Signal Charlie

From the FSDO Safety Program Manager and myself; Our goal is to increase awareness and education about Runway Safety. Take 20 minutes and look it over.

“Hello everyone,

There has been an significant increase of runway incursions lately. In fact
it is so serious that Jim Ballough (AFS-1) and John Allen (AFS-2) traveled
to the Eastern Region and Southern Region to meet with key management
officials from Part 121 carriers to focus on reducing pilot deviations.
This week, Ballough has been holding similar meetings in the Central, Great
Lakes, and Southwestern Regions, while Allen has West Coast duty in the
Alaska, Northwest Mountain, and Western Pacific Regions. You can view the
presentation on
http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs%5Finitiatives/pilot%5Fsafety/deviations/ReducingPDs/

Within it is a reference to the ALPA/AOPA/FAA Runway Safety Program, an on-line, interactive course. You can complete it in 30-45 minutes and get a completion certificate. Armed with this certificate, you can request credit for a portion of the new Wings pilot proficiency program, which may help lower your insurance rate if you fly GA on the side. To check out the course, go to http://flash.aopa.org/asf/runway_safety_alpa/ 

Don’t be fool that the above message addresses the 121 arena only . We are
experiencing the same problem in the GA world as well!”

Things you can do:

1. Identify airport surface operational hazards to NASA ASRS, the FAA Safety Hotline and airport management.

2. Review cockpit procedures to identify elements that may contribute to pilot distraction during taxi and develop a TEAM approach to Transfer, Eliminate, Accept or Mitigate those hazards.

3. Use an airport diagram, free from airnav.

If you have questions about the new Wings program, give me a holler, I am a Lead Rep for the FAASTeam at the Ft Worth FSDO.

Fly (and Taxi) Smart

Clark