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December 1989
The Anatomy of a Corporate Aircraft Accident: The Way It Was 6 pages. [PDF 34K]
Even though a flight crew is professionally competent to fly a safe trip, in an analysis of an accident a chain of errors is often shown to exist. The author points out that with thorough cockpit research management training the possibility of an accident can diminish.
November 1989
Who Killed MacMillan? 4 pages. [PDF 26K]
Winner of a fiction award by the Military Airlift Command’s MAC Flyer, this article traces a plausible chain of events that could lead to an accident.
October 1989
Unbroken Chain to Disaster 8 pages. [PDF 44K]
Accidents generally result from a progressive series of events. Break that chain and chances are that the accident will not happen.
September 1989
Coping with Corporate Instability 6 pages. [PDF 35K]
Airline employees exhibit classic symptoms in response to career threats that result from instability in their employment environment.
August 1989
Special Inspection of Commuters 6 pages. [PDF 30K]
Evaluations are only as constructive as the appropriateness of the industry’s response to them.
July 1989
A Tool For Communication 4 pages. [PDF 23K]
Using the “challenge-and-respond” method of working the checklist encourages clear communication in a multi-pilot operation and lessens the chance for error.
June 1989
The Overall Approach to Cockpit Safety 4 pages. [PDF 24K]
The whole is the sum of its parts, and a smooth, safe flight is the result of a complex balance of human and mechanical considerations.
May 1989
The Hardest Part of Being A Crew Member 6 pages. [PDF 36K]
One of the toughest systems a pilot has to master is that aspect of communications that deals with receiving and recognizing the flow of information from other crew members and from ATC, says the author.
April 1989
Human Performance And Aviation Safety: Some Issues and Some Solutions 6 pages. [PDF 34K]
The author notes that if we are to make significant improvements to an already well-tuned system, we must make a concerted attack on human performance problems, and develop and implement practices and procedures which will minimize the occurrence of human error accidents.
March 1989
Birds Vs. Aircraft: No Winners 4 pages. [PDF 28K]
The high impact forces of a bird striking an aircraft is a serious matter and one that may be underplayed by pilots, according to the author. A list of guidelines is offered to help birds and manned aircraft better share the skies.
February 1989
Adapting to Winter Operations 4 pages. [PDF 29K]
Winter weather brings ice, snow and frost. All of these phenomena require specific piloting skills. The author has collected a number of tips to help wintertime operations proceed smoothly.
January 1989
Selecting A Business Aircraft 4 pages. [PDF 26K]
The author, an experienced corporate pilot, offers some suggestions to keep in mind when a company buys its first aircraft for company transportation, or elects to upgrade its current model.