Better Instrument Approaches
By Lt. Brent Bergan, USCG
Spatial disorientation and SA are intimately intertwined and often are causal factors in mishaps resulting in controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). Spatial disorientation is characterized by an erroneous sense of one’s position and motion relative to the plane of the earth’s surface.
32
ould we prevent mishaps if we had better training? A review of recent Coast Guard Aviation Safety Reports indicate that four H-65 Class A and B mishaps could have been prevented through training. These four mishaps stated loss of situational awareness (SA) or spatial disorientation (SD), or both, as mishap causal factors. To reduce these causal factors, a pilot’s instrument hood was developed as a training aid. A Coast Guard pilot recalled that while doing a let-down, he almost put the helicopter in the water. To prevent that from happening again, he designed a translucent instrument hood that lets light in but does not allow you to see out. The instrument hood, more of a visor, does a good job imitating daytime instrument conditions. The hood also prevents the pilot from using peripheral vision; only an instrument scan is possible. Approach
