BritFlight

Airplanes inbound to the UK with fuel reserves approaching minimum (pdf)(319kb)(UKCAA) Incidents of crews reporting an inability to hold in the vicinity of their destination aerodrome prior to landing because of a shortage of fuel have indicated a lack of understanding by operators and crews of the situation existing in busy terminal areas.

Manual for Preventing Runway Incursions (pdf)(1.4MB)(ICAO) Recommendations generated from the Runway Safety Seminars held in Asia/Pacific and the Middle East requested that ICAO produce a manual with runway incursion prevention guidelines. The objective of this manual is to help States, international organisations, aerodrome operators/personnel, ATS providers, aircraft operators and pilots to implement runway safety programmes taking into account the best practices already in place in some States, international organisations, aerodromes, ATS providers and airlines.

In-flight ice encounter (ERA ASWG) Many of us will recall the days of turboprop operation, when we used to fly in icing conditions for hours on end and the shedding of ice by alternating the propeller speed was daily winter routine.  In these days of jet flying we quickly climb through the weather, and once in the upper airspace, are left at peace.  But we still fly our approaches in icing conditions: at low speed, with a high body angle and with the engine fans at low speed – a high potential for icing. This article is a straight transposition of an incident report, subsequent interview with the Safety Manager, and analysis of the problems encountered.  The closeness to the “adjacent” unfolding accident of a Fokker 70 provided an interesting dimension for the operating crew, and the subsequent analysis provides some poignant revision of the effects of icing on engines and airframe.

European Ramp Checks (SAFA) (pdf)(514kb)(ICAO) ECAC States’ Civil Aviation Authorities (CAAs) carry out selective Ramp Checks at their airports to ensure aircraft arriving from other countries are carrying the appropriate safety equipment (such as ACAS) and other type equipment on-board as well as proper documentation. This initiative, which focuses on compliance with ICAO requirements, goes hand-in-hand with ICAO audits of safety oversight systems in European countries. The inspection programme, which concentrates on checks of aircraft during stops at European airports, is known as the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA).

Delivering Safety in the Context of Environmental Restrictions (pdf)(233kb)(UK CAA) This Paper poses the question: "Are there any instances where the desire to promote environmental benefits raises real problems about the safety assurance being provided operationally?" It reviews information gathered from aviation experts (pilots, safety researchers, airline operations managers, regulators etc.) together with that obtained from a literature review.

ACAS II Bulletins (pdf)(2.1MB)(EUROCONTROL) A series of ACAS II Bulletins is being published, each with a different safety related theme, and intended for a wide aviation audience. Each bulletin focuses on an ACAS operational issue relevant to both aircrews and air traffic controllers. The following bulletins have already been produced:

Bulletin 1 - Follow the RA!

Bulletin 2 - RAs and 1000 ft level-off manoeuvres.

Bulletin 3 - Wrong reaction to “Adjust Vertical Speed” RAs.

Bulletin 4 - TCAS II and VFR traffic.

Bulletin 5 - Controller and Pilot ACAS regulation and training.

Bulletin 6 - Incorrect use of the TCAS traffic display.

Bulletin 7 - The Dos and Don'ts of TCAS II Operations.

Bulletin 8 - TCAS II operations in European RVSM airspace.

More about ACAS: http://www.eurocontrol.int/msa/public/standard_page/ACAS_Overview.html

Getting to grips with cabin safety   (pdf)(7.5MB)(AIRBUS)    This brochure is a comprehensive review of Cabin Crew Emergency Procedures, incorporating Fire, Smoke, Emergency Evacuation, Ditching, Cabin Depressurization and Crew Resource Management.

Getting to grips with cold weather operations   (pdf)(4.25MB)(AIRBUS)   The purpose of this document is to provide Airbus operators with an understanding of Airbus aircraft operations in cold weather conditions, and address such aspects as aircraft contamination, performance on contaminated runways, fuel freezing limitations and altimeter corrections.

Bounce Recovery - Rejected Landing   (pdf)(125kb)(AIRBUS)   The objective of this Briefing Note is to define: Applicable decision criteria for:  Full-stop landing; or,  Rejected landing and go-around; and, Procedures and techniques for bounce recovery, including: Continued landing; or, Rejected landing (i.e., go-around).

Airbus Safety Library http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/ethics/safety_lib/

Response to Stall Warning Activation at Takeoff    (pdf)(368kb)(AIRBUS)   This Flight Operations Briefing Note provides an overview of:

• The operational guidelines to follow in response to a stall warning at takeoff, for an improved understanding of recovery techniques

• The factors that lead to stall warning activation at takeoff, and

Flight crew situational awareness, in the event of a stall warning, is essential to the successful application of recovery techniques. This is particularly true for aircraft that do not have full protection throughout the flight envelope. This heightened awareness is principally necessary at takeoff, when the risk of ground contact exists.

Airbus Safety Library http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/ethics/safety_lib/

Birdstrike Threat Awareness   (pdf)(473kb)(AIRBUS)   In-service experience shows that birdstrike events are common. Pilots may expect to encounter from two to five birdstrikes during their career.

Airbus Safety Library http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/ethics/safety_lib/

CAA article on Special Objectives Check on Air Operators Fuel Planning Policies   (pdf)(50kb)(UK CAA)   A Special Objective Check (SOC) on UK air operators’ fuel planning policies was carried out in the Summer of 2000. The aim was to determine how operators had based their policies upon the requirements prescribed in Joint Aviation Requirements - Operations 1 (JAR-OPS 1) and how they had presented the information in company computer-generated pilot navigation logs. Fourteen operators’ policies were reviewed and compared against the same aeroplane types. The SOC also asked questions which reflected concerns raised in letters to the Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP).

The non-use of reverse thrust at landing for purposes of noise abatement   (pdf)(12kb)(UK AIS)   Some guidance is needed on the advisability of not using reverse thrust in particular circumstances.

In-Flight Airplane Vibration (pdf)(333kb)(BOEING)   Occasional airplane vibration during flight is not unusual. There are many causes of airplane vibration, including landing gear extension and retraction, extension of speed brakes, free play in movable surfaces, and systems malfunctions.

Comparing Accident Reports: Looking Beyond Causes to Identify Recurrent Factors   (pdf)(125kb)(FSF)   Individual accident reports show what went wrong on a particular occasion. But comparing reports can reveal recurrent factors that need attention. A review of several accident reports raises questions about crew fatigue, the “hurry-up” syndrome and crew interaction.

Airport Fire Fighter Emergency Hand Signals (Transport Canada) The purpose of this Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) is to provide guidance for the incorporation of Airport Fire Fighters (AFF) emergency hand signals into crew member training programs.

In-flight Smoke (pdf)(1.4MB)(BOEING)   Engineering design by airplane manufacturers, oversight by regulators, and maintenance practices by operators combine to minimize occurrences of smoke, fumes, and fire in the pressurized areas of airplanes. When smoke does occur, timely and appropriate action by the flight and cabin crews is imperative. Boeing has analyzed in-service smoke, fumes, and fire events and reviewed airplane systems and crew procedures for its commercial airplane models.

Minimizing the impact of runway arresting systems (pdf)(1.1MB)(BOEING)  To help minimize the impact of runway arresting systems on commercial operations, airlines need to know the following:

1-Types of aircraft arresting systems.

2-Operational concerns for airlines.

3-Measures to help ensure safe commercial operations.

Tail Strike (BOEING)   Tail strike, which occurs when an airplane tail contacts the runway during takeoff or landing, is an event that can be encountered by virtually all transport airplane designs. Some models in the Boeing commercial airplane fleet experience tail strike more often than others and, almost without exception, the cause is elusive to the flight crew. In order to better understand this occurrence, Douglas Products Division examined a number of recent tail strike events.

Volcanic Ash (pdf)(1.1MB)(BOEING)    A commercial airplane encounter with volcanic ash can threaten safety of flight because of resulting conditions that range from windshield pitting to loss of thrust in all engines. Developments in technology and communication networks have significantly decreased the probability of such an encounter in the last several years. Despite these developments, however, a 737-700 recently flew through a volcanic ash cloud. Updated information about advancements made in ensuring safe operations and minimizing damage to the airplane during a volcanic ash encounter is now available to flight crews.

Electromagnetic interference from passenger-carried portable electronic devices on commercial airplanes (pdf)(693kb)(BOEING)   Operators of commercial airplanes have reported numerous cases of portable electronic devices affecting airplane systems during flight. These devices, including laptop and palmtop computers, audio players/recorders, electronic games, cell phones, compact-disc players, electronic toys, and laser pointers, have been suspected of causing such anomalous events as autopilot disconnects, erratic flight deck indications, airplanes turning off course, and uncommanded turns. Boeing has recommended that devices suspected of causing these anomalies be turned off during critical stages of flight (takeoff and landing). The company also recommends prohibiting the use of devices that intentionally transmit electromagnetic signals, such as cell phones, during all phases of flight. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission already prohibits the use of cell phones during flight. In addition, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued Federal Aviation Regulation 91.21 to make operators responsible for governing the use of portable electronic devices on their airplanes.

Training philosophy for protected aircraft in emergency situations    (pdf)(446kb)(AIRBUS)   The civil aviation environment has evolved considerably in the past decade. The passenger and cargo demands have increased enormously, leading to a far larger number of aircraft in service. Also flight safety criteria have become more and more stringent. Furthermore, the media and the expectations of the public, in terms of safety, have set even greater pressure on the civil aviation industry. Although the accident rates have dropped considerably, due to the ever-increasing number of airliners in service, accidents do not seem to be much less frequent, and it is this factor which may influence public opinion. Consequently, the civil aviation industry has to fight untiringly against the main causes of accidents which occur mostly in approach phases: controlled flight into terrain, and to a lesser extent, windshear.

Airbus Safety Library http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/ethics/safety_lib/

Lighting strikes and Airbus FBW aircraft    (pdf)(131kb)(AIRBUS)   Pilots new to fly-by-wire aircraft tend to ask very legitimate questions concerning the effect of lightning strikes on the systems of these technically very advanced aircraft. In general, lightning strikes generate direct and indirect effects on aircraft.

Airbus Safety Library http://www.airbus.com/en/corporate/ethics/safety_lib/