AVWEB
Picture of the Week, November 21, 2019
While attempting to get a photo of planet Mercury against the sun, this plane entered the photo. It's probably well over 30,000 feet high. The photo is not photoshopped or modified in any way.Camera: 800mm Lens, f16, 1/2000, ASA 100. Taken at 9:44 EST. Copyrighted photo by John E Rees.
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Updated: Two Killed In Air Force Training Crash
Two U.S. Air Force airmen were killed in an accident that occurred during a routine training mission on Thursday morning. Two T-38 Talon aircraft based at Oklahoma's Vance Air Force Base as part of the 71st Flying Training Wing were involved in the crash, which took place at approximately 9:10 a.m. local time. According to […]
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Dubai Airshow Sees $54.5 Billion In Aircraft Orders
The 2019 Dubai Airshow closed with signatures on $54.5 billion in aircraft orders, according to a show announcement on Thursday. An estimated 1,288 exhibitors and 161 aircraft were on display at the event, which took place from Nov. 17 to Nov. 21 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). More than 84,000 visitors reportedly attended the […]
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FAA Seeks Comments On Las Vegas Metroplex Project
The FAA is asking for public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for its Las Vegas Metroplex Project. The project is designed to “optimize” air traffic routes in Southern Nevada including developing new or replacement arrival and departure procedures for McCarran International Airport (LAS), Henderson Executive Airport (HND) and North Las Vegas Airport […]
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Pole-To-Pole Venture Underway
Pilot and author Robert DeLaurentis departed from California's Gillespie Field (SEE) last Saturday on a six-month venture to fly from the South Pole to the North Pole in a modified 1983 Turbo Commander 900 (690D). The route is expected to cover approximately 26,000 NM with stops in more than 20 countries before returning to San […]
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Aviation Safety
Download The Full October 2019 Issue PDF
The anonymity many groups are seeking is at the aircraft level. For years, operators have been able to block their registration from appearing in the FAAs Aircraft Situation Display to Industry (ASDI) data stream, preventing the public from tracking the aircraft. Both the 978 UAT and 1090ES standards transmit registration in a non-encrypted 24-bit ICAO code specifically assigned to each aircraft.
Fuel Pump Problems
Fuel flow was erratic, with a slight fuel leak from pump drains. Inspection revealed debris in servo screens. Teardown report showed drive couplings pitted, blades and liners scored, rotors worn. Debris in servo filter appeared to be pieces of the liner. Replaced both pumps. (The same engine-driven fuel pumps (p/n 200F5002) were installed new at engine overhaul. They were replaced at 372 hours and 389.7 hours. The pumps removed had 776.3 and 794.0 hours.
Throttled
After the airplane was returned to me, my gut was telling me something was wrong. Some of the work was, in short, a bit sloppy. I took this as a sign to go over everything, including 10 hours of high-speed taxi tests before the first flight, but clearly it wasn't enough. I recall looking at the throttle and how unprofessional it looked, in particular, "full throttle" on the right side only opened the throttle to 75 percent. The left seat throttle lever opened and closed the carbs fully, so I decided I could live with it.
NTSB Reports
The pilot purchased the airplane the day prior to the accident. He departed the airport and performed maneuvers in the local area, then returned and completed four normal wheel landings. On the fifth landing, at about 30 mph, the tailwheel settled to the runway. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot stated he felt a rumble "like a machine gun" and the airplane veered to the right. He applied left rudder, and the airplane subsequently veered left off the runway, the right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing spar sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain. Examination revealed the tailwheel was cocked to the right, perpendicular to the fuselage.
Unwarranted
One special category of pilots are those for whom going fast is important. Why? Because speed is relative. At altitude on a severe clear day, there's little sensation of speed. We have to get close to something before our speed becomes apparent. And the risk with getting close to something is we might hit it. While untrained pilots who engage in such risky behaviors aren't the norm, there's enough of them that the practice has its own term: unwarranted low flying. Its use apparently has fallen out of favor, but the phrase "unwarranted low flying" has populated numerous NTSB reports over the years.
FAA
LAANC Drone Program Expansion Continues
WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced two important expansions of the Low Altitude Authorization and Capability (LAANC), which automates the application and approval process for drone operators to obtain airspace authorizations.Four airports Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Dulles International Airport, William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and Newark Liberty International Airport joined the list of approximately 400 air traffic facilities covering about 600 airports where LAANC is available. Access to the service is provided through one of the FAA-approved UAS Service Suppliers. The seven companies listed below are the latest to enter into partnerships with the agency, bringing the total to 21.AirspacelinkAvisionBotlinkCollins AerospaceDrone UpSimulyzeSkygridLAANC, a collaboration between the FAA and the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) industry that directly supports the safe integration ofUAS into the nations airspace, expedites the time it takes for drone pilots to receive authorizations to fly under 400 feet in controlled airspace. The service is accessible to all pilots who operate under theFAAs small drone rule(Part 107).LAANC began as a prototype in 2017. To date, there have been more than 170,000 approved authorizations through LAANC. The program was expanded in July to provide near real-time airspace authorizations to recreational flyers.The programs continued expansion further increases the ability of drone pilots to gain safe and efficient access to controlled airspace nationwide. For updates to LAANC capabilities, visit our website.
FAA Air Traffic Report
Today's Air Traffic Report:A mix of clouds and light snow could delay air traffic today in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). Clouds in the Desert Southwest could slow flights in in Las Vegas (LAS) and Phoenix (PHX). Thunderstorms are possible around Dallas-Fort Worth (DAL, DFW) and Houston (HOU, IAH).Pilots: Check out the new Graphical Forecasts for Aviation (GFA) Tool from the Aviation Weather Center.For up-to-the-minute air traffic operations information, visit fly.faa.gov, and follow @FAANews on Twitter for the latest news and Air Traffic Alerts.The FAA Air Traffic Report provides a reasonable expectation of any daily impactsto normal air traffic operations, i.e. arrival/departure delays, ground stoppages, airport closures. This information is for air traffic operations planning purposes and is reliable as weather forecasts and other factors beyond our ability to control.Always check with your air carrier for flight-specific delay information.
FAA Seeks Comments on Draft Environmental Assessment for Las Vegas Metroplex Project
WASHINGTON-The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for the Las Vegas Metroplex Project, which proposes to use cutting-edge satellite navigation to move air traffic more efficiently through Southern Nevada.While the airspace around Las Vegas is already safe, its not as efficient as it could be. The FAA proposes to address the inefficiencies by implementing new routes that are more direct, automatically separated from each other, and have efficient climb and descent profiles. The potential benefits of these routes can include reductions in pilot-controller communications, miles flown, fuel burn and CO2 emissions.The project includes new and replacement arrival and departure routes for McCarran International Airport, Henderson Executive Airport and North Las Vegas Airport.The FAA released the projects Draft EA on Nov.18 for public review. There will be a 32-day public comment period on the document from Nov.18 through Dec. 20, 2019.The document is posted on the Las Vegas Metroplex website. The Draft EA indicates the project would not have any significant environmental impacts under federal environmental law.Also available on the website are Google Earth images that allow people to compare current and proposed routes, and see the noise analysis the FAA conducted at more than 172,000 grid points throughout the project General Study Area.The FAA will host five public workshops for the Draft EA between Monday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. The workshops will feature informational videos and display boards that show existing and proposed routes and explain the inefficiencies in the current system. FAA representatives will be available to answer questions and demonstrate the Google Earth features.The workshops will be open-house format, where people can attend any time during the posted times to learn about the project. Free parking will be available at all locations.The workshop dates and locations are as follows:Dec. 9, 20195:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.Clark County Government Center Pueblo Room500 S. Grand Central Pkwy., Las Vegas, NV 89155Dec. 10, 20195:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.North Las Vegas Airport Grand Canyon Conference Room2730 Airport Drive, North Las Vegas, NV 89032Dec. 11, 20195:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.Desert Breeze Community Center Meeting Room8275 Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89147Dec. 12, 20194:45 p.m. 7:15 p.m.Windmill Library Meeting Room7060 Windmill Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89113Dec. 13, 20195:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.Henderson Executive Airport North/South Meeting Room3500 Executive Terminal Drive, Henderson, NV 89052People can submit comments on the project online at 9-las-metroplex-ea@faa.gov, in person at the public workshops, and by writing to:Las Vegas Metroplex Draft EA Federal Aviation AdministrationWestern Service CenterOperations Support Group2200 S. 216th StreetDes Moines, WA 98198-6547After evaluating and responding to all substantive public comments, the FAA could adopt the entire proposal, adopt portions of it, or modify it.Additional information about the project, including previous public outreach activities, is available on the FAAs Las Vegas Community Involvement website.
FAA Issues Denver Environmental Assessment
WASHINGTON The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Denver Metroplex project.Before the FAA makes a final decision on the project, the agency will hold a 32-day public comment period. This will allow people to comment on the changes made in the Final EA compared to the Draft EA, and on any of the preliminary determinations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.The project would use cutting-edge satellite navigation to move air traffic more safely and efficiently through the area. Satellite-based routes would allow for more direct and efficient routing of aircraft into and out of Denver and surrounding airports, enhancing aviation safety and efficiency, and potentially reducing flight delays.The project also would expand the number of entry and exit points into and out of the Denver airspace, by segregating Denver arrival traffic from satellite airport traffic and creating additional departure routes, similar to creating more on- and off-ramps in the sky. The project includes two major airports, Denver International Airport and Centennial Airport, and three satellite airports Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Northern Colorado Regional Airport and Greeley-Weld County Airport.Prior to issuing the Final EA, the FAA held a total of 24 public workshops in 2017 and in the spring of 2019, conducted approximately 78 briefings for community groups, airport officials, and local, state and federal officials. The agency also evaluated and responded to 518 public comments.The public is invited to submit comments by mail, or via the web comment form available online throughout the comment period.Electronic copies of the Final EA and supporting materials, including all Section 106 materials, are available at the following locations:Online at the Project website.Electronic versions of the Final EA have been sent to 78 libraries in the General Study Area with a request to make the digital document available to patrons. A complete list of libraries with electronic copies of the Final EA is available online at the Project website.
FAA and NASA Drone Industry Workshop
WASHINGTONThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and NASA will hold the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) Pilot Program (UPP) Phase 2 Industry Workshop in December. Building on UPP Phase 1, UPP Phase 2 will showcase additional technologies, including Remote Identification (ID) and operations with increasing volumes and density. The UPPs success is dependent upon the ability to work with industry, various FAA Test Sites and IPP participants.What: FAA/NASA UTM Pilot Program Phase 2 December Industry WorkshopWhen: Monday, December 9, 2019, 1:00 p.m.5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard TimeWhere: NASA Ames Conference Center, Mountain View, CADuring this half-day workshop, the FAA and NASA will provide participants with an in-depth view of UPP Phase 2, including a walk-through of the Concept of Use, Architecture, Technical and Functional Requirements, and a detailed timeline. UPP Phase 2 partners should be able to support the following capabilities:UAS operations in high density airspace;Remote ID services;USS transmission of flight information to air traffic control due to an off-nominal UTM event;Public safety operations; and,UAS Volume Reservations (UVR) service.Those interested in more details surrounding the agencies plan for partnering with industry for UPP can go to the registration website.Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis and limited to the first 150 registrants. Only two participants from the same organization may register. The registration deadlines are:Tuesday, November 12 for non-U.S. citizens without permanent residency. NASA requires special paperwork to admit all non-U.S. citizens without permanent residency to attend the workshop at Ames Research Center.Monday, November 25 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; Please go to the registration website for more information.For any questions on the workshop, email: FAAUTM@FAA.gov.
