Category: KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS

Bird Strikes- Important Role of Air Traffic Controllers

Introduction

Birds are a major hazard to aviation and have been responsible in causing loss of aircraft, helicopters and loss of valuable human lives. Prevention of bird strikes is a joint responsibility of Aircraft, Helicopter Operators, Flight Crew, Regulator, Airport Operators and Air Traffic Controllers. An involved, aware and alert Controller can be of great assistance to air crew in mitigating the consequences of a bird hit. Continue reading Bird Strikes- Important Role of Air Traffic Controllers

CUMULONIMBUS CLOUD

CUMULONIMBUS CLOUD: Cumulonimbus is a heavy and dense cloud of considerable vertical extent in the form of a mountain or huge tower, often associated with heavy precipitation, lightning and thunder. The mature Cumulonimbus cloud has a distinctive flat, anvil shaped top. Continue reading CUMULONIMBUS CLOUD

Pilot Fatigue : A Matter Threatening Aviation Safety

Fatigue refers to a physiological state in which there is a decreased capacity to perform cognitive tasks and an increased variability in performance as a function of time on task.

Fatigue is also associated with tiredness, weakness, lack of energy, lethargy, depression, lack of motivation, and sleepiness. Continue reading Pilot Fatigue : A Matter Threatening Aviation Safety

Weather Observations at Aerodromes

Description

This article describes how the aerodrome weather observation data is obtained and disseminated to the users concerned. It also outlines the basic procedures for establishing and performing weather observations as well as the requirements for the observing equipment and the qualification of the met observers. Slight country-to-country variations are possible. Continue reading Weather Observations at Aerodromes

RUNWAY EXCURSIONS -AN ATC PERSPECTIVE ON UNSTABLE APPROACHES

What is a Runway Excursion? A runway excursion as “An event in which an aircraft veers off or overruns the runway surface during either take-off or landing.” Runway excursions lead to more runway accidents than all the other causes combined.

What causes a Runway Excursion? There are many factors that may cause a runway excursion, including;-

Runway contamination.

Adverse weather conditions.

Mechanical failure.

Pilot error.

Unstable approaches. Continue reading RUNWAY EXCURSIONS -AN ATC PERSPECTIVE ON UNSTABLE APPROACHES

SAFETY AND JUST CULTURE

Safety Culture is the way safety is perceived, valued and prioritised in an organisation. It reflects the real commitment to safety at all levels in the organisation. It has also been described as “how an organisation behaves when no one is watching”.

Safety Culture is not something you get or buy; it is something an organisation acquires as a product of the combined effects of Organisational Culture, Professional Culture and, often, National Culture.

Safety Culture can therefore be positive, negative or neutral. Its essence is in what people believe about the importance of safety, including what they think that their peers, superiors and leaders really believe about safety as a priority. Continue reading SAFETY AND JUST CULTURE