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Because of so many FARs, some pilots claim you can't conduct a flight without
doing something illegal. They joke about filling out a NASA ASRS form
after every flight and letting the FAA figure out what it was that they
did wrong.
What
is an airborne pilot deviation? The actions of a pilot that result
in the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation while in flight. Such
deviations could result in a loss of separation between your airplane and
another or with the next mountain peak!
Why do pilot deviations happen? Pilots don’t start off the day by
saying, “Today I’m going to go out and commit a pilot deviation.” We
don’t say, “I’m going to fly through some airspace that I’m not
supposed to.” No, pilot deviations occur because of poor technique,
inattention, or failure to plan properly.
The FAA Safety Team wants airmen to be aware of this problem, and
encourages pilots to increase their awareness and skills so that aviation
safety is enhanced.
Types of IFR Deviations (Listed in order)
- Altitude
violations - Failure to maintain the assigned altitude
- Course
clearance violations
- Airspeed
violations
- Missing
a compulsory reporting point
What
can be done about it?
- First,
have a method to remember and record directions and/or clearances from
ATC, and second, execute the action. For example,
- Write it down,
- Input it into an
altitude alerter or avionics system, or
- Index the heading bug
- Use
current directories, charts, approach plates, and data bases
- If
ever in question, call ATC and confirm
Types
of VFR Deviations
(Listed in order)
- Airspace
violations - Flying into airspace such as class B, C, D, prohibited,
restricted or TFR’s without communication and/or clearance
- Flying
VFR into IMC conditions
- Low
level flight
- Required
aircraft equipment is not installed or operating
What
can be done about it?
- Improve
flight planning - Know the route and requirements
- Have
only current directories, charts and data bases onboard
- Obtain
better/complete weather briefings
- Obtain
the NOTAM’s and TFR’s for your route of flight
Plan
ahead and be precise in your preparation for flight and in your actions
while operating the aircraft. Don’t become complacent or make
assumptions. Always be alert and aware and continually processing the
situation. Ask yourself, “Do I really have everything correct?”
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