Too Rich?

Posted by flysynergy on Apr 4, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Too Rich? The AAIB’s Bulletin 10 of 2011 includes a report of an accident to a EV-97 Eurostar. It seems the pilot had difficulty starting the engine, and was experiencing canopy misting which was undoubtedly a distraction. Having used the choke during the start procedure, he apparently decided he had over-fuelled the engine so, to weaken the mixture for a further attempt, he selected the fuel cock OFF. When he did line up for takeoff, the engine failed at about 10 feet, and he was unable to prevent the aircraft over-running the strip end and striking obstacles. GASIL (General Aviation Safety Information Leaflets) articles in the past have highlighted the fact that the fuel systems in many aircraft will provide enough fuel for a short taxi and take-off, even if the fuel cock is selected OFF. However, the extra fuel required at full power rapidly empties the lines, and the engine is likely to stop at a critical phase of flight. Whatever the distractions or hurry, pre-take-off vital actions are intended to identify and resolve any previous incorrect selections. They must be carried out carefully, and with the expectation that we shall find something wrong during them. *The following article has been taken from GASIL Issue 2 of 2012. Available for download from...
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EASA To Relax GA Regulation..?

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 28, 2012 in Licencing | Comments Off on EASA To Relax GA Regulation..? When the EASA meeting board met on 13 March 2012, one of the items on their agenda was the regulation of General Aviation. The discussion revolved around the proposal as to whether a fresh look needed to be taken on the regulation of GA (General Aviation) within the EASA system. The Board agreed that although the subject was complex and difficult, action needed to be taken because there were serious risks that GA would significantly decline and/or that non-compliance would increase. It was further agreed that the acceptable level of risk for GA must be higher than that for Commercial Air Transport Operations, that more effort was needed to avoid mixing regulations for these different kind of operations and that the simplicity and accessibility of GA rules should be increased. As a result of these conclusions, a small group of experts (around 10 maximum) is to be set up, under the leadership of the Deputy Chair to the Board (Maxime Coffin), comprised of Agency, stakeholder, NAA and Commission experts to develop broad top-level guidelines for how GA could more effectively and proportionately be regulated. This recent development may provide many GA pilots with a glimmer of hope that EASA will act positively to ensure the regulations become clearer and simpler to adhere to. Further information can be found through the CAAs Information Notice IN–2012/055. We look forward to monitoring this with interest and will report back with their latest developments once...
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New UK – French Recreational Agreement

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 26, 2012 in Licencing | Comments Off on New UK – French Recreational Agreement The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced on the 15 March 2012 that following agreement with the French regulator, the Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), pilots of UK-registered amateur built aircraft and other listed types flying to France can now do so for up to 28 days through a general exemption. Previously pilots were required to make individual applications to the DGAC and also inform the CAA prior to each flight to France. The UK Light Aircraft Association and the French Recreational and Sport Building Association were also involved in the discussions, which offer reciprocal arrangements for French pilots. The agreement comes into effect immediately. Access is subject to compliance with a small number of conditions, such as the aircraft being registered and having a valid airworthiness certificate. Some non-ICAO compliant aircraft, such as ex-military aircraft types, remain excluded from the agreement and aircraft that do not qualify will continue to need to apply for an individual exemption as will aircraft seeking to stay beyond 28 days. The CAA has also taken the opportunity to complete a wider review of the agreement which is detailed in Generic Concession No.6 (GC6, previously Airworthiness Notice 52), specifically the need to notify the CAA prior to making a trip via a web address with the aircraft details. This requirement has now been removed further simplifying the process for pilots. GC6 provides a general exemption for certain amateur built aircraft in line with the 1980 European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) recommendation which sought to establish free movement of amateur built aircraft across Europe. It addresses the policy for foreign (non-UK) registered non-ICAO compliant aircraft to access UK airspace and the document has been revised to include details of the new agreement. DGAC France has issued a document on the agreement under the ‘Arrêté du 20 Février 2012’ and this has been published in the French ‘Journal Officiel’ reference NOR: DEVA1201924A. Source: UK CAA...
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Carburettor Icing

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 23, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Carburettor Icing The following extract has been taken from GASIL, Issue 10 of 2011. Available from www.caa.co.uk/gasil. "According to a report by the BFU (German AAIB), a Robin DR315 was flying below cloud at low altitude when the engine started losing power. The power continued to reduce and the aircraft was destroyed when it collided with a wood during the ensuing forced landing on a road. The report notes that the German Met Office reported that the temperature and dew point were close together, indicating high humidity, so conditions were favourable for carburettor icing. It seems the pilot had selected carburettor hot air after he noticed the loss of power, but the selection seemed to make the power loss worse, so he selected COLD again. According to the report, the pilot had once been told by a mechanic that selecting carburettor hot air in his aircraft was “completely useless”. SafetySense leaflet 14, ‘Piston Engine Icing’, available like all such leaflets free for download from the CAA’s website www.caa.co.uk/safetysense gives advice on the subject. It notes that if carburettor icing is present, selection of hot air is likely to cause an apparent increase in rough running as the ice melts and passes through the engine. If this happens the temptation to return to cold air must be resisted so that the hot air has time to clear the ice. The leaflet also notes that air humidity is likely to be high close to cloud base. If we find ourselves cruising close to cloud base, we should not only check carburettor heating frequently, but should consider keeping carburettor hot air selected in the cruise until we need a high power...
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Fairoaks GASCo Safety Evening

Posted by flysynergy on Mar 16, 2012 in Flight Safety | Comments Off on Fairoaks GASCo Safety Evening The General Aviation Safety Council (GASCo), in partnership with the CAA, provide safety evenings which give general aviation pilot's an opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of aviation safety matters. This year, the event at Fairoaks will be held in the cafe / Flight Centre building on Thursday 5 April at 19:00. There will also be a presentation on the Olympic Airspace during the evening and the opportunity to ask questions to representatives of GASCo and the CAA. As a subsidised event, there is no cost for entry and the bar will also be open throughout the evening for a catch-up with your fellow aviators! Thursday 5 April 2012 19:00 - 22:00 We look forward to welcoming as many pilots as possible - both licenced pilots and those in...
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