The FAA, Honolulu FSDO is looking for a few "good mechanics" to serve as Aviation Safety Counselors (ASC). A counselor serves as liaison between the FAA and the aviation community to ensure good communication, mutual cognizance of aviation safety issues, and timely action on noted problems, or asked to counsel airmen, including instructors, pilots, mechanics, and others who exhibit unsafe acts. Occasionally, a counselor may be asked to conduct or assist in the presentation of aviation safety seminars.

There are currently 35 volunteer ASCs throughout Hawaii, Guam, and American Samoa. To qualify for an ASC appointment, these individuals have been recognized for being active a minimum of six (6) months in the aviation community and have completed the ASC training which is given at the Honolulu FSDO. But the most compelling qualification is their demonstrated and voiced vision of a better and safer aviation community.

When appointed to the ASC program, the ASC volunteer receives a Certificate of Appointment, an ASC badge, and an active counselor file.

While an appointment to be an ASC does not grant the volunteer counselor the authority to act as an official representative of the Administrator of the FAA at any time, it does provide the opportunity for those individuals to make a difference by their presence throughout the aviation community; all the while functioning under the supervision of the Safety Program Manager (SPM) in the Honolulu FSDO. As a team, the ASC volunteers and the SPM act as a formidable force throughout the aviation community.

If you have ever felt that you would like to have an impact on aviation safety, perhaps being an ASC is a way for you to realize that urge.

The next ASC training will be held on Thursday, October 9, 1997, at 7:00 p.m. at the Honolulu FSDO. To get more information, contact Jim Hein, Aviation Safety Inspector, at 837-8335 or Tweet Coleman, SPM, at 837-8307.

What would I look for when trying to determine if I have an unapproved part? Everyone has run into this question: For the most part, this is a very hard question to answer, because counterfeiters are good at hiding their work. However, the following are indicators to look for:
(1) "New" parts with signs of unauthorized repair or tags that say used.
(2) Used parts with unapproved repairs.
(3) Poor workmanship on serial number.
(4) Suspect part numbers or stamp-overs.
(5) Lack of or photocopied documentation.
(6) Cheap prices.
(7) Different finish.

If you find an unapproved part, report it to the FAA, Honolulu FSDO by filling out FAA Form 8120-11, Suspected Unapproved Parts Notification, or call the FSDO at 837-8300.

Bishop Museum will conduct a "Children Sunday," October 5, 1997. There will be no admission charge, so bring one or all and visit the FAA aviation booth.

Come and discuss the new regulations Part 61 and 141 with the FAA, Honolulu FSDO inspectors. This will be an informative meeting for all that fly.

Date: Thursday, October 23, 1997, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Location: Honolulu Flight Standards District Office, 135 Nakolo Place
Contact: Doug Gurel, ASC/CFI, at 456-3100

Hawaiian Flyers Toastmasters invites anyone interested in improving their listening and speaking skills to come to a fun-filled meeting. It is the first and third Thursday of every month 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Honolulu FSDO office. For more information, call Leslie Taylor at 941-6815 or Mark Stefanov at 522-3039.

The difference between education and experience: Education is what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get from not reading it.

Q. An altimeter indicates 3,450 feet MSL when set to 29.76. What is the approximate pressure altitude?

A. 3,290 feet
B. 3,466 feet
C. 3,610 feet

Pressure altitude is the altitude read from an altimeter when 29.92 Hg. is set in the window. Since 1 Hg equals approximately 1.000 feet, the difference here is 160 feet. In this example, 29.76 Hg is lower than 29.92 Hg; therefore, the pressure altitude will be 160 feet higher or 3,610 feet. (Answer C)

Q. Can Terminal Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) make a difference in aviation safety?

A. Yes, Yes, and Yes. An FAA Inspector from Alaska shares this story with us. A commercial operator in Alaska was flying passengers into Homer last month. Their plane, a transport, has TCAS. Meanwhile, Homer Flight Service told the crew that a non-radio single engine airplane was in the pattern. The crew acknowledged the advisory, but never did see the other airplane. After landing, the crew was approached by a man who said he was the pilot of the other airplane, and did the crew know that they had narrowly missed each other? It seems that both airplanes were about 400 feet AGL on final approach when the commercial plane flew over the smaller plane by only 20 feet, according to the small plane pilot. To prove it, he showed the crew a videotape which he'd shot, which did in fact show the transport just above and ahead of the smaller plane. The crew then asked the pilot of the airplane without radio if he'd had his transponder turned on. The reply, of course, there was no transponder onboard.

Q. Helicopter low frequency vibrations are always associated with the __________.

A. engine
B. main rotor
C. transmission

Low frequency vibrations are always associated with the main rotor. The vibrations will be some frequency related to the rotor RPM and slow enough that they can be counted. (Answer B, reference AC 61-13)

Q. Generally, that airspace from the surface to 2,500 feet above the airport elevation (charted in MSL) surrounding those airports that have an operational control tower. This is the definition of __________.

A. Class C airspace
B. Class D airspace
C. Class B airspace

The answer is Class D airspace. Molokai is class D airspace from 1700-0430 Zulu, other times Class G airspace.

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

 PHASE II
Kevin S. Woolley

PHASE III
James E. Briggs

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