Aviation Safety
Download The Full June 2019 Issue PDF
According to the assumptions the FAA used in its forecasting, the U.S. economy is projected to grow during the period, but more slowly than any other region in the world. Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the U.S. for the 20-year period is forecast at 1.8 percent while worldwide GDP growth is estimated at 2.8 percent. Only Europe, Africa and the Middle East are projected to see similar GDP growth, estimated to be 1.9 percent. The Asia/Pacific region leads the pack, with 4.0 percent growth projected over the next 20 years.
Air Filters
Receiving inspection of new air filters (p/n P107336) revealed three out of four had a defective sealing surface, causing the sealing/mating surface to crack and crumble. This defective sealing surface could potentially enter the engine. The defective filters sealing surface has a light-gray color while the replacement filters we received, inspected and found to be in serviceable condition had a dark gray, almost black sealing surface. Suspect that the defective filters had improper material on the sealing surface or were improperly cured.
Buddy System
Normally, I might have panicked, but with my experienced copilot at my side, I stayed calm. We talked through our options and decisions along as I continued to fly the plane. I began a series of small adjustments to the throttle and mixture to see how the engine responded. We quickly discovered these changes only made matters worse, so we left the settings as is. My buddy reminded me to stay highaltitude is our friendand we looked for landing spots in case things deteriorated.
NTSB Reports
Radar data depicted the airplane flying northerly until about 1138, when it initiated a right turn to the south at about 400 feet msl. Witnesses then saw the airplane turn right to a westerly or northwesterly direction over land while radar depicted the airplane descending to about 200 feet msl. The airplane banked sharply left, and one witness observed the banner twist and separate. The airplane then banked to the right and impacted a 19-story condominium near its top floor. The airplane fell to the second floor deck and came to rest on its left side. Witnesses described the engine sound as either sputtering, operating normally or being at a low throttle setting.
Dark Acceleration
I like to fly at night. The air generally is smoother, theres less traffic, the ATC frequencies are not as busy and ground illumination, the moon and the stars can compete in one of the best light shows youll ever see. Of course, humans were never meant to fly in the first place, and we often have difficulty actually seeing things at night. So we need to be mindful of night flyings risks and adopt procedures or limitations mitigating them.
FAA
FAA and NASA Conduct Crash Test on a Regional Jet
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) performed a crashworthiness test on a Fokker F28 aircraft at the Landing and Impact Research Facility at NASAs Langley Research Facility in Hampton, VA on Thursday, June 20, 2019.The Fokker F28 is a regional jet that is used on short to medium-haul flights to transport passengers from hubs to regional airports. A crashworthiness test was conducted to advance safety research on the structural performance of this style, design and materials for this size of aircraft.NASA conducted a swing test and simulation of a narrow-body transport fuselage section of the Fokker F-28. The test simulated an aircraft crash onto a dirt surface. Data from the test are used by the FAA to develop guidance on how to determine crashworthiness of various aircraft. The data also help researchers ascertain how portions of the cabin interior and occupants of the aircraft react in a crash. Twenty-four test dummies ranging from small children to adults, one weighing approximately 273 pounds were used in this aircraft test.Test results will also support the development of a new performance based rule that will simplify the certification process by eliminating or minimizing the use of special conditions to certify aircraft.The FAA conducted the test in collaboration with NASA, the FAA Civil Aeromedical Institute, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, and the National Transportation Safety Board. Reports from the test will be available to the public.
FAA Air Traffic Report
Today's Air Traffic Report: Thunderstorms could slow flights today in Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (MDW, ORD), Denver (DEN), Florida, Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), the New York area (EWR, JFK, LGA) and Philadelphia (PHL).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.
Leading the World and Beyond in Commercial Space Transportation
Le Bourget, France Before an aerospace industry Commercial Space Panel at the Paris Air Show today, Acting Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) Administrator Daniel K. Elwell told participants that the Department of Transportation is building a regulatory framework to retain United States leadership and enable the limitless potential and possibilities of commercial space.We look forward to working with commercial space innovators and within agencies throughout the Administration to maintain American competitiveness and safety in this critical industry, said Elwell.Elwell credited much of the success of the United States in commercial space transportation to the administrations approach to make sure regulatory requirements do not hamstring industry. Recently, the FAA put forward a proposed rulemaking to streamline and get rid of rules that have outlived their usefulness, are duplicative, or unnecessarily burdensome. Two more rulemakings are being prepared to improve how FAA oversees spaceports and provide better access and interaction with commercial space and air traffic operations.The Acting Administrator reasserted that safety remains the agencys primary mission and has led to a record, that to date, has resulted in no public injuries or fatalities in the more than 370 FAA-licensed commercial space activities.Elwell cited ever-increasing launch activity as evidence in the vibrancy and growth of the commercial space sector:23 successful launches in 2017;33 successful launches in 2018, a new record; and,As many as 41 launches are on the calendar for this year.The Acting Administrator also highlighted recent milestones and success:In December and February Virgin Galactic successfully completed two more crewed commercial launches going above 50 statute miles, adding five new Commercial Space Astronauts to the rolls, including the first woman, Beth Moses;SpaceX and Boeing plan to carry astronauts to the Space Station on FAA-licensed launches in the near future;In April, America and world saw the first commercial payload launched by SpaceXs Falcon Heavy Rocket; and,Earlier this month, the FAA supported three commercial launches within three days (Rocket Lab in New Zealand, Blue Origin in Texas, and SpaceX in Florida).
FAA Announces New Supersonic Rulemaking
LeBourget, FranceToday in remarks at an Innovation Panel before Paris Air Show attendees, FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell said the U.S. will ensure and enable safer and more innovative technologies to enter new aviation segments. As anexample,Elwell announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking(NPRM)thatmodifies and clarifiesexisting regulatory procedures to obtain FAA approval to testsupersonic aircraft.The NPRM is a first, necessarymilestonetoward the reintroducingcivil supersonic flight.The U.S. Department of Transportation and the FAA are committed towardthe safe and environmentally-sound research and development of supersonic aircraft, said Elwell. We areconfidentin the next generationofaviation pioneers who want to open new opportunities for business, economic, and aviation growth.With a number of supersonic aircraft projects currently under development in the U.S., Elwell highlighted this NPRM ensures that these companies have more accessible information and an efficient process to gain FAA approval to conduct flight testing.
FAA Hiring Controllers Nationwide
A window of opportunity is available to U.S. citizens interested in becoming air traffic controllers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is accepting applications nationwide from June 14-17. The job announcement may close prior to the 17th if the number of applications exceeds the FAAs needs.Applicants must be U.S. citizens, speak English clearly and be no older than 30 years of age (with limited exceptions). They must have a combination of three years of higher education and/or work experience. They are also required to pass a medical examination, security investigation and FAA air traffic pre-employment tests. Agency staffing needs will determine facility assignments, and applicants must be willing to work anywhere in the U.S.Accepted applicants will be trained at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Okla.Active duty military members must provide documentation certifying that they expect to be discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions no later than 120 days after the date the documentation is signed.Interested applicants should visitwww.usajobs.govto build their applications orwww.faa.gov/Jobsfor more information about air traffic controllers.
