WELCOME PILOTS
Three cheers to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) for their work in pushing a bill before Congress titled the “General Aviation Pilot Protection Act.” The proposed bill would allow a pilot’s driver’s license to be used as a medical for aircraft weighing under 6,000 pounds (see details via the link*). In an AOPA article, New Bill Would Expand Driver’s License Medical, it states, “Congress has taken matters into its own hands, offering up legislation that would vastly expand the number of pilots who could fly without going through the expensive and time-consuming third-class medical certification process.” This is truly an interesting roller coaster of events in light of the Sleep Apnea witch-hunt. Since only .25% of accidents over the last thirty years are attributed to a medical issue (AOPA), it is about time that political energy is used in a positive and constructive manner.
An article in Aircraft Owner magazine titled, “Don’t Fence Me Out,” confirmed my thoughts about airports looking like prisons and therefore not very inviting to potential pilots of all ages. It’s great to see airports that embrace the true concept of community airports, a place where those with aviation business and simply an interest in airplanes can feel welcome. This is accomplished by airport observation areas, youth play areas and hiking/biking trails.
It’s great to see progress being made by many to promote aviation. A big “shout-out” goes to WingsOfun subscriber Jonathan Miller for coordinating the first annual Santa Fly-in at the Smith-Reynolds Airport, Winston-Salem, North Carolina on Sunday, December 22, 2013. What a great way to promote aviation through community involvement! Check out the details on the flyer below.
~TC Freeman
Chief Executive Aviation Ambassador (CEAA)
Sleep Apnea Update: Despite the attempts of Congress and aviation organizations, the FAA has chosen to continue its sleep apnea witch-hunt by over-stepping the NPRM process. We will keep you up-to-date via upcoming newsletters.
*http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/December/11/new-bill-would-expand-drivers-license-medical.aspx?CMP=ADV%3A1
PILOT SAFETY MINUTE VIDEO #24 ~ ASIANA FLIGHT 214: LESSONS FOR THE RECREATIONAL PILOT
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NEW AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
(Roll-Out Special $1.99)
With the issue of sequestration, the shut-down of many Air Traffic Control Towers is a possibility. Regardless, it is important to know how to safely and efficiently operate at Non-Towered Airports. In this audio book TC Freeman discusses; straight in approaches, dealing with aircraft on extended downwind and traffic pattern entries.
(Run time: 34 minutes)
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PILOT BLAMES TECHNOLOGY IN ASIANA AIRLINES ACCIDENT
BY TC FREEMAN
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Investigative Hearing of the Asiana Flight 214 crash took place on December 11, 2013. During the hearing, company officials and the flight crew revealed many insightful comments regarding the details of the July 6, 2013 accident at SFO. Captain Kuk told NTSB officials that, “"it was very difficult to perform a visual approach with a heavy airplane” (AvWeb article: Asiana Pilot 'Very Concerned' About Landing Visually). Kuk’s also had concerns with the inoperative glideslope at the airport. However, the visual approach lights (PAPI) were operational. Additionally, there was discussion regarding a claim that the auto-throttle system had malfunctioned. However, NTSB clarified that it was not engaged. Can technology actually hinder safety instead of increasing it through more information and efficiency?
It’s interesting to note the comments in the AvWeb Story* of John Cashman (retired 777 chief pilot, Boeing) that wisely stated, “It’s the pilots' ultimate responsibility to make sure everything is working properly.” From my perspective, when seeing the video footage, the conditions indicated a clear Visual Flight Rules (VFR) day, which means a visual approach should have been no big deal. In the Asiana pilot’s defense, company policy (Standard Operating Proceedure) typically requires pilots to follow the Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach, even in VFR weather. The reason is standardization, allowing for a stabilized approach, no willy-nilly cowboy approaches allowed. For Captain Kuk to have a basic “concern” with inoperable equipment doesn’t seem too far out of the norm. However, having an operational PAPI should have been sufficient even for a “heavy airplane.”
According to FAA directives based on the new Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) ruling, there will be a lot more emphasis “hands-on” flying skills. This is in contradiction to the typical airline training that places the focus on using installed technology. Which training perspective is correct, the-hands-on or technology approach? I say both are correct, use the technology effectively and efficiently but know how to hand –fly. Perhaps the Asiana crew had gotten too far from the type of flying that we recreational flyers do every day.** Give us a grass strip on a clear day and that is pretty much all we need.
A study that was done a few years ago (seems like at MTSU) tracked the effect of learning to fly in a “steam gauge” aircraft verses a Technologically Advanced Aircraft (TAA) with digital displays and the like. One of the results of the study was that TAA aircraft don’t equate to an increase in safety over traditional analog equipped aircraft.
While some of the comments of the Asiana company and crew came across a bit self-preserving, it’s important for investigators to proceed with due diligence by examining all of the angles of the accident. Personally, I enjoy using all of the technology available in the cockpit, working in concert for maximum efficiency. However, we have to be ready to dis-connect the auto-pilot, GPS and yaw-dampener (auto-rudder control) to hand fly the aircraft.
NTSB video of Asiana Airlines Accident:
http://youtu.be/Elu-zGxHNNc
*http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Asiana-Pilot-Very-Concerned-About-Landing-Visually221108-1.html
**Many have eluded to the cultural issues that are contrary to modern Cockpit Resource Management (CRM) that is a another topic we will discuss in a future article.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/11/us/ntsb-hearing-asiana-flight-214/
REMEMEMBER THE 1ST “NATIONAL TAKE FLIGHT DAY” is
Saturday, APRIL 12, 2014
www.NationalTakeFlightDay.com
Kudos to WingsOfun subscriber Jonathan Miller for having the great insight and energy to put on this great event (and Santa too!). Pilots are invited to fly-in to add to the excitement for Santa’s arrival. Contact Jonathan via the FaceBook link with questions or to help out or fly-in: https://www.facebook.com/WSSantaFlyIn.
*Also a great time to get your INT Operation: Fly NC stamp!
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OPERATION: FLY NC NEWS
The JAARS/Townsend Airport (N52) stamp is reported as missing from the telephone box. Feel free to take a picture while we track down the status of the stamp.
Upcoming Events: Good for OP: FLY NC stamp/signature, most posted to:www.SocialFlight.com.
*Tuesday, January 14, 2014 (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) Person Co. Pilots Association meeting. Seminar topic: Pilot and Aircraft Performance
*Saturday, January 18, 2014 (time?) B Bar D Flight Training (Allegro), Raleigh Executive South Jetport (TTA). Seminar topic: Operations at Non-Towered Airports. Contact: B Bar D at: (919) 775-2224
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eBook Special $3.99 HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON FLIGHT TRAINING
*INCLUDES SPECIAL CAREER PILOT SECTION!
http://tinyurl.com/lw2s674
************************************************************************OUR FAVORITE VIDEOS FROM THE WEB ~ FOKKER DR1 MINI DOCUMENTARY
This is a story about a father and son that took 15 years to build a full size Fokker DR1. A great aircraft but more importantly the persistence of this team to build a aircraft worth talking about.
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