​More than 430 lives have been saved by the BRS Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System. John and Greg get all the details about the system from  BRS Managing Director and President Enrique Dillon.

BRS invented the Whole Aircraft Rescue Parachute System in 1980. Since then, the system has been installed on more than 35,000 aircraft. It is a safety option that can be installed on virtually any general aviation plane.

The discussion covers details of proper installation and maintenance. They offer tips for pilots to make this safety system part of safe operations.

Listen for other aviation news and Greg and John’s take on the best leadership for the FAA.

Flight Safety Detectives is sponsored by Avemco Insurance. Mention the Flight Safety Detectives podcast and receive a 5% discount!

Experienced pilot Bob Jenkins joins Greg and John for this look at piloting challenges in business and charter aviation. COVID-19 is leading to increased interest in these flight options as a way to avoid the crowds of commercial aviation.

Pilots face demands of both aircraft and flight readiness. Pilots must be prepared to make flight safety decisions, even when they are unpopular with the employer on board.

Jenkins discusses the dangers of automation dependence, handling missed approaches, the importance of good relationships with maintenance crews and more. The value of professionalism is highlighted.

Flight Safety Detectives is sponsored by Avemco Insurance. Mention the Flight Safety Detectives podcast and receive a 5% discount!

Contact: Jay Johnson, AMFA National Secretary/Treasurer
Phone: (720) 744-6632

The AMFA National Executive Council (NEC) is pleased to announce that it is accepting applications until February 28, 2021, for two AMFA Scholarships for 2021. Scholarships will be $2500 and will be payable to each recipient’s institution of higher learning.

Last year’s scholarships were awarded to students at the Aviation Institute of Maintenance in Norfolk and Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach South.

“Contributing to the education of the next generation of Aircraft Maintenance Technicians is one of AMFA’s ambitions,” said Bret Oestreich, AMFA National Director. “We are honored to be offering this opportunity as costs have risen to obtain a FAA Airframe & Powerplant license.”

Those who apply must be currently enrolled in a school or university to gain their Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license, be a US Citizen, and submit a 500-word essay explaining “what the Dirty Dozen means to you.” For more information, visit the AMFA National website.

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Founded in 1962, the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft oriented, independent aviation union. AMFA represents licensed and unlicensed technicians and related employees actively involved in the aviation industry. These technician and related employees work directly on aircraft and/or components, support equipment, and facilities. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled craftsmen and women it represents. For more information about AMFA visit www.amfanational.org.

The Northrop Rice Foundation has arranged with the FAA’s written tests provider to pay test fees for students requiring financial support.

Test fee grants are now available and are described in the “Programs” portion of the foundation’s website. School administrators may download the poster linked below to market the opportunity to students.

For more information and to apply, visit the NRF website, or email FAAfeesgrant@northropricefoundation.org.

​January 21-23, 2021 from 8 AM – 12 PM PST (11am - 3pm EST)

FAA Approved IA Refresher Training Event – Leave with your 8-hour certificate
Free Event
Select 2 of the 3 days available
Online - Space is limited
 
Classes start promptly at 8AM.
Email cholder@concordebattery.com for additional information

Guest Jason Lukasik, president of JL2 Aviation Consultants and former FAA inspector, walks John and Greg through the recent Airworthiness Directive related to PA 28 Series planes. Jason shares his firsthand experience encountering dramatic corrosion on Piper wing spars.

It started with a report of a loose wing on a Piper PA 28 R-200. What Jason found was significant corrosion in the wing and on the airframe that could have led to catastrophic failure.

John and Greg walk through the AD and the related Safety Bulletins. They discuss the inspection procedure, remediation options and the implications for flight safety.

Aircraft owners who ignore the AD and Safety Bulletins do so at their own peril. Mechanics need to understand the issues that have been identified and conduct thorough inspections to ensure the planes they work on are airworthy.

John and Greg kick off this episode with a new segment – WTF. They talk about several recent accident reports that identify unbelievable neglect of basic safety procedures.

“Stupid or not stupid, all these accidents take a toll on investigators and the people left behind,” John comments. The detectives plan future WTF segments to highlight the things that can and will happen when safety procedures are ignored.

This episode also covers the increasing prevalence of prescription and non-prescription drug use in all areas of aviation. A recent NTSB study of toxicology reports from fatal accidents reveals growing incidences of drug use.

Greg advocates for all pilots to make use of the “I’m Safe” and “Are You Fit to Fly” profile tools offered by the FAA.

Flight Safety Detectives is sponsored by Avemco Insurance. Mention the Flight Safety Detectives podcast and receive a 5% discount!

Jump in for a deep dive into emergency response in aviation. All sectors of the industry need to plan and prepare for emergency scenarios like crashes and much more.

Special guest is Mark Dombroff, partner in the Northern Virginia office of Fox Rothschild and co-chair of the firm’s aviation practice.

The conversation covers what goes into effective emergency response and the importance of regular reviews and exercises. Listen to understand why companies need to have a plan to respond and answer to a range of scenarios worldwide.

They also introduce some industry resources:

The Aviation Emergency Response Organization (AERO), a non-profit that provides education and events for emergency response professionals from all aspects of the aviation industry worldwide, http://www.aviationemergency.org/

The annual aviation symposium that will be an all-online event in Feb. 2021, https://plane-lyspoken.foxrothschild.com/2020/11/19/the-2021-aviation-symposium/

Prop strikes are pretty common. Even seemingly minor nicks and gouges can lead to major safety issues.

John and Greg focus on propellers as the “ugly stepsisters” of aircraft maintenance. They dive into an accident involving a LancAir 4P caused when a damaged prop leading to engine failure.

In his years of service as a mechanic, John has seen plenty of engine damage caused by prop strikes. Greg layers in accident investigation work to illustrate just how important propellers are for aircraft safety.

This episode challenges every mechanic and pilot to give more attention to the humble propeller. Any abnormalities are worthy of thorough investigation.

​Weather caused Flight 4182 to be in a holding pattern to land on October 31, 1994. Weather also triggered a fateful series of events that led to the loss of the aircraft and 68 lives.

John and Greg offer a minute by minute analysis of the cockpit voice recorder. They believe this was the event that woke the industry up to the effects of icing on aircraft.

The NTSB accident report focuses on communicating hazardous weather information to flightcrews, Federal regulations regarding aircraft icing, and training for icing events.

The accident is a reminder for pilots as the season of wintry weather conditions approaches. Be present in the cockpit mentally. Push away distractions and focus on the machine.

Flight Safety Detectives is sponsored by Avemco Insurance. Mention the Flight Safety Detectives podcast and receive a 5% discount!