This holiday month, we are suggesting some ideas to make ground operations and flying with friends and family more safe and enjoyable. Choose the ideas that fit your needs and use them in good health and with our best holiday wishes.

"Human fallibility, like gravity, weather and terrain, is just another foreseeable hazard in aviation. The issue is not why an error occurred, but how it failed to be corrected. We cannot change the human condition, but we can change the conditions under which people work."

Tips for Safe Taxiing
Kathleen O'Brien Powell

• Write down all your ground clearances and compare the instructions to an airport diagram before taxiing onto a movement area.
• Breed cooperation as the normal way of conducting ground operations by thinking "we" instead of "why." Example: We can assure better service by using clearance delivery instead of why must I bother with clearance delivery.
• Keep a good working relationship with Air Traffic Control and fellow pilots by acknowledging them. Visit a tower or the hangar next to yours, and say thank you for a job well done.
• Never say making the system better is "not my job." We are the system and it is the job of each one of us to keep it safe.
• When another airman complains about any of our actions, change the complaint into a compliment by asking: "What would you like me to do?"

Radio Communications
What to Do When You Disagree
Kathleen O'Brien Powell

• Hearing is not listening. Many times, misunderstandings begin because people hear what others say, but they've not really listened. The three basics of good listening: Clear your mind of distractions. Concentrate on the words. Pay careful attention to the voice tone for any added information.
• Acknowledging is not agreeing. "Roger" to an air traffic controller means you heard the transmission. "Roger" does not let the controller know whether you understood or even whether you will comply with the instruction
• Readback/hearback each instruction with standard phraseology. For instance, Instruction: Piper four niner whiskey, hold short of taxiway kilo. Response: Piper four niner whiskey, hold short, taxiway kilo.

Including Passengers
Delegating When You Have Passengers Aboard
Kathleen O'Brien Powell

Make a written list of your duties and responsibilities as pilot in command. Mark off the ones that only the pilot in command can accomplish. To do this, ask the following questions as you review each task:

• What skills are needed? Is it a task, only I should do? Am I the only one on this trip with the information to do a particular task? Is this a task I prefer to take care of myself?
• What tasks on the list could one or more of my passengers handle?
• Is it worth the time and energy to brief my passengers and delegate some of the tasks to the passengers qualified to handle them?

Note: Look at the repetitive tasks, they are usually best for delegation.

From a Charter Pilot

Peter Demesmaecker flew charter aircraft under FAR Part 135 and now flies for an air carrier. The following is some wisdom he has learned from flying in our system day after day and keeping safe. Peter is also a safety counselor and CFI.

In Part 135 operations, pilots are on tight and constantly changing schedules. Customers' needs, unfamiliar airports and limited planning time put additional pressures on the pilots. The following are some safety strategies I've learned in this challenging environment.

Before starting your engines, look at the airport layout and determine your destination on the field. Check if runways cross. Is there a runway between the one in use and your position? Be alert at unfamiliar airports, especially if there are multiple runways.

Focused attention must begin at the start of an approach. Knowing whether to exit the runway left or right before you are on the ground will prevent confusing situations which can result in accidentally entering another runway without a clearance.

At uncontrolled fields, people don't always give position reports. A good procedure is to:

• Identify the airport first
• Look for wind direction and other airplanes in the pattern or on the ground as described in the AIM
• Scan the airport for possible departures
• Use extra caution if you are faster than the local traffic.

Our Strategies for Radio Work
Best Practices for Clear Communications
Kathleen O'Brien Powell

Recently, I had the opportunity to attend Communicating for Safety, a two-day conference sponsored by NATCA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association.) More than 300 controllers from towers, approach control and centers met in Atlanta.

These dedicated specialists came together to discuss and explore best practices for modernizing our air traffic control system while maintaining and expanding safety for all the flying public. For now, radio transmitting is the way for pilots and controllers to communicate to each other clearly and specifically.

Radio transmissions form the lifeline of our air traffic control system. This lifeline is the medium through which pilots and controllers "see" each other and connect. We pilots use these communications to understand what to expect and what is expected of us.

As air traffic density increases, both pilots and controllers are concerned about the quality and quantity of communications within our air traffic control system.

Ineffective communication often results in poor cooperation, coordination, tension and an increased possibility for errors. Stepping on others' transmissions and using poor radio procedures result in radio blocking and communication errors. These errors have contributed to many aircraft accidents and incidents.

Consider adopting the following strategies to support your own safety and improve Air Traffic Control communications.

• Communication is a two way street. It involves giving information and getting feedback. Without feedback or readback, the communication isn't finished.
• Study and use standard phraseology. Don't rely on quick or incomplete communications, even if they sound friendly.
• Ask ourselves each time we transmit if the message is clear. Example: Give an accurate position report, not just a general location. Use VFR checkpoints on our charts, the ones marked by magenta flags such as over Canyon Reservoir, Queens Gate, the Rose Bowl, Point Dume and El Monte Airport.
• View our transmission as a "service to" the controller. This way you are most likely to get back the service you need from ATC.
• Listen and show respect for others on the frequency. Consider them part of your safety team. By using a respectful tone of voice, your transmission is more apt to get the response you need. Key way: Ask questions or clarification when there is the slightest confusion.
• Don't just expect courtesy, give it and give it consistently with every transmission.
• When you have a question or concern that is best not discussed over the radio, call the ATC facility after the flight and ask.
• Be sure each transmission you make is accurate and to the point. If you have an urgent condition, let ATC know.
• Concentrate on your communication manner. A professional tone, measured speed and appropriate phraseology will contribute to assuring your continued safety.

Tips for Passengers
Seven Ways to Assure a Satisfying Flying Adventure
Kathleen O'Brien Powell

You will have more fun, and enjoy the repeat company of friends and family when you keep in mind the following laws for safe and satisfying flying.

• Treat your passengers like valued customers for your business. Perhaps that means giving them suggestions about suitable clothing for the trip. Let them know early about luggage weight restrictions and why you have them.
• View passengers as partners and members of your flying team. Enlist them in looking for traffic or listening for your aircraft call sign.
• Give the passengers the information that can help them understand what is going on. Explain about the sterile cockpit during the takeoff and landing phase of flight.
• Prepare for emergencies and brief your passengers on what you will expect from them in the event of an emergency.
• Invite questions from passengers especially those who are fearful or unfamiliar with flying.
• Let your passengers know you will be making a power adjustment or altitude change before you begin any of those changes.

SoCal Aviation Safety Seminars

Socal Seminar Times are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM unless otherwise noted. No reservations are required unless noted by *. Never a fee. - For more information contact the Safety Program Manager listed in the FSDO area heading containing the event in question. All FAA Safety Seminars satisfy the requirements of AC-61.91H; the Pilot Proficiency Awards Program (Wings) and /or the Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program; AC-65-25A.

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