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AIM 

4/20/23

 

7

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Potential Flight Hazards

(b)

Execute a 180 degree turnaround and start looking for outside references.

(c)

Above all 

 fly the aircraft.

f. Landing in Low Light Conditions.

When landing in a low light condition 

 use extreme caution. Look

for intermediate reference points, in addition to checkpoints along each leg of the route for course confirmation
and timing. The lower the ambient light becomes, the more reference points a pilot should use.

g. Airport Landings.

1.

Look for features around the airport or approach path that can be used in determining depth perception.

Buildings, towers, vehicles or other aircraft serve well for this measurement. Use something that will provide
you with a sense of height above the ground, in addition to orienting you to the runway.

2.

Be cautious of snowdrifts and snow banks 

 anything that can distinguish the edge of the runway. Look

for subtle changes in snow texture or shading to identify ridges or changes in snow depth.

h. Off

Airport Landings.

1.

In the event of an off

airport landing, pilots have used a number of different visual cues to gain reference.

Use whatever you must to create the contrast you need. Natural references seem to work best (trees, rocks, snow
ribs, etc.)

(a)

Over flight.

(b)

Use of markers.

(c)

Weighted flags.

(d)

Smoke bombs.

(e)

Any colored rags.

(f)

Dye markers.

(g)

Kool

aid.

(h)

Trees or tree branches.

2.

It is difficult to determine the depth of snow in areas that are level. Dropping items from the aircraft to

use as reference points should be used as a visual aid only and not as a primary landing reference. Unless your
marker is biodegradable, be sure to retrieve it after landing. Never put yourself in a position where no visual
references exist.

3.

Abort landing if blowing snow obscures your reference. Make your decisions early. Don’t assume you

can pick up a lost reference point when you get closer.

4.

Exercise extreme caution when flying from sunlight into shade. Physical awareness may tell you that you

are flying straight but you may actually be in a spiral dive with centrifugal force pressing against you. Having
no visual references enhances this illusion. Just because you have a good visual reference does not mean that it’s
safe to continue.  There may be snow

covered terrain not visible in the direction that you are traveling. Getting

caught in a no visual reference situation can be fatal.

i. Flying Around a Lake.

1.

When flying along lakeshores, use them as a reference point. Even if you can see the other side, realize

that your depth perception may be poor. It is easy to fly into the surface. If you must cross the lake, check the
altimeter frequently and maintain a safe altitude while you still have a good reference. Don’t descend below that
altitude.

2.

The same rules apply to seemingly flat areas of snow. If you don’t have good references, avoid going

there.

j. Other Traffic.

Be on the look out for other traffic in the area. Other aircraft may be using your same

reference point. Chances are greater of colliding with someone traveling in the same direction as you, than
someone flying in the opposite direction.