Richard Aarons’ column about Asiana Airlines Flight 214 and the NTSB’s recommendations ( Cause & Circumstance, August 2014, page 68) was well done and his takeaway spot on. There were many elements to this accident; the NTSB had a lot on its plate and shared it around. Fatigue (it was 3 a.m. body time for the crew), automation and manual flying skills are significant topics.
Light plane and business jet shipments increased across all categories in the second quarter of 2014, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). A total of 592 aircraft were delivered by GAMA members in the period, up 5% from the 567 shipped in the same period last year. As a result, billings inched up from $5.723 billion in second quarter 2013 to $5.739 billion in the most recent quarter.
I have been reading B&CA since the dawn, and admire your work. I have flown out of Bedford, Massachusetts (BED) for well over 40 years and am exposed to the jungle drums and tribal lore. The May 31 Gulfstream GIV accident ( Intelligence, July 2014, page 16) was horrific and brings to mind our flight instructor mantra of breaking the accident chain.
Textron’s Lycoming Engines report work underway on as many as 25 aircraft engine integration projects for general aviation, most of which are outside of the U.S.
The FAA is taking the next step toward a rewrite of FAR Part 27 and Part 29 standards, planning to establish an international “forum” to look at possible changes to the standards for helicopters. The agency in February 2013 solicited comments on potential interest for realigning the standards, including whether the weight- and passenger-based thresholds should be re-evaluated. Part 27 is currently restricted to helicopters with a maximum weight of 7,000 lb. or nine or fewer passenger seats.
“Weather-Related Loss of Control” ( Cause & Circumstance, July 2014, page 54) was a great piece! I’m so glad you referenced the NOAA/TNWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) Convective Outlook. As you are aware, I’ve hawked the value of it for 35 years. First thing I look at when I get to the office each morning. It tells me everything I need to know about convective weather for the day. Editor’s note: The writer is a former B&CA editor-in-chief.
The TBM 900 has been reviewed recently in all of the major publications. As is unfailingly the case, Fred George’s “TBM 900” pilot report (July 2014, page 36) was the most thorough, informative, accurate and unvarnished. You are the best in the business.
