Safety in Figures - BSV no.54
The table below summarises the accident statistics recorded from 1 January to 31 October 2018, classifying victims by severity and distinguishing purely material-damage accidents. The second table shows accidents involving French-registered microlights that took place abroad with foreign crews.
The monthly statistics are updated according to the latest information available (see the chart below), although not all minor accidents may appear in the current month as they sometimes reach us late.
Number of events by severity and by month (all microlights registered in France)
The statistics have sadly risen this month, to catch up with those of the previous year at the end of October.
At the same time, we again saw some fatal accidents for which low speed could be a very likely cause. We therefore remind you that “speed is life” in aviation, and above all in the phases close to the ground such as take-off and landing.
Let us also beware of autumn weather, when the likelihood of icing increases, so as to avoid having to deal with potential engine malfunctions. Even though, of course, in microlights every pilot is supposed to know perfectly how to handle an “engine failure” (always flying locally, within reach of an emergency field and always with a minimum of speed).
Wishing you all happy flying.
Pierre Kolodziej
Flight Safety Committee
Editorial
Recreational pilot
Our favourite activity, flying motorised ultralight aircraft, is a recreational and leisure activity. Of course, this activity is extremely demanding in terms of training, practice and keeping knowledge up to date, because that is the only way to guarantee a high level of flight safety when practising it.
The Analyst's analysis
On 8 October 2017, a Funk FK12 Comet S1 three-axis microlight took off from Nogaro aerodrome in clean configuration and made a tight 180° turn to pass over friends.
The Mechanic's Tutorial
In this autumn episode, Thomas and Peyo explain how to change your oil. It is a simple job, as long as, as always, you follow the steps carefully and the few little secrets our friends share with us!
What about doing a REV? > video guide
A question about the REV programme? > see our dedicated FAQ
