Aviation regulators enforce landing practices

Jul 29, 2014 News

Regulators have sounded a warning to airline operators about the need to keep familiarising themselves with safety practices when landing.
The Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the country’s aviation watchdog, has reissued a notice to operators in accordance with standards of the Convention on International Civil Aviation when landing on hinterland airstrips.

Regulators are warning local aircraft operators of the need to follow safe landing practices.

“It was something that had to be done because we are very concerned. Recently, several aircraft have encountered gusty winds and wind shear conditions that have resulted in damage to these aircraft,” said Robeson Benn, Minister of Public Works.
Pilots were reminded of the need to follow the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) when operating.
“Each aircraft has its own peculiar reaction to crosswinds, but generally a good crosswind landing begins with a good approach. This is taught to pilots and every opportunity must be taken to re-enforce this,” GCAA’s Director-General Zulficar Mohamed emphasized in the bulletin.
According to GCAA, with the landing phase very demanding, operators were advised to have their pilots follow the approved procedures. If these parameters are not achieved, a go-around or diversion is necessary.
The option of the “go-around” manoeuvre in order to maintain proper approach and landing and an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach, were highlighted in the bulletin.
“This procedure should be a habit in everyday Visual Flight Rules (VFR) so that a pre-determined go-around plan is always fresh in the mind during the approach and can be executed at any time the approach is in doubt.”
Most importantly, in situations where meteorological conditions or terrain features would permit an approach but preclude a safe go-around, then that approach requires extra consideration and perhaps should not be attempted.
“Every pilot already knows that proper planning, making wise decisions, situational awareness, adherence to SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) and having an alternate plan of action are all characteristics of good airmanship, which are essential for a safe flight.”
GCAA insists that pilots know not only the aircraft crosswind limits, but also their own personal limit and to recognize when these limits will be exceeded.
“The best option is to divert to another airstrip. Very often the limiting factor is related more to the pilot than the aircraft. It is therefore important to reiterate that the pilot must know his/her limits and operate within them,” Mohamed said.
Operators are also cautioned to ensure that young pilots be taught the necessary skills to operate safely into the hinterland airstrips.
“Pilots must be given the opportunity to practise and develop these skills, and must be comfortable operating into borderline aerodromes before they are required to operate into the aerodromes as pilot-in-command by their respective companies.”
In recent times, there have been a number of incidents where aircraft reportedly suffered damage after landing.
One that made headlines recently included a report of the pilot seeing cows on the runway. That aircraft sustained significant damage.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News