Buffer zones for forced engine-out landing in ultra-light aircraft operation

This article researches buffer zones for engine-out operation of the ultra-light aircraft Viper SD-4. The danger areas are estimated by taking into account the average flown routes and the profile of the flight. Considering the trajectory and the elevation profile together with glide ratio we can estimate the buffer zones. Buffer zones are covering radius of possible emergency landing areas. Using high resolution satellite images, aerial photos and GIS tools enables to estimate such zones. Within the buffer zone the flight crew is capable of gliding and performing the emergency landing. With increasing height, the size of buffer zone expands proportionally. The meteorological conditions were not considered by estimating the radius of a buffer zone. This analysis of GIS and GPS data could potentially increase the safety of the flights along preselected routes even outside of the aerodrome control zone.