The course consists of six learning modules and a Summary and Quiz. For each learning module, watch the video carefully and follow any text instructions provided. Most modules are followed by a module supplement which may contain items for further study and accident analyses. The supplemental material is not required for course completion, but is highly recommended. Any of the material may be viewed again as desired. When you believe you are ready, click the link at the end of the course to take the online quiz. Special instructions for the quiz and how to receive Wings credit are provided in that section. Completion of the course and quiz is valid for 1 Credit for Basic Knowledge Topic 3 and 1 Credit for Advanced Knowledge-2 in the Wings program. Please note that completion of the course is also valid for the Avemco Safety Rewards program.
Welcome to Many Happy Returns!
Avoiding the Runway Excursion
Introduction
This short video will provide an introduction to the course and explain the FAA Wings credit available upon completion. When the video ends, please go on to the next section, Preflight Planning.
Module 1: Preflight Planning
In this section, we will see how good preflight planning can help us avoid runway excursions. when the video ends, please go to the supplement for additional important information.
Preflight Planning Supplement
Approach Briefing Checklist
Most of the items on the Approach Briefing Checklist can be researched as part of our preflight preparation. running the Approach Briefing Checklist prior to entering the traffic pattern can greatly improve our situational awareness. Click here to download the sample checklist in PDF format.
Module 2: Situational Awareness
Maintaining situational awareness is particularly critical during approach and landing.
Situational Awareness Supplement
Supplemental Information
The following links will be helpful in learning more about situational awareness. The SKYbrary link is a rather thorough guide to the subject. The video link explains how our safety margin is defined and factors that affect it.
Module 3: Stabilized Approach
A stabilized approach makes for a good landing.
Stabilized Approach Supplement
Accidents discussed in this course are presented in the hope that pilots can learn from the misfortune of others and perhaps avoid an accident. It is easy to read an accident report and dismiss the cause as carelessness or as a dumb mistake. But let's remember that the accident pilot did not get up in the morning and say, "Gee, I think I'll go have an accident today." Nearly all pilots believe that they are safe. Honest introspection frequently reveals that on some occasion, we might have traveled down that same accident path. This accident happened mainly as a result of the pilot continuing an unstabilized approach. While we cannot know the reasons why the pilot continued the approach, we can learn a valuable lesson. After you watch the video, check out the lesson supplement for a downloadable document listing the criteria for the stabilized approach and also for a link to download the NTSB report for the accident discussed.
Stabilized Approach Downloads
Module 4: The Human Element
Regardless of our aeronautical knowledge or our flying skill, we are all human. Sometimes our humanness, acting through our unconscious mind, heuristics, or cognitive biases can cause us to make flawed decisions. Those flawed decisions sometimes lead a pilot to have an incident or accident, including a runway excursion. In this section we will learn more about our humanness and identify some ways to help prevent it from leading us down a bad path.
Module 5: Crosswind Landings
Many runway excursions are preceded by an attempt to execute a crosswind landing. This section is intended to review the basics and hopefully add some new information. After the video ends, please view the next lesson which includes an accident example
Crosswind Landings-Accident Analysis #1
Accidents discussed in this course are presented in the hope that pilots can learn from the misfortune of others and perhaps avoid an accident. It is easy to read an accident report and dismiss the cause as carelessness or as a dumb mistake. But let's remember that the accident pilot did not get up in the morning and say, "Gee, I think I'll go have an accident today." Nearly all pilots believe that they are safe. Honest introspection frequently reveals that on some occasion, we might have traveled down that same accident path. This accident happened mainly as a result of the pilot attempting to land in a gusty crosswind when alternatives were readily available. A link to download the NTSB report for this accident is available in the lesson supplement. When the video ends, please continue to the next video which is an analysis of another crosswind landing accident.
Crosswind Landings-Accident Analysis #2
This accident analysis also involved a Cirrus SR22. This one happened in Tennessee in 2019. After the video ends, please go to the lesson supplement where you can find additional information on crosswind landings and also links to download the full accident reports from the NTSB website.
Crosswind Landings Supplement
A great reference for all kinds of landings, including crosswind landings, is included in Chapter 8 of the FAA's Airplane flying Handbook. It is available as a free download from the FAA website. click the link below to download Chapter 8 in PDF format. Links are also provided to download the NTSB accident reports for the two accidents discussed in the section.
Module 6: Getting Stopped
Getting on the ground nicely aligned with the runway centerline is great. But no we must slow the airplane to a speed which will allow us to safely turn off the runway. We will use aerodynamic braking to the extent possible, but may need help from the brakes and tires. Please watch the short videos and then visit the lesson supplement for more important information, including two videos regarding our tires.
Tires and Brakes
Accident Analysis
Getting Stopped Supplement
Be sure to check out these valuable resources. There are two very informative videos from Goodyear relating to our aircraft tires. The Maintenance Manual also from Goodyear includes some must know information on our tires. There is also a link to download the NTSB accident report on the accident discussed in the section.
Video Link
Download Links
Module 7: Summary and Quiz
It is time to summarize what we learned and finish the course by completing the quiz. Please watch the short summary video, review any lessons as desired, and access any of the supplemental information you may have missed. when you are satisfied that you have mastered the subject, proceed to the quiz.
About the Quiz and Wings Credit
Very important! The quiz will ask for your email address. It is critical that you enter the email address that you use to access your Wings account. Wings credit cannot be issued if an incorrect email address is entered.
The quiz consists of ten multiple choice or true-false questions. You must answer seven of the questions correctly to pass the course. When you submit the quiz, you will be provided with the correct answers and an explanation of any questions that were answered incorrectly. If you did not get at least seven answers correct, simply study the incorrect questions with their correct answers and resubmit the quiz.
Once you have submitted a passing quiz, you are eligible to receive wings credit and no further action is necessary on your part. Your credit will be issued within a few days of your submission. Once your wings credit has been issued, you will receive an email from FAASafety.gov verifying that your credit has been issued.
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN THE QUIZ
Remember to use the email address you use to log into your Wings account!
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