AVWEB
Picture of the Week, July 18, 2019
An artist paints a portrait of the 1929 Waco GXE at the 60th Annual National Waco Club Reunion at Wynkoop Field in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. The event was attended by 32 Wacos. This photo was taken with a Nikon D7500. It is uncropped and adjusted for contrast. Copyrighted photo by John E. Rees.
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uAvionix Developing Diversity ADS-B Device
Following the concept of the skyBeacon, uAvionix is developing another wingtip-mounted ADS-B Out solution featuring antenna diversity. Called the skyBeacon X, the unit will employ dual antennas—hence the diversity name—with one facing down and one facing upward. Certification is expected in 2021. The motivation for the new device is that NAV Canada is likely to […]
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Boeing and Southwest Sued For “Collusive Relationship”
If Boeing's troubles haven't already peaked with the 737 MAX's return to service possibly drifting early next year, a civil lawsuit filed in Texas this week alleges a “collusive relationship” between the manufacturer and the airline. It was filed on behalf of 13 individuals who flew Southwest on 737 MAX aircraft in the weeks before […]
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Garmin Updates G5 And G3X Touch
Garmin has added features to the G5 and G3X Touch EFISs ahead of next week's Oshkosh. New configurations of the G3X Touch for experimental aircraft will be available, while the G5 received incremental changes to add features for both certified and homebuilt aircraft. For the G5, Garmin has added outside-air temp, true airspeed and wind […]
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Garmin Adds IFR-Approved GPS/COMM
Garmin has filled out its lineup of modern panel-mount, IFR-approved GPS units with the GNC 355, which combines an approach-capable GPS with a comm radio for $6995. Earlier this year, Garmin introduced a standalone IFR GPS and a version with a built-in Mode S transponder and ADS-B Out capabilities. The GNC 355 carries many of […]
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Aviation Safety
Download The Full July 2019 Issue PDF
By the time you read this, Ill be getting my Debonair out of its annual inspection. Its been a lengthy one, in part because of some items I had deferred from previous inspections and in part because the airplane was new to the shop doing the work. Basically, I decided it was time to catch up on a few wear-and-tear items that pop up with any kind of machine, from a Roomba vacuum cleaner to a personal airplane.
Mufflers
While carrying out Canadian AD CF90-03-R2, large leaks were found in the area surrounding the muffler tail pipe area under the structure for supporting the heat muff shroud. No defects were noticed in a visual inspection of this area. No data tag was on the muffler, so its assumed it is an original unit. The operators logs dont show it ever being changed.
Other Airplanes
For example, a large flying club I was in a few years back had a pair of Cessna Cardinal RGs. They were getting a bit long in the tooth, but were roomy and relatively fast, and they were good cross-country airplanes. They also were configured basically the same, with two nav/comms but little else: no autopilot, for example, GPS or DME. After getting to know them both, I came to prefer the blue-and-white one over the orange version, since it was a bit younger and cleaner. Neither let me down, but one was sold to someone outside the club and, shortly thereafter, another pilot landed the remaining Cardinal RG gear-up.
NTSB Reports
After a low pass over the field, the pilot returned to land. On final approach, he was blinded by [the] sun and the tailwheel hit vines growing near the airstrip, causing the airplane to stall. The left wing, left main landing gear and propeller were damaged during the hard landing. According to the NTSB, [b]ecause the pilot did not hold a current pilot certificate, nor did he meet the medical certification requirements, he was not legally authorized to act as pilot-in-command of the airplane at the time of the accident.
Behind The Curve
The only time Ive performed what I consider to have been a for-real high-altitude takeoff, it went fine. I was at Albuquerque, N.M.s Double Eagle II airport, elevation some 5800 feet. It wasnt the middle of summer, but it was a warm, sunny fall afternoon. I dont recall which runway I used, but it offered more than enough length for my Debonair, which carried only me, some gear and full fuel. As Id been trained, I leaned the engine before the takeoff and let the airplane fly itself off the runway. I handled it gently until gaining enough airspeed to establish a proper climb and I had some altitude.
FAA
FAA Air Traffic Report
Today's Air Traffic Report:Thunderstorms could delay flights in Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (MDW, ORD), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis- St. Paul (MSP), the New York area (EWR, JFK, LGA) and Philadelphia (PHL). Low clouds are expected this morning in San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA).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.
Tropical Storm Barry Update
The Federal Aviation Administration is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Barry as it continues to move toward land. We are preparing facilities and equipment to withstand storm damage along the projected storm path so we can quickly resume disaster relief operations after it passes. The following guidance applies to travelers, drone users, and general aviation pilots in the affected area:TravelersDuring severe weather, airlines are likely to cancel flights in the direct path of the storm and surrounding areas. Flights that are not canceled may be delayed. Once a storm makes landfall, airports may be listed as open, but flooding on local roadways might limit safe access to airports for passengers, as well as airline and airport employees. As a result, every aspect of your trip to the airport, including parking, checking in, getting through security and boarding could take longer than usual.As always, check with your airline about the status of your flight before you leave for the airport. Major carriers provide flight status updates on their websites:Southwest AirlinesDelta AirlinesUnited AirlinesAmerican AirlinesJetBlueSpiritFrontierAllegiantPlease continue to check the status of your flight with your airline, not the FAA. You can also check the status of some major airports in the storm path by visitingFly.FAA.gov, which is updated regularly. You can also checkcurrent travel advisoriesprovided by most U.S. airlines.Drone UsersThe FAA has published a NOTAM related to Tropical Storm Barry for the Coastal Regions of Mississippi and Louisiana.The NOTAM is valid from Noon CT on July 12 and remains in effect until 8:00 p.m. CT on July 14. A full copy of the NOTAM is available through the FAAs NOTAM search tool, Number: 9/0238Drone Pilots must be aware of the following:Avoid flying in the area unless conducting an active disaster response or recovery mission.The FAA might issue a temporary flight restriction (TFR) in the affected area. Be sure to check for active TFRs if you plan to fly.Remember that you cannot fly inside a TFR without FAA approval.Emergency Operations and Response:You may be able to get expedited approval to operate in the TFR through the FAAsSpecial Governmental Interest (SGI) process and is outlined inFAA Order JO 7200.23A.Be aware that significant penalties that may exceed $20,000 if drone operators interfere with emergency response operations. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if aTemporary Flight Restriction(TFR) is not in place. Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.IF YOU ARE NOT CERTIFICATED AS A REMOTE PILOT OR DO NOT ALREADY HOLD A COA, YOU CANNOT FLY.General Aviation PilotsStandard check lists are even more important in and around severe weather. Be aware of weather conditions throughout the entire route of your planned flight. A pilots failure to recognize deteriorating weather conditions continues to cause or contribute to accidents.Hurricane preparedness guidance is available on faa.gov at:https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/hurricane_season/
Fly Safe: Prevent Loss of Control Accidents
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the general aviation (GA) communitys national #FlySafe campaign helps educate GA pilots about how to avoid loss of control (LOC) accidents.A LOC accident involves an unintended departure of an aircraft from controlled flight. LOC can happen when the aircraft enters a flight regime that is outside its normal flight envelope and quickly develops into a stall or spin. It can introduce an element of surprise for the pilot.LOC is the number one root cause of fatalities in GA accidents. More than 2 percent of GA fatalities occur during the maneuvering phase of flight. Of those accidents, half involve stall/spin scenarios.Stay safe! This series will show you how you can incorporate safety into every flight.Stabilized ApproachYou may think of stabilized approaches in terms of instrument flying in large airplanes, but theyre equally important to pilots who fly smaller GA airplanes using visual flight rules (VFR). Consider the following to maintain a stable approach:Maintain a constant speed and a constant descent rate that will safely put you in the best position to land with the least amount of work to do when you get there.Memorize your speeds and configuration data so you wont have to check the Pilots Operating Handbook in the midst of a busy landing.If youre not stable at 500 feet, or 1,000 feet when flying using instrument flight rules (IFR) go around. Go-arounds are your best defense against landing accidents.What is a De-Stabilized Approach?Excessive speed, excessive altitude, and the necessity for maneuvering can all contribute to a de-stabilized approach.A stabilized approach is unlikely if you enter the pattern 150 knots or just above stall speed, or 1,000 feet above the pattern altitude. But, what if traffic congestion is forcing you to move faster or higher than your comfort zone?If following traffic or complying with air traffic control (ATC) instructions will destabilize your flight, its time to exercise your pilot-in-command responsibility. Say the word unable and then establish a new plan.For mission-oriented pilots, its hard to say unable. But, theres no shame in missing an approach or going around and living to make another flight. If you cant make the approach, just say so.So when do I go around?If youre at or below 500 feet in VFR conditions and the approach isnt stable, its time to go around.If the runway is out of service, or theres traffic on it, its time to go around.Whatever the situation, the earlier you make the decision to go around, the easier it will be.Once youve decided to go around, stick to that decision. Changing your mind after youve started the maneuver is bound to be de-stabilizing, and youre too close to the ground for that.Handling a Missed ApproachWhen executing a missed approach or going around, youre already close to the ground, so your first priority is to maintain aircraft control:Arrest your descent, apply power to maintain altitude or climb as appropriate, and configure the airplane for climb or level flight.With the aircraft under control, its time to navigate. For VFR, continue to the runway threshold while climbing to pattern altitude, then maneuver to remain in or reenter the pattern and follow ATC instructions as appropriate. For instrument flight rules (IFR), continue to the missed approach point and then either fly the missed approach procedure or follow ATC instructions.Communicate your intentions, either through a call to ATC, or a call on the common traffic advisory frequency.Be sure to plan for a go-around on every approach. Know when youll make the decision and execute the go-around at that point.Dont second guess yourself. This is the time to stand by your decision.Manage DistractionsAn important part of maintaining a stabilized approach on landing is learning to manage distractions especially while maneuvering close to the ground. Consider these tips to help keep you distraction-free:Maintain a sterile cockpit while in departure, approach, and landing flight segments and while maneuvering.Make sure your aircraft is stable before copying ATC instructions, changing charts, reviewing approach, and other tasks.Keep your passenger busy by asking him or her to help you scan for traffic.Finally, fly regularly with a flight instructor who will challenge you to review what you know, explore new horizons, and to always do your best.Be sure to document your achievement in the Wings Proficiency Program. Its a great way to stay on top of your game and keep your flight review current.More about Loss of ControlContributing factors may include:Poor judgment or aeronautical decision makingFailure to recognize an aerodynamic stall or spin and execute corrective actionIntentional failure to comply with regulationsFailure to maintain airspeedFailure to follow procedurePilot inexperience and proficiencyUse of prohibited or over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, or alcoholDid you know?From October 2017 through September 2018, 387 people died in 226 general aviation accidentsLoss of Control was the number one cause of these accidents.Loss of Control happens in all phases of flight.It can happen anywhere and at any time.There is one fatal accident involving Loss of Control every four days.ResourcesStabilized Approaches Fly Safe factsheet .Skybrary article on Stabilized ApproachAircraft Owners and Pilots Associations (AOPA) Just Say No article about stabilized approaches.Equip with ADS-B now!Learn more about FAA regulations: Title 14 Code of Federal RegulationsFAASafety.govfor Notices, FAAST Blasts, online courses, webinars, and more on key general aviation safety topicsTheWINGS Pilot Proficiency Programhelps pilots build an educational curriculum suitable for their unique flight requirementsTheGeneral Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) provides resources and data to reduce the risk of GA accidents
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $477M in Infrastructure Grants to 264 Airports in 44 States
Projects will advance safety, improve travel, generate jobs and provide other economic benefits for local communities.
FAA Establishes Restrictions on Drone Operations over Additional Military Facilities
The Federal Aviation Administration announced today new airspace restrictions effective July 11, 2019 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) attempting to fly over national security sensitive locations.The FAA has been cooperating with federal partners to address concerns about malicious drone operations by using the agencys existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 99.7 (14 CFR 99.7), Special Security Instructions, to establish UAS specific flight restrictions over select, national security sensitive locations.The FAAs Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), FDC 8/3277, defines these special security instructions.The FAA published a NOTAM, FDC 9/3332, which alerts UAS operators and others in the aviation community of this change and points to FDC 8/3277.The additional 12 restricted locations requested by the U.S. Department of Defense are identified below.Raven Rock Mountain Complex in Adams, PALake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, MOPine Bluff Arsenal in White Hall, ARTooele Army Depot in Tooele, UTHawthorne Army Depot in Hawthorne, NVPueblo Chemical Depot in Pueblo, COIowa Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, IAWatervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, NYBlue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, KYLetterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PARivanna Station in Charlottesville, VAMaui Space Surveillance Site in Maui, HIUAS operators, in particular, are urged to review the special security instructions prescribed by FDC 8/3277 and the important supporting information provided by the FAAs UAS Data Delivery System (UDDS) website.The UDDS website provides easy access to the text of FDC 8/3277 and other UAS-specific security NOTAMs; a current list of the airspace to which these special security instructions have been applied, supported by an interactive map and downloadable geospatial data; and other crucial details.A link to these restrictions is also included in the FAAs B4UFLY mobile app.The new UAS flight restrictions highlighted above and by FDC 9/3332 are pending until they become effective on 07/11/2019. UAS operators should keep in mind that access to the airspace identified by FDC 8/3277 and UDDS is strictly controlled.Operators who violate these flight restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.The FAA is continuing to consider additional requests by eligible Federal security agencies for UAS-specific flight restrictions using the agencys 14 CFR 99.7 authority as they are received. The FAA will announce any future changes, including additional locations, as appropriate.For further, broader information regarding flying drones in the National Airspace System, including frequently asked questions, please refer to the FAAs UAS website.
