SOCAL ~ Aviation Safety Review

 DECEMBER 1998

 HIGH DESERT-see Van Nuys

 LONG BEACH FSDO

 LOS ANGELES

 RIVERSIDE

 VAN NUYS

 SAN DIEGO
 WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

 PRIOR ISSUES

 

 BACK TO EVENTS

What’s in this Issue:

Protection 3 Ways
Severe Hazard You Can Inspect Against


Patterns for Safety
by Carlton Clunn

VANDENBURG NEWS


Protection 3 Ways
Severe Hazard You Can Inspect Against

A young pilot and two friends took off in a Piper 140 for an afternoon pleasure flight. He had just earned his private certificate and was anxious to share the joy. Within a few hours, the flight had ended in a firey crash and three young people were dead.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found the cause of the accident to be fire in the engine compartment. An exhaust pipe inadequately held in place by an automotive clamp had separated.

Aviation clamps have a pin assembly which add extra support so the clamp resists vibrating loose.

Exhaust systems in aircraft carry away hot gases released during combustion, reserve some heat for carburator and cabin heating, and muffle the sound of those rushing toxic gases. These systems operate red hot at temperatures of 1000 degrees fahrenheit or more.

The two major stresses on an exhaust system are:
1. Vibration fatigue
2. Thermal fatigue.

Wear due to vibrations are the most common cause of system breakdowns. Exhaust system failures generally reach a maximum rate of occurrence at 100 to 200 hours' operating time, and over 50 percent of the failures occur within 400 hours.

There are two main assemblies in an exhaust system. The manifold is made up of a series of pipes that gather the gases from the cylinders and send them to the exhaust pipe. The muffler assembly dampens the sound of the escaping hot gases and diverts hot air for the carburator and cabin heating.

Leaks around the manifold are caused by corrosion and vibration cracking. Areas where there is stress, slip joints that no longer slip and welds and parts are clamped together are prime spots for cracks and breaks. Engine backfiring and the combustion of unb urn ed fuel add corrosion to the system.

Half of all exhaust system failures are traced to cracks or ruptures in the muffler assembly. Breaks in the heat exchanger surfaces used for cabin and carburetor air heat sources are found near welds and stress points. Exhaust gases escape into the cabin heat system delivering carbon monoxide to occupants of the aircraft .

The October 1998 issue of Aviation Maintenance Alerts (AC 43- 16A) has the account of a plane crash with two deaths caused by carbon monoxde poisoning. The aircraft had an annual inspection thirteen hours prior to the flight yet, the extensive corrosion that caused the leak had not been corrected.

Baffles inside a muffler can fail forcing the hot gases back into the engine. This will cause loss of power and cylinder damage. Any engine backfiring should trigger an exhaust system inspection.

When inspecting look for:
Cracks in the exhaust stack
Stains, white to brown, on the cowling
Blistering of the paint on the cowling
Loose fittings.
Shine a flashlight up the exhaust stack to look for loose baffles that may be blocking the exhaust outlet. If the exhaust stack is cool, check for any movement. Check the carbon monoxide detector in the cabin, or bring one in your flight kit to use.

If you own your airplane and experience a power loss, take off the cowling and inspect the system for blistering, corrosion and loose fittings. Thump the muffler with the palm of your hand to be sure the baffles are not loose. If you rent, know the expected performance of the aircraft and if you are not getting that performance, check with the mechanic. Even better, hang around during a hundred hour inspection some time and get a good look at that exhaust system.

You can protect yourself and your passengers in three ways:
Preflight inspection
In-flight awareness
Post flight inspection. These actions are your allies. The three together support a flight safe from fire, loss of engine power and carbon monoxide poisoning.

by Kathleen O'Brien, SPM, LGB FSDO


 

Why don't you understand me?

My message machine has a stranger's voice on it. It's my voice, but to my ears it sounds different. Is it the same for you?

We probably sound different on our aircraft radios from the way we think we sound.

Researchers tell us that people respond to the tone of the voice five times more powerfully that to the words we use. Try an experiment.

Listen to a call-in radio show some day when you're stuck in traffic. Notice that you will have an idea about what that caller is like in the first few seconds of sound.

Pitch and pace can get you heard or ignored. Pitch is the tone of the voice. High pitched voices sound excited, childish or nervous. Pace is the speed you use from word to word. Pace too quickly and you may be judged impatient or rude.

People tend to reflect the pitch and pace of the speaker. When you use a lower tone and a moderate pace, people will tend to perceive you as knowledgable. A side benefit to lower pitch and moderate pace is that you will mostlikely be understood the first time you transmit.


FAA FSDO WEB PAGES

LGB FSDO http://www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/long_beach/default.htm

RAL FSDOhttp://www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/riverside/default.htm

VNY FSDOhttp://www.awp.faa.gov/fsdo/van_nuys/default.htm


 Safety Seminars

 Save these announcements and post them for handy reference

 
 VAN NUYS AREA
Safety Program Mgrs. (818) 904-6291
Ops Karla Towe Ext. 246 - karla.j.towe@faa.dot.gov
A/W Bruce Borden Ext 342 - bruce.a.borden@faa.dot.gov

 VAN NUYS


 EDWARDS AFB
2nd Sat,
*“Operation Raincheck”
High Desert Tracon Pilot Familiarization
Contact: (805) 258-6300
 PALMDALE
9 A.M. to 4 P.M 3rd Sat
*“Operation Raincheck”
LA ARTC Center Pilot Familiarization
Contact: (805) 538-2402
 SANTA MARIA
Wed Dec 2
On Landings Part II & III
Location: Santa Maria Public Airport District Board Room
Speakers: Rich Jenson & Staff
Sponsor: Aviation Unlimited
Contact: (805) 922-5006
 
 
VAN NUYS
The following 6 Seminars are located at AV8, Inc. - 16431 Vanowen St.
Contact: Richard Mend (818) 994-9770
 9:00 - 11:00AM Sat Dec 5
*
What Every Pilot Should Know About Aerobatics
Speaker: Randy Chestnutt, Pres of LA Aerobatic Club
 Wed Dec 9
*
Flight Instructor Seminar:
Weak Areas on the CFI Checkride
Speaker: George Prewitt, DPE VNY FSDO
 9:00 - 11:00AM Sat Dec 12
*
CRM (Cockpit Resource Management)
Speaker: Gary Cost, Mercy Air
 5:30 - 7:00PM Tue Dec 15
*
Advanced Pilot Seminar:
CFIT (Controlled Flight into Terrain)
Speaker: Stelios Rapis, Pres Chrysler Aviation (VNY)
 Wed Dec 16
*
Avoiding Runway Incursions
Speaker: Richard Mend CFI-AIM-ATP
 5:30 - 7:00 PM Thur Dec 17
*
Aviation Technician Seminar: Plexiglass Windows
Speaker: Peter Bishop, Plexiglass Specialist


 VANDENBERG NEWS

HEREYEE, HEREYEE:To all Students, Recreational and CFI Pilots!!!


I
n recent months, several California recreational aviators have mistaken the Vandenberg AFB (VBG) (15,000 ft runway) for neighboring Lompoc (3,600 ft) and Santa Maria (SMX) (6,300 ft) airports, partially because runway configuration is similar.

NOTE: Vandenberg is a Military Base in Restricted Airspace.Obviously there is a cause for concern.
It is vital that pilots conduct a thorough preflight plan with increased visual scanning. Also an added confirmation from the destination Tower that their "aircraft is in sight" would enhance the pilots comfort level as well as safety.

**CONSEQUENCES**
Landing at Vandenberg AFB requires a comprehensive security investigation for (drugs, explosives, etc) with an unauthorized landing fee up to $600.00, plus possible criminal trespass prosecution and finally a formal report to the FAA.
Also the aircraft may be detained until the ensuing investigation is complete.

Hint Hint: ALL PILOTS SHALL BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRFIELDS AND AIRSPACE SURROUNDING THEIR DESTINATION.

Also, if disoriented talk to ATC they are there to HELP.

*Reservations Required


 
 Los Angeles Area
Safety Program Mgrs. (310) 215-2150
Ops Michael Marchand - Ext 108 michael.j.marchand@faa.dot.gov
v
A/W
Bob Sissung Ext 130 -robert.j.sissung@faa.dot.gov
Contact: Hank Smith, (310) 324-1800

LOS ANGELES

 HAWTHORNE
9AM-1PM Sat Dec 5
Operation Takeoff: Orientation to FSS
Location: Hawthorne Flight Service
Sponsor: Hawthorne Flight Service
Contact: HHR FSS (310) 970-0102
INGLEWOOD
Thu Dec 3
Questions & Answers with the NTSB
Location: Northrop Rice USA Inc.
8911 Aviation Ave.
Sponsor: LAX FSDO Safety Program
Speaker: George Peterson
Contact: LAX FSDO (310) 215-2150



 
 Long Beach Area
Safety Program Mgrs. (562) 420-1755
Ops Kathleen O'Brien
kathleen.o'brien@faa.dot.gov
A/W George Mahurin Ext 136

 LONG BEACH

 TORRANCE
6:30-8:30PM Wed Dec 2
*IFR X-C TOA-BFL-SBA-TOA
Location: Rolling Hills Aviation,
3115 Airport Dr, Torrance Airport
Speaker: Hank Smith, CFII & Master CFI
Sponsor: The Aviation Law Firm of
Chevalier, Allen & Lichman
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
 LONG BEACH
Thu Dec 3
How to get a Good Weather Briefing
Getting what you need from the Wx services available.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Dr, Ste 100
Speaker: Wayne Hershman, CFI and ASC
Contact: LGB FSDO (562) 420-1755
 TORRANCE
6:30-8:30PM Thu Dec 3
Stepping up to high performance aircraft:
The Bonanza
Location: Mission Air, 2955 Airport Drive Torrance airport
Speaker: Greg Karnes
Contact: Greg Karnes (310) 326-5050
 LONG BEACH
Thu Dec 10
Edwards AFB Safety Briefing: How to Avoid a Midair Collision
What you want to know about military operations and your flying safety.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Dr, Ste 100
Speaker: Major Koukourikos and Captain Larson
Contact: LGB FSDO (562) 420-1755
 TORRANCE
6:30-8:30PM Thu Dec 10
Pilot Prerogatives with the Rolling Hills Instructors Team
Location: Rolling Hills Aviation,
3115 Airport Dr, Torrance Airport
Speakers: Rolling Hills Aviation Instructors
Host: Hank Smith, CFI
Sponsor: Rolling Hills Aviation and Aviation Systems Associates Inc.
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
 TORRANCE
10AM-12PM Sat Dec 19
*How to Get a Job and Make a Living as a Safe CFI
Location: Rolling Hills Aviation,
3115 Airport Dr, Torrance Airport
Speaker: Hank Smith, CFI
Sponsor: Rolling Hills Aviation
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
 TORRANCE
6:30-8:30PM Thu Dec 17
Trainer of the future:
The Katana
Location: Mission Air, 2955 Airport Drive Torrance airport
Speaker: Tim Williams
Contact: Tim Williams (310) 326-5050
 TORRANCE
6:30-8:30PM Tue Dec 15
Flying Start (The EAA Program)
Location: Rolling Hills Aviation
Host: Bill Wood, CFI, EAA-IAC
Speakers: Shinji Kurashige (CFII), Andy Angelo (CFI) and others
Sponsor: Rolling Hills Aviation, "A Great place to Fly "
Contact: Hank Smith (310) 324-1800
 *Reservations Required



 
 RIVERSIDE AREA
Safety Program Mgrs. (909) 276-6701
Ops RC Morton Ext. 37 - r.c.morton@faa.dot.gov
A/W Dennis Parr Ext 26 denni.l.parr@faa.dot.gov

 RIVERSIDE
 
 RIVERSIDE
7-8:30 pm Tue Dec 1
Back to Basics:
Weight and Balance
Location: Riverside FSDO
Speaker: Dan Ramirez ASC & CFI
Sponsor: RAL FSDO Safety Program
Contact: Dan Ramirez (909) 780-1482
 RIVERSIDE
Thu Dec 3
Maintenance Logbook Entries & PIC Responsibilities
Location: Riverside FSDO
Speaker: Gary Kappa, Airworthiness Inspector RAL FSDO
Contact: Gary Kappa (909) 276-6701 Ext 19
 RIVERSIDE
10 AM - Noon Sat Dec 12
Operation Takeoff: How to Best Use the Services of Riverside AFSS
Location: Riverside AFSS at Riverside Airport
Speaker: Riverside AFSS
Contact: RAL AFSS (909) 351-3020
 MURIETTA
Wed Dec 16
Weather or Not - Know or Don't Go (Weather Seminar)
Location: American Valet Air @ French Valley Airport
Speaker: Rudy Smith, Meteorologist
Contact: Rudy Smith (909) 357-0517


 

 Aviation Safety Seminars
Published by
The FAA’s San Deigo Flight Standards District Office,
8525 Gibbs Dr. Ste 120 - San Diego, CA 92123

Safety Program Managers:
Ops Mike Harris 619/557-5281 x 237
michael.r.harris@faa.dot.gov
A/W Fred Christlieb 619/557-5281 x 266
fred.w.christlieb@faa.dot.gov

 SAN DIEGO

 NEWS

 SEMINARS

 WINGS AWARDS

 

 PATTERNS FOR SAFETY

by
Carlton Clunn

I have been a flight instructor for many years. One of the things I try to instill in my students is the practice of asking the question, “WHAT IF……?” For example, whenever you’re flying an airplane you should always be asking, “What if my engine dies right now?” To me, this question seems to be especially relevant when flying in the airport pattern. In fact, I believe any good pilot uses that as the criteria for how he flies the pattern.

Over the last couple of years I have seen the normal traffic pattern deteriorate to the point that, in many cases, it has become unsafe to follow aircraft in the pattern. Often times it is difficult to determine whether the plane you are following is even remaining in the pattern. I have seen planes that are an eighth of a mile or more to the left or right of center line. I have seen planes on the upwind leg so far to the left that they are actually flying into the downwind leg. I have also seen planes on the upwind leg of the left runway so far off to the right that they are to the right of the parallel runway. The scary thing about this is there are often instructors on board these planes. Instructors, I know it can get busy in the cockpit but sacrificing the safety of the flight because you’re talking to the student is unacceptable. All of us have a responsibility to be aware of where we are, and as best we can, where the other guy is. When a pilot isn’t flying a normal pattern, determining where the other guy is becomes more difficult.

I hope it is obvious to all of us that drifting into the upwind leg of the parallel runway is dangerous. But what about drifting to the other side? Or, what about extending the upwind leg and crosswind leg? I teach my students to listen to the radio and try to visualize where everyone is in the pattern. Then, when they are scanning they have a better idea where to look for the traffic. If you’re following a plane in the pattern and you’ve just done a touch and go, you’re probably looking for the plane ahead of you to be on the upwind or crosswind leg. If that plane has drifted way to the left you may not see it. Or if the pilot has extended their upwind to a great degree, you may think he must be on the downwind leg already and turn crosswind. You are now ahead of or turning into the path of a plane that is not where you thought it was. We, as pilots, have been given (for all you old Star Trek Fans) “The Prime Directive” of “See And Avoid”, but we make it very difficult for the other guy to do that if we don’t fly a proper pattern.

The main problem I am seeing out there is the distance pilots are extending the downwind leg from the approach end of the runway. When you pass the numbers of the approach end of the runway, on the downwind leg, you should be thinking, ok, if that runway, that is disappearing behind me, is where I want to land, maybe I shouldn’t get too far away from it. Something I always emphasize to my students is to try to stay close enough to the airport, that in the event of your losing your engine, you can still glide back to the airport. (preferably to a runway, but you’ll be a hero even if you can make it to that nice flat airport property!) You see, people who don’t fly, for some strange reason, don’t like airplanes coming down on their streets or worse, into their front yards or houses. For that matter, there may even be some pilots out there who feel the same way. So how can we avoid that? Simple. Fly a tight pattern and turn base leg before you have extended too far downwind. This will help to avoid mid-air conflicts with aircraft in bound to the airport and hopefully enable you to make it back to the airport in an emergency. And another thing, flying three to four hundred feet above the houses and dragging power to make it back to the airport, doesn’t do much for our community relations.

So what is a normal pattern? The AIM has a diagram and some recommended procedures for a safe pattern in section 4-3-4. These are my personal recommendations for flying a safe pattern. Unless there are noise abatement procedures, fly the upwind leg maintaining center line. Commence the crosswind leg within 300 feet of pattern altitude or upon reaching 500 feet above ground level, which ever comes first. While on the crosswind leg and approximately 45 degrees from the departure end of the runway begin the downwind turn and fly parallel to the runway. Maintain pattern altitude until abeam the approach end of the landing runway on downwind leg. When approximately 45 degrees off the departure end, or at most, no further than, in the event of an engine failure, you could glide back to the airport, begin you’re base leg. Finally, start your turn to final approach early enough that you don’t overshoot final. Flying a proper pattern will enable you to do more landings, ensure that you will usually be able to make it back to the airport in an emergency, and help other pilots see and avoid you.

SAFETY PROGRAM ARRIVES FOR TECHNICIANS!!!

We can finally develop an official program for the Aviation Maintenance Technicians, IA’s, and Repairmen!! This publication will now include FAA certificated pilot "WINGS" information and Maintenance Technician AMT Awards information. Look for future changes to the Aviation Safety Review.

Coming in February…

SoCal Aviation Maintenance Technician and Pilot’s Symposium

at Buena Park-Sequoia

Conference Center

February 26 & 27, 1999!

AVIALL will be hosting the SoCal symposium. Bill O’Brian will be speaking!! Many other companies with maintenance and flight training programs will be there with a variety of booths and presentations.

Registration will be required.

More on this later!

Attention!

We Need help!

…for the San Diego Aviation Maintenance Technicians & Pilots Symposium.

We are looking for local vendors to display booths and present industry procedures for use of their technology in aviation maintenance. Flight Schools and Flying Clubs, this is also a chance for you to come out and show us your stuff. The symposium will be at Miramar College in February, 1999 (final date pending).

 Maintenance Technicians, Pilots and Instructors

We are looking for approximately 16 people to do presentations at our Aviation Maintenance Technicians and Pilots Symposium in February 1999. We want our local professionals to participate!
Get Involved!
Contact Fred at: (619)557-5281 ext.266
fred.w.christlieb@faa.dot.gov


ATC & AFSS SEMINARS
 MONTGOMERY FIELD AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
OPERATON SUNBREAK
Contact: Montgomery Field ATCT for dates and times - (619) 277-5601
 GILLESPIE FIELD AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER
OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: December 19, 1998 - 3:00 P.M.
Contact: Gillespie Field ATCT for Location, (619) 448-1449
 MONTGOMERY FIELD AFSS
FLY-IN IF YOU WISH
OPERATION TAKEOFF
DATE: Last Saturday of each month - 9:00A.M. - 1:00P.M.
Location: San Diego Automated Flight Service Station - 4302 Ponderosa Avenue
Contact: Any Operations Supervisor at the AFSS for information - (619) 277-0503
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED!

 Aviation Safety Seminars

WINGS SEMINARS

There are no Wings Seminars this month. We know all you would be thinking about is the shopping you had left to do, so go do it.

 PHASE I  PHASE II  PHASE III  PHASE VIII
 John Allen
Robert Crane
Terry Kemp
John King
Martha King
Louis Serrano
Andrew Thulin
Arthur Woodward
 Michael Harris
Kathleen Felker

 Benjamin Dacayana

Cecile Davidson

 Robert Polich
Terry Stewart



Visit us on the World Wide Web:
LGB FSDO http//www.faa.gov/fsdo/lgb/
RAL FSDO http//home.earthlink.net/~phylo123/index.html
Questions on how and when you can log PIC? See the explanatory article by Al German on the LGB FSDO Web Page.

 SOCAL Aviation Review is published monthly by the Aviation Safety Program of the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Western-Pacific Region. Stories are submitted by the various Flight Standards District Offices listed in the box on this same page, and by individuals in the aviation community, contributing through those FSDOs. Notices are also contributed by the Air Traffic Control branch of the FAA. Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are welcomed. Please send them to: Kevin Clover, FAA Regional Aviation Safety Program Manager,
WP-204, P.O. Box 92007, World Way Postal Center, Los Angeles, CA 90009-2007\

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