AIR SAFETY WEEK :: APRIL 7, 2008

Business Travel Coalition Calls for FAA Reform on MX
The Business Travel Coalition launched a major initiative recently, alerting passengers to the growing problem of maintenance outsourcing and the lack of government oversight for such programs. BTC cited regional airline accidents in its brief on the subject including the 2003 US Airways Express/Air Midwest...

Safety Warning Ignored
A safety warning the Aircraft Engineers International (AEI) organization published after its Congress in London last September and sent to all the European Aviation Authorities, has received little response, let alone support or acknowledgement from these authorities, according to AEI. "Although the...

C-MANPADS Demo Completed
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has wrapped up its Counter-MANPADS (C-MANPADS) program designed to gage the suitability of military infrared aircraft missile defense systems for protecting U.S. commercial aircraft against shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. DHS is drafting a report on the...

Latin American Air Safety: an Embarrassment
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says Latin America's air accident rate is twice the global average, calling some regional safety regulations a "dangerous embarrassment". IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani said the accident rate in Latin America fell from one accident for...

Laser Pointers Face Sales Ban  
It is reported that importation of laser pointers is likely to be outlawed after six flights into Sydney were recently thrown into chaos. Unknown individuals armed with laser pointers forced air-traffic controllers to change the flight paths of six passenger aircraft. A local law enforcement official said...

Oak Tree Snags a Cessna
Take a mountain pilot, move him to the low country, keep him flying close to the ground, throw in a substantial headwind, and limit refueling possibilities and you've got all the necessary ingredients for a fuel exhaustion accident, says AOPA. That's what happened to Colorado pilot Bill Hix when he flew his...

USAF Web Site Can Help Prevent Air Mishaps for Civilian Pilots
Air Combat Command officials are reaching out to private civilian pilots by publicizing a Web Site designed to prevent mid-air collisions with military aircraft. The Web site, http://www.seeandavoid.org, allows users to locate their flight path and determine how they can avoid flying through military...

Safety and Technology Trends
Enhancing Philippine Air Traffic Operations EADS Defence & Security together with its local partner Integrated Energy Systems & Resources Inc (IESRI) has been awarded a contract to deliver an advanced secondary radar systems for air traffic control purposes to the Philippine Air Transportation Office...

Security Shortlines
Airliner Bomb Plot Trial Begins in UK Eight British men planned to set off homemade bombs aboard at least seven airliners flying over the Atlantic to the United States and Canada, hoping to kill hundreds in a mammoth terror attack, a prosecutor said as their trial opened. Prosecutor Peter Wright said the men...

Safety Rules and Regs
Standards for Airport Markings Advisory Circular (AC) contains the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for markings used on airport runways, taxiways, and aprons. AC 150/5340-1H, Standards for Airport Markings, dated August 31, 1999, is canceled. This AC also cancels AC 150/5340-1I, although it...

Accidents and Incidents
Date Aircraft Type Narrative Death/Injury Remarks March 01, 2008 Apple River, IL Cessna 172 N8366B The pilot reported that the airplane entered the airport traffic pattern and he performed a visual approach to runway 35 with a 90 degree crosswind to the landing direction. No injuries He stated that he was...