With recent data showing that there are 38% more civilian helicopters than there were ten years ago, it’s apparent that the desire to fly is a dream for many individuals. After all, flying is the fastest way to travel, giving people the best way to explore the world from above. Unfortunately, it’s also the riskiest way of traveling – make minor mistakes and things can go south quickly! To fly safely, you have to observe the following safety tips.
Ensure You Are Ready to Fly
The most important thing when flying is the readiness of the pilot. So, if you are the one who will fly the plane, you must check yourself to ensure you are ready for the flight. To check that, evaluate yourself using the IMSAFE criteria.
The acronym stands for:
I-illness
M- Medical
S- Stress
A- Alcohol
F-Fatigue
E-Emotion
If you don’t tick all the boxes, please cancel the flight.
Preflight Inspections are Vital
The next important thing you should do before flying your helicopter is to examine its status. Whereas most qualified pilots know the importance of doing this, some tend to assume that everything is okay and that’s how things go wrong.
Every helicopter has a preflight inspection checklist, and you should always have a keen look at it before flying. Ensure you review your helicopter’s maintenance information, performance graphs, and other vital documents before the flight.
Avoid Overloading
Another important safety tip to remember when flying a helicopter is to avoid overloading. Overloading can lead to instability and stress on the aircraft, which can be dangerous. Ensure you know your helicopter’s maximum weight capacity; don’t go past that.
Avoid Risky Weather
When flying a helicopter, it’s essential to avoid risky weather conditions that could put you and your passengers in danger. So you should pay attention to the weather forecast before takeoff and avoid areas with strong winds, thunderstorms, and other hazardous conditions. If you do find yourself caught in bad weather, make sure to fly slowly and carefully to avoid any accidents.
Don’t Fly If You Are Not Qualified
Flying a helicopter requires extensive skills and knowledge, which you can only get from a reputable training institution. Unless you have passed the training, you should never attempt to fly. Otherwise, the results can be fatal.
Just like any other mode of transportation, it’s important to observe safety precautions before takeoff. Ensure that all parts of your helicopter are up-to-date and working properly. If any part is outdated or defective, buy a replacement from a reputable company like Rotair Aerospace Corporation and replace it before flying.