In this guide, we will take a deeper look at how aviation handles in-flight emergencies and how past incidents have helped shaped aviation for the better.
Emergencies during flights can pose a lot of challenges for pilots but thankfully, there are a few key protocols that pilots can follow to avoid escalations, or worse, catastrophic damage. Since the advent of aircraft, policymakers and aviation enthusiasts have been working on continuously evolving safety protocols to account for every possible in-flight emergency possible.
So far, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the premier authority for aviation in the UK, has outlined a descriptive list of all the possible emergencies that can happen and how pilots can navigate through these emergencies while ensuring maximum safety for all parties involved, namely, the pilot, the passengers, and even the aircraft.
In this guide, we will take a deeper look at how aviation handles in-flight emergencies and how past incidents have helped shaped aviation for the better.
Light Aircraft and Safety Protocols
Light aircraft have been the cornerstone of aviation since the very beginning. These aircraft have helped make aviation a reality and they continue to prove their usefulness in the modern age as well. While aviation might have shifted the spotlight to mass transportation and commercial operations, light aircraft still provide incredible utility since they are used for both training and leisure purposes.
Light aircraft are available in two broad categories: flex-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. Fixed-wing aircraft are the most common type of aircraft in aviation. Fixed wings are used for training future pilots and are also a great choice for private pilots who want to explore the skies. These planes are designed in the image of larger planes, except they aren’t as powerful in the context of their engine, and they are rather compact, usually only seating about 2-6 people.
Fixed-wing aircraft are ideal for training pilots due to the presence of various on-board instruments that can help train pilots for various situations. Fixed-wing aircraft also provide a similar “feel” as larger planes and manoeuvre in the same manner as well.
Flex wings, on the other hand, are a completely different type of light aircraft. These aircraft are designed to be even lighter than regular fixed wings and are usually more compact. Flex wings take their name from their flexible wing design that is built by covering a fabric over a rigid skeleton.
Did You Know: The first ever aircraft to take the skies was a flex-wing aircraft? The Kitty Hawk was designed by the Wright brothers and was known for its 3-axis control design and its use of fabric for its wing system.
Private pilots usually pick flex-wings as their aircraft of choice due to their lightweight, ease of use, simplicity, and the fact that these aircraft usually don’t have an enclosed cabin. Flex-wings don’t seat a lot of people either. In most cases, you may only be able to seat two people at a time in any flex-wing light aircraft, especially if it has a trike design.
Safety Protocols
Throughout the years, engineers have been hard at work perfecting the safety protocols for light aircraft. Since these were one of the very first aircraft in history, we owe the safety protocols of larger planes to the humble light aircraft!
In the early years, there were quite a lot of accidents that either occurred due to human error or due to a mechanical fault. Over the years, as technology progressed, we also had to deal with electrical faults as well. Fortunately, due to the resilience of the aviation industry and its commitment to safety, aviators were able to continuously evolve safety protocols to cover all bases.
We can break down emergencies into three categories:
- Human-Related Emergencies
- Aircraft-Related Emergencies
- Avionic-Emergencies
The first thing to address is human error. Aircraft may seem like complex machines, but they are rather simple and are less prone to error if they are configured properly. However, in the case of humans, there are just too many variables that can go wrong. This is why the aviation industry had to reimagine and reinvent what it means to be a modern pilot.
If you meet any licensed aircraft pilot, the first thing that you will notice is their composure and demeanour. Pilots are just built differently! They are held to an extremely high standard and are expected to perform well both on and off the tarmac. Pilots are trained both mentally and physically to fly aircraft.
It is important to keep in mind that fatigue, disease, and mental issues can easily hinder a pilot’s ability to aviate (fly). This is why the aviation industry took on the ambitious role to tame the human element in aviation.
Every training programme, regardless of the type of license, has a set of training modules that are specifically designed to train pilots on how to react to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. You can even draw similarities to military training, where soldiers are mentally trained to keep calm, remain focused, and take the necessary steps to fix a problem than freak out.
In a similar way, pilots are trained to expect the unexpected, even when everything seems okay. They do this so that if there is an emergency, the pilot can multitask efficiently and try to fix the problem without losing focus on what is most important: flying the plane.
Human safety also pertains to passenger safety. In some cases, when flying fixed-wing aircraft with passengers, a pilot can face emergencies related to the passengers. For example, health emergencies can be very serious and can even cause the aircraft to make an emergency landing at the nearest airport. In the case of unruly passengers, a pilot can follow protocol to either diffuse the situation or make the decision to land the aircraft to remove the passenger.
The second type of emergency is related to the aircraft. Every plane is designed with safety in mind which is why they have several redundant safety measures in place to avoid unforeseen circumstances. However, like all mechanical things, aircraft are also subject to wear and depreciation – and despite a healthy maintenance schedule, an aircraft can malfunction, like in the case of a bird strike that can cause mild to catastrophic damage to an aircraft.
Finally, avionic emergencies pertain to the failure of onboard instruments and other electrical equipment on an aircraft. Losing communication or navigational equipment, for example, can result in an in-flight emergency that will require quick thinking and problem-solving skills.
Light Aircraft In-Flight Emergency Checklist
To understand how pilots deal with in-flight emergencies, we can take the example of Chesley Sullenberger, AKA Sully. Sullenberger is known for his heroism and quick thinking when his aircraft was damaged due to a bird strike shortly after taking off.
During the in-flight emergency, Sullenberger used his years of training, experience, and mental composure to get through the problem in the most efficient way possible. To solve the problem, he had to go through a set of guidelines that are outlined by every aviation authority in the world.
Here are some of the most common and general guidelines for handling in-flight emergencies for light aircraft, or any aircraft for that matter:
Focus on Flying
Worrying will provide no advantage to a pilot which is why it is better that the pilot keeps their focus on flying the plane. The CAA outlines that in the case of an emergency, the pilot must first make sure that they are able to aviate the plane in the most efficient way possible.
It is important to keep in mind that the pilot's first and utmost priority should be to navigate and fly the plane. If the plane is not stable, or if the pilot loses focus, then they can land into serious trouble.
Navigate and Communicate
There are essentially three rules, listed according to their importance, that every pilot needs to follow when they face an emergency: aviate, navigate, and communicate. We have already talked about the first one, but navigation is just as important in an emergency.
When flying, a pilot must keep on their intended route unless they plan to make an emergency return or landing. If the pilot doesn’t intend to land or return to their original take-off point, then they must continue with their current course. Of course, the pilot will also need to communicate their position and situation to the ground crew as well.
Communication is put last in emergency protocols because it is much more important to keep the plane steady and stable than to frantically communicate their situation to the ground crew. This is why pilots usually communicate AFTER they have ensured that they can fly and navigate the plane.
Communication may not have priority in this situation, but it still has a lot of importance. Pilots must communicate with the ground crew and allow the ATC and ground crew to work for them instead of the other way around. Every ATC and ground crew personnel understand the importance of taking the workload off the pilot in emergencies.
For example, if there is an emergency and the pilot informs the ground crew, they will do everything in their power to focus on the aircraft and help them land as quickly and safely as possible.
Remembering Protocol and Following Checklists
Pilots are expected to maintain their composure and follow a checklist that can help them navigate the situation as efficiently as possible. If there is a mechanical fault, then the pilot will have to refer to the appropriate protocol for troubleshooting the faulty equipment. In many cases, a pilot of a light aircraft will be expected to multitask where they will have to fly the plane, navigate it, and communicate to solve the issue.
These checklists play a vital role in handling emergency situations which is why they are always conveniently placed in the cockpit so that the pilot can easily follow the guidelines for the type of emergency they are facing.
Risk Assessment
Beyond training, a pilot may also be required to use their experience and intuition to determine the severity of the issue. If the situation is too severe, then the pilot may have to perform an emergency landing. However, if the emergency isn’t as severe, then the pilot can also communicate with the ground crew to figure out the best solution for their problem.
An important factor to keep in mind here is to declare an emergency as soon as possible. If a particular incident warrants an emergency, then the pilot must always declare it by using the “Mayday” phrase which is usually followed by the callsign of the aircraft. The Mayday call alerts the ground crew, and the pilot is given priority.
Provide Details
In the case of an in-flight medical emergency, the pilot will have to inform the ground crew about all the details regarding the condition of the affected passenger. For example, if a passenger is having a heart attack, then they will require the appropriate medical care as soon as they land.
Once the pilot communicates the nature of the emergency, the groundcrew can make all the arrangements and help the pilot land as quickly as possible so that the medical team is right at the runway.
Informing Passengers
The last thing a pilot needs is distractions or stress from passengers when in an in-flight emergency. This is why a pilot must carefully and effectively communicate with the passengers and keep them calm.
Reassurance and providing instructions are both key in emergencies! Pilots are also expected to provide safety instructions, if applicable so that the passengers can brace for an emergency landing.
Following Protocol
When in doubt, follow protocol! The CAA has outlined detailed instructions regarding various in-flight emergencies. This way, pilots can look up the nature of their emergency and follow the exact protocols to minimise further problems. These protocols are carefully created by experts so that the pilot can aviate, navigate, communicate, and try to solve the problem while in the air.
Failure to follow protocol can result in disaster. Even if a pilot is able to navigate out of an emergency, they can still be questioned for their actions. In some cases, if the pilot doesn’t follow protocol, the CAA has the right to suspend or revoke their license, even if they safely land their aircraft.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, licencing procedures, as well as experience flights and pilot training at Sherburn.
Photo by Billy Huynh on Unsplash
