Safety News & Resources
Safety News
EPA Proposes Standards for Aircraft Drinking Water Systems
April 14, 2008
On April 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that seeks to apply federal drinking water requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act to aircraft, which were previously not covered by these rules. This proposal would apply only to aircraft used by carriers to regularly serve an average of at least 25 individuals per day, at least 60 days out of the year. The proposed rules would apply to systems designed to store and provide water for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth and hand washing. If a qualifying aircraft has a sink in the lavatory, then the water provided must meet these standards. The EPA will accept comments on the proposal until July 8. For additional information, view the NPRM (233 KB,PDF).
FAA Releases Cockpit Voice and Flight Data Recorder Final Rule
March 17, 2008
On March 7, the FAA published its final rule for modifications to cockpit voice recorders (CVR) and flight data recorders (FDR). The final rule, effective April 7, will require modifications to CVR and FDR recording time, power supplies, sampling rates and installation locations. Due largely in part to objections raised by NBAA, the FAA will not require CVR retrofits that incorporate a two-hour recording capability and an independent power supply, for aircraft currently in operation under FAR Parts 91 and 135. Aircraft operators must address other aspects of the final rule by April 7, 2012. For additional information, contact NBAA’s Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or visit:
FAA Declares March Surface Incident Awareness Month
March 10, 2008
To raise awareness of runway incursions and to promote runway safety, the air traffic managers of several metropolitan FAA towers in the National Airspace System (NAS) are declaring March as “Surface Incident Awareness Month.” A key component of the program will be the emphasis on clear, concise, pilot-controller communications and read-back. Often when an incident occurs, it is due to a breakdown in communication. An FAA letter with additional details on this program is available at: http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/safety/runways/awarenessmonth.pdf
FAA Investigating Increase in Minimum Fuel Declarations
March 4, 2008
The FAA seeks to understand the cause of an increase in minimum and emergency fuel declarations, specifically at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In no case has the FAA found a negative safety effect. The agency will analyze each time a fuel declaration is made at EWR to understand the root cause and make improvement recommendations. Flightcrews maintain full discretion and authority to declare minimum or emergency fuel situations and are urged to use that authority when appropriate. Additionally, the FAA published an information for operators (InFO) education paper to provide clarification for operators and pilots about the appropriate use, connotations and regulatory definitions of the terms minimum fuel, emergency fuel and reserve fuel. Review the InFO at: http://web.nbaa.org/public/ops/safety/info08004.pdf
FAA Releases New Training Rules for MU-2
February 4, 2008
The FAA has published new rules that govern training requirements for pilots and instructors of the Mitsubishi Industries MU-2B aircraft. The rule, to be published in the Federal Register on February 6, establishes, among other measures, new requirements for training new MU-2B pilots, recurrent training for existing pilots and the use of flight training devices and standardized checklists. This rule contains many of the recommendations made by an FAA safety evaluation in 2005. Operators will have one year to comply with the rule. For additional information, contact NBAA's Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org, or download the final rule (2 MB, PDF).
Safety Standdown Draws Record Attendance
October 29, 2007
Last week, Bombardier, in partnership with NBAA, the FAA and NTSB, hosted its 11th Annual Safety Standdown, which attracted more than 530 Attendees. Opening remarks by Pierre G. Côté, president, Bombardier Business Aircraft, Ed Bolen, president and CEO of NBAA, Mark Rosenker, chairman, National Transportation Safety Board and Nick Sabatini, FAA associate administrator for aviation safety, set the exciting tone for a week focused on improving human performance in aviation. The sold-out event introduced new sessions this year on international security procedures, aviation law and airport runway analysis. Bombardier, NBAA and the European Business Aviation Association will host the second annual Safety Standdown Europe in conjunction with the 8th Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008), which will be held from May 20 to 22, 2008, in Geneva, Switzerland. Learn more.
NTSB Recommendations Likely to Impact FAA Runway Safety Margin Discussions
October 4, 2007
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) held a hearing to discuss its findings regarding the December 2005 accident of a Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737 that ran off the departure end of runway 31 center (31C) at Chicago’s Midway Airport. The Board’s recommendations may feasibly impact the FAA’s Landing Distance Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) discussions and recommendations on takeoff and landing distance calculations; specifically, the assumptions and margins required to be included in the calculations. For additional information view the NBAA Web Resource.
NBAA to Honor Flying Safety Award Recipients at Convention
August 29, 2007
NBAA today announced the recipients of the Association's 2007 Flying Safety Awards Program. These winners will be formally recognized during NBAA's 60th Annual Meeting & Convention in Atlanta, GA. "NBAA is pleased to recognize these businesses for their continuing commitment to the safety of flight, which is at the very foundation of our industry," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. Established in 1953, the NBAA Flying Safety Awards have brought worldwide recognition to the excellent safety record of business aviation. The awards provide NBAA Members with well-earned recognition for exceptional achievement in maintaining safe flying operations. Read the press release.
FAA Releases Flight Risk Awareness Tool
August 13, 2007
The FAA has published a new Flight Standards Information for Operators (InFO) document on the use of a flight risk assessment tool. InFO 07015, developed jointly by the FAA and the general aviation industry, including NBAA, describes the proactive identification of possible hazards and the use of risk management tools to mitigate risks as aspects of a safety management system (SMS). These tools will provide ways for aircraft operators to determine which flights have more risk and allow operators to intervene and reduce risk when possible. Risk assessment tools are only part of an SMS and should not be considered the whole system. For more information, contact NBAA’s Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org. Review the Flight Risk Awareness Tool (95 KB, PDF).
Videos Available from the 2006 Bombardier Learjet Safety Standdown
On October 4-5, 2006, at the FAA and NBAA partnered with Bombardier for it's 10th Bombardier Learjet Safety Standdown, which explored the
theme "War on Error." Video files from the program are now available.
FAA Publishes Antidrug and Alcohol Misuse Final Rule
On January 10, 2006, the FAA published a final rule changing FAR Part 121 Appendixes I and J pertaining to antidrug and alcohol misuse prevention
programs for personnel engaged in specified aviation activities. This final rule amends the FAA regulations governing drug and alcohol testing to clarify
that each person who performs a safety-sensitive function for a regulator employer by contract, including subcontractors at any tier, is subject to testing.
The FAA states that these amendments are necessary because in the 1990s, the FAA issued conflicting guidance about which contractors were subject to
testing. All prior guidance on the subject of testing contractors has been rescinded. For more information, contact NBAA’s Operations Service Group at info@nbaa.org. Review
the final rule (148KB, PDF)
NBAA Response to FAA 'Flight Plan' Cites Concern About Inclusion of Agency Funding Issues in Plan
August 29, 2005
Last week, NBAA responded to a request for comments from the FAA on the Agency's draft five-year (2006–2010) strategic plan. The document, which
is known as the "Flight Plan,"
is updated annually to provide a report card for the FAA's performance over the previous year and outline the Agency's priorities for future years. NBAA's
response to the plan states that the FAA correctly prioritized many issues affecting business aviation in the areas of safety, air traffic modernization
and airport capacity enhancements. However, NBAA also made clear its concern that the FAA's document includes several "sidebars" related to
the future funding mechanism for the FAA, and how needed improvements will be funded. "We do not believe this Flight Plan is the proper vehicle
for a discussion on the Trust Fund or future funding issues," NBAA's response noted. "There are other interactive forums addressing these issues
and where various perspectives can be presented on a policy issue. A balanced presentation on these issues is not evident in the draft plan." Review
a complete copy of the document.
Safety Resources
NBAA Memorandum: Company Response to an Aviation Accident
Guidance for company management and public affairs personnel regarding press and public inquiries in the event of an accident.
Also available as Adobe PDF (65 KB) and Microsoft
Word (143) documents.
Prototypical Business Aviation Safety Program Manual
The NBAA Safety Committee developed this manual to assist the Membership in developing or refining a formal safety program. These programs are prototypes
only and should not be construed as recommended policy. Each organization should tailor their own safety program to its own specific needs.
IBAC Business Aviation Safety Brief
The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has published a Summary of Global Accident Statistics for 1998-2002 for business aircraft operations developed by Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc. The document is currently the only worldwide compilation of such data and is available to all interested parties on the IBAC web site. Download
the summary (156 KB, PDF).
NBAA Safety Committee Recommendations
The NBAA Safety Committee has published a series of safety recommendations in the weekly NBAA Update. Ranging from
flight operations to ground handling, these recommendations can be implemented regardless of the size of your department. More.
Alternative Means Of Compliance For Night Takeoff And Landing Currency
A person acting as pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft carrying passengers during nighttime must make at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during nighttime within the preceding 90 days. There is an exception to this requirement for pilots who are type rated in more than one type of airplane.
Other Web Sites
FAA Runway Safety Program
Provides the FAA a single focus for all the aspects of runway safety, with the goal of decreasing surface incidents, runway incursions, and accidents.
FAA Office of Accident Investigation (AAI)
Provides preliminary accident and incident reports during the last 10 business days.
NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Search for aviation accidents and selected incidents within the United States from 1962 and later.
FAA National Aviation Safety Data Analysis Center (NASDAC)
Allows operators to search through numerous government databases and aviation safety studies.
Aviation Safety Reporting System Home Page
A cooperative program established by the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of the Assistant Administrator for System Safety, and administered
by NASA.
NASA Icing Training Online Courses
This web site contains free icing training courses and resources for pilots who want to learn more about aircraft icing and what they can do about it.
Flight Safety Foundation
An independent, nonpolitical, nonprofit, international organization offering an objective view of aviation safety developments.
Robert E. Breiling Associates, Inc.
Compiles and analyzes business aircraft accidents dating to the introduction of business jets. Offers summaries of aircraft accidents and analysis of aircraft from specific aircraft manufacturers.
| 
