AVWEB
Mooney's Last Act?
Mooney shutters for the umpteenth time. Now what? No one knows, but one thing's for sure, the Chinese rose is wilting.
The post Mooney's Last Act? appeared first on AVweb.
Fly The High Road Or The Low Road?
Flight planning invariably includes choosing an expected altitude for the trip and varying it as necessary for anticipated terrain encounters and ATC requirements. The question at the outset will often be, shall I go as high as practical, or as low as I can? Many factors enter into the decision, with each trip having du […]
The post Fly The High Road Or The Low Road? appeared first on AVweb.
Aviation Organizations Oppose Foreign Maintenance Oversight Bill
The Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) and ten other aviation organizations have come out in opposition of a recently introduced bill aimed at increasing FAA oversight of repair stations located outside of the United States. The Safe Aircraft Maintenance Standards Act (H.R. 5119) was introduced by U.S. House of Representatives Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman […]
The post Aviation Organizations Oppose Foreign Maintenance Oversight Bill appeared first on AVweb.
Trade-A-Plane Ceases Print Publication, Converts To Digital
After 82 years of continuous print publication, the iconic Trade-A-Plane will cease the print issue in December and convert entirely to a digital format. As digital competition has eroded Trade-A-Plane's dominant position in aviation classified and display advertising, the print version was no longer viable, a spokesperson for the Cosby Harrison company told AVweb last […]
The post Trade-A-Plane Ceases Print Publication, Converts To Digital appeared first on AVweb.
NTSB: Stronger 737NG Engine Cowls Needed
Reinforced fan cowls for Boeing 737 Next Generation airliners are among the NTSB's recommendations after analyzing the April 2018 incident with a Southwest Airlines flight that resulted in one passenger fatality. The left engine on this 737-700 failed 30 minutes after the flight left New York's LaGuardia Airport, with fragments from the first-stage fan tearing […]
The post NTSB: Stronger 737NG Engine Cowls Needed appeared first on AVweb.
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
FAA Air Traffic Report
Today's Air Traffic Report:Thunderstorms could delay flights today in Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix (PHX). Low clouds could slow trafficthis morningin Boston (BOS), Chicago (MDW, ORD) and Houston (HOU, IAH). Winds are forecast for the New York area (EWR, JFK, LGA).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.
Notice to Airmen Data Optimization Summit on November 18
WASHINGTON On November 18, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will hold a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Data Optimization Summit to modernize aeronautical information and NOTAM data. The FAA and the aviation community will discuss ways to improve the collection and dissemination of vital aeronautical information provided primarily to airspace users, with a focus on general aviation pilots and the growing drone community.The FAA will livestream the event on FAA social media channels throughout the day and welcomes public feedback.
