Date Posted: February 19, 2010 — by David Evans
Let me repeat the opening to a previous comment on this site: Any time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) glosses over something, that’s cause for concern. (See Comment on Air Safety, ‘Hiding Requirements = Suspicion They’re Inadequate’)
The FAA has responded to some questions...
Date Posted: February 3, 2010 — by David Evans
Beware the glib statistic. Case in point, the claim by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that 94% of the airplanes in the airline fleet are covered, or will be, by Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) crew reporting and Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) data. FOQA...
Date Posted: January 18, 2010 — by David Evans
Any time the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) glosses over something, that’s cause for concern. I have in mind a 2006 document that will be highly relevant in coming months to the certification of Boeing’s new B787 jetliner.
The document in question is Advisory Circular (AC) 20-53B,...
Date Posted: January 6, 2010 — by David Evans
With the recent first flight of Boeing’s all-new 787 airliner, the airplane begins a long process of certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), such approval being necessary for the airplane to routinely carry passengers in revenue service. There are huge unknowns about the airplane’s...
Date Posted: December 24, 2009 — by David Evans
Once again, we have proof that the most dangerous part of the flight is during landing, when speed has to be reduced from about 130 mph to 10 mph to safely exit the runway. The latest evidence of this high-risk period comes from the landing...
Date Posted: November 16, 2009 — by David Evans
Every now and then, one comes across an example of a safety program that could be emulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
In the UK, there is a program known as CHIRP, for Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Program, in which pilots, flight attendants, air...
Date Posted: October 30, 2009 — by David Evans
Before the end of this year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hopes to have a new proposed regulation on flight and duty time posted for public comment. “Scientifically based” rules accounting for sleep debt, circadian rhythm disruption and other factors are badly needed.
Not only are...
Date Posted: October 21, 2009 — by David Evans
The recent fines proposed to be levied on US Airways and United Airlines by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) give the impression that the agency is in charge and getting tough on safety transgressions. The alternative view is one of the FAA grandstanding, involved in...
Date Posted: October 9, 2009 — by David Evans
Now that an effective system for fighting fires on the main decks of cargo airlifters has been developed, it’s time to consider the same protection for passengers on airliners. The next time you’re on an airliner, look up. Do you see anything like those little...
Date Posted: October 1, 2009 — by David Evans
At a hearing of the House Aviation Subcommittee 23 September, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) waxed eloquent about the wonderful results of Call to Action meetings the agency held around the country in July and August. Look at the fine print before...