IIMC TOOL KIT


BEAT THOSE 56-SECOND ODDS


1 IIMC AVOIDANCE:


Take a few minutes on the ground to avoid a later IIMC encounter


Use a fl ight risk assessment tool (FRAT) to assess and mitigate mission risks


Create enroute decision points (EDP) by selecting a minimum acceptable altitude or airspeed for the fl ight


When I go below either of those minimums, I must change my fl ight plan


Plan your route


How will en route weather conditions impact the safety of my fl ight?


How will terrain/obstacles along the route aff ect my fl ight plan?


What conditions will require me to change my fl ight plan?


If I do end up in the clouds, what’s my plan for recovery?


If conditions aren’t GO for VFR fl ight


I say, “Let’s delay” OR I fi le and fl y IFR


2 IIMC AVOIDANCE: IN THE AIR


Be alert for and respond to changing weather conditions during fl ight


When you go below your EDP (minimum altitude OR airspeed), do ONE of the following:


I turn around OR I divert to better weather OR I Land & LIVE OR


I pick up an IFR clearance (if trained and equipped)


Respond decisively BEFORE losing visual references


4 IIMC AVOIDANCE AND RECOVERY: TRAINING 3 IIMC RECOVERY: IN THE AIR


Surviving an IIMC encounter requires prompt recognition and action


You’re in IMC if ONE of these conditions is true:


I lack proper visibility OR


I don’t have visual reference to the horizon OR


I can’t control the aircraft visually


To survive an IIMC encounter, you must:


Admit that I’m in IMC Commit to instruments Maintain aircraft control Keep my composure Follow my recovery plan Notify ATC


BEFORE TAKEOFF


“A helicopter pilot who unintentionally


continues VFR fl ight into IMC will very likely lose control of their aircraft and be dead within an average of 56 seconds.”


—Nick Mayhew, industry co-chair, US Helicopter Safety Team


LEARN MORE AT USHST.ORG/56SECS


IIMC avoidance and recovery are lifesaving, essential skills for pilots Train to stay current, competent, and confi dent in your IIMC skills.


I train regularly to keep skills fresh


I train in all aspects of IIMC prevention, beginning with the decision to fl y


I train for IMC recognition and instrument transition, as well as instrument fl ight


I use scenario-based training that refl ects my typical missions, environment, and weather


I use simulators, aviation training devices, and desktop fl ight programs to experience safely the result of poor decision-making and delay in IMC recognition


GINA KVITKOVICH, CONTENT, AND ERIN HORLACHER, GRAPHICS


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92