Category Archives: FAA

Coronavirus and Flying

Posted on by

Coronavirus and flying your own aircraft.

Coronavirus and flying.  If you haven’t heard, Coronavirus is causing a few issues with aviation events, like Sun ‘n Fun (go to their website to get the details), which have been postponed or cancelled.

And of course, there are non-aviation events around the world that are being closed, postponed or cancelled.  It appears that traveling on airlines and crowds are two of the big issues.  Most of the “news” right now is about Coronavirus and flying on the airlines. The risks associated with large terminals with hundreds or thousands of people in close proximity.

While that is a problem for the majority of the public, there is more to aviation than just the airlines. Which brings up how important personal aviation is now! General aviation is a great way to fill in the gaps of travel.

Sure, we all need to practice safe behaviors and “social distancing” to protect ourselves and others.  Which is why flying your own aircraft is a way to actually keep you away from the crowds. For example, you only fly with known passengers and crew instead of people you have never met. It really gives a pilot a lot more control in this situation.

Just think, no more long security lines, mingling with hundreds or even thousands of other people, waiting to get on a commercial flight.

Remember, small local airports have fewer people and easier access.  Think about it, you can usually go through the gate to your airplane and fly out without much, if any, personal contact.  Yes, walking through the FBO there may be people, but its a lot fewer than at the commercial terminals.

Even in a time when the rest of the media would have us stay isolated and locked inside our homes, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to sneak out to the airport, stay away from crowds and go fly around the pattern, maybe make a few landings, just to relax and clear your head. Oh and don’t forget to wash your hands.

coronavirus and flying

EXPERIMENTAL, AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS REMAIN BELOW FAA DECADE-LONG CHALLENGE GOAL

Posted on by

Uptick in aircraft accidents in past year a reminder that continual safety focus is essential

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (November 22, 2019) — While fatal aircraft accident totals in amateur-built aircraft remain at historic lows, a slight increase in the total for the last 12-month reporting period shows the continuing necessity for dedicated educational efforts to push the total even lower, according to the Experimental Aircraft Association.

The Federal Aviation Administration reports that for the 12-month period from October 1, 2018, to September 30, 2019, fatal accident totals for the experimental category overall, including amateur-built aircraft, racing aircraft, those used for exhibit only, research-and-development, and some types of light-sport aircraft, rose to 52 – five above the FAA’s “not to exceed” goal of 47 for the period. Of that total, 39 fatal accidents were in amateur-built aircraft, an increase of four from the previous reporting period.

FAA measures accident totals on an October-through-September annual basis to coincide with the federal government’s fiscal year. In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board earlier this month noted that fatal accidents in all categories of general aviation increased in calendar year 2018 after several years of decline.

“What this increase tells us is that enhancing safety is not simply a target number to be reached, but a continual effort to build on the positive foundation we have already established,” said Sean Elliott, EAA’s vice president of advocacy and safety. “We are pleased that the accident totals remain below the challenge goal FAA issued to us in 2010, when the agency asked us to reduce the accident rate by 10 percent over the ensuing decade. It is not enough to simply reach a number, however; we must keep a steady focus on making improvements, especially as the number of general aviation flight hours have increased over the past several years.”

Elliott noted that the overall fatal accident numbers for experimental category aircraft remain much lower than other recreational pursuits, such as boating, skiing and snowboarding, and driving all-terrain vehicles.

EAA has worked closely with the FAA and NTSB on recommendations to reduce fatal accidents, including through participation in the FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee that EAA has co-chaired for the past three years. Efforts have also included more than 2,500 copies of the one-year old EAA Flight Test Manual now in the hands of amateur-built aircraft owners and the increasing use of an additional safety pilot during initial flight testing in amateur-built aircraft.

“With already very small numbers involved, a few additional accidents can create a percentage-rate anomaly, so it’s important to focus on driving the overall accident numbers lower,” Elliott said. “We must focus on training, situational awareness, and good pilot skills to complement the ever-improving technology that is part of today’s aircraft cockpits.”

About EAA

EAA embodies The Spirit of Aviation through the world’s most engaged community of aviation enthusiasts. EAA’s 230,000 members and 900 local chapters enjoy the fun and camaraderie of sharing their passion for flying, building and restoring recreational aircraft. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or go to www.eaa.org. For continual news updates, connect with www.twitter.com/EAA.

Garmin Autoland

Posted on by

Garmin Autoland

Have you read about or watched the video of the Garmin Autoland system?  If not you should it is a very cool new program.

If the system can brought to market and do what is says, what a cool safety feature.  Watch the videos it shows a really nice system.

The biggest issue I can see is the cost. Those of us with the lower dollar aircraft will probably not be able to afford the system. But hopefully once it gets out there in production, a more reasonable cost system designed for smaller single engine aircraft will be produced.

Just think, his could help prevent VFR into IFR fatalities or crashes caused by a pilot who is incapacitated and any other assorted issues that usually end up badly.

Thinking out loud, if you could have a system in your aircraft that would be able to communicate with the controllers,  locate the nearest airport that you could reach with the fuel on board and fly the plane and land safely…who wouldn’t want that?

Oh, and what insurance company wouldn’t like to see that on an aircraft that they insure?

Check it out. https://youtu.be/IyYxbiZ1FCQ