SAFA Skysailor Magazine

35 July | August 2023 SKY SAILOR Table 11: AIRS Reports – by Discipline with injury – past 7 years Qualification FY 2021 /22 FY 2020 /21 FY 2019 /20 FY 2018 /19 FY 2017 /18 FY 2016 /17 FY 2015 /16 Total HG 7 12 10 10 13 11 16 79 PG 54 55 52 49 42 40 42 334 PPC* PPG 3 3 2 3 1 5 4 21 PPG-F* PPG-W* 1 1 WM 1 3 2 3 1 1 1 12 Not recorded 1 1 Total 66 73 66 65 57 58 63 448 Table 12: AIRS Reports – by Discipline with fatality – past 7 years Qualification FY 2021 /22 FY 2020 /21 FY 2019 /20 FY 2018 /19 FY 2017 /18 FY 2016 /17 FY 2015 /16 Total HG 1 1 2 1 2 7 PG 2 3 3 1 2 1 12 PPC* PPG 1 1 PPG-F* PPG-W* WM 2 1 1 5 Not recorded 1 1 1 3 Total 5 6 7 3 3 3 26 * Note that PPC, PPG-F and PPG-W categories were added to the AIRS system in FY 21/22. Conclusions Accidents happen, and unfortunately for around 50% of those accidents, there is an injury (or injuries) associated. You need to have this possibility at the front of your mind whenever you commit to launch. With the majority of injuries occurring in the launch and landing phase, pilots must be especially vigilant in these stages of the flight. Strong launch and landing wing control is essential; PG and PPG pilots should ground handle to retain and refine these skills. Keep the landing gear down on launch until well clear of terrain and get the landing gear down early for landing. New pilots are vulnerable and must pay attention to their supervising pilots. Yes, you are the pilot in command, and ultimately what you do once you commit to launch until the time you land is all up to you. Your supervisor can give you crucial information about the site and the prevailing conditions; give them your full attention. Intermediate syndrome is to be guarded against, as is the associated Advanced syndrome. Over-confidence underlies the former, complacency, the latter. Overall remember that your next flight will never be just the same as any previous flight, and should be approached as a singular, discrete event – be prepared for the conditions as they present themselves. That’s all for this topic. I’ll head off now and get my database queries ready for the next annual report. Fly Safe.