Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 32

PREFLIGHT TECHNIQUE
BY DAVE HIRSCHMAN
ILLUSTRATION BY CHARLES FLOYD
FLYING OVER WATER
A LITTLE PREP GOES A LONG WAY
SOME OF THE BEST FLYING DESTINATIONS ON THE PLANET REQUIRE FLYing
over water to get there. And it can be done in a safe and sane way in
single-engine airplanes with some preparation.
First, the essential equipment: an inflatable life vest worn by each
occupant, a raft for extended overwater trips, drinking water, and a waterproof
personal locator beacon. Confirm whether you have ADS-B weather
coverage for the areas you'll be flying. Some portions of Canada or the
Caribbean may not show graphical weather without a subscription.
Whether it's a 26-mile trip to Catalina Island off the California coast,
a 70-nautical mile crossing of Lake Michigan on the way to Oshkosh,
Wisconsin, a 300-mile flight from Florida to the " out islands " of the
Bahamas, or a 1,000-nautical-mile trek to Puerto Rico, flying over water
really is different. The chances of having to ditch an airplane in the water
are low, but it's still a real chance, so plan in advance because a forced
landing may become your only option.
dave.hirschman@aopa.org
Make your passengers crew members. Brief
them on how to open emergency doors and
windows and let them know what you'll expect
from them in case of a forced landing. They may
be real assets.
Wear your life vest, and make sure a waterproof
personal locator beacon (with fresh batteries) is
attached to it. You won't have time to dig out the
life vest and PLB from the baggage compartment
when you really need them.
Altitude gives you more time and greater gliding
distance if the engine fails and better radar and
radio coverage at all times. If flying over the Bahamas,
for example, you can be on Miami Center's
radar and communicating with U.S. air traffic controllers
as long as you're at 7,500 feet or above.
32
FLIGHT TRAINING MARCH/APRIL 2025

Flight Training - March/April 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - March/April 2025

Contents
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Intro
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover1
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover2
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Contents
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 2
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 3
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 4
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 5
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 6
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 7
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 8
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 9
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 10
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 11
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 12
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 13
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 14
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 15
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 16
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 17
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 18
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 19
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 20
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 21
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 22
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 23
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 24
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 25
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 26
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 27
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 28
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 29
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 30
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 31
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 32
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 33
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 34
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 35
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 36
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 37
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 38
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 39
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 40
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 41
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 42
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 43
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 44
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 45
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 46
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 47
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 48
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 49
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 50
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 51
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 52
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 53
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 54
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 55
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - 56
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover3
Flight Training - March/April 2025 - Cover4
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