February 2001

Safety Articles:

Northern California Aviation Maintenance and Safety Symposium

Central Valley Aviation News (Ops)

• BFL! SMGCS is now operating
• Fresno Yosemite Airport new taxiway signage
• Flight Instructor HBGA 00-18 Notice

SIC SAC - Significant Information for Pilots
Special Airworthiness Bulletin

Safety Seminars:

Wings Awards:

For Fresno FSDO
For Sacramento FSDO
For San Jose FSDO

Happy New Year! The True Millennium has Begun!

From the Central Valley Aviation News

Specialized Seminar February 1st, 2001; Aerial Applicators Safety Briefing. We give tribute to the districts professional aerial applicators by providing them with a specifically constructed seminar centering on the topics of drift, corrosion of aircraft, and ground handling. This program is Calif. State approved for CECPM credit and is co-sponsered by CAAA. If you know an Ag-pilot, please urge him to attend.

Announcing Fresno's "Annual State of the District" Presentation. (see the Safety Schedule below) We begin our New Year with our much-requested review of the accidents, incidents, pilot deviations and events in calendar year 2000. We will be looking for common threads that hopefully fellow aviators will head and learn from, so they too, do not become a statistic. Be sure to attend this most informative program.

Notice! To All General Aviation, Corporate Aviation, and Part 135 Pilots operating into or out of BFL! SMGCS is now operating at Bakersfield Meadows Airport! The Bakersfield (BFL) Surface Movement Guidance and Control System (SMGCS) Plan has been approved and is operational whenever the airports RVR visibility drops below 1200. This notice is to remind you to obtain, read and become totally familiar with Bakersfield Meadows SMGCS plan if you intend to operate on the airports movement area (taxi for takeoff) your aircraft during Low Visibility Operations.
Last December this office, did a special edition direct mailing to most Bakersfield operators to notify them of this new procedure. Copies of the entire plan may be obtained from BFL-ATCT at 661-399-3531 or through the Internet at http://www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/fresno/no_local.htm

Fresno Yosemite Int'l Airport initiates new taxiway signage! As of this writing (Dec 20th), FAT has completed installation of all of its new assignment and signage of the taxiways of the airport. The next time you land here at FAT, you may find the layout a little bit different.
Basically, the major changes are as follows:

1. Parallel Taxiways A,B,C--No change
2. Other Taxiways
   1. Taxiway Letter + Increasing Numbers from SE to NW ie. B-2; B-3; B-4; etc.
   2. SW of 29R all Bravo's
   3. NE of 29R All Charlie's
3. General Aviation Ramp to the Alpha Taxiway
   1. Numbers 1-6 from the Tower to the FSDO

What Else is New to Fresno? Category IIIb ILS to Runway 29R (CAT II scheduled Nov. 20 and CAT III Jan or Feb 2001. These improvements will help mostly air carriers by reducing Decision Altitude from 200' to an Alert Height of 100' and landing minimum visibility from 1,800' to 600'. Unfortunately, because of special approval, maintenance, training and equipment it is not much help to most General Aviation operations. However, the new approach lighting systems should benefit all IFR landing operations for all IFR pilots. Most importantly, all IFR pilots must be knowledgeable of the special taxi restrictions when CAT III approaches are in use.
Review the FAT taxiway chart and be sure to refer to it before your flight into Fresno.

FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS! News Flash! Get hold of this 'just off the press' Bulletin HBGA 00-18, issued Dec 18, 2000. It's title is Procedures for Renewing a Flight Instructor Certificate on the Basis of Participation in the FAA's Pilot Proficiency Awards Program (WINGS). It basically authorizes a CFI to apply for certificate renewal provided he/she is able to document WINGS flight training to at least five (5) pilots and at least a total of fifteen (15) hours of WINGS flight training. Contact this office for further details at 559-487-5306 x247

Northern California Aviation Maintenance and Safety Symposium

SIC SAC

Significant Information for Sacramento Pilots

Gordon Campbell

SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS BULLETIN

Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you, an owner or operator of certain light planes, of problems with fuel system gascolators.

Background
A gascolator, like a modern fuel strainer, contains a fuel filter screen and a sediment bowl that also serves as a water separator. The term gascolator is generally applied to those units employing a wire bail to hold a removable glass or metal bowl in place. A number of aircraft have made forced landings due to problems involving fuel system gascolators. The forced landings were due to power loss caused by fuel flow interruption and involved three types of malfunctions:

1. Separation of the gascolator bowl from the aircraft in flight.
   There have been at least three occurrences of this type in the last eight years. If the bowl departs the airplane, a major fuel leak occurs and the engine is deprived of fuel. Generally, the pilot may not be aware of the fuel leak, which could become an additional hazard during the ensuing forced landing.
2. Gascolator leak or loose gascolator bowl.
   We have recorded instances in which the bowl was loose due to improper gaskets or bail wires. If the aircraft has a gravity type fuel system, a fuel leak will be noticed. The fuel leak could affect the aircraft's duration of flight or the engine operation. In addition, if the aircraft employs, an engine fuel pump, air could be sucked into the fuel system and adversely affect the engine operation.
3. Gascolator drain valve.
   Some gascolators employ quick drain valves to allow the pilot to drain the bowl during the preflight. Quick drain valves have been known to develop leaks or even dislodge during flight.

Recommendation
We recommend that prior to each flight and after every maintenance action involving the gascolator, you pay close attention to the security of the gascolator bowl assembly. You should look for signs of leaks, check the security of the safety wire, and physically determine that the bowl is tight in the assembly.

For Further Information Contact

NorCal Aviation Safety Seminars

February 2001

Note for all Seminars:

Times are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM unless otherwise noted. No reservations are required unless noted by  *. Never a fee. For more information contact the Safety Program Manager listed in the FSDO area heading containing the event in question. All FAA Safety Seminars satisfy the requirements of AC-61.91H; the Pilot Proficiency Awards Program (Wings) and /or the Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program; AC-65-25A.

San Luis Obispo Veterans Memorial Building, 801 Grand Ave.

Tue., Mar. 13, 6:30 P.M.

Airport Restaurant Meeting Room, Airport Terminal Building

Fri., Feb. 2, 8:30 A.M.

Watsonville Aviation Education Center (WAEC), 60 Aviation Way

Wed., Feb. 28, 7:00 P.M.

Bel-Air International,795 Skyway, San Carlos Airport

Thur., Feb. 1, 7 - 8:30 P.M.

Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Dr., #1

Sat., Feb. 3, 10:00 A.M.

Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Dr., #1

Sat., Mar. 3, 10:00 A.M.

West Valley Flying Club, 701 Skyway Blvd., San Carlos Airport

Wed., Feb. 21, 7 - 8:30 P.M.

West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100

Wed., Feb. 14, 7- 8:30 P.M.

West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100

Wed., Mar. 14, 7- 8:30 P.M.

American Academy of Aeronautics (West side of apt), 1144 Coleman Ave.

Wed's. Feb. 14 and 28, 11 A.M.-1:00 P.M.

Squadron #2 Flying Club, San Jose Jet Center, A. C. Markkula Conf. Rm

Thur., Feb. 15, 7:00 P.M.

Inbound Aviation, 2655 Robert Fowler Way

Tue., Feb. 6, 7 - 9:00 P.M.

Inbound Aviation, 2655 Robert Fowler Way

Tue., Mar. 6, 7 - 9:00 P.M.

Trade Winds Aviation 2505 Cunningham Ave. (Next to General Aviation Terminal Building)

Thur., Feb. 8, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

Trade Winds Aviation 2505 Cunningham Ave. (Next to General Aviation Terminal Building)

Thur., Mar. 8, 6:30 - 8:30 P.M.

Nice Air (NE side of apt), 2575 Robert Fowler Way

Tue., Feb. 20, 7 - 9:00 P.M.

End of
San Jose Area
Seminars

Building 411 Castle Airport

Thu, Feb 1, 7 PM to 9 PM

Kern Cty Sheriff's Complex, Building "F"

Thu, Feb 8, 7 PM to 9 PM

Building 411 Castle Airport

Thu, Feb 15, 7 PM to 9 PM

Chandler Administration Bldg.

Thu, Feb 22, 7 PM to 9 PM

End of
Fresno Area
Seminars

Sacramento Executive Airport Airport Conference Room

February 1 - 7:00 PM Thursday

Human Factors in Aviation Maintenance
Sponsor: SAC.FSDO
Contact: Gordon Campbell (916) 422-0272 ex:258
Fly in if You Wish

Bridgeford Flying Service Napa Airport

February 20 - 7:00 PM Tuesday

Scott Valley Airport Terminal

February 21- 7:00 PM Wednesday

Nut Tree Airport Airport Conference Room

February 22 - 7:00 PM Thursday

Redding Municipal Airport Redding Aero Service

February 28 - 7:00 PM Wednesday

Rancho Murieta AFSS, 14670 Cantova Wy, Ste 101

Call Ahead For Exact Dates
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM Saturday

Sacramento TRACON, 5839 22nd Street (Off Elkhorn Blvd)

One Saturday per month,
8:00 am till noon as personnel are available.
Call for reservations.

End of
Sacramento Area
Seminars

WINGS: An excellent way to gain proficiency

WINGS is the FAA Pilot Proficiency Award Program designed to encourage general aviation pilots to continue their training. It provides an opportunity to practice selected maneuvers in a minimum of instruction time.

WINGS is an excellent opportunity for you to re-evaluate your flight proficiency and knowledge.

If You're a Pilot, You're Eligible

WINGS is open to all pilots holding a recreational certificate or higher with a current medical certificate, when required. After you've logged three hours of dual instruction under the program and attend at least one FAA-sanctioned safety seminar you will be eligible to receive and wear a distinctive set of WINGS. You will also receive a certificate of completion.

Pilots: Your attendance at safety seminars fulfills one of the requirements of the Pilot Proficiency Award program (Wings Program). Completion of the requirements of the Wings Program, as outlined in Advisory Circular 61.91g, will qualify you to receive a Wings lapel pin and wall certificate. ADDITIONALLY, if you satisfactorily complete a phase of the Wings Program within the period specified by Section 61.56 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, you need not accomplish a biennial flight review.

More Wings To Work For

Each twelve month interval after earning your first set of WINGS you will be eligible for more WINGS. Each WINGS pin is specially designed to mark your additional progress.

WINGS-The Sign of a Safe Pilot

It's a fact - recurrent training makes a difference. Statistics show that pilots who participate in recurrent training programs such as WINGS, have a much better safety record than the pilots who do not. Earning your WINGS could have a positive impact on your aviation insurance costs. Be sure to inform your insurance agent of your commitment to the WINGS Program

WORK FOR YOUR WINGS.
THEY'RE WORTH A LOT MORE THAN THE
TIME IT TAKES TO GET THEM.

PHASE I

Neil Braun
Julie Anne Ostendorf

PHASE II

Bradley Goldman
Ronny Hill

PHASE III

Jeff Rabe

PHASE V

Susan Hill
Mary Schulte

PHASE VII

E. J. McClelland
James R. Shelatz

PHASE VIII

John Cassidy Jr.

PHASE IX

Elizabeth Young Dealey

SEAWINGS

PHASE I

John Peter Gross
Richard Rauser

PHASE I

Marc Boegner
Florian Dejako
Joshua Distler
Robert H. Giebeler
Martin Hollmann
Frank Hubbard
Ingo Kupper
Raymond H. Reck
James T. Ruffo
Pratish Shah
Takeshi Suganuma
Tim Titus
W. Wescott Weiss, III

PHASE II

Heinz Opitz
Jeffrey Wriedt

PHASE III

Patrick Penzias Dirks
Judith Lynne Gibbons
Robert Urquhart
Roy Wesner

PHASE IV

Andrew Geosits

PHASE V

Bob Grigsby
Davi Howard
Uwe Wessbecker

PHASE VII

Joachim Boll
Manfred P. Lauterborn
Dennis Lynch

PHASE VIII

Linda N. Lorenzetti
Joseph T. Martini

PHASE IX

Dorothy L. Hines

PHASE XI

Fred Bucci
Betty Patterson

Calendar Year 2000 Wings Awards (as of 10/11/00)

NorCal Aviation Safety Review is published monthly by the F.A.A. Western Pacific Safety Program. Comments, suggestions and news info are invited. NorCal Aviation Safety Review reserves the right to edit all material. Please address all correspondence to your local Safety Program Manager. Edited by Kevin L. Clover - FAA AWP-204 - 5001 Airport Plaza Dr. Ste 100 - Long Beach, CA 90815 - E-Mail kevin.l.clover@faa.gov