3/21/24 

AIM 

(a) 

Over flight. 

(b) 

Use of markers. 

(c) 

Weighted flags. 

(d) 

Smoke bombs. 

(e) 

Any colored rags. 

(f) 

Dye markers. 

(g) 

Kool

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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

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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. 

k.  Ceilings. 

Low ceilings have caught many pilots off guard. Clouds do not always form parallel to the 

surface, or at the same altitude. Pilots may try to compensate for this by flying with a slight bank and thus creating 

a descending turn. 

l.  Glaciers. 

Be conscious of your altitude when flying over glaciers. The glaciers may be rising faster than 

you are climbing. 

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15.  Operations in Ground Icing Conditions 

a. 

The presence of aircraft airframe icing during takeoff, typically caused by improper or no deicing of the 

aircraft being accomplished prior to flight has contributed to many recent accidents in turbine aircraft. The 

General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) is the primary vehicle for government

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industry 

cooperation, communication, and coordination on GA accident mitigation. The Turbine Aircraft Operations 

Subgroup (TAOS) works to mitigate accidents in turbine accident aviation. While there is sufficient information 

and guidance currently available regarding the effects of icing on aircraft and methods for deicing, the TAOS 

has developed a list of recommended actions to further assist pilots and operators in this area. 

Potential Flight Hazards 

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