Messages from BALPA

The British Airline Pilots Association [BALPA], points out on the following video several very important messages/concerns in my point of view.

This short video message covers from the initial dreaming of becoming a pilot until the scams of nowadays' recruitment policies. Furthermore it warns the way a lot of professionals are working with their precarious contracts and its subsequent consequences for the flight safety.

Not only the pilots associations should tackle again these abuses but also all of us as final customers of this aviation industry. 

 
For me these words are very clear: "...to those in authority who regulate this industry we say wake up there is a real concern that this is an accident waiting to happen just as it did in Buffalo[1] in United States in 2009. The American authorities have woken up to this trend.." 

[1] - Colgan Air Flight 3407 -Will be discussed later on Sunday's Crash analysis post. 
 
RWY35-17

BALPATv -  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyZxahxMD2Q&feature=share&list=PLS0J4k8-ZSKdhVyhuvmkJ3wZO_cOMSzDw)

CFIT - CVR - Flying Tigers flight 66

Every Sundays I will try to post an analysis regarding an air crash.

An air accident is always a tragic event, however It's an invaluable legacy to understand and explore its causes thus preventing similar future events.

The following video shows an example of Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) on the final approach to the runway. The purpose of the analysis is just trying to understand the events of that night.

Synopsis:

On the February 19, 1989 the cargo Boeing 747 was cleared to Runway 33 at Kuala Lumpur.

ATC radioed to the flight,

-ATC: "Tiger 66, descend to two four zero zero [2,400 ft]. Cleared for NDB approach runway three three." 

The captain of Tiger 66, who heard "descend to four zero zero" replied,

- PIC: "Okay, four zero zero" [400 ft above sea level which was 2,000 ft lower than it should be]

After that several warnings were given by the GPWS (Ground Proximity Warning System). The crew didn't react and the aircraft impacted a hillside 437 ft above sea level, killing all on board. 

Facts that contributed to the accident:

1) Non standard ICAO communications by Malaysian ATC. It should have been: "descend and maintain two thousand four hundred feet";

2) Inadequate read back by the PIC;

3) Unprepared briefing for the approach/ appropriate charts  

4) Loss of situational awareness;

5) Fail to respond to the GPWS warnings

RWY 35-17

Fasten your seatbelt

The words that are often heard saying "fasten your seatbelt when the signs are on or whenever you're seated" were unfortunately proved again on the United B744 flight over Pacific on Feb 19th 2013.

"An United Boeing 747-400, registration N174UA performing flight UA-870 from Sydney,NS (Australia) to San Francisco,CA (USA), was en-route over the Pacific Ocean in Ocean Airspace when the aircraft encountered turbulence causing injuries to a flight attendant. The aircraft continued to San Francisco for a safe landing.
The FAA reported without providing further details that one flight attendant received injuries when the aircraft encountered turbulence in Oceanic Airspace." - Simon Hradecky;

This event can lead to serial injuries as spinal fracture/head trauma and even death.

RWY 35-17

"Glass Cockpit" Vs Classic Cockpit during instruction

Following the development of the aviation industry the flight schools are widely introducing the "glass Cockpit".

Some of must popular are the Garmin 1000 on the C172 for single engine instruction and on the DA42 for multi engine.

In my opinion "glass cockpit" should be introduced at flight schools which will lead to an easy transition for the future pilot when he/she seats on the right side of an airliner. Nonetheless, one should be well aware using a classic layout cockpit instrumentation. For instance, should the system experience any failure we must revert to the backup systems.

For me the best way is to mix both of them. Starting with a classical layout for the first VFR part and progressively introducing the "Glass cockpit". When I was student I've started with a C152 for some dozens of hours and then the C172 G1000 mostly for the IFR part. I've completed the syllabus with a classic multi- engine.

RWY 35-17

 (www.cambridgeaeroclub.com)

(daryley.wordpress.com)

Welcome on board

This is the first of  many (I hope) posts.

The purpose of this  blog is to give all aviation fans/professionals with useful and up to date information, as well as other relevant discussion about the industry.

Its name (Runway 35-17) relates with Tires aerodrome [ICAO code LPCS, Lisbon/Portugal] where thousands of student pilots from all the corners of the globe have graduated from decades until now.  The inverted numbers of the Logo's design (35-17 instead of 17-35 as it should be) relates with the fact that 35 is 90% the active Runway.

35-17 has been the initial take off run for many careers in aviation.

I do hope to feed this blog whenever it's possible and I'm counting on all of you to share here the passion and enthusiasm for aviation.

Cheers,
RWY35-17

(http://aviacaoportugal.net/showthread.php?t=275)