〇不時着水する認識不足と備え
〇着水方法の確認
〇洋上飛行でのディンキー装備の重要性
〇ディンキーとライフジャケットの使用訓練
◎不時着水時の持ち出し品

自分が不時着水する可能性について、考えたことはありますか？北米のエアマンと比べて、日本では不時着水への備えと訓練が不足していると感じます。日本列島は海に囲まれており、陸地は山がちのため、海上を飛行することが大変多いのに、このように消極的な態度は宜しくありません。

Have you ever thought about the possibility of a landing on the water surface? Compared to North American airmen, Japanese feel a lack of preparedness and training for ditchings. The Japan archipelago is surrounded by the sea and the islands are mountainous, thus we very often fly over the sea. So, this passive attitude is not good.
”Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Airwalk108, about 22 miles south of Hakodate. We're encounterd a freezing rain at 5,500' descending. It's hard to maintain altitude. We're applying boots ON."  

日本の航空法によれば、海岸から半時間で到達できる範囲なら比較的自由に有視界飛行できると考えがちです。けれども機体に緊急事態が発生したら、陸地へ到達する前に墜落してしまうことが多々あります。ですから海面に不時着水する可能性は高いのです。当然そういう事態に日常から備えておかねばなりません。

In terms of the Japan aviation law, we're likely to think that you can freely fly  within half an hour flying distance from the coast. However, in the event of an emergency, aircrafts often crash before reaching land. Therefore, there is a high possibility of a crash landing on the surface of the sea. Naturally, we must be prepared for such a situation on a daily basis.
"Airwalk 108, we declare emergency due to possible clear icing on the wings. Please give us the radar vector to Hakodate. If unable, we'll consider ditching on the Tsugaru Strait."

まず着水方法ですが、各機体のマニュアルにディッチングの方法が記述されている筈なので、概要を頭に入れて理解しておくべきです。教科書的にはうねりの上に機体を接地タッチさせるのですが、真横からのクロス・ウインドになりますので、クラビングのテクニックが必須です。固定脚では着水と同時に機体が前のめりになるでしょうから、操縦桿を引いてバランスを保つ心構えが求められます。

First of all, regarding the water landing method, the manual of each aircraft should describe the method of ditching, so you should keep the outline in mind and understand it. In textbooks, the aircraft is grounded on the swell, but since it is a cross wind from the side, crabbing technique is essential. With fixed gears, the aircraft will lean forward as soon as it touches down, so you need to be prepared to pull the control stick and maintain balance.
”Airwalk 108, we're less than 1,000' with stick shakers ON, and we're unable to land. Mayday, Mayday, Mayday, We'll conduct ditching. POB 22, and remaining fuel two hours."

飛行計画をファイルする際に、機体に搭載されている装備を報告しますが、日本では救命胴衣を人数分揃えているのがせいぜいで、ディンギーと呼ばれる救命ボートを搭載している機体は極僅かです。冬場はもちろん、夏ですら海水に数時間も浸っていたら、多くの人間は低体温症や溺水で落命してしまいます。

When you file a flight plan, you report equipment on board the aircraft, but in Japan, at best, life jackets are available for each person, but very few aircraft are equipped with lifeboats called dinghies. If you are immersed in seawater for several hours not only in winter but also in summer even, many people will die of hypothermia or drowning.
"Airwalk 108, we've one dinghy on board, however please call to dispatch the rescue boat. Now we're 17 miles south of Hakodate."

ディンキーは航空局が認定する正規品を装備するのが原則ですが、小型機に適した重量、操作性、価格のものは殆ど見当たりません。規則に縛られて何もしないのと、少しでも実際的な考え方で、実用品を揃えておくのとでは、いざ不測の事態が発生した際に、大きく命運を分けるでしょう。

In principle, Dinghies are equipped with genuine products approved by the Civil Aviation Bureau, but there are almost no products with the weight, operability, and price suitable for small aircraft. Doing nothing bound by regulations and having practical items in a practical way of thinking as available as possible will make a big difference in fate when unforeseen circumstances arise.
"JA44QQ, we're in emergency and ditching two miles east of Ryotsu. We've a fishing dinghy now inflating it by hand pump. Please call for fishing boats for rescue."

ディンキーやライフジャケットは、ただ装備しておくだけでなく、普段から使い方を確認しておくことが重要です。以前に使ったこともない装備品を、非常事態下で適切に使える可能性は高くありません。特にディンキーは機体か自分自身にロープで結び付けるのを怠ると、直ぐに流出してしまいます。

It's important not only to equip dinghies and life jackets, but also to brush up how to use them on a regular basis. There is not a high probability that you will be able to properly use equipment in emergency that you have never used before. In particular, Dinghy will quickly drift if you neglect to tie it to the aircraft or yourself with a rope.
"JA44QQ, we've two dinghies on board, they're successfully inflated, but one of them drifted away from the aircraft. Several passengers are still on the wings. Request holicopter to hang them up, please!."