May, 1996

Sound and Sense of Aviation Communications

by George Combs, Inspector, FAA

If someone told you that you speak a "specialized linguistic code based on elliptical syntax," and that you are "employing it in a cognitive environment," what would you reply? That is how some language scientists describe the special lingo of airmen.

In simple English, what the scientists mean is that pilots, controllers, and others of the flying profession communicate by means of a carefully constructed shorthand. Supposedly, this unique speech is understood by everyone in the aviation community because they are all on the same wavelength, figuratively as well as literally. But, is that true?

The French writer Voltaire once said: "The secret of being a bore is to tell everything." To expedite communication, the aviation language is laded with acronyms and clipped phrases. These are not always correctly used. The clipped phrase "roger" is often used when "wilco" would be more appropriate. The term VFR is used when we mean VMC. Every professional discipline has special clipped terminology. Become an expert in yours.

Through long and sometimes sad experience, we have found that ATC communications are not always what they should be. Non-standard phraseology, equipment shortcomings, sound-alike words, and sometimes too much chit-chat have seriously degraded necessary verbal and mental contact. Professional airmen are normally serene and responsible people, but occasionally, when air traffic pressure starts to build, some strange things can be heard over the VHF and UHF communication frequencies.

The whole body of science we call semantics is devoted to the study of words and the significance of their meaning. Words are symbols which take on a special sense according to our own personal experience. Thus, people use words very differently. A common error is to assume that you are understood merely because you have said something directly to the other person involved, or that you think you are the most important, the most ranked, or the most controlling person in the communication chain or system. The fact is the most essential ingredient in communications is people. Words have no meaning in themselves, only those which people attach to them. Perhaps people like your copilot.

The classic error of verbal perception, which is reported to have happened several times, goes like this:

On a missed approach, the pilot of a multi-engine airplane requests of his right seat helper: "TAKEOFF POWER." The copilot (untrained) promptly took off power. Perhaps this is why the myth persists that commuter and corporate copilots are not allowed to touch anything in the cockpit (`taint so!')

Aviation people are mortal, despite what some people believe and thus are subject to error on a daily basis. In much of our day-to-day existence, errors in communication are a minor irritant and sometimes even funny. However, for airmen there is a difference concerning their environment which must be understood. The aviation environment encompasses many more scientific disciplines and technical variables than any other system of transportation.

Aviation requires the coordinated, cooperative, and timely effort of a large variety of personnel. This complex infrastructure involves airports, weather services, ATC, dispatching, training, accident/incident reporting, etc.

Aviation is more sensitive to man-made safety problems than any other system of transportation.

Mistakes or failure, mechanical, structural, or human, are more likely to produce cataclysmic effects than any other transportation activity.

Communication in aviation is very important. This fact is effectively portrayed in this old joke: "How do you keep an ATC controller in suspense?" SILENCE!

The proper attitude for good communication presumes professional competence in radio technique. As a minimum, this includes thoroughly knowing your aircraft radio equipment; knowing and using correct and current call signs and terminology; knowing and making required reports; and keeping all transmissions on target, on time, and to the point.

A really good communication attitude requires moral as well as professional excellence. You must be able to practice the virtues of patience, prudence, and charity.

Patience - by not getting irritated when you don't get an instant reply to your rapid-fire request. Learn to play it cool. Pause before you clog up the frequency with an impatient repeat transmission. Malediction has never expedited a clearance.

Prudence - by using sound judgment before you make sparks with that mike button. Listen judiciously to what is happening on the party line. Don't butt in until the other guys are finished.

Charity - by not being overcritical of someone's goof. Be especially kind and mentally lenient toward the neophyte and the inexperienced. Remember back when even you had trouble deciphering all the verbal hieroglyphics, perhaps just a few years ago.

In aviation, writing as a form of communication is also important. There have been accidents due to management's ineffective or non-existent communication in the operations manual, training program, and MEL.

UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS FOR JUNE

SACRAMENTO AREA
Sacramento Executive Air Fair, `Wings and Wheels'. Warbirds, Homebuilts, Displays, Airplane Rides; Vintage, Classic, Exotic Autos; Pancake Breakfast; Raffle Prizes and much more; including an FAA Safety Seminar on Sponsored by Flight Operations. (Free Admission.)
Date: Sun., June 9, Air Fair 7:30 A.M. to 4 P.M.
FAA Safety Seminar 10 A.M.-Noon
Location:
Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, CA.
Sponsor:
Air Fair: Executive Air Fair Committee,
Sacramento 99's
Safety Seminar: Federal Aviation Administration
Contact: Executive Air Fair Committee (916) 429-3379

FLYING THE INTERNET SOCAL and NORCAL ONLINE
Thanks to the support of Aviation Safety Volunteers and friends, we are now online.

The NORCAL can be found at: http://www.aero.com
The SOCAL can be found at: http://www.aero.com
or, http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~aacit/faa_seminars.html

If you can receive the seminar schedule from the Internet, please let your local Safety Program Manager know at the next safety seminar.

Chuck Hicks, Jr. Regional Safety Program Manager

SAFETY SEMINARS

Save these announcements and post them
for handy reference

OAKLAND AREA

LIVERMORE AREA
UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERY TRAINING
Are you comfortable with your airplane in all attitudes and all situations?
What would you do if you were rolled inverted by wake turbulence or found yourself in an accidental spin?
This seminar will discuss causes of common accidental unusual attitudes and how to recover from them, spin aerodynamics, basic aerobatics and more.
DATE: Sat., May 11, 2 P.M.
LOCATION:
Diablo Aerosports office, 182 Airway Blvd., North-East corner of Livermore Airport
SPEAKER: Cecilia Aragon, a member
of the United States Aerobatic team and airshow performer
SPONSOR: Diablo Aerosports
CONTACT: Diablo Aerosports, 510-455-5889 or Howard Manning 510-273-7155

"FLYING DOESN'T END ON FINAL"
One important phase of flying skill is the landing. Landing phase accidents are responsible for nearly half of all general aviation accidents. By fortifying your knowledge of the "whys" and "wherefores" of approach and landing accidents, you can become a safer pilot. This safety program will discuss undershooting and crosscontrol stalls-the kinds of accidents which can happen before you reach the runway. Also hard landings, proposing, and loss of directional control.
GARBERVILLE AREA
DATE: Tues., May 7, 7 P.M.
LOCATION
: Humbolt House Inn
SPONSOR: Garberville Pilots Association
CONTACT: Fred Baron 707-923-2432

SEA RANCH AREA/
MENDOCINO COAST
DATE: Tues., May 14, 7 P.M.
LOCATION:
Gualala Arts Center, 3001 Old Stage Road, Gualala, Ca (Seminar is walking distance from Ocean Ridge Airport)
SPONSOR: The Sea Ranch Flying Society
CONTACT: Carol Emory 707-785-2548 or ASC Chuck Simon 707-468-8345

UKIAH AREA
DATE
: Wed., May 15, 7 P.M.
LOCATION:
American Savings Bank, 700 S. State St. Ukiah.
SPONSOR: ASC Chuck Simon
CONTACT: Chuck Simon 707-468-8345 or Howard Manning 510-273-7155

LIVERMORE AREA
Mountain Flying Safety
with Ken Taylor:
DATE: Thurs., May 30, 7 P.M.
LOCATION:
Ahart Aviation, 186 Airport Blvd., Livermore Airport.
SPONSOR: Ahart Aviation
CONTACT: Ahart Aviation 510-449-2142 or Howard Manning 510-273-7155

SALINAS (SNS)\WATSONVILLE

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information http://www.aero.com

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
SURVIVING ENCOUNTERS WITH MOUNTAIN WAVES

Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Aviation Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., May 3, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION:
Restaurant Banquet Room, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC and Steve Philipson, CFI, San Jose FSDO ASC and Aviation Consultant
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT:
Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214


SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT FLYING TO THE OLYMPICS
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Aviation Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., Jun. 7, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION:
Restaurant Banquet Room, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214

SAN CARLOS

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information http://www.aero.com

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
FUEL MANAGEMENT IS AN EXECUTIVE DECISION. ARE YOU UP TO THE JOB?
DATE:
Sat., May 4, 10 A.M. to Noon
LOCATION:
Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Pat Groves, Instructor , Aeronautics Department, San Jose
State University, Management Pilot, Lafferty Aircraft Sales and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Karen Toland (415)591-7611
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
90% OF THE LANDING IS THE APPROACH.
DATE: Tues., May 7, 6-8 P.M.
LOCATION:
TransAir, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Bob Hornauer, TransAir Chief Flight Instructor, San Jose ASC
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT: Marc Soper, or Linda Flynn (415) 592-7804
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
SURVIVING OFF-AIRPORT EMERGENCY LANDINGS
DATE:
Wed., May 15, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:
West Valley Flying Club, 701 Skyway Blvd., San Carlos Airport
SPEAKER: Peter Carpenter, West Valley Flying Club member
SPONSOR:
West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 595-5912

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
AVIATION TRAINING WITH COMPUTERS
DATE:
Sat., Jun. 1, 10 A.M. to Noon
LOCATION:
Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Karen Toland, proprietor, Diamond Aviation
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Karen Toland (415)591-7611
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
HOW TO AVOID LANDING LONG OR MAKING THE POORLY EXECUTED GO-AROUND
DATE: Tues., Jun. 4, 6-8 P.M.
LOCATION:
TransAir, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Rob Givler, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, TransAir
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT:
Marc Soper, or, Linda Flynn (415) 592-7804
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

PALO ALTO

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information http://www.aero.com

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
FORMATION FLYING WITH SAFETY
DATE: Thurs., May 2, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:
West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100,
Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: Gordon Turner, West Valley Flying Club CFI
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856-2030

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
PREFLIGHT, HAND PROP AND THE PILOT
DATE: Wed.,May 8, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:
West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: to be announced
SPONSOR:
West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856-2030

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
FACTORS LEADING TO ACCIDENTS
DATE:
Wed., Jun. 12, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:
West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: Mark Williams, West Valley Flying Club CFI and A&P
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856-2030

SAN JOSE AREA

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7681 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.
Internet: for more information http://www.aero.com

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THE FAA INSPECTOR; "I'm from the FAA and I'm here to help you"
DATE: Thurs., May 9, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION:
Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKER: Jack Hocker, San Jose FSDO Safety Program Manager
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Rod Thrasher, or Dave Finn (408) 298-9161

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
MY JOB, YOUR JOB, OUR JOB - How airport action groups improve airport safety
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar
DATE: Tues., May 21, 7 P.M.
LOCATION:
Large Conference Room, Terminal C, near Gate #9
SPEAKER: Dave Pecota, San Jose International Airport Operations Superintendent
SPONSOR: San Jose International Airport
CONTACT:
Dave Pecota (408) 277-3779

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
COPING WITH RAPID FIRE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
DATE: Thurs., May 23, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION:
General Aviation Terminal Building (Southeast end of airport)
SPEAKER: Davi Howard, Air Traffic Control Specialist, San Jose Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)
SPONSORS: Squadron 2 Flying Club, and Pacific Aero Sales
CONTACT: Jeff Faulkner (408)275-0300, or (408) 943-1727

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
FLYING THE BEST OF ALASKA
DATE: Tues., May 28, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION:
American Flyers ground training facility, San Jose Jet Center, 1250 Aviation Avenue, Suite #190,
SPEAKER: Tom Kallos, Commercial Pilot, A&P/IA, A&P Ground Instructor
SPONSORS: American Flyers
CONTACT: John Murphy or Fred Abrams (408) 297-2123

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
HOW TO MAKE GOOD LANDINGS: After a smooth flight
DATE: Thurs., Jun. 13, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION:
Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKER: to be announced
SPONSOR:
Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Rod Thrasher, or, Dave Finn (408) 298-9161

SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA

SAN LUIS OBISPO AREA
OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS
DATE: Thurs., May 9, 6:30-9 P.M.
LOCATION:
Los Ranchos Elementary School Auditorium, 5785 Los Ranchos Road, San Luis Obispo (1.5 miles south of San Luis Obispo Airport entrance on Highway 227 - Edna Road - to Los Ranchos Road, turn right on Los Ranchos, approx. 1/10 mile on left side). Transportation provided from base of control tower to school.
SPEAKER: Warren Crain, Civil Air Patrol Chief Check Pilot, Cal Coast Flyers CFI
SPONSORS: San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Program and The Contributors to the SLO-FAA Safety Program Fund
CONTACT: Patrick Duncan (805)466-9725, or Alan Yecny (805) 541-1038

SACRAMENTO AREA

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Operation Raincheck"
a program to familiarize pilots with the air traffic control system.
Date: One Saturday per month, 8 A.M. till noon..
Location: Sacramento TRACON, 5839 22nd Street, Rio Linda, CA. off Elkhorn Blvd.
Sponsor: FAA Air Traffic Control
Contact: Asst. Manager for Operations (916) 922-9511
Call for reservations

SACRAMENTO AREA
"WINGS SATURDAY"
an FAA Pilot Proficiency Award Program
Date: Sat., May 4
8:30 A.M.
Coffee and Hanger Flying with the "Sacramento 99's Bake Sale" all day.
9:30 A.M. FAA Safety Seminar "IFR Refresher" with Ed Callaway of Executive Flyers.
9 A.M.-Noon Proficiency Flying
Noon Lunch at the Airport Deli.
1 P.M. FAA Safety Seminar "Mountain Flying" with Jack Titus of Flight Operations.
1 P.M. Proficiency Flying
3:30 P.M. Wings Awards given to all who complete the Program.

Proficiency Training is the responsibility of each participant. FAA Seminars are Free
to the Public. Arrangements for Proficiency Training should be made in advance.
For further information contact the Sacramento 99's at 863-3499 or your Favorite FBO.

Location: Sacramento Executive Airport, "Old Red Baron", Sacramento, CA.
Contact: Sacramento 99's (916) 863-3499

REDDING AREA
"Back to Basics "On Landings Part Two."
Date: Wed., May 8, 7 P.M.
Location:
IASCO Flight Center, Redding Municipal Airport, 3775 Flight Avenue, Redding, CA
Sponsor: Redding Area Pilots Association, IASCO Flight Center
Contact: IASCO (916) 222-0100, or Audrey Schutte (916) 244-2844

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Operation Takeoff"
A three hour program on the services available from an Automated Flight Service Station.
Date: Sat., May 11 and May 25, 9 A.M.-12 P.M.
Location:
Rancho Murieta AFSS, 14670 Cantova Way, Suite 101, Rancho Murieta
Sponsor: Rancho Murieta AFSS
Contact: Randy Colvin (916) 354-0161 ext. 138
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.

DAVIS AREA
"Back to Basics, On Landings Part One"
Date: Wed., May 15, 7 PM
Location:
University Airport, Cal Aggie Flying Farmers Facility, Davis, CA.
Sponsor: Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Contact: Charles Lowe (916) 752-3067

SAN ANDREAS AREA
"Mountain Flying."
Date: Sat., May 18, 10 A.M.
Location:
Norcal Aviation, Calaveras Co. Airport, San Andreas, CA.
Sponsor: Norcal Aviation
Contact: Norcal Aviation (209) 736-4554

NAPA AREA
"The 17 Most Popular Ways To Fall Out Of The Sky."
Date: Thurs., May 23, 7 P.M.
Location:
Japan Airlines, 2000 Airport Road, Napa, CA
Sponsor: Japan Airlines, IASCO
Contact: James Melton (707) 252-3522

FRESNO AREA

PORTERVILLE
Wake Turbulence and Wing-tip Vortices
with Dick Hague.
The Fresno FSDO Safety program Manager repeats his hilarious and hugely popular talk on turbulence avoidance techniques every pilot should know.
Date: Thurs., May 2, 7 p.M.
Location:
Airport Annie's pTV Restaurant
Sponsor: Airport Annie's pTV Restaurant
Contact: Richard Hague, 209-487-5306

MODULE 4: pre-flight planning and preparation at the field: Aircraft pre-flight inspection / "it's a checklist; not a worksheet": tailoring a checklist for your cockpit / passenger briefing/emergency checklist / equipment checklist.

BAKERSFIELD
Date:
Thurs., May 9, 7 p.M.
Location: Anton's Airport Restaurant at BFL
Sponsor: Anton's Airport Restaurant
Contact: Richard Hague, 209-487-5306

MERCED
Date:
Thurs., May 16, 7 p.M.
Location: Building 411, Castle Airport
Sponsor: The Castle Club
Contact: Richard Hague, 209-487-5306

FRESNO
Date:
Thurs., May 23, 7 p.M.
Location: Fresno Chandler Admin. Building
Sponsor: Fresno Department of Airports
Contact: Richard Hague, 209-487-5306

MODESTO
GpS Hands-On
with Trimble Avionics products Company reps.
What will your airport manager be looking at down the road?
Date: Thurs., May 30, 7 p.M.
Location: Modesto Flight Center
Sponsor: Modesto Flight Center
Contact: Richard Hague, 209-487-5306

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Monterey Airport Traffic Control Tower/Terminal Radar Approach Control
2475 Henderson Way
Monterey, California 93940

ISSUED: 2/22/96
EFFECTIVE: 2/22/96

MONTEREY TOWER/TRACON LETTER TO AIRMEN NO. 96-1

SUBJECT: Marina Municipal Airport

CANCELLATION: 2/21/98

Monterey Airport Traffic Control Tower/Terminal Radar Approach Control(ATCT/TRACON) provides air traffic control services to pilots operating near the Marina Municipal Airport. These services include, but are not limited to; sequencing of all aircraft to the Monterey Peninsula Airport, traffic advisories and safety alerts between Visual Flight Rules (VFR) aircraft, and separation, traffic advisories, and safety alerts between Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and VFR aircraft.

Marina Municipal Airport lies under the Monterey Class C airspace, and is only 2 miles from the Class C surface area. This airspace consists of the Class C surface area, which is within a 5 nautical mile (NM) radius around Monterey Peninsula Airport, at and below 4,200 feet mean sea level (MSL); and the airspace between a 5 NM radius and a 10 NM radius around Monterey Peninsula airport, at various altitudes. In the vicinity of Marina Municipal these altitudes are between 2,500 feet MSL and 4,200 feet MSL. West of Marina Municipal, beginning at the shoreline, the airspace is between altitudes of 1,500 feet MSL and 4,200 feet MSL. (See chart) Pilots are reminded that two way communication with Monterey ATCT/TRACON is required prior to entering Class C airspace.

Pilots wishing to utilize air traffic control services to or from the Marina Municipal airport should contact Monterey Approach Control, prior to entering Class C airspace. The frequencies utilized in the area are 127.15 megahertz (MHz) for those aircraft operating over or west of the shoreline or in the vicinity of Watsonville Municipal airport, and 133.0 MHz for those aircraft operating east of the shoreline.

Pilots inbound to Marina Municipal airport can expect to receive Class C airspace services until about 5 NM from the airport, at which time they will be instructed to squawk VFR and change to common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF), which is 122.9 MHz. When advised to change to CTAF, a pilots radar service is automatically terminated.

James A. Mathews
Air Traffic Manager: Monterey ATCT/ TRACON

Sacramento Metropolitan Tower
5620 Alan Boyd Drive
Sacramento, California

ISSUED: February 20, 1996
EFFECTIVE: February 20, 1996

SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN TOWER LETTER TO AIRMEN NO. 96-1

SUBJECT: Pre-Departure Clearance Program

CANCELLATION: February 20, 1998

Sacramento Metropolitan Tower has implemented the Pre-Departure Clearance (PDC) Program for users who have elected to participate in the program. The PDC automation system has been developed employing a data link between the tower's Flight Data Input/Output System and specially equipped aircraft or user flight planning computer systems. The data is presented to the tower controllers on a terminal display in the form of a tabular list and flight plan display area. The tower may append the flight plan by including any necessary local restrictions or information before relaying the clearance. The resulting departure clearance is then transmitted to the participant network computer via a data communication transfer. The PDC process virtually eliminates the need for verbal issuance of IFR clearances for participating aircraft and reduces the amount of frequency congestion, especially at peak traffic periods.

Any users who wish to participate in the PDC program at Sacramento Metropolitan Airport should contact:

FAA Project Lead for Aeronautical Data Link, AND-310
800 Independance Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20591

Any questions and/or comments concerning the PDC program at Sacramento may be directed to the Air Traffic Manager, Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., via telephone at (916) 929-5151 or via fax at (916) 929-0360.

Jeri Carson
Air Traffic Manager
Sacramento Metro ATCT

AC 43-16 GENERAL AVIATION
AIRWORTHINESS ALERTS

ARTICLE EXCERPT

Alert No.212, March Issue page 1
AERONCA MODEL 7AC Engine Air Intake Valve
It was reported that the engine air intake "butterfly plate" had separated from the shaft and was blocking engine air intake. The "butterfly plate" was attached to the shaft by spot welds which had broken. The submitter recommended checking the attachment of the atachment toth shaft for security at every opportunity. Part total time 3556 hours

Alert No.212 March Issue page 2
BEECH MODEL S35 Cabin Emergency Exit Windows
During an annual inspection it was found that both left and right emergency exit windows were sealed shut with a "silicone" substance in an attempt to prevent water from entering the cabin. The sealing substance had been so heavily applied that it was necessary to pry the windows open. The submitter stated that it appeared this condition had existed for several annual inspections. Obviously, the consequences of an accident requiring the use of these emergency exits could have produced disastrous results. All emergency systems are vital to the aircraft occupants and should be respected and maintained accordingly.

Alert No.212, March Issue page 5
CESSNA MODEL 152 Elevator Torque Tube
During 100 hour inspection, the right side of elevator torque tube (P/N 0434155-2) was found to be cracked adjacent to the weld in the attachment plate.

The aircraft is used for flight training. The maintenance records did not reflect any past damage history in this area. Part total time 6,765 hours.

AMATEUR AND EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT

DEFECTIVE SEATBELT/SHOULDER HARNESS BUCKLES ON AMATEUR-BUILT AIRCRAFT

The following article was submitted by the FAA's Manufacturing District Office (ANE-MIDO-44) located at New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Only minor changes have been made.

"During an airworthiness certification inspection of a Challenger II aircraft kit, it was discovered that the seatbelt assemblies supplied by the kit manufacturer, Quad City Aircraft Corporation, were defective. The buckle may inadvertently open on impact, thereby negating the safety value of these assemblies.

The source of these belts is not known; however, they are of the metal-to-metal type, having a plastic front overlay with a pushbutton release, not unlike the type of belts installed in many automobiles, including those manufactured by General Motors and Ford Motor Company.The method used by the writer in testing these belts is to engage the buckle, then pull the belt assembly tight to simulate a load. By striking the aft face of the buckle assembly with the knuckles (recommend using a wooden hammer handle), a defective buckle will become disengaged.

We recommend testing all belts and harnesses which have buckles of this design. They should be replaced prior to further flight if this test causes buckle disengagement.

There was a televised news release on this problem approximately 1 year ago, as it impacted the automotive arena; however, we have been unable to obtain any automotive service bulletin, letter, or recall notice pertaining to this problem.

This office has notified all DAR personnel in this area to be especially watchful for this type of belt assembly, and to test these assemblies for this defect."


WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM




FAT FSDO
PHASE I

Michael Mollica

PHASE II
Jim Mitchell

PHASE III
Frank Bruff
Donald Williams

PHASE IV
Daryl Funderburghs


OAK FSDO
PHASE I

John Carroll
Brigitts Smith
David Bird
Andy Middione
Josh Peaboat
Tobey Smith
John Harris-Bloom
Forrest Felgen
David DeFord
Jose Cabral

PHASE II
John Harris-Bloom
Stephen Kessingerh

PHASE III
John Bloom
Terry McIlraith
John Harris-Bloom

PHASE V
George Beard


SAC FSDO
PHASE I

Mark Dennehey
Dennis Hulbert
Danny Leis
Josh Rockwood
Robert Schmid
Anthony Spadaro
Joseph Tichy
Dale Walker

PHASE II
Douglas Enoch
Joseph Munoz

PHASE III
Susan Hartman
Joaquin Torres

PHASE VI
Diana Ward

PHASE VII
Joyce Farrell
William Kraft

PHASE IX
Lois Van Zelf


SJC FSDO
PHASE I

Allen Atwood
Johnny Chiang
Jack Compere
Brian Eliot
Carl Gabrielson
William Gnauden
Diann Goldstone
Mark Jagow
Floyd Kingston
Chung-Ying Liu
Gary Mandle
David Taylor
Craig Varga
David Weaver
Hank Wong

PHASE II
Allan Flood
Charles Hann
Kenneth Martz
Jay Ribera
Barney Sedlacek
Rodney Thrasher
Dennis Winfrey

PHASE III
Guy Dellavecchia
Everett Dickerson
John Krstenansky
Susan McNulty
Rodney Thrasher
Marion Yager

PHASE IV
Melvin Rudin

PHASE IX
Robert Miller

NORCAL
Aviation Review

This newsletter is published monthly by the Aviation Safety Program of the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Western- Pacific Region. Notices are also contributed by the Air Traffic Control branch of the FAA.

Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are welcomed. Please send them to: FM Regional Aviation Safety Program Manager, AWP-204,Ro. Box 92007, World way Postal center, Los Angeles, CA 90009


*Norcal, HomeHome