Issue Number 249 |
March
2000
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P.O. Box 189, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0189 |
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Air
Traffic Controllers are an integral part of most aviation operations,
but may sometimes lag flight crews in being informed about aircraft-specific
procedural changes. ASRS recently became aware of one such change affecting
Boeing 737 aircraft through the following pilot report:
In May 1999, following an industry/government evaluation, the Boeing Company issued recommended increases in maneuvering speeds for the B-737-100 through 500 series aircraft by means of Operations Manual Bulletin TBCE-11. The main effect of these changes was to increase aircraft maneuvering speeds 10 knots for approach and landing at flap settings UP through 10 degrees. We hope our reporters heads-up about the revised B-737 maneuvering limits will help get the word out to the ATC community. |
Commercial airline passengers are reminded during every preflight briefing to turn off electronic devices that may interfere with aircraft systems including cell phones. Now heres a report that suggests whats good for the cabin, is good for the cockpit, too.
Were sure this type of event is rare, but it nonetheless illustrates the importance of effective cockpit management skills (and training). In effective CRM, flight crews make flying duties their first priority, and First Officers participate constructively in resolving problems. |
ASRS continues to receive valuable safety suggestions from the maintenance community. Wed like to share a recent submission that highlights the importance of both visual and procedural "markers" for the completion of maintenance tasks.
ASRS learned in a callback to this reporter that he had followed maintenance instructions on a job card for the thrust reverser lockout procedure. The job card directed the technician to install the lockout pin on the reverser, but did not direct removal of the pin instead, it instructed the technician to "restore aircraft to normal." Nor did it require an operational check of the thrust reverser. The absence of explicit instructions for completing the job deprived the technician of a memory jogger that apparently was much needed in the time-pressure situation involved. |
In the dawning era of electronic flight bags, computerized aircraft logs, and datalink communications, lets not forget the plight of the pilot who must maintain paper logs, charts, and documentation. An example is this ASRS reporter who described "an off-runway altercation with an intersection marker," and the chilling aftermath:
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A student pilot is now more aware of certificate limitations and the importance of verifying log entries, following multiple FAR violations related to an annual aircraft inspection:
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And a geography lesson from a veteran pilot who explains how he became lost on the paper trail.
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Air
Carrier/Air Taxi Pilots
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2,010
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General
Aviation Pilots
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481
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Controllers
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64
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Cabin/Mechanics/Military/Other
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170
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TOTAL
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2,725
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