Search Results for: cockpit of the week

COCKPIT AUTOMATION- ALPA NO, NEVER; does the L in ALPA = LUDDITE ?
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COCKPIT AUTOMATION- ALPA NO, NEVER; does the L in ALPA = LUDDITE ?

Aviation is experiencing the most disruptive change since 1903. Lift, power/energy, navigation, real time airworthiness information—to name a few. Two articles, copied below, are evidence of differing attitudes about the possibility that the current commercial cockpit crew may be reduced to a single pilot and eventually an AI robot.   The first article is an…

DIFFERING VIEWS ABOUT FAA MENTAL HEALTH POLICY
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DIFFERING VIEWS ABOUT FAA MENTAL HEALTH POLICY

The NTSB and Congress have expressed dissatisfaction with the FAA’s policies, practices, and procedures on PILOT MENTAL HEALTH. Their strong expressions suggest that something is deficient in the Federal Air Surgeon’s efforts to address this complex psychological issue. The German Wings’ suicide crash #Germanwings highlighted #pilot #mentalhealthmatters #FAA, #EASA and others proposed solutions. Have any been implemented? LINK The professionals who…

Lessons from Women in Aviation- past and present 
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Lessons from Women in Aviation- past and present 

Women in Aviation were featured recently by three different sources with an equal number of focuses. By merging these disparate perspectives, we are provided by important insights.   First, women have been in this sphere since 1903; Katharine Wright Haskell was an essential contributor to her Brothers’ First Flight. Thereafter, the attention on the gender…

RELIABLE ROBOTICS automation STC, ALPA’s technophobia and the FAA
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RELIABLE ROBOTICS automation STC, ALPA’s technophobia and the FAA

Below are two informative articles about Reliable Robotics’ efforts to obtain an FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to modify a Cessna 208B Caravan authorizing it to be flown autonomously. If granted the aircraft would be operated remotely by a pilot on the ground and the proposed use is for CARGO ONLY.  The above Since 1903…

ALPA should not block RPAs from becoming r-ATPs 

ALPA should not block RPAs from becoming r-ATPs 

Below is a superb article by Mike Killian in AVGEEKERY.COM; the author found an important document in the FAA Petition for Rulemaking docket, an obscure venue in Federal Register nominal reality. The petition identified was submitted by a USAF MQ-9 Reaper drone pilot. According to the FR search function, this is one of 93 documents…

ALPA should not block RPAs from becoming r-ATPs 
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ALPA should not block RPAs from becoming r-ATPs 

  Below is a superb article by Mike Killian in AVGEEKERY.COM; the author found an important document in the FAA Petition for Rulemaking docket, an obscure venue in Federal Register nominal reality. The petition identified was submitted by a USAF MQ-9 Reaper drone pilot. According to the FR search function, this is one of 93…

Senator asks in 2015 for OIG for evaluation of FAA Pilot Mental Health Policy; 2023 Report is UNDERWHELMING 
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Senator asks in 2015 for OIG for evaluation of FAA Pilot Mental Health Policy; 2023 Report is UNDERWHELMING 

On April 20, 2015, Senator Dianne Feinstein requested that the DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG) review procedures and methods the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) employs to EVALUATE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH OF AIRLINE PILOTS.  The objectives of the report were to assess FAA’s procedures for (1) evaluating the psychological health of airline pilots and (2) mitigating potential threats to aviation safety from pilots with psychological health issues. The Senator’s…

Be sure to remove Normalized Deviance from your Safety Culture 

Be sure to remove Normalized Deviance from your Safety Culture 

Routines are an important aspect of a safety culture. Checklists are the prime examples of steps to reduce flight risks. Below is an excellent exposition by Mike Hart of AvWeb about two works which warn that experiences –which vary from the established norms and which, by chance avoid the negative consequences—can reinforce what the authors call “NORMALIZATION OF DEVIANCE” or “DRIFT”.   DIANE VAUGHAN1 is anAmerican sociologist and…

OSHA decision infers that ILO’s and FAA’s SMS should be IGNORED
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OSHA decision infers that ILO’s and FAA’s SMS should be IGNORED

A horrific death cannot be rectified by a federal fine nor truly, a civil damage judgement does not make those impacted by the loss whole. Three different federal agencies investigated the tragic death of a woman ingested by an engine before it was shut down. Below are two articles which convey the decisions of these…