AeroSafety World July–August 2011
Download individual articles and departments available in text only and Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF) format or the entire magazine (PDF only). If you do not have a copy of Adobe Reader, you can download and install a free copy from Adobe.
Entire Issue
AeroSafety World July–August 2011
68 pages. [PDF 5.5M]
The captain told accident investigators that he considered the airplane’s behavior after touchdown “shocking.” Information from the flight data recorder showed that the MD-11 first touched down at 2.1 g — 2.1 times standard gravitational acceleration. The airplane bounced about 4.7 ft (1.4 m) and touched down again at 3 g. It pitched up 13 degrees, and another touchdown on the main gear exceeded 4 g.
Citing more than a dozen hard landings or rollovers of Boeing McDonnell Douglas MD-11s in the past two decades, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is pressing for changes in training to help pilots better handle the airplane during landing. Linda Werfelman has the story.
Also in the July–August AeroSafety World: a study of rejected takeoffs; the often-misunderstood meaning of “V1”; proficiency-based, scenario-oriented training for flight attendants that mirrors concepts now applied to airline pilots; and much more.
Features
‘Shocking’ Touchdowns (Text only)
Citing more than a dozen hard landings and rollovers of Boeing McDonnell Douglas MD-11s in the past two decades, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board is pressing for changes in training to help pilots better handle the airplane during landing. [Download PDF 5 pages. 229K]
500 Meters to Spare (Text only)
Dutch report on a high-speed rejected takeoff explores the ‘RTO dilemma.’ The first officer told investigators for the Dutch Safety Board that he rejected the takeoff after V1 — the maximum airspeed at which the first action should be taken to initiate an RTO — because he believed that the aircraft was not safe to fly. [Download PDF 5 pages. 290K]
High Time to Redefine V1 (Text only)
The old definition of V1 was officially scrapped because it created “a great deal of misunderstanding and disagreement” by insinuating that it is the speed at which the go/no-go decision is made, according to the FAA. [Download PDF 2 pages. 244K]
LightSquared Update (Text only)
International specialists have joined a chorus of voices urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to indefinitely delay the launch of commercial service on LightSquared Subsidiary’s 4G/LTE wireless broadband network. [Download PDF 2 pages. 319K]
Wait and See (Text only)
Uncertainty about U.S. airlines’ willingness to voluntarily install new avionics eight years before the upgrade becomes mandatory surfaced repeatedly in a public discussion in mid-2011, dividing stakeholders who, nevertheless, share high aspirations for the U.S. Next Generation Air Transportation System. [Download PDF 5 pages. 281K]
On the Home Front (Text only)
Much has been written about the high-stress nature of aviation, but the role of family life largely has been left in the background. Yet, irregular duty periods and missing out on activities at home can spur a significant and detrimental cycle of stress. [Download PDF 3 pages. 230K]
Advanced Qualification (Text Only)
Flight attendants appreciate proficiency-based, scenario-oriented training that mirrors concepts now applied to airline pilots — such as practicing and demonstrating skills without pass/fail jeopardy, cabin safety specialists say. When deficiencies in performance or procedures appear, such training also provides built-in corrective mechanisms, several presenters said during the World Aviation Training Conference and Tradeshow. [Download PDF 5 pages. 274K]
Falconry Should Thrive (Text Only)
After testing and showing how effective birds of prey are at helping to manage bird-related problems at airports, the Port Authority has made the mistake of listening to USDA and its inaccurate information. How can USDA say falconry is not effective and not cost effective? It clearly is both. [Download PDF 2 pages. 359K]
Runway Risk Reduction (Text Only)
With about one-third of all aviation accidents associated with runway operations, the International Civil Aviation Organization has introduced safety initiatives aimed at reducing runway-related accidents. The initiatives were endorsed in late May by ICAO partners within the aviation industry, including Flight Safety Foundation, during the first meeting of the ICAO Global Runway Safety Symposium, held in Montreal. [Download PDF 3 pages. 224K]
Departments
Executive’s Message | Myths and Training (Text only)
I spent two days with Airbus test pilots, accompanied by Foundation Executive VP Kevin Hiatt, trying to understand the nuances of envelope protection and failure modes. [Download PDF 1 page. 92K]
Editorial Page | It’s Not Always Politics (Text only)
The question of what constitutes cargo too hazardous to fly has been answered in different ways depending on the type of operation being considered. [Download PDF 1 page. 78K]
Safety Calendar | Industry Events (Text only)
A listing of aviation safety-related conferences, seminars and meetings. [Download PDF 1 page. 93K]
In Brief | Safety News (Text only)
In the aftermath of several reports of air traffic controllers sleeping on the job, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) have negotiated an agreement on recommendations for reducing workplace fatigue. [Download PDF 4 pages. 283K]
Foundation Focus | Joining the Team (Text only)
As a newcomer to Flight Safety Foundation in July, I would like to introduce myself. Known in the industry as Rudy, I’ve joined the Foundation after 31 years in the airline industry. [Download PDF 1 page. 73K]
Data Link | Slippery Slope (Text only)
The rate of flight operations events — exceedances of predetermined parameters — for participants in Austin Digital’s corporate flight operational quality assurance program decreased in 2010, from 11.3 percent of the total flights in 2009 to 9.5 percent, a 15.9 percent drop. [Download PDF 3 pages. 457K]
Info Scan | In Plane English (Text only)
A multi-media course comes to the aid of pilots and controllers who must meet new ICAO English language standards. [Download PDF 4 pages. 233K]
On Record | Galley Leak Douses 747’s Electronics (Text only)
The following information provides an awareness of problems in the hope that they can be avoided in the future. The information is based on final reports by official investigative authorities on aircraft accidents and incidents. [Download PDF 8 pages. 355K]
Top of page
