FAA: Aviation Safety is Everyone's Concern; Pay Attention to the Fundamentals

The Federal Aviation Administration has a message for the flying community (and everyone else, for that matter): Safety is everyone's concern, so pay attention to the fundamentals of flying within the capabilities of the pilot and the aircraft. This theme was reinforced during the Super Safety Seminar at the sixth annual Midwest Aviation Conference and Trade Show at the Maryland Heights Community Center near St. Louis. I will present the highlights here so those who were unable to attend can glean some valuable insights that may someday save lives.

Jeff Edwards, an accomplished pilot, instructor, accident investigator (you name it), presented case studies to illustrate what happens when aircraft are operated outside of their operating limitations. Pilots are given the operating limitations of their aircraft by the manufacturer, and are compelled by law to follow them to the letter. Trained pilots would not knowingly operate their aircraft outside of these limitations. However, Mr. Edwards discussed how easy it can be for a lapse in judgment to cause disastrous results with case after case of pilots attempting to fly their aircraft well over gross weight, out of proper load balance (usually tail heavy), under marginal conditions (high elevation, warm temperatures, tailwind takeoff, short runways, etc., etc. on and on) and with a perceived need to hurry home. Pilots have the responsibility to provide safe transportation for themselves and their passengers, and should always operate (well) within the operating limitations of their aircraft, even if it means they do not make the trip in the first place.

Bruce Landsberg, President of the AOPA Safety Foundation, discussed common (mis)behaviors pilots demonstrate. Some are annoyances, such as prop blasting, taxiing with strobes at night, engine throttle gymnastics, door slamming and dash lighting games. Others were more critical, such as inadequate communication practices and contorted landing patterns. These outward behaviors are often the result of breakdowns in training and aeronautical decision-making (Perceive, Process, Perform). Indeed, all pilots are vulnerable to these lapses, which can only be prevented by constant attention to the proper execution of all flight duties.

Al Gorthy and Grant Nichols from the Kansas City FAA Office provided an update on runway incursion (two or more aircraft sharing active runways, taxiways, etc. in dangerous proximity) investigations in the U.S. They reported that each day there are an average of 3 runway incursions at controlled airports in the U.S., and that each month there are on average 2 near misses. Given all the training provided to pilots in the U.S., why do pilots and controllers allow these runway incursions to happen? There is no definitive answer, but some key factors are: pilot flying capability, breakdown in pilot and controller situational awareness, lack of preflight planning, and airport signage design. Since most incursions occur during taxi out to active runway, this is where the pilot and controllers should concentrate their improvement efforts. Better pilot training in the areas of radio communications, signage and surface marking recognition and workload management would likely help decrease the number and severity of runway incursions. Controllers could also work to improve their situational awareness, and not assume all pilots are at the same level of competence needed to operate safely at their facility.

The message for all pilots, controllers passengers and the general public is: Aviation safety is everyone's concern!