Note. This checklist is
by no means comprehensive and authoritative. Develop your own and be prepared
for an emergency.
Crew Briefing. Make sure that
your crew understands all of the safety features you have planned. Be thorough.
Your crew may be required to help you out of your seat. Assign certain tasks to
the crew such as stow loose gear like earphone leads etc. (Some "experts" advise
to jettison all of the loose equipment before the ditching including paper etc
that could hinder your egress through a window or hatch) Be quite serious
about this briefing. You won't have time to explain things in an emergency.
Clothing & Equipment (to be worn/carried) The experts wear
clothing they are comfortable swimming in. That seems to be extreme, but be
sensible with what you wear. A flying suite with lots of zipped pockets would be
ideal. Check out the special suites at
http://www.airsafaris.com.au
and go to “links”Remember, if it is
not on your person or tied to your person, you will loose it before getting on
board a life raft
Knife. You can get
special knives that have the blade protected for cutting things like seat belts
etc. Make sure you can get at your knife and it is recommended that it be
tethered to your belt.Some rafts have a
knife handy as you board. Others do not. Some rafts have a weak link. Others do
not. A knife on your belt may prevent the raft going down with the plane.
Portable ELT. The newer 406MHZ models should be
better than the old 121.5MHZ models. I have been told the King KLX100 combined VHF, GPS, EPERB
saved Horst after he ditched off the Marshal islands in 1995.
Portable GPS.
I have a
waterproof plastic bag on my person with my portable GPS. I want to be able to
give accurate information as to my location at any time.
Portable VHF.
As above.
Raft
preparation. Be present when
your raft is re packed for the trip. Some rafts are equipped with basic survival
gear. Others are not. Some rafts are very difficult to get aboard and you should
know what to expect by seeing the raft inflated etc.
Raft
Accessibility. Make sure that you
can get to your raft when required. Don’t forget they are heavy and you will not
be able to get it unless it is within reach. Make sure that you have a list of
just what is inside the raft ie water, torch, flairs etc.
Raft
Tethered. Differing views
say whether the raft should be tethered or not. My strong opinion is that it
should be tethered and with a knife ready to cut the line if required.
Survival Canister/Kit (see attached checklist) Again, the
canister should be tethered, with no chance that survivors will become tangled
in the line.
Life
Jackets ON. Please put your jacket ON and check
your passengers and crew. You will not have time to do this in an emergency. Choose a
jacket carefully. Talk to Ray Clamback. A jacket with pockets is a good idea.
See my web link for ideas.
Ditching Procedures. Read up on
techniques used by others and have some ideas in your mind when required. Ie
landing direction (landing along the swells) and at what attitude. Some suggest
the wing down theory. Read the stuff by Doug Ritter.
http://www.equipped.org/
Escape Orientation. Do the course on
"Underwater Escape" training. There is a lot you can do to increase your chances
of survival. Understanding how to maintain your orientation is a powerful lesson
and I recommend everyone understand the basics.
Advise Rescue Centre. Talk to the people at the Rescue
Co-ordination Centre and make sure they are aware of your flight.
Customs.
Passports.
Visas, etc.
General Declarations. You need a supply of these. You never know when an extra
copy will be required. Officials will not have the same enthusiasm to your arrival, as you will. Make
sure that you have informed the appropriate people well in advance and ring them
again the day before you depart.
Quarantine. Officers probably do not talk to customs so you will have to make
sure if they require special notice. Disinfectant spray is required at most places. Airport Management Advise airport
managers well in advance to make sure that you are welcome and they have AVGAS
available.
Think Safe, Fly
Safe …BE SAFE!