, we are presenting material that will help create awareness and understanding of the subject. It still does not replace formal training with a recognized and accredited institution, but it may just help someone one day when they need it most.”
The videos were developed with a professional flight educator using techniques that have been taught to many pilots, he noted.
The first installments cover an “Introduction” to the overall subject, followed by “Stall and Spin Awareness” and then “Unusual Attitudes.” You can see the videos here.
SmartPilot.ca also recently added a teaser for a new feature video section titled “VFR into IMC.” The premise of this segment is based on the simple question “How long can a pilot who has no instrument training expect to live after they fly into bad weather and lose visual contact with the ground?” SmartPilot.ca put that question to the test.
“Many pilots have heard of the 178 second story,” Rankine said. “It is based on a study by researchers at the University of Illinois. They put 20 student ‘guinea pigs’ into simulated instrument weather. All went into graveyard spirals or rollercoasters with time intervals that ranged from 480 seconds down to 20 seconds. The average time was 178 seconds.”
“SmartPilot.ca took 17 Canadian pilots to PrecisePilot’s full motion flight simulator in Vaughan, Ontario, to see firsthand what would happen,” he continued. “All the pilots had some instrument time and most had total times in excess of 1,000 hours.”
The results will be released in a video series during the first half of 2014. In the interim the “teaser” provides a fair synopsis of how it all happened –
To date, SmartPilot.ca has written, developed, produced and posted 31 new video segments that cover a dozen different subject areas. This is in addition to other material, articles and interactive courses that were gathered and posted to the web portal, he noted.
Access to all content on SmartPilot.ca is free.
SmartPilot.ca has been brought to the aviation community courtesy of CASARA (Civil Air Search and Rescue Association) with the financal support of the Gorvernment of Canada, under the auspecious of the Search and Rescue New Intitiative Fund (SAR NIF). SmartPilot.ca encompasses a wide variety of materials covering a multitude of subjects related to flying. Examples of the site content include Airmanship, Human Factors, Flight Training, Specialty Aircraft (including Float Flying and Ultralights), Avionics, Maintenance, Weather, Navigation, Search & Rescue, and much more.
The on-going development and support of the project includes co-operative input and guidence from many sources and associations including Transport Canada, The Transportation Safety Board, Civil Air Search and Rescue Association and a Board of Advisors comprised of aviation leaders. The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) are also helping develop and create new material.
All material is free and open to individuals, clubs, flight schools and associations.
For more information: SmartPilot.ca
I believe the best teacher as in your example on the Simulator. Training and currency go hand in hand. I believe in Flying at least one a month. If not , the next time I fly is with and Instructor,.
At my age “86” I still fly and being current means that I fly more with a CFI My record is clear, primarily because as I said Training & Currency goes “HAND i HAND