CASA Media Release - Tuesday 8 October 2002
Mount Gambier air safety summit
Mount Gambier is hosting a special two day air safety summit this week.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is holding a series of high level aviation safety briefings for pilots, engineers and airline operators.
Mount Gambier’s aviation community will learn the latest on topics such as, aircraft maintenance, pilot skills and understanding weather.
There will be three sessions aimed at helping pilots improve their aviation knowledge and flying techniques.
One issue in focus will be ‘controlled flight into terrain’, which is a factor in a number of light aircraft accidents.
This is where an aircraft is unintentionally flown into the ground or water by the pilot – usually with no warning to the pilot or other crew.
There have been 27 fatal crashes in Australia over the last five years due to controlled flight into terrain.
A variety of scenarios can lead to controlled flight into terrain - including low flying, mountain flying and ‘scud running’ or flying beneath cloud.
Pilots can also experience different kinds of illusions, especially during take off and landing, as well as a range of other conditions that create a lack of situational awareness.
Pilots will be taught some simple steps to minimise the chance of this type of accident.
The air safety briefings are being run on Wednesday October 9 and Thursday October 10.
They are being held at the Southgate Motel, 175 Commercial Street East, Mount Gambier.
Everyone involved in south-east aviation is invited to attend.
Further information on the briefings can be found on the CASA web site at: www.casa.gov.au/seminars
Media contact
Peter Gibson
ph 02 6217 1015
mobile 0419 296 446
Ref: MR02/54