SoCal Aviation Safety Review is published monthly by the F.A.A. Western Pacific Safety Program. Comments, suggestions and news info are invited. SoCal 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.dot.gov

Five Things to Think About When Planning Every Takeoff

(1) Gross Weight and Center of Gravity
Gross weight effects takeoff and climb performance. Know if your aircraft will perform as expected by determining how much it weighs before you takeoff. The location of the center of gravity effects the handling characteristics of an aircraft. Determine the center of gravity to assure that the particular loading configuration will not give you undesirable handling qualities.

(2) Density Altitude
Temperature and altitude significantly effects aircraft performance. Be especially alert during the warmer times of the year. When operating at airports with shorter runways or higher field elevations, always compute the airport density altitude. Think of density altitude as the aircraft's "performance altitude".

(3) Wind
Wind direction and its velocity can have a significant effect on your takeoff roll. Head winds, tail winds, cross winds, and gusting winds may adversely effect what happens to you during takeoff. Make note of the wind before you roll down the runway.

(4) Runway
Is the runway you're using in the same condition used by the aircraft manufacturer when computing takeoff performance information for your aircraft. Uphill runways, grass, gravel, soft fields, and standing water will alter predicted takeoff performance.

(5) "What if…" Plans
Know ahead of time what your action will be in the event of a power loss during your takeoff. Plan for an abort if you are still in the takeoff roll. Plan for where you will put the aircraft if the power fails after liftoff. Decide ahead of time that you will not attempt to make a 180 turn back to the runway. Make shallow turns and maintain the proper glide speed to maneuver the aircraft to your predetermined emergency landing area. These five takeoff considerations will go a long way in making every departure safer. Give them some thought and make them part of every takeoff.

San Diego's 4th Annual Safety Competition
Hosted by: Jimmy Carter's Flight School, Ramona Airport

For more information call: Mike Harris or Fred Christlieb at the San Diego FSDO or ask your local Flight School
Each flight school is allowed to sponsor a competitor in each of the competition levels. So far the levels of competition are: Pilots certified in the last 12 months, Instructor Pilots, and Pilots certified more than 12 months ago. The competition will be on August, 26th, 2000. The competition consists of 9 safety gates or events. At the end of the day the pilot with the top score in each level of competition will receive a certificate and the overall high scorer's name will be inscribed on a trophy that the pilot will be able to take back to his or her flight school.

Why Do Parts Fail?

San Diego accident statistics like those across the nation indicate that most accidents are caused by pilot error not mechanical failure. San Diego incident statistics however indicate that about half of the incidents are caused by mechanical failure. What causes these failures? Sometimes it's bad parts. Sometimes it's bad maintenance, or wrong maintenance, or no maintenance. Learn what you can do as an Aviation Maintenance Technician to prevent these kinds of incidents. As a Pilot learn what you can do to avoid flying a potential incident aircraft. Sometimes a good pre-flight will let you know there is a problem. And if you are already in the air, learn what to look or listen for to tell you there is an impending problem in time to do something about it. Fred Christlieb and Kenneth Wong will present potential maintenance mishaps in this months Wings Seminars.