February 17, 2011–GA pilots know that flight preparation takes a good deal of planning and coordination. With so many checklists and steps, it is easy to overlook another important component of a safe flight: ground safety. In his article, “Safety from the Ground Up,” pilot, mechanic, and FAA Safety Briefing associate editor Tom Hoffman walks you through some essential ramp risk management strategies to ensure a smooth take-off. Beginning at home, before you even head out to the airport, start by picking the right clothes appropriate for the weather and to protect yourself from ramp safety hazards. Look out for foreign object debris on ramps and taxiways to avoid damage to your aircraft. Use and be attentive to signals indicating that aircraft propellers are moving to avoid devastating accidents. Read about these and other essential components of ground safety on page 11 of the January/February 2011 issue of FAA Safety Briefing at www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/.
Similar Posts
Southwest Airlines’ Pilots Begin Flying Required Navigation Performance Efficient Procedures at 11 Airports
DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2011 — Now ready for departure—Southwest Airlines’ Pilots begin Required Navigation Performance (RNP) efficient flight procedures today at 11 airports nationwide. This major milestone to reduce environmental impact with a more efficient operation and to assist the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on NextGen initiatives is the culmination of a four-year project with partners Boeing, GE, and Honeywell. RNP is satellite-based navigation that brings together the accuracy of GPS (Global Positioning System), the capabilities of advanced aircraft avionics, and new flight procedures.“RNP sets the stage for Southwest to continue doing its part to conserve fuel, improve safety, and reduce carbon emissions and Greenhouse gases, while simultaneously taking advantage of the high-performance characteristics that exist in an airline’s fleet,” said Captain Jeff Martin, Southwest’s Vice President of the Operations Coordination Center. “The efficiencies RNP introduces help Southwest be a good neighbor while also maintaining our low fares.”
The Company’s Pilots and Dispatchers now follow these new efficient flight procedures and enhanced avionics to fly specifically designed satellite-based navigation approaches to many Southwest airports. The primary airports with efficient RNP procedures include Amarillo*, Birmingham, Boise, Corpus Christi*, Los Angeles, Chicago Midway, Oakland, Oklahoma City, West Palm Beach, Raleigh-Durham, and San Jose.
With RNP/NextGen procedures designed at 11 Southwest airports, the Company’s projected savings is $16 million a year, with an anticipated savings of more than $60 million per year once all Southwest airports have efficient RNP procedures.
“RNP is a significant step in the future for the NextGen Air Traffic Control system,” said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “This milestone culminates substantial efforts by our Company working with the FAA to position Southwest as a leading participant in a modernized air traffic control system.”
In addition to modifying 345 Boeing 737-700s with new flight display software and ensuring that all new aircraft are RNP ready, this cross-company effort involving Technology, Maintenance & Engineering, and the Operations Coordination Center also featured intense training efforts to support achieving this milestone.
“I am very proud of our Flight Operations Team for the design, training, and implementation of NextGen procedures, including training more than 5,900 Pilots to fly Primary Flight Display Navigation Display (PFD/ND) procedures,” said Captain Chuck Magill, Vice President of Flight Operations. “This extensive training allows us to capture RNP procedures as well as provide flexibility in any new aircraft platform we might use in the future.”
Boeing Delivers First 777-300ER to Turkish Airlines

EVERETT, Wash., Oct. 14 — Boeing today delivered the first 777-300ER (Extended Range) to Turkey’s flag carrier Turkish Airlines.
The milestone delivery marks many firsts for the airline. The new airplane is Turkish Airlines’ first 777 directly purchased from Boeing. It is the first of 12 777-300ERs Turkish Airlines has on order with Boeing from 2009 and serves as the platform for introducing Turkish Airlines’ new "Comfort Class" cabin for the first time.
"Turkish Airlines continues to grow as a global airline with the 777 helping us to expand into new markets in Asia and the Americas," said Hamdi Topcu, Chairman of Turkish Airlines. "The addition of new Boeing 777-300ERs exemplifies our commitment to delivering high quality service and comfort to our passengers, while enabling us to continue our profitable growth."
The 777-300ER brings new twin-engine efficiency to the airline’s long-haul fleet. The airplane is powered by General Electric GE90-115BLs, the world’s largest and most powerful commercial jet engines.
"Turkish Airlines has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to set world-class standards for their operations," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 777-300ER is a great choice for Turkish, as the 777’s high efficiency, spacious cabin, and industry-leading reliability combine to help the airline provide a superior passenger experience."
With this delivery, Boeing is scheduled to deliver four additional 777-300ERs to Turkish Airlines by the end of 2010.
The Boeing 777-300ER is 19 percent lighter than its closest competitor, greatly reducing its fuel requirement. It produces 22 percent less carbon dioxide per seat and costs 20 percent less to operate per seat. The airplane can seat up to 365 passengers in a three-class configuration and has a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km). The 777 family is the world’s most successful twin-engine, twin-aisle airplane. Sixty-one customers around the world have ordered more than 1,100 777s.
About Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member, Turkish Airlines is today a four-star airline company with a fleet of 145 aircraft flying to 166 destinations around the world, comprising 39 domestic and 127 international destinations.
FAA Announces Recovery Act Funded Improvements
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the completion of the expansion and renovation of the passenger terminal at the Pitt-Greenville Airport in Greenville, N.C. The project was paid for with $7.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
“Investing in projects like this is critically important to helping us compete in the global economy,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These improvements at Pitt-Greenville Airport will result in business and employment opportunities in North Carolina that will strengthen America’s future economic competitiveness.”
The Pitt-Greenville Airport terminal was expanded to a two-story structure that meets current floodplain standards. The airport was severely flooded during Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Improvements include a departure waiting area for passengers, two additional gates and a security checkpoint.“Recovery Act dollars have given FAA an additional tool to maintain and improve airport infrastructure across the country,” said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt.
Under the Recovery Act, more than $1.3 billion have been made available nationwide for both airport improvement projects and air traffic control facility and system upgrades. Because of low construction bids for projects, more Recovery Act dollars were available for additional facilities, equipment and airport projects. These grants have been distributed to airports that serve commercial passengers, cargo and general aviation flights.
DOT Grants Delta/US Airways Slot Waiver
DOT 26-10
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Contact: Sasha Johnson
Tel.: 202-689-4464DOT Tentatively Grants Delta/US Airways Slot Waiver
The Department of Transportation announced today that it has tentatively decided to grant the waiver requested by Delta Air Lines and US Airways to allow the carriers to proceed with their proposed slot swap transaction at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The proposed waiver is contingent on the requirement that the airlines sell some of their slot interests to carriers with no or limited service at the two airports in order to lessen the harm to consumers that might otherwise result from the applicants’ increased dominance at DCA and LGA.
DOT issued a notice today that describes in detail the transaction, the Department’s tentative findings and its proposals to remedy potential harm to consumers. The notice provides 30 days for the public to comment on the transaction and the Department’s tentative findings before the Department issues a final decision.
## Because there’s a 30 day interim for public comment before a final decision, today’s news has variations from Airlines balk after DOT says they can swap slots to Delta and US Airways threaten to abandon slot swap.
Russian Report on Polish Crash
This document is an English translation of the Final Report on the accident on 10 April 2010, on Smolensk “Severny” airdrome, to the Tupolev Tu-154M tail number 101 of the Republic of Poland. The translation was done as accurate as the translation may be to facilitate the understanding of the Final Report for non-Russian speaking people. The use of this translation for any purpose other than for the prevention of future accidents could lead to erroneous interpretations.
In case of any difference or misunderstanding the original text in Russian is the work of reference.Download here:
INTERSTATE AVIATION COMMITTEE AIR ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION COMMISSION
FINAL REPORT.pdf >- Boeing | News | press release
Boeing Hosts Global Educators at Weeklong Space Camp
CHICAGO, July 12, 2010 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] this week is sponsoring more than 100 teachers from around the world at the 19th Annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
The five-day Boeing Educators to Space Camp program uses space exploration initiatives to enhance teachers’ skills in presenting math, science and technology lessons in a way that will inspire students and help build a skilled work force for a globally competitive technology market.
“Sponsoring educators to attend Space Camp each year is just one of the many ways Boeing is investing in the future,” said Rick Stephens, Boeing senior vice president of Human Resources and Administration. “The number of students pursuing math-, science-, and technology-related degrees is declining, particularly in the United States. It is important to work with educators, who have a direct influence on the students starting at a young age, to bring the excitement of these subjects into the classroom.”
The teachers will be involved in hands-on workshops that include simulated space missions, astronaut training, and presentations by rocketry and space-exploration experts. The workshops help bring the excitement of real-world engineering challenges to levels suitable for students to achieve a better understanding of scientific and mathematic principles.
“Space Camp provides a hands-on learning environment where the excitement of science, math and technology are explored and practiced through the mysteries and wonders of space,” said Ruth Oliver, director of Education at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.
Boeing worked with U.S. and international education institutions to select more than 100 applicants from 13 countries for the weeklong course, making this the largest, most diverse Boeing-sponsored group ever. Since 1992, more than 700 teachers have participated in Boeing’s annual program, reaching an estimated 30,000-plus students around the world.
Boeing’s support of Space Camp aligns with the company’s community investment focus area in primary-secondary education, which promotes the professional development of teachers and provides them with the tools and resources they need to help improve student performance.
“The teachers’ experiences at Space Camp will give them a unique perspective to share with their students,” added Stephens. “By sponsoring Educators to Space Camp, Boeing is helping the students of today become the citizens of the future and the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers.”
After graduating from Space Camp on July 17, each teacher will return home with educational resources that can be easily implemented in the classroom to help their students meet national standards for science, math and technology. Boeing will follow their progress to accurately measure the program’s effectiveness.
Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the space shuttle and International Space Station. The company also provides numerous military and commercial airline support services. Boeing has customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest U.S. exporters in terms of sales.
# # #
*Note to editors:
Teachers from the following locations will attend this year’s camp: Alabama (5), Arizona (1), California (10), Florida (4), Hawaii (1), Illinois (12), Maryland (3), Missouri (10), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (10), Texas (19), Utah (6), Virginia (4), Washington (5), Australia (1), Canada (1), Greece (1), India (1), Italy (1), Japan (1), Korea (1), Poland (1), Singapore (1), Saudi Arabia (1), United Arab Emirates (1), United Kingdom (1).
