Created by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Aviation Regulations are one of the most important parts of aviation safety in the modern world. Sometimes they’re not understood or thought of as too simplistic or too restrictive, but FARs are the front line of defense in aviation safety.

Federal Aviation Regulation Problems

Sometimes the problem with Federal Aviation Regulations is the way they’re written. Constructed by lawyers and other professionals, they sometimes seem to be void of anything that has to do with aviation safety. Because aviation safety (and the lack of it) is such a serious issue – both financially and in terms of human life – it’s important that the regulations are written in an airtight way that can’t be maneuvered around.

Becoming a pilot isn’t an easy process. Learning about FARs is part of the difficult process, though. Without regulations, aviation safety would be a lot worse. As it stands, even though they’re sometimes confusing to read or understand, they’re more a part of the solution than a problem.

Federal Aviation Regulations Help

Federal Aviation Regulations have to go through a rigorous process before becoming regulations. Whether it’s a regulation that you need enough fuel to get to your destination or something more complicated, all FARs have gone through one committee or another to make sure they’re written and constructed as best they can so they help a lot of people.

Federal Aviation Regulations for all Types

Federal Aviation Regulations are separated into different parts. Each part deals with a specific area of aviation. From private to commuter to commercial pilots, there are different regulations for each type of pilot. As might be expected, the parts that deal with commercial pilots are more strict than those that deal with general aviation, but they’re all an important part of aviation safety.

Beyond pilots and flying planes, some FARs deal with other things that affect aviation safety. Whether it’s model rocket launches or the control of model airplanes from the ground, there are Federal Aviation Regulations to help promote aviation safety from the ground as well.

Check Your Checklists

The importance of checking your checklist (or checking it twice if conditions call for it – like an ice storm), can’t be stressed enough. While seasoned pilots do this on “auto-pilot” sometimes before taking off, it’s worth it to slow down and consciously make an effort to pay attention to the details when you go over your safety checklist.

Don’t let your mind wander when you check the plane over. One small mistake here – one small thing you don’t notice – could become disastrous once you’re in the air. Taking your time to make sure everything checks out while you’re still on the ground can go a long way in increasing your chances for a good flight.

Flight Plans are Important

Another area of safety that might be able to be improved for you is the flight plan. You should know not only the flight plan for your course, but also alternate destinations. If something should happen, it’s better for you to know beforehand what your other options are. As things sometimes happen quickly when things go wrong in the air, the more you know about all your choices before you leave the ground, the better off you’re going to be.

It’s a good idea to also know about other airports that you may have to land at if something happens. You won’t be able to look up and memorize (or write down) information about all the airports out there, but before you go up each trip, you should familiarize yourself with any airports that are in your flight path just in case you have to make an unscheduled landing at one of them. Being prepared is an important part of aviation safety.

Equipment Upkeep

Another very important part of aviation safety is the proper maintenance and upkeep of equipment. If you know a part is getting old, it makes more sense to replace it before it breaks – especially if it’s likely to break when you’re in the air. Spending a few extra dollars to get the part early is worth it if you can avoid problems later while you’re in the air. Parts do break down, but making sure you keep up with all maintenance and upkeep can help you stay safe.

The Human Factor

While the aircraft could be a well maintained top of the line flying machine, human error could lead to a crash. Whether it’s on the ground (the air traffic controller) or in the air (the pilot or someone else on the plane), one wrong move can equal disaster. Beyond the people controlling and guiding the plane, the actions of the passengers and the rest of the crew can play a big part in airline safety.

The Technology Factor

Sometimes, even when the human factor doesn’t come into play, parts break down. When technology fails, planes crash. Sometimes people survive, but a lot of times aircraft disasters lead to a lot of deaths, which is a tragedy. The proper upkeep and maintenance of all a plane’s technical parts (there are a lot of them in modern planes) is vital for proper aviation safety.

What can be done?

You know aviation safety is important, but what can be done about it? There are some things you can do as a consumer, but there are other things that should be taken care of by the authorities.

Aviation Safety Points for the Airline Consumer:

• Stay Calm – In the event of an emergency, the more calm you are, the better chance you have of surviving. Being calm allows the crew to do what they need to do and also avoids getting other people on the flight worked up by your panic.
• Listen – Listen to any special commands or instructions given in the case of an emergency. The more you listen to those in charge, the better your chances of surviving an accident.

Aviation Safety Points for the Airline Industry:

• Runway safety – Safety of runways and the software and computer systems used to run them is a big area that needs more attention.
• Requiring Image Recorders – Requiring image recorders in cockpits would go a long way in letting aviation safety officials determine what happens during a particular crash so it can possibly be avoided in the future.
• Icy Conditions – Looking into ways to combat the prevalence of ice playing a role in fatal aviation crashes might help with reducing the number of airline fatalities caused by icy conditions.