adminSanta Claus might be flying through the air at night this Christmas, but general aviation pilots who fly by night shouldn’t be.
General aviation pilots are being urged to avoid flying at night because the statistics show it’s too risky.
The Australian Safety and Transport Bureau has examined 36 crashes over the past 20 years in which 58 people have been killed and are using the festive period to send a warning.
“There are more people in the air at this time of year and you tend to push the envelope a bit if it’s getting a bit dark,” ATSB chief commissioner Martin Dolan said.
“Over the last 20 years the statistics tell us there’s a consistent pattern in the rate of accidents at night, which are three times higher than during the day.”
Pilots are trained to fly at night, but because most flying is done during the day, they’re skills which aren’t used or maintained.
And on a dark night where there’s no moon light or city lights, pilots run the risk of spatial disorientation.
The lack of visual cues has been the leading cause of pilots losing control of their air craft.
Dolan says there’s been an average of two crashes a year as a result of night flying for light aircraft and helicopters.
“Pilots have to be aware of what your abilities are and the risks you’re encountering, assess your risks and be cautious.” — ABC.net
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