Accident Prevention and Advocacy in Model Aviation

This text was written following various experiences and discussions with observant model aircraft pilots. This joint article, published in my name as president of the FSAM, should help raise awareness and encourage a more active approach to safety. In fact, it is quite clear what needs to be done to prevent accidents and avoid disputes at slope-soaring sites or model aircraft fields. There are solid guidelines in place for this, such as the FSAM Safety Compendium or the article “The Fascination of Slope Flying” in Modellflugsport 3/2018. Despite this, accidents do occur, and tempers often flare afterward. We must therefore put these well-known principles into practice even more effectively, remain mindful of them, and live by them every day.

When researching the literature on this topic, one comes across the term “airmanship.” It refers to skills, judgment, situational awareness, or simply the “right” attitude in aviation. “Airmanship is the consistent use of good judgment and well-developed skills to achieve one’s aviation goals.”

This article will focus specifically on the aspect of situational awareness (or simply “attention”).

A crash or even an accident involving people is often preceded by a lapse in attention that subsequently contributed to the event. Often afterward, we hear statements like: “I was telling myself that this wouldn’t end well, because even before that, he hadn’t properly controlled his model before the first

flight; others had already told him he shouldn’t fly so close to us or over the heads of hikers.” Some of these incidents—fortunately minor ones—could therefore be avoided if influence were exerted in a timely and effective manner. The catch lies in human relationships:

Successful influence is only possible with a foundation of trust established beforehand

Exerting influence requires courage, as one must expect resistance from one or more people present. The stronger the foundation of trust, the easier it is to speak up in front of a few people or in a group. Anyone who expects to be rebuffed or even attacked by others will remain silent. Thus, an opportunity is lost to bring about improvement, to live together actively, or to avoid a potential incident.

The question is: How can we foster a culture that encourages both seasoned professionals and newcomers, experts and thoughtful individuals, to speak up confidently at any time?

Here are a few examples that justify well-intentioned interventions:

• Unannounced, rapid, close-proximity flybys.
• Despite a landing announcement, flights continue.
• After a landing, the runway is not cleared immediately.
• Nearby airspace is used for extended periods for rapid turns.
• The direction of the highest pilot’s spiral is not followed.
• The pilots are too far apart and cannot hear the announcements if the wind is blowing.
• Non-flyers talk too much among the pilots who are flying.

Flying activities with active communication among participants automatically lead to greater safety and, ultimately, more enjoyment of flying.

This point can easily be proven: Could you fly just as well if you’d taught yourself everything? Would you fly as often and enjoy it as much if you always had to fly alone? – Well.

Flying in beautiful places during vacations—at home and abroad—with friends or new acquaintances from near and far are highlights of our varied recreational activity. For example, the shared joy we experience when we show someone from a flat region how to fly safely and stress-free in the mountains. Or listen to what excites others about their gliders and explain how you’ve adapted your own glider for flying in the Alps. Having someone explain how to successfully perform a maneuver that you haven’t yet been able to fly correctly. This motivates us to help each other improve both technically and in terms of flying skills. Learning from one another sets the mood for a toast after flights and sometimes even lets us have a good-natured laugh at the jargon of aviation. In this way—or in similar ways—the foundation of camaraderie develops, which allows

Since the dawn of aviation and for countless generations, model aircraft flying has been an important way to foster talent and passion—a benefit to society.

External influences, such as laws and regulations governing the use of airspace and land, as well as nature conservation, place enormous pressure on model aircraft flying and call into question its benefits to society. The pressure caused by overcrowding in local recreational areas—due to general leisure behavior and further intensified by the coronavirus—could lead to serious difficulties for model aviation.

Reckless and boorish model aircraft pilots—who are often found even outside of model aircraft fields—draw attention to themselves and bring model aircraft flying into disrepute in the eyes of our skeptical fellow citizens.

Especially today, when external conditions are weighing heavily on us model aircraft pilots, each of us is obligated to practice model aircraft flying in a responsible manner.

The more we strengthen the culture of model aviation from within, the better we will be able to confidently counter external pressure.

Accident prevention is at the heart of our cultural heritage. Serious accidents quickly make headlines, and the damage caused affects not only those directly involved in the accident but also the model aviation community as a whole.

that interventions are viewed in a constructive light and that new insights influence one’s own behavior. Safe flying and open communication do not limit, but rather enhance, the value of model aviation.

This applies not only to coordinated flying on slopes or at flying fields, but also to model aviation in general.

We must be aware that a model aircraft can become dangerous and endanger others. This includes anyone in the vicinity of a flying model aircraft—that is, other pilots, but also bystanders. News of accidents is

spread within minutes through both modern and traditional media. Most of the time, the part of the report stating that something serious has happened is accurate. However, once misinformation is out there, it can no longer be retracted. That is why we must do everything we can to ensure that no one is harmed.

Conclusion: From Theory to Practice in Everyday
Life We know what needs to be done. Let’s be a little braver

and let’s discuss these sensitive topics with our colleagues during slope flying and at the flying field—and let’s also allow ourselves, as pilots, to have our eyes opened by others from time to time. It takes a little courage and confidence, but it works and it helps us all. Above all, it increases the joy of flying our models, and that is the heart of our wonderful hobby.