Max Trescott Aviation Trends Aloft

Max’s Guide to AOPA Aviation Summit 2009

It’s just 5 days until the start of AOPA Aviation Summit, however IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO DECIDE TO GO! If you’re looking to get fully plugged into what’s going on in the aviation industry, this will be the place to be and here’s why. AirVenture in Oshkosh is the largest U.S. aviation show. However, all of the industry leaders you’ll find there also attend AOPA Aviation Summit. Since the show is smaller, you have a better chance of meeting and talking one-on-one with your favorite aviation regulator, association President or aircraft manufacturer CEO. Plus you can enjoy some Tampa, Florida weather and hospitality.

Savvy readers will note...

Graphic Video Highlights Dangers of Inadvertent VFR into IMC

Today on the Golf Hotel Whiskey blog, I saw one of the most chilling flying videos I’ve ever viewed. It’s a graphic example of why inadvertent VFR into IMC is the most dangerous accident type. Statistically, if a pilot inadvertently flies into a cloud and subsequently has an accident, 90% of the time one or more people aboard that flight will die. By contrast, only about 15% of daytime accidents are fatal and 30% of nighttime accidents are fatal.  Therefore, when teaching Private pilots I literally tell them “Do not enter a cloud under any circumstances under penalty of death.” Obviously that doesn’t apply later when they become instrument rated and are on an IFR flight plan.

In this video, the pilot shows a callous disregard for the dangers of flying in the clouds...

Video Shows a How a Laptop Blocks Instruments on Airbus

[See update at bottom] The strange case of Northwest Flight 188 that we reported last week got even stranger Monday after the NTSB released details of their interviews with the pilots. The aircraft had been out of communication with ATC for 78 minutes, leading to widespread speculation that the crew had fallen asleep. Over the weekend, some Delta safety officials hinted that this was not the case and on Monday the NTSB interviewed Captain Timothy Cheney and First Officer Richard Cole individually for 5 hours each. According to a Delta spokesman, the pilots were "using laptops or engaging in activity unrelated to pilots' command of the aircraft during flight" which they described as against company policy. Delta owns Northwest Airlines.

Jon Ostrower of FlightBlogger has released a YouTube video that shows the pull out tray available for pilots to use while working in an Airbus A320 cockpit. As he points out in the video, placing a laptop on the pull out tray would block a pilot’s view of the cockpit instruments. Airbus was able to include the pull out tray in their cockpits since, instead of a center-mounted yoke, they incorporate a side stick for aircraft control.

Personally, I find the pilots’ explanations credible though indefensible. One of a pilot’s primary responsibilities is to maintain situation awareness. Anyone who has used a computer understands that it’s possible to become so totally focused and engaged in using one that outside stimuli go unnoticed. It’s little wonder that Delta bans the use of laptop computers in the cockpit.

I wonder if the incident may result in more calls for the installation of cameras on the flight deck. Last year, Virgin America pilots went to court to have cameras removed from their flight decks but the court held that the cameras could stay. It seems likely that other airlines will install cameras in the future. Hopefully they won’t make the video feed available to passengers—I’m not sure I want to see what’s happening in the cockpit!

UPDATE: 2:30 PM. This afternoon, the FAA announced the revocation of the pilot's licenses. The press release reads: "The Federal Aviation Administration has revoked the licenses of two Northwest Airlines pilots who overflew their destination airport on October 21, 2009 while operating Flight 188 from San Diego to Minneapolis.

"The pilots were out of contact with air traffic controllers for an extended period of time and told federal investigators that they were distracted by a conversation. Air traffic controllers and airline officials repeatedly tried to reach them through radio and data contact, without success.

"The emergency revocations cite violations of a number of Federal Aviation Regulations. Those include failing to comply with air traffic control instructions and clearances and operating carelessly and recklessly.

The revocations are effective immediately. The pilots have 10 days to appeal the emergency revocations to the National Transportation Safety Board."

Is anyone surprised?

Northwest Airlines Flight 188 Pilots Asleep at Controls?

The professionalism of two Northwest Airlines pilots who overflew their Minneapolis destination by 150 miles is seriously in question. While all the facts are not known, it’s quite possible that the pilots fell asleep at the controls. Anyone can make a mistake. But pilots in particular need to be accountable and take responsibility when mistakes are made.

There’s a political adage dating to the Watergate break-in that “It's not the crime that kills you,...

Book Review: Highest Duty – Captain Sully Sullenberger, American Hero

Since January 15, 2009, Sully has needed no introduction. On that fateful day, US Air’s Flight 1549 had a chance encounter with geese that killed both engines, turning the Airbus A320 into a 150,000 pound glider. The next 208 seconds, during which he glided the jet to a landing on the Hudson River, changed his life and ours. Many people remember exactly where they were on that day. I was on the phone when I heard. Later that evening I appeared on the evening news at the local NBC affiliate to provide perspective on the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Most people, particularly pilots, already know...

New Air Safety Bill--Good for Passengers, Bad for Future Airline Pilots?

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee reported the passage today of H.R. 3371, The Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009, by a vote of 409-11. According to Committee Chairman Rep. James L. Oberstar (Minn.), “This legislation was developed as a result of the crash of Colgan Air Flight 3407, where 50 people tragically perished outside of Buffalo, New York on February 12, 2009, and subsequent hearings by the Aviation Subcommittee.” When the bill was introduced in March, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said the bill "is not necessary" since the agency had already taken steps to address issues raised by the Colgan Air crash. You can read the full text of the bill here.

While H.R. 3371 addresses many aspects of airline safety, one of the biggest changes is that it... 

FTC Sets Endorsement Rules for Blogs—Trescott Apology Tour Begins

While surfing the internet, I read an update on the David Letterman blackmail sex scandal. The key takeaway for me was that Steve Martin and Martin Short are on the show, so I’ll be watching tonight when I otherwise wouldn’t have—so that’s good for Letterman’s ratings. Is the next step for him to start an Apology Tour with...