A new organization designed to ensure pilot know how to handle the Cessna Caravan in harsh weather conditions, was created by the Regional Air Cargo Carriers Association (RACCA), Cessna and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The move complements the three organization's work in addressing the problems experienced by the Caravan in icing conditions (RAN, Feb. 20) which threatens to ground the aircraft during most wintry weather conditions.

The move is similar to industry initiatives in the mid 1990s to implement specific training to address sudden and dramatic changes caused by icing conditions in the ATR 42 and the mechanical problems associated with the Boeing 737. This unusual-attitude training resulted from accidents involving both aircraft in the early and mid 90s. In January, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) suggested the FAA preclude flight in moderate-or-worse icing. The recommendations were triggered by fatal crashes in Canada and Russia. However, the icing problems with the Cessna 208 are not new. Over the last 15 years, the NTSB said at least nine accidents have involved icing. The FAA in January issued an aircraft directive ordering operators to install a handhold on the plane so the pilots can inspect the wings just before takeoff. (RAN, Jan. 23).

Cessna Caravan users and RACCA have been meeting with Cessna engineers and test pilots since March to design a new pilot training program and to establish if the aircraft needs a technical fix to address its performance in icing. RACCA members fly 350 Caravans, 70 percent of which are flown on routes subject to icing. The results of the work will be detailed at RACCA's meeting in June. In the meantime, the newly formed coalition - pooling their engineering and operational resources - will increase awareness of Caravan 208 operational safety and enhance existing operational procedures in harsh environments, including icing operations.

"Recent changes to the Caravans have improved operational safety and through this new coalition, we will work to encourage further advances in Caravan safety through education," said RAACA President Stan Bernstein. "This significance of this is two-fold. Our efforts provide a model for working with the FAA. Rather than developing a proposal and submitting it to the FAA for approval, we work directly with the FAA to ensure we trouble shoot their concerns during the process. That saves money and time and achieves the same safety goals. It also significantly streamlines the regulatory process. It also shows what a limited, grass-roots organization with extremely limited funds can accomplish. You can accomplish a lot with very few dollars. It goes to show that the system is not so big that little guys can't get something done." Stan Bernstein, 508-747-1430, RACCAemail@aol.com