FAAST Blast — December 08, 2009

FAAST Blast
Notice Number: NOTC2049

FAAST Blast — December 08, 2009
Biweekly FAA Aviation News update

SAIB Issued for Beechcraft Dukes
FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) on November 30 to address an airworthiness condition with flap systems on Hawker Beechcraft Model 60 (Duke) Series twin-engine powered airplanes.

The SAIB stems from an accident with a Duke that may have been caused by a malfunctioning flap actuator. FAA recommends owners, operators, and maintenance personnel thoroughly review, understand, and follow the information published in the Duke Model 60 maintenance manuals to maintain the flap system properly. This includes attention to the correct flap rigging system, actuator overhaul and inspection criteria, and the use of proper lubricants.

To view the SAIB, go to http://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/SAIB/.

Taxiing Toward Tomorrow: Runway Safety Summit Highlights Need for Collaboration
From NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman's opening remarks, to FAA Director of Runway Safety Wes Timmons' closing statement and recap of accomplishments, the consensus was clear at last week's first FAA International Runway Safety Summit: Focus, cooperation, and teamwork are the key components to improving airport surface operations worldwide. To see evidence of this need for global collaboration one only had to look as far as the roster, which included nearly 500 attendees from 17 different nations.

Many of the topics presented and discussed by safety experts and key industry stakeholders directly involved general aviation, including airport layouts, cockpit and ATC procedures, human factors, and technology. Also discussed were ongoing initiatives, as well as plans for future runway safety improvements in the U.S. and around the world. Presentations from many of the event's speakers and panelists will be available in two weeks at http://events.aaae.org/sites/091107/.

A GA Pilot's Guide to Winter Runway Safety
With "Old Man Winter" making his presence known as far south as Texas and Louisiana last week, it's a good time to review some of the basics of winter weather operations. Of particular note are contaminated airport surface conditions. Runways and taxiways that are slick with ice or slush can be extremely dangerous and operations in such an environment must be carried out with extreme care, or better yet, avoided altogether.
Pilots can learn more about operating on icy surfaces in Meredith Saini's "When the Runway Becomes an Ice Rink," in the November/December 2009 issue of FAA Aviation News. Saini stresses that "with a report of poor braking action, you would be well advised to divert to an alternate where there are no reports of adverse conditions."
The article also advises pilots the best course of action during a slick runway encounter, and urges extra vigilance due to visibility restrictions from snow-covered airport markings and signs.
Produced by the editors, FAA Aviation News, http://www.faa.gov/news/aviation_news/
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