FAAST Blast — Week of Dec 28, 2015 – Jan 3, 2016
Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
Fuel System Ice Inhibitors
On March 22, 2009, a Pilatus PC-12 crashed killing 13 occupants headed to a Montana ski resort. Investigators determined the aircraft experienced fuel system icing when the operator did not use the proper anti-ice fuel additive for the operating conditions that were expected. With winter in full swing, the FAA would like to stress the importance of recognizing indicators of the potential for fuel icing and understanding your aircraft’s limitations and procedures for coping with this condition, including the use of fuel anti-icing inhibitors. For more information, check out AC 20-113 and SAIB CE-13-29.
FAA Extends Comment Period for NPRM on Modernizing AMT School Curriculum
The FAA has extended the comment period for a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued on October 2, 2015, that proposes to amend regulations governing the curriculum and operations of FAA-certificated Aviation Maintenance Technician Schools. The new comment period closes Feb. 1, 2016.
The proposed changes would modernize and reorganize the required curriculum subjects. They would also remove the course content items currently located in the appendices and require that they be placed in each school's operations specifications so that any necessary amendments can be changed more easily. The amendments are needed because the existing curricula are outdated, do not meet current industry needs, and can be changed only through notice and comment rulemaking. These amendments would ensure that AMT students receive up-to-date foundational training to meet the demanding and consistently changing needs of the aviation industry. To view and/or comment on the NPRM, go to https://federalregister.gov/a/2015-24841.
Good N.I.G.H.T. (T = Terrain Avoidance)
Few technologies can match the whiz bang impact of putting on a pair of night vision goggles (NVG). In a single moment complete darkness can be transformed into a verdant world that is nearly as clear as day. NVGs are amazing, but not without their limitations. In “T = Terrain Avoidance,” FAA Safety Briefing associate editor James Williams explores the rules and some of the safety concerns for using NVGs in the civil environment. You can read the article in the Nov/Dec 2015 issue here: www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2015/media/NovDec2015.pdf .
Did Santa Bring a Drone?
Register first, then fly smart, fly safe, and have fun! http://bit.ly/uasReg.
Have a safe and wonderful 2016!!!
Produced by the FAA Safety Briefing editors, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
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