Air Travel - Airline Safety
Safety Tips
The takeoff, climb, descent and landing phases of flight are more prone to accidents. Hence, if nonstop flights are chosen, the probability of accident reduces. Aircraft having seats in excess of 30 are certified under stringent regulations. So, larger aircraft are certainly more reliable. The preflight briefing may seem repetitive. However, it may furnish vital information regarding the closest emergency exits. Overhead storage bins are not designed to support heavy objects. Such objects have to be kept elsewhere. The seat belt must be fastened to provide extra protection in case the aircraft enters a turbulent region. It is essential to adhere to the guidelines of the flight attendants. Flight attendants have to be allowed to serve hot beverages like tea or coffee. Gasoline, poisonous gases, corrosives or other hazardous materials must be strictly avoided, unless they are permitted by the airline and shipped correctly. Alcohol consumption in an aircraft has a stronger effect on the human body than that at sea level. Remaining sober is the best option. If the need of a precautionary emergency evacuation arises, it is mandatory to follow the guidelines of the flight attendants and flight crew and leave the aricraft as soon as possible.
Guidelines
No seat can be labeled as a 'safe' one in an aircraft. Although, anybody is seated in any position, , the ability of the travelers to maintain their temper and exit from the aircraft fast is crucial for survival. Those airlines that have large capacity passenger aircraft are made to maintain strict safety regulations. Smaller ones do not have to adhere to such high standards. In case an airline is badly known for passenger complaints, financial problems and for not operating as per time-table, then it is better to avoid it. Emergency is sometimes necessary. It may involve evacuation of the aircraft by using the oxygen system or slides. Oxygen masks may be given automatically or manually. Such an evacuation may be a precautionary measure and does not necessarily mean that the travelers are in peril. In case of emergency slides, being conversant with the location of exits, following the orders of the flight and cabin crew and wearing slide friendly clothes is necessary. High-heeled shoes have to be removed. In case of emergency oxygen, the personal mask must be donned first. If the cabin is depressurized, unconsciousness would not occur in presence of a mask.
FAA Regulations
Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Administration Regulations are the general operating and flight rules. Special Federal Aviation Regulations include the following: special flight rules in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, air traffic control system emergency operation, prohibition against certain flights between the United States and Libya, special operating rules for air tour operators in the State of Hawaii, prohibition against certain flights within the territory and airspace of Iraq, prohibition against certain flights within the flight information region of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, prohibition against certain flights within the territory and airspace of Ethiopia, enhanced security procedures for operations at certain airports in the Washington, DC metropolitan area special flight rules area, special operating rules for the conduct of instrument flight rules area navigation operations using Global Positioning Systems in Alaska. Federal Aviation Regulations include several subparts. Subpart A is general. Subpart B is flight rules. Subpart C is equipment, instrument and certificate requirements. Subpart D is special flight operations. Subpart F is maintenance, preventive maintenance and alterations. Subpart F is large and turbine-powered multiengine airplanes and fractional ownership program aircraft. Subpart G is additional equipment and operating requirements for large and transport category aircraft. Subpart H is for foreign aircraft operations and operations of U.S. registered civil aircraft outside the U.S. and rules made for passengers on board such aircraft. Subpart I is operating noise limits. Subpart J is waivers. Subpart K is fractional ownership operations.
