Advanced Precautionary Search and Landings VAA

In this article, Aero Circus looks at a few ways the higher-hour pilot might step up their PSL game.

A Precautionary Search and Landing (PSL) may be required in a variety of circumstances. For example, when the weather has turned against you, you are running out of daylight, fuel or general interest in flying, or perhaps you are just ‘temporarily uncertain of your position’. Or you’re well and truly lost.

Unlike an Emergency Landing, with a PSL you will often have the luxury of an aircraft that is performing pretty much within the normal parameters, even if not perfectly. Therefore, there is more time to check out your intended landing site and make sure that it is the safest option available in the given circumstances.