IMC News

Two Conflicting Regulations Are On They Way to the Federal Register

Two conflicting regulations are on they way to the Federal Register. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the notice of a rule prohibiting the “certification, manufacture, importation, sale, or continued use of 121.5 MHz ELTs.” The rule would suddenly make aircraft that are in full compliance with the federal aviation regulations in violation of federal communications law. Although satellites have not listened for 121.5-MHz signals since February 2009, the frequency is still monitored by ATC.

The FCC says that if the 121.5 units are no longer available, aircraft owners and operators will "migrate" to the newer 406.0-406.1 MHz ELTs, which are monitored by satellite, while the 121.5 frequency is not. "Were we to permit continued marketing and use of 121.5 MHz ELTs ... it would engender the risk that aircraft owners and operators would mistakenly rely on those ELTs for the relay of distress alerts,"

The FAA currently requires aircraft to carry a fixed ELT, but does not specify the frequency. The FCC’s change would outlaw the use of 121.5 MHz - effectively forcing aircraft owners to buy the 406 MHz ELT.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association said it is “aggressively pursuing all options” to delay the rule’s adoption, warning of serious economic and operational consequences for more than 220,000 aircraft in the general aviation fleet that still carry 121.5 - MHz ELTs.

This rule would go into effect 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. It is important to add that at the moment this regulation has not been published therefore there is no effective date of this change.

A Pilot Deviation is Being Filed Against the Pilot

A helicopter carrying a member of the Associated Press violated the temporary flight restriction around the oil clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico - on Sunday  June 13th. The helicopter operator was not authorized to fly into the restricted area and was flying at various altitudes well below 3,000 feet. For over 30 minutes, the pilot was not in communication with the Border Patrol aircraft that is providing traffic advisories for all participating aircraft. Border Patrol was forced to divert other traffic in the area, creating a dangerous situation for everyone involved. When the pilot was finally reached he was told to leave the area.

According to the FAA since May 28th, the FAA has approved every request to fly over the area–more than 176 times. While the temporary flight restriction requires pilots to stay above 3,000 feet, the FAA is working with news organizations and granting exceptions so that pilots can fly at lower altitudes throughout the day.

There have been a number of reported near misses over the Gulf due to heavy traffic and pilots flying above the oil spill to give their passengers a closer look.

A pilot deviation as the violation of a Federal Aviation Regulation is being filed against the helicopter pilot.

Injuries Among the 33 Passengers and Three Crewmembers Onboard

At about 2:30 p.m. EDT today (Wednesday June 16th), a Trans States Airlines Embraer-145 regional jet operated as United Express flight 8050 (N847HK), overran runway 25 while landing at Ottawa International Airport. Preliminary reports indicate that there were several injuries among the 33 passengers and three crewmembers onboard. The flight originated from Washington Dulles International Airport. 

 
NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman has designated Air Safety Investigator John Lovell as the U.S. Accredited Representative. The U.S. team will also include an NTSB flight operations specialist, an NTSB survival factors specialist, and technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration. The team will arrive in Ottawa tomorrow morning.

The airplane was landing on Ottawa's runway 25 in light rain, when it overran the runway end by about 200 meters (660 feet). The captain and a female passenger received minor neck injuries; the first officer was treated for minor leg injuries. The airplane received substantial damage to its nose after the nose gear collapsed in the overrun.

It is too early to speculate about what may have caused the plane to leave the runway, though passengers said the weather or a brake problem may have been factors.

Return flight to Washington, scheduled to leave Ottawa at was cancelled.

Beginning June 30 - New Taxi Instructions

Beginning June 30, air traffic controllers will be required to issue specific runway crossing instructions for each runway to be crossed. Pilots will no longer hear the familiar “taxi to runway …” phraseology, which currently allows an aircraft to cross all runways intersecting its route to the departure runway.

This change establishes the requirement that an explicit runway crossing clearance be issued for each runway (active/inactive or closed) crossing and requires an aircraft/vehicle to have crossed the previous runway before another runway crossing clearance may be issued. At airports where the taxi route between runway centerlines is less than 1,000 feet apart, multiple runway crossings may be issued.

When an aircraft is instructed to “follow” traffic and requires a runway crossing, a runway crossing clearance has to be issued in addition to the follow instructions and/or hold short instructions, as applicable.

In addition to the new taxi procedures - in September of this year FAA is expected to implement a change from “Position and Hold” to “Line Up and Wait” in order to conform to international phraseology standards.  This change is expected to occur in September 2010.  In fact, if you fly in the Canadian airspace you know that this particular phraseology has already been in use for since March of 2008.

Greater Efficiency and Improved Situational Awareness

Greater efficiency and improved situational awareness — that’s what ADS-B promises to provide for aircraft operating in the national airspace system (NAS). With several airport areas already operating with ADS-B capability, as well as a recently published rule on performance requirements, those objectives are becoming a reality. What do these changes mean to general aviation, a segment of the aviation community that accounts for a hefty majority of flights in the U.S.?

This is the technology that allows air traffic controllers to track aircraft via ADS-B information instead of radar information. It also allows pilots and controllers to see the same aircraft position information. It is expected that more companies will bring ADS-B avionics to market, spurring better prices and more competition.
“This (…) will allow our air traffic controllers to know where aircraft are with greater precision and reliability,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. “That is one of the key elements of NextGen that will improve the safety and efficiency of flight.”

According to FAA the nationwide rollout of ADS-B ground stations will be complete in 2013.
To learn more about ADS-B and what it means to general aviation check out the article at the  FAA Safety Briefing.

The Passenger Was Washington Post Transportation Writer, Ashley Halsey III

Washington, DC, June 8 - The National Transportation Safety Board today dispatched a team to investigate today's aviation event that occurred at approximately 10:05 a.m. at Reagan National Airport, in Washington, D.C.

A Boeing Stearman ST75 (N52652) ground looped and then flipped on landing on runway one.

Fortunately, both pilot and passenger walked away from the crash unscathed. The passenger was Washington Post transportation writer, Ashley Halsey III. The crash temporarily closed a runway at the airport but the incident didn't seem to causing any significant delays.

IMC Clubs Strongly Opposes This Legislation

In a letter e-mailed and addressed to: Joanne Wenzel Staff Services Manager III, Bureau of Postsecondary Education in Sacramento, California; IMC Clubs is strongly opposing the legislation putting financial burden on the flight instructors operating in that state.

“Passage of AB-48 sets a sad and dangerous precedent for the future of aviation in the US. As an organization designed to promote safety among instrument rated pilots, IMC Clubs is deeply concerned by California's unfortunate decision to pass legislation that will end the careers of many flight instructors and force flight schools out of business. America's freedom to fly is being threatened again by shortsighted bureaucracies desperate to fund government programs during these tough financial times. Their desperation will impose unfair burdens on flight instructors and flight schools such as the initial application fee, more than $5,000. The legislation also requires a yearly application fee of $1,000

These fees would be required simply for an independent flight instructor to continue plying his or her trade. During these tough financial times where student enrollment is already drastically reduced one has to ask the simple question, "How many flight instructors have an extra $5,000 lying around". It is clear that many flight instructors will be forced to look for work elsewhere, increasing the already crowded ranks of the unemployed and crippling flight instruction across this great nation.

Pilot safety is at risk. Forcing flight instructors, the very backbone of aviation safety, out of their jobs will mean less instruction, poorly educated pilots and will drastically compromise the safety of aviation. IMC Clubs strongly opposes this legislation.

For the IMC Clubs Board of Directors and the IMC Clubs Members:

Radek. R. Wyrzykowski – President
Ken Dustin – Vice President”

IMC Clubs Opens 20th Chapter in Marquette Michigan

IMC Clubs opened its twentieth chapter. IMC Clubs passed this milestone when the most recent chapter opened in Marquette Michigan.

Roger Bentlage will host the new IMC Club Chapter. They will hold their inaugural meeting on Saturday, June 19th at the Sawyer International Airport (KSAW). The Marquette Chapter expects over a dozen instrument rated pilots at their first meeting.

Reached for comment, Vice President of IMC Clubs, Ken Dustin remarked, "We knew when we started this that it would be very popular in the flying community. It is so exciting to watch each chapter come on line and know that a whole new group of pilots will be safer and more proficient by flying together and supporting one another through IMC Clubs.

FAA Alleges Unsafe Landing Gear Operations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed to assess a civil penalty of $325,000 against Continental Airlines, Inc., for operating an aircraft on at least a dozen commercial flights without properly maintaining its right main landing gear.

The FAA alleges that the crew of a Continental Boeing 737 saw a warning light on the right main landing gear indicator after the gear retracted on a flight from Houston to Los Angeles. After discussing the situation with Continental maintenance control, the crew elected to continue the flight.

However, the flight diverted to Phoenix after the crew noticed the aircraft was burning an excessive amount of fuel. On the ground, Continental maintenance workers inspected the landing gear but did not make a required entry in the aircraft’s maintenance log or any other maintenance record about the abnormal landing gear indication.

The FAA alleges the airline operated the aircraft on at least 12 additional passenger flights before the abnormal gear indication was addressed by mechanics, in violation of Federal Aviation Regulations.

“Air carriers cannot let maintenance issues lapse,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.  “When a problem is discovered, it needs to be corrected immediately.”

The Aircraft Operated by Afriqiyah Airways Crashed on Approach to Tripoli Airport

The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a team of investigators to assist the government of Libya in its investigation of an accident involving an Airbus A330-200, which was equipped with General Electric CF6-8E1 engines. At approximately 6:00 am local time on May 12, 2010, the aircraft, operated by Afriqiyah Airways, crashed on approach to Tripoli airport in Tripoli, Libya. Of the 104 passengers and crew on board the airplane, there was one survivor. The airplane originated in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

As the State of design and manufacture for the engines, NTSB Chairman Deborah A. P. Hersman has designated Senior Air Safety Investigator, Lorenda Ward, as the U.S. Accredited Representative.  The U.S. team will also include an NTSB engines specialist as well as technical advisors from the Federal Aviation Administration, and General Electric.  The team is expected to arrive this afternoon.

The Bureau d'Enquete et d'Analyse (BEA) of France, representing the country of manufacture of the airplane, has also sent a team of investigators to Libya.

The investigation is being conducted by the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, which will release all information on the progress of the investigation.