Isn't take-off, taxi and landing the most dangerous portion of the flight?

No.... Surprisingly, over 90% of all injuries occur during flight, mainly due to turbulence.


Turbulence is air movement that normally cannot be seen and often occurs unexpectedly. It can be created by a number of different conditions, including atmospheric pressures, jet streams, mountain waves, cold or warm fronts, or thunderstorms. Turbulence can occur when the sky appears to be clear.

Statistics from the Federal Aviation Administration

In non-fatal accidents, in-flight turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to airline passenger and flight attendants.


From 1981 through to December 1997, there were 342 reports of turbulence affecting major air carriers. As a result, three passengers died, 80 suffered serious injuries and 769 received minor injuries.


At least two of the three fatalities involved passengers who were not wearing their seat belts while the seat belt sign was illuminated.


Of the 80 passengers who were seriously injured, approximately 73 were not wearing their seat belts while the seat belt sign was illuminated.


The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a new website


www.faa.gov/passengers/childtips.cfm

To help parents learn more about the use of child safety seats on airplanes. The website is part of the FAA's efforts to encourage parents to use safety seats when taking their child on an airplane. Since 1996, the FAA has partnered with airlines and businesses to distribute information about safe air travel for children. "It's especially important to remind parents that the safest place for your little one is in a child safety seat, not on your lap," said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. "We're providing a single source of useful safety information for parents." The website contains tips for choosing the correct child safety seat for air travel, as well as other helpful guidance to ensure that families are prepared for their flight. Parents may also download a new brochure and current child safety news.

The following tips are among the advice found online:

* Make sure your child safety seat has the following statement on it, "This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft."
* The FAA strongly recommends that a child weighing less than 20 pounds use a rear-facing child safety seat; a child from 20 to 40 pounds use a forward-facing child safety seat, and a child more than 40 pounds use an airplane seat belt.
* Ask your airline for a discounted fare. Many airlines offer discounts of up to 50% for children less than two years of age occupying a seat.
* If you cannot purchase a ticket for your child, ask if your airline will allow you to use an empty seat.
While booster seats and harness vests enhance safety in motor vehicles, the FAA prohibits passengers from bringing these types of devices on airplanes for use during taxi, take-off, and landing because they do not provide as much protection as a child safety seat. They should be checked as baggage.

Belly belts," which attach to lap belts, are banned for use on U.S. airplanes. Air travelers also may obtain a wide variety of up-to-the-minute information to help manage their time. Whether at home, at the office, or on the move, www.fly.faa.gov and its companion wireless service, www.faa.gov/wireless, (must be accessed from a wireless device, cell phone, or PDA) provide travelers current airport and delay status.

Taking your car seat on board an Aircraft

It is a struggle getting the car seat from the car to the aircraft but worth the effort if you have a toddler - who like mine, is possibly related to Houdini - and a long flight ahead of you. Even younger children are old enough to understand that they have to stay seated once in a car seat because that's what they're used to. They are also used to dropping off to sleep and having snacks and drinks in it.

If hiring a car at the other end you also have a car seat with you that you know the history/cleanliness of, however, there is no guarantee that your seat will fit the car you have hired.

If you have paid the child fare and have a seat for your child many airlines now allow you to take an approved car seat on board. The upper age limit is normally 3 years.

If you haven't paid for a seat but are hiring a car at the other end use a car seat tote to protect your car seat in the planes hold. Just place the car seat inside, zip it up and check it through as luggage or use the shoulder strap to make carrying a car seat more comfortable.

What does approved car seat mean?

Always check with your airline, but generally this means that it is a purpose built car seat, in good condition, with no damage and has a single front release type standard five-point harness. You will secure the car seat to the aircraft seat using the lap belt and you MUST take the operating instructions with you on board.

Check the width of your car seat, while airline seats vary in width, a car seat no wider than 16" should fit in most economy class seats. Even if the armrests are moved out of the way, a car seat wider than 16" is unlikely to fit properly into the frame of the aircraft seat.


Check with the airline to determine their busiest days and times. by avoiding these times, you are more likely to be on a flight with an empty seat next to you. In many cases, airlines will allow you to seat your child under two years of age in your car seat in the empty airplane seat without having to pay the airline fare for the child. Be sure to ask your airline its policy regarding an empty seat.


If you purchase a ticket for your child, reserve adjoining seats. A car seat must be placed in a window seat so it will not block the escape path in an emergency. A car seat may not be placed in an exit row.


If you need to change planes to make a connecting flight, it can be very challenging to transport a car seat, a child, and luggage through a busy airport. Most airlines will help parents make the connection if they can arrange for assistance in advance.