November 2018 Safety Corner

Taxiing an airplane seems like a mundane topic, but during the winter time, it requires
special attention. Keep the following tips in mind during the cold (and warm months!)

• If you’ve noticed the ice buildup in the taxiways at Millard, you’ll notice that
  taxiing the plane to proper runways can be slippery. Keep your taxi speed very
  slow, so that you have the ability to stop when a plane “appears” from another
  hanger taxiway at breakneck speed OR, for that matter, a VEHICLE.
• Once you hit dry pavement, go through your left, right, and dual brake test.
  Better to find out on the ground you’ve got one break out or mushy than when
  you land on a slick runway and you really need it. If you don’t test it, you may
  end up in the grass (or snow bank) after landing. It’s not uncommon for one
  break to freeze solid if you taxi through snow and then take off. So that means
  when you land, have it in the back of your mind that one of your brakes could
  have frozen solid and may not allow the tire to turn. When you touchdown, it
  will immediately yaw to the side where the brake is frozen so be prepared.
• While taxiing at a fast walk, take the time to check your instruments. Is the turn
  coordinator and ball moving correctly? Is the attitude indicator warmed up?
  Does the VSI read ‘0’? Cold can play havoc on the instruments, so give them a
  chance to warm up.
• Get a feel for the taxiway for grip. If the taxiway is slick, then chances are the
  runway will be the same. Remember, taking off may not be real difficult on a
  slightly slick or patchy runway, but landing can be an altogether different story
  when trying to maintain directional control. When taxiing out onto the runway,
  look down the runway to see if conditions are the same. If you’re not sure,
  there’s nothing wrong with a fast taxi down the runway to gauge the conditions
  of the pavement. It will only cost a few dollars in fuel instead of possibly your
  life later.
• If the temperature is below 10 degrees F, I would recommend choosing another
  day to fly. If it drops to 5 degrees or less, club rules forbid any flying. Also,
  make sure the planes are plugged in and are topped off after each flight this
  winter season.

AS A REMINDER, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE HANGAR DOORS ARE
COMPLETELY UP BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE PLANES AWAY.
IT’S VERY EASY TO THINK “OH, I’LL CLEAR IT” AS THE DOOR IS BEING
RAISED. NO YOU WON’T. IT’S LOWER THAN YOU THINK. WAIT UNTIL
YOU DON’T HEAR OR SEE THE DOOR BEING RAISED ANY MORE AND
CHECK TO MAKE SURE IT’S AS HIGH AS IT WILL GO (THE RED MARKS
ON THE SIDE WILL INDICATE THAT). ALSO, PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU
KEEP THE MAINS ON THE YELLOW LINE BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO
THE MIDDLE RED LINE (TO LINE UP THE TAIL) WHEN PUTTING IT BACK
INTO THE HANGER.

REMEMBER TO PLUG IN THE TANNIS PRE-HEAT, TRICKLE
CHARGER (C-172 & BONANZA), AND,TURN LIGHTS OFF BEFORE
LEAVING.

Kevin Broderick, ATP, CFII and Skyhawk Flying Club Safety Officer