MOONEY
MODEL
M20J
SECTION
X
SAFETY INFORMATION
VFR
-
LOW CEILINGS
If you are not instrument rated, avoid "VFR On Top" and "Special VFR". Being
caught above an undercast when an emergency descent is required (or at
destination) is an extremely hazardous position for the VFR pilot. Accepting
a clearance out of certain airport control zones with no minimum ceiling and
'
one-mile visibility as permitted with "Special VFR" is not a recommended prac-
tice for VFR pilots.
Avoid areas of low ceilings and restricted visibility unless you are instrument
proficient and have an instrument equipped airplane. Then proceed with cau-
tion and have planned alternates.
VFR
AT
NIGHT
When flying VFR at night, in addition to the altitude appropriate for the direc-
tion of flight, pilots should maintain a safe minimum altitude as dictated by ter-
rain, obstacles such as TV towers, or communities in the area flown. This is
especially true in mountainous terrain, where there is usually very little ground
reference and absolute minimum clearance is
2,000
feet. Don't depend on
your being able to see obstacles in time to miss them. Flight on dark nights
over sparsely populated country can be almost the same as IFR and should
be avoided by untrained pilots.
VERTIGO
-
BlSORlENTATlQN
Disorientation can occur in a variety of ways. During flight, inner ear balanc-
ing mechanisms are subjected to varied forces not normally experienced on
the ground. This combined with loss of outside visual reference can cause
vertigo. False interpretations (illusions) result and may confuse the pilot's
conception of the attitude and position of his airplane.
Under VFR conditions the visual sense, using the horizon as a reference, can
override the illusions. Under low visibility conditions (night, fog, clouds, haze,
etc.) the illusions predominate. Only through awareness of these illusions,
and proficiency in instrument flight procedures, can an airplane be operated
safely in a low visibility environment.
Flying in fog, dense haze or dust, cloud banks, or very low visibility, with
strobe lights, and particularly rotating beacons turned on frequently causes
vertigo. They should be turned off in these
condilions, particularly at night.
All pilots should check the weather and use good judgment in planning
flights. The VFR pilot should use
extra caution in avoiding low visibility condi-
"
tions.
Motion sickness often precedes or accompanies disorientation and may fur-
ther jeopardize the flight.
REV.
B 6-12-87
ISSUED 6-2-86
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