Issue Number 270 |
February
2002
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P.O. Box 189, Moffett Field, CA 94035-0189 |
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Special Interest NOTAMS Since the events of September 11, 2001, the National Flight Data Center NOTAM system always an important source of timely flight information has become even more crucial to flight planning. Many new NOTAMs are in effect, including but not limited to, the following:
Because notices, restrictions, and advisories may change at any time and without warning, it is no longer enough to obtain NOTAMS before a flight. Pilots should now check NOTAMS before each leg of a planned flight. Current NOTAMs are available from Flight Service Stations at 1-800-WX-BRIEF. Recent reports drawn from the ASRS database illustrate some of the latest NOTAM nuances. Check NOTAMS Before Every Leg
Rethink Training and Flight Routes
Our reporter's last comment is one that many training schools and flight instructors may take to heart. "Can Anyone Hear Me?" In the nation's heightened security climate, loss of communications by aircraft can have serious consequences, including intercept by military aircraft and other traumatic outcomes. Air carrier as well as GA aircraft are subject to lost communications events, as described by this ASRS report.
The flight crew suspected a loose radio rack as the cause of the lost communications. Many air carrier and GA pilots are planning ahead for the possibility of radio failure by carrying backup communications devices on flights. The most common devices are cell phones and hand-held transceivers. The Bottom Line
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Misadventures The ASRS database contains hundreds of incident reports submitted by commercial and sports balloonists (known as aeronauts). Recently, ASRS received this unusual report from a sports balloonist who made an unplanned air-carrier type landing in the middle of a special competition:
At least this pilot was resourceful enough to use the cabin cruiser as a temporary landing site to avoid damage to the balloon and possible injury. Rally Rash "Hangar rash" occurs when an aircraft is damaged while being moved into or out of a hangar. Balloonists face similar "rash" hazards when trying to land or ascend with other balloons in close proximity.
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Having backup navigation capability can save lives, as attested by the grateful pilot of a GA aircraft that experienced engine failure over mountains, at night. The pilot and passengers were an hour from home on an IFR flight plan, cruising at 16,000 feet. A look ahead showed worsening weather conditions, but the plane was performing well as they cruised along:
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