We recognize that some people are apprehensive about flying, particularly in small aircraft. While no activity is free of risk, aviation is among the safest. This is primarily due to the inclusion of safety into every aspect of aviation operations and training. It is not taught as a single training segment or added in as an afterthought.
Northern Air’s safety program begins with training
- Pilots are trained to conduct effective preflight mechanical inspections of the aircraft starting with the first introductory flight.
- Emergency situation management training and drills are constant during initial pilot training.
- Pilot training includes utilizing checklists to enhance safety.
- Recurrent training, including handling of emergencies, is required every 2 years for private pilots and at least annually for charter pilots.
- The superior pilot uses superior judgment to avoid the need for their superior skills.
Northern Air Emphasizes:
- Proper aviation decision-making. It is a vital part of all training. Initial students must show consistently good decision-making skills prior to solo flight.
- A sound understanding of weather, topographic effects, the impacts of reduced visibility, and other environmental factors.
- The use of all available resources, such as, radios, avionics, chart, etc.
- Pilot evaluation of their own physical and emotional condition prior to each flight.
Northern Air Only Provides Equipment in Superior Condition
- Providing excellent maintenance is part of our culture.
- We have a spacious, clean, well-lit, and heated hangar to work in.
- Dave Parker is an Airframe & Powerplant mechanic (A&P) and also an Authorized Inspector (A.I.), a level above an A&P.
Regulations require major inspections of commercial aircraft at 100 hr. intervals—about the same amount of time between oil changes in your car!
- Seats, carpets, interior trim, exterior cover plates and more are all removed to provide access to all the control cables, pulleys etc for servicing and inspection.
- Rudder pedals & brake reservoirs are inspected/serviced.
- Pulleys & cables for controls are inspected and serviced.
- The entire airframe is inspected for cracks, wrinkles, loose rivets etc.
- Control surfaces are inspected for alignment and structural soundness.
- Engine and engine compartment are thoroughly cleaned for inspection.
- Battery, cables and wiring are serviced and inspected.
- Engine is compression tested.
- Spark plugs are serviced & tested.
- Exhaust system is inspected.
- All engine control cables are inspected & serviced.
- Engine brackets, engine mounts and cowl mounts are inspected.
- This is just a sampling of the inspections made and repairs are made as needed.
A Final Note on Safety: Light Aircraft are Designed to be Safe!
- Modern aircraft are built to be stable – push the yoke and let go; the aircraft will return to level flight without any further pilot intervention.
- Once the engine is started, it will continue to run even without a battery or generator/alternator.
- The engine has a dual ignition system – that is, 2 spark plugs in each cylinder with each plug fired by a separate magneto.
- There are numerous other safety features.
When you combine…
- Basic flying skills.
- A mechanically sound aircraft.
- Knowledge of the flight environment and the ability/judgment to deal with it.
- The wisdom to recognize any personal factors that might harm performance.
…The Pilot and Passengers are Able To…
Safely enjoy the majesty and beauty of our homeland, as well as safely utilize our services for travel, training, and maintenance.