Worn Fuel Primer Pumps Lead to Loss of Engine Events on General Aviation Aircraft
The FAA is investigating a report of a worn fuel primer pump that may be installed in general aviation aircraft following a non-fatal accident on a Champion 7EC Traveler. During the initial takeoff climb, the pilot noticed a significant decrease in the engine rpm and lost full engine power shortly after. It was determined that the fuel primer pump in the accident was worn and unable to lock properly causing an overly rich fuel mixture. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and the fuselage. FAA's Operational Safety Branch recently issued an Airworthiness Concern Sheet to highlight this
April 24 – The FAA encourages general aviation pilots to learn how to meet the BasicMed requirements
General aviation pilots can now prepare to fly under BasicMed without holding a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate as long as they meet certain requirements. They can fly under BasicMed beginning on May 1, the effective date of the January 10 final rule. It offers pilots an alternative to the FAA’s medical qualification process for third class medical certificates, while keeping general aviation pilots safe and flying affordable. General aviation pilots may take advantage of the regulatory relief in the BasicMed rule or opt to continue to use their FAA medical certificate. Under BasicMed, a pilot will be
Advocates for Aviation Safety
The Advocates for Aviation Safety has recently become an Industry Member. Their focus is entirely on helping us promote the WINGS program. Paul Burger, the Advocates founder, has recently put up $10,000 to create the CFI Sweepstakes Challenge. CFIs get one entry into the sweepstakes drawing each time they get a pilot phased in WINGS . This year, CFIs must be NAFI or SAFE members to participate. But, next year, it will be open to all CFIs.
Aviation Maintenance Alert for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 Aircraft
The Chicago Aircraft Certification Branch has posted an Aviation Maintenance Alert for Cirrus SR20 and SR22 Aircraft. This Alert results from an accident that occurred on May 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas where a SR-20 airplane crashed shortly after takeoff.The pilot reported that he could not maintain roll control of the airplane immediately after takeoff. The airplane began to roll to the left. The pilot was able to counteract with right aileron input initially, but the airplane continued to roll to the left. The pilot continued to use right aileron and trim, lowered the nose, and executed a straight-in forced landing
St. Louis Aviation Maintenance Association Message
A message from the St. Louis Aviation Maintenance Association (SLAMA), After 26 years of hosting the Inspection Authorization (IA) Renewal and Maintenance Symposium, the SLAMA Executive Board made the decision to postpone this year’s event scheduled for February 2021. The new date for this event is now Thursday September 16, 2021 and will count towards the next even-numbered year IA cycle starting April 1, 2021. In accordance with FAR § 65.92(a) each inspection authorization expires on March 31 of each odd-numbered year. The current inspection authorizations are set to expire on March 31, 2021. If utilizing a “refresher course”
FAA General Aviation Safety Outreach Initiative
The FAA is embarking on an FAA General Aviation (GA) Safety Outreach Initiative. It is intended to increase the GA community's awareness of safety management practices that could elevate the industry’s overall safety performance. The primary goals of the FAA GA Safety Outreach Initiative include: Increase the GA community’s awareness of the Safety Attributes and the benefits of applying them Increase participation in the Safety Management System Voluntary Program (SMSVP) Reaching these goals will result in a desired outcome of a lower accident and incident rate in the GA community. The following link leads to the FAA General Aviation Safety
Human Factors Training Resources for Aviation Maintenance
On May 24, 2022, the FAA published an interim final rule that establishes new regulations for part 147. The new regulations can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-05-24/pdf/2022-10367.pdf The final rule also includes some changes to part 65 regulations regarding certification of mechanics. Specifically, on August 1, 2023, the FAA will begin testing mechanic applicants using the following standards: FAA-S-ACS-1, Aviation Mechanic General, Airframe, and Powerplant Airman Certification Standards, dated November 1, 2021 (Mechanic ACS). The Mechanic ACS can be found here:https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/ One of the new subject areas in the Mechanic ACS is Human Factors. The Human Factors subject area is not
DIRECT HIRE – Aviation Safety Inspector (General Aviation Flight Oversight)
Join the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a General Aviation Flight Oversight Inspector. The FAA creates a work environment rich in opportunity, diversity, teamwork, and work life balance. Benefits such as weekends off, paid holidays, steady hours, sick and annual leave, health insurance, and more. Begin a rewarding career with the FAA and be a part of a select group of individuals whose mission is to provide the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. For further details, click on the link: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/786671500 Email Marcus Roulet, Anchorage, AK FSDO manager for more information email; marcus.roulet@faa.gov
DuPage Airport Authority Tower and Illinois Aviation Academy Letter of Agreement
"On 8/25/2024 two Letters of Agreement (LOA) went into effect between DPA Tower and Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA). The two LOAs will have limited impact on the operation for aircraft not participating, however here are some of the key points so that those not involved know what procedures are being followed. At this time the actual documents will not be made public. The first LOA created 6 colored taxi routes and will be used on frequency as follows: “Taxi via the Red Route, Cross runway 10” “Runway 20L, taxi via the Brown route, Cross Runway 33 Hold Short Runway 28”
The Path to Unleaded Avgas: A Critical Transition for Aviation – Fall 2024 Update
Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) Fall 2024 Update The aviation community has long recognized the need to eliminate lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft, a goal set to be achieved by the end of 2030 through the leadership of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative. This ambitious endeavor brings together government and industry partners committed to finding a safe and reliable unleaded aviation fuel that is viable throughout the aviation supply chain. As the general aviation community works toward this goal, the role of aircraft owners cannot be overstated. They are, after all, the ultimate end-users of any