Am I Fit to Fly?

MAY 2021

We are all out of practice after the long lockdowns and restrictions preventing us from flying, so before you allow your
feet to leave the ground, please take a moment to review our little reality check and stay safe this season.

Can I really say... I'M SAFE?

I Illness
Have I been ill, or under the weather recently? Am I fully recovered? Am I well enough to fly?
M Medications
Am I experiencing any adverse side effects from any medications I am taking?
S Stress
Am I under pressure (at home or at work) – Am I thinking clearly?
A Alcohol
When was the last time I had a drink?
No alcohol in the bloodstream is the only safe way to fly.
F Fatigue
Have I had enough sleep recently? Am I well rested?
Fatigue can lead to slow or bad decision making... and accidents.
E Eating
Have I had something suitable and nutritious to eat before flying?
Low blood sugar levels can lead to confusion, slow or bad decision making... and accidents.

Here are some hazardous attitudes that pilots have discussed (and owned up to!) at Safety
Meetings organised by the General Aviation Safety Council of Ireland (GASCI):
Anti-Authority
Don't tell me what to do – I know what I'm doing (famous last words).
Don't be too proud or afraid to listen to others pilots' observations and comments.
Impulsiveness
The urge to do something NOW – I have to get back in the air.
It's better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air... than in the air wishing you were on the ground.
Invulnerability
It won't happen to me. I'm perfectly safe flying in these conditions.
Perhaps that was slightly true when you're currency was at an all time high... but not now.
Machismo
I can handle it (especially if you think I cant).
Pride comes before a fall. Be honest and true to yourself. You're not impressing anyone.
Resignation
There's nothing I can do about it (when you find yourself in a bind).
Work the problem and NEVER GIVE UP.
Complacency
I have always done it this way and it always works fine.
Procrastination
Not making important decisions early enough.
Slow decision making while flying high reduces, and eventually eliminates your safe options when you later find yourself
in a difficult situation close to the ground.

IRISH HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION

How can an ordinary pilot (like me) expect to survive? Is it just the luck of the draw?
Here is some food for thought:
• There is a difference between skill and judgement. Judgement is more important to survival than skill.
• The less skilled, self-disciplined pilot is often at less risk than an experienced pilot pushing the limits.
• If you are not aware of your personal limits, your first mistake may be your last.
• For your first few flights after any long lay-off from flying, LEAVE YOUR CAMERA AT HOME.
• You really don't need any extra and unnecessary distractions while you are remembering how to fly.

Am I Ready to Fly?
• Are my insurance policies (medical and flying) up to date?
• Do I have a Pilot Rating? Have I been signed off by my instructor to fly unsupervised?
• Is my IHPA membership still current? Permission to fly many sites depends on this.
• Have I updated my Emergency Contact details on my IHPA profile?

Is my Glider Ready to Fly?

• Have I thoroughly inspected every part of my glider?
• Have I thoroughly inspected every part of my harness?
• When did I last repack my parachute?
• Is my helmet clean, undamaged and in a good state of repair?
• Are my radio and flight instruments charged up and working? (do I remember how to use them correctly?)

Planning
• Weather – Have I checked the forecast for the whole day?
Do I know what weather to expect on the hill at launch AND how it will develop later in the day?
• Let Someone Know – Have I told someone responsible that I plan to fly?
Do they know who to call if I don't check in with them at the end of the day?
• Airspace – Have I updated my flying instruments with the latest airspace maps (if I expect to fly XC)?

And finally... Do I have the right, recent experience and skill level to fly safely?

How Current am I? The 6 month Currency Barometer

On the graphic opposite, draw a line
Your status is good but must take care. You are not as good as you think. You are rusty. You might not cope
between the number of hours (top Use treat and error management, make Be cautious and think about whether with difficult weather conditions or
edge of the graphic) you have flown good plans and watch over-confidence,
the law of gravity still applies.
your skills, knowledge and plans are
good enough for your flight today.
problems very well. Think carefully
about flying solo.
in the past six months and the
number of take-offs/launches and Hours
15+ 10 5 1
landings you have done in the last
six months along the bottom edge
of the graphic. Where your line
crosses the white line in the middle
of the graphic, there you will find a
realistic measure of how current you
actually are. The three example lines
shown give you an idea of how the 20+ 15 6 1

chart works. Take-offs (or Launches) and Landings

IRISH HANG GLIDING AND PARAGLIDING ASSOCIATION