FAAST Blast — October 28, 2009
Biweekly FAA Aviation News update
FAA Issues InFO on Ice/Frost Identification and Effects on Aircraft Control
On Oct. 1, FAA released Information for Operators (InFO) bulletin 09016 to stress the serious effect small amounts of ice, frost, slush, and snow contamination can have on aircraft performance and controllability. According to the advisory, there is still a common misconception that icy contaminants, even in small amounts, or accumulation of contaminants on or near the leading edge of an aerodynamic surface, does not affect safety. Investigations have revealed that even miniscule amounts of icy contaminants on aerodynamic surfaces and/or control surfaces can cause significant loss in lift and flight control.
The InFO urges pilots to carefully inspect their airplane for any amount of accumulated contamination, regardless of how spotty or thin it may appear. Since light accumulation is sometimes difficult to see, FAA recommends performing visual, as well as tactile (touch) inspections of the aircraft surfaces. Even a surface that resembles the feel of ultra-fine sandpaper is unacceptable and should have all contamination removed.
For more details, go to: http://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/
FAASTeam Wants Your Feedback
“We are listening,” says FAASTeam Acing National Outreach Manager Bryan Neville who will be on hand at the 2009 AOPA Summit in Tampa, Florida, next week to gather feedback and discuss proposed changes for the WINGS program. “Several new enhancements are in the works thanks to the many helpful recommendations we’ve received from pilots.” Neville will be available to field questions and comments on the program, so be sure to stop by booth 1416 in the main exhibit area.
Also present at the AOPA Summit will be representatives of the FAA’s Runway Safety Office and Dr. Warren Silberman of the Aerospace Medicine team. Additionally, FAA Aviation News editor Susan Parson will give a presentation entitled “Pinch Hitter” designed to help a non-flying companion become familiar with basic flying and radio skills in the event of an emergency.
The AOPA Summit runs from Nov. 5-7. For more information, and a complete list of exhibitors and forums, go to www.aopa.org.
Panels Aren’t Just For Instruments
They come in all shapes and sizes – round, oblong, square – and are found in even the most inconspicuous places on an aircraft. We’re talking about access panels, those nondescript and unassuming little doors that are the windows to vital aircraft components. They’re also the topic of Barry Ballenger’s article “Panels Aren’t Just For Instruments” in the September/October 2009 issue of FAA Aviation News. Ballenger discusses the importance of inspecting and properly securing access panels during your preflight. He also warns that an open panel may indicate that a mechanic is still performing maintenance, so it’s always best to double check if any tasks are incomplete.
To read the entire article, see page 26 of the September/October issue of FAA Aviation News.
Produced by the editors, FAA Aviation News, http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/
Address questions or comments to: mailto:AviationNews@faa.gov
