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Preventing Loss of Control with Training, Technology

In slow flight, the pilot is flying “on the back side of the power curve,” because as angle of attack increases near the stall, it takes increasingly more power to maintain altitude. Also, even a slight increase in pitch attitude can cause a rapid decay in airspeed. FAA Airplane Flying Handbook
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Key Takeaways:

  • Loss of aircraft control (LOC) is the leading cause of general aviation fatalities, prompting the NTSB and industry experts to focus on improved pilot safety.
  • Enhanced pilot training, particularly in upset prevention and recovery (UPRT) and comprehensive stall recognition/recovery, is crucial, with the FAA updating standards and expert instructors emphasizing deeper stall practice.
  • Technological advancements, including electronic angle of attack (AOA) indicators and Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) systems, offer significant assistance in preventing and recovering from upsets.
  • Insurance carriers offer incentives for upset recovery training, underscoring the belief that LOC accidents are preventable through a combination of effective training, awareness, and technology.
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Loss of aircraft control remains the No. 1 killer of general aviation pilots, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). At an industry roundtable hosted by the NTSB at its Washington, D.C., headquarters in April, the hot topic was how better training and technology can help pilots do a better job of flying their airplanes safely. (For a complete video archive and transcript of the discussion, visit the NTSB.)

FLYING Staff

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