FAAST Blast — Week of Feb 06, 2017 – Feb 12, 2017
Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
FAA Calls for Heightened Awareness of Class B Airspace
In a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) bulletin issued January 29, 2017, the FAA is calling for all pilots and flightcrew operating near the boundaries of Class B airspace to exercise caution and be aware of the risk of excursions out of and incursions into Class B airspace. According to the SAFO, all pilots and flightcrew should utilize published resources to become familiar with the vertical and lateral boundaries of Class B airspace they may be operating in or near. For more information, see the entire SAFO here.
New AD Issued for Certain Piper Navajo Models
The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) that applies to certain Piper PA-31 (Navajo) airplanes. AD 2017-02-06 requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the wiring below the main circuit breaker panel to detect and correct rubbing/chafing of wiring with other wires, adjacent structure, and/or flammable fuel lines. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to electrical arcing and a possible inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the crew. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident where evidence of thermal damage in this area was found. The AD is effective February 22, 2017, and estimated to affect 335 airplanes of U.S. registry. Click here for more details.
New GA Activity Survey Launches
The 39th annual General Aviation and Part 135 Activity Survey (GA Survey) for reporting on calendar year 2016 has officially launched. As always, your participation is important. The GA Survey is the FAA’s primary source of information about the size and activity of the GA and on-demand part 135 fleet. It includes a wide range of aircraft, aircraft operations, and types of ownership. If you receive a survey, please complete it, even if you did not fly in 2016. Information gathered will be used only for statistical purposes and will not be released in any form that would reveal an individual participant. If you have any questions, please call 1-800-826-1797 or email infoaviationsurvey@tetratech.com.
Is My Aircraft Right for Flight?
The Jan/Feb 2017 issue of FAA Safety Briefing focuses on risk management and follows the framework of the PAVE checklist: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, and External Pressures. Today we look at the “A” in PAVE to learn more about how to ensure your Aircraft is fit for flight. For tips on how to properly evaluate your aircraft prior to takeoff, check out the article, “Is My Aircraft Right for Flight?”
Produced by the FAA Safety Briefing editors, http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
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