Training corner (2)

Training Corner

Safety6 March 20182 min read

siv

And if we refreshed our memory...

Good weather should be on its way, I say should… and with it the pleasure of taking our machines up by putting into practice Thomas's advice (see The Mechanic's Word) on mechanics and maintenance.

But it may also be an opportunity to brush up a little on our flight preparation basics.

First I remind myself that 3 landings and 3 take-offs are required in the preceding 3 months to act as pilot in command with a passenger (VFR guide page 7 art. 2.2.2)

That my machine's papers must be up to date and valid: declaration of fitness to fly (valid 2 years) and LSA (valid 6 years).

That I have taken out third-party liability insurance, either for the machine or for the pilot.

Then, to avoid possible trouble…

A little refresher on airspace may also be a good idea. As the 2018 charts have not yet been published, it is important to remember that a good number of temporary restricted zones (ZT) are published in the form of AIP supplements or NOTAMs, and that only a search on the SIA website will give you all the necessary information.

This year will see, among other things, the introduction of RMZ and TMZ, and RMZ TMZ.

RMZ: radio mandatory zone, an airspace of defined dimensions within which radio is mandatory.

TMZ: transponder mandatory zone, an airspace of defined dimensions within which the use of a transponder transmitting pressure altitude is mandatory.

RMZ TMZ: both, captain!!!

Reference text: AIC France A 09/18 PUBLICATION DATE 15 FEBRUARY 2018

All this does not go in the direction of simplifying VFR airspace, so let us be even more vigilant and prepare our flights methodically and professionally.

The main cases encountered by the disciplinary committees are intrusions into controlled or restricted airspace. And this concerns all types of flying, rest assured.

Do not trust your tablet apps: although they are magnificent tools for planning and navigating, they are not systematically up to date in terms of radio frequencies, VAC charts, NOTAMs and AIP supplements; only the SIA website is the reference in this area.

Do not hesitate to go and see your instructor, who will be able to refresh your memory.