Reducing Errors During Takeoff and Landing Operations for Vintage and Surplus aircraft

Presented to: EAA Sun & Fun Fly-in

By: Robert Thorson

Date: April 2009

Federal AviationAdministration

Reducing Errors During Takeoff and Landing Operations for Vintage and Surplus aircraft

Presented to: EAA Sun & Fun Fly-in

By: Robert Thorson

Date: April 2009

Federal AviationAdministrationAgenda

• Introduction• Why are we here• Review of Data

3Federal AviationAdministration

EAA Sun & Fun Fly-inApril 2009

We are here to reduce the accident rate

• By reviewing the statistics

• By education and outreach

• By risk management application

• By suggesting best practices and mitigation strategies



Worldwide Warbird Statistics from AAI-1001999-2008



United States Warbird Accidents1999-2008



Warbird Accidents 1999-2008by Year

Warbird Accidents 1999-2008

0

5

10

15

20

25

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009



Warbird Accidents 1999-2008by type of operation

Taxi

Takeoff

Climb

Cruise

Descent

Goaround

Landing

Maneuver



Warbird Accidents 1999-2008by type of Aircraft

Turbojet

Propeller

Helicopter

Turbojet

Propeller

Helicopter



Warbird Accidents 1999-2008by Severity of Injury

FATAL

SERIOUS

NONE

MINOR



….“The Education Part”

Experience is what you learn Experience is what you learn

shortly after you needed it.shortly after you needed it.



Human Factors…because we are human!

• Age and Physical Fitness

• “The Yahoo! Factor” (Loss of inhibition)

• EGO

• Habit patterns

• Awareness



Age and Physical fitness

• Pilot Age - chronological … actual

• Flying is a demanding physical sport!!

– Physical Conditioning– Heat and dehydration (open cockpit/glass canopy)– Use of Oxygen (CO2, fires, higher altitudes etc.)– Fatigue

– Time Zones (effects of cumulative fatigue)



The Yahoo! Factor

• The psychological term is a loss of inhibition

• Watch out for personality traits• Beware of peer pressure and the camera!• Pushing the envelope• New maneuvers without training practice• Mentors keep the balance!



EGO

• We all have egos.• Egos come in varying sizes and shapes!• Ego versus peer pressure • Add Time / Schedule pressures.• Military trained pilots first learn how to keep

their egos in check.• Discipline



Habit patterns

• All aircraft takeoff and land on the main tanks…..except?

• All tail wheel aircraft raise the tail wheel on takeoff……except?

• I always…..• I never…..



Habit Pattern Mitigation

• Review Systems for each aircraft you fly

• Review cockpit switches frequently

• Know what each system does!

• Practice Emergency procedures

• Know the mechanical status of your aircraft



Awareness

• Fit for flight? Or preoccupied.

• Overly focused?

– Wide angle vision– relaxed



Taxi and Takeoff Operations

• Warbird Briefs- Listen and Learn!• Ground Operations are a critical part of

Flight Operations• Mitigation Strategies:

– Performance calculations– Weight and balance– Situational Awareness– S - turns– Progressive taxi instructions– Taxi slowly!



Pattern Entry

• Towered• Air Boss- when waiver is in effect• Uncontrolled !

– Slow to pattern speed (MAKE time for decisions)– Enter at proper altitude– 360 overhead approach– Maximize outside scanning– Have aircraft configured early



TRAFFIC PATTERN AIRSPEED MANAGEMENT

V+40

V+30

V+20

V+10V

V = MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATION

OR1.3 VSO

27



Landings

• Power off or power on?

• Manage the Flare

• Crosswinds

• Bounced recoveries.

• Be prepared for Go-arounds



THE STABILIZED APPROACH

THREE DEGREE GLIDE SLOPE (300’ per NM)

THRESHOLD

RUNWAY

Your DecisionYour Decision

Scan for situation cues

Use knowledge wisely

Assess risks

Consider consequences

Take action, do what is right

Your DecisionYour Decision

Scan for situation cues

Use knowledge wisely

Assess risks

Consider consequences

Take action, do what is right



A good landing is a good example for everyone!

How heavy is the aircraftHow heavy is the aircraft

How long is the runwayHow long is the runway

How fast is the aircraftHow fast is the aircraft

How wet is the runwayHow wet is the runway

Head / TailwindHead / Tailwind

‘ ‘On Speed’On Speed’

Respect stabilized approach criteriaRespect stabilized approach criteria

Height over the thresholdHeight over the threshold

How much braking to useHow much braking to use



Taxi

• Don’t relax now!• Half the taxi accidents occur leaving the

runway and taxiing back to the ramp!• Slowdown!!• S-Turns• Stop if necessary or unsure• Ask for progressive instructions• Follow ground marshaller instructions• Know proper hand signals



A Safety Culture includes:

– Personal dedication and accountability• Individual attitudes and behaviors

– Shared vision with structures to attain it• Organizational processes, methods and

metrics• CAF,EAA Warbirds, CJAA

– Commitment to improve (resist complacency)• Beyond simple adherence to procedures• Learning and continuous improvement



A Safety Culture includes:

– Pervasive safety thinking• Commitment to excellence• Integration of safety into all activities

– Climate in which news is quickly and easily communicated

• Mentoring, organizational articles, web

– Committed to investing the time and resources to address risk



Outreach to Pilots

• The FAA website is a link to all types of information

– http://www.faa.gov

• Every year, the FAASTeam conducts hundreds of safety seminars across the country to encourage safe practices on the airfield and in the air.

– http://www.FAASafety.gov



Outreach to Pilots

• A Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) is an information tool that alerts, educates, and makes recommendations to the aviation community.

• An Information for Operators (InFO) message contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet administrative requirements or certain regulatory requirements with relatively low urgency or impact on safety.



Outreach to Pilots

• FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors provide regulatory guidance (certification)http://fsims.faa.gov

• FAA Safety Team (FAAST)- provide education and outreach and are the ombudsman to industry.



Wrap-UpThe bestbest people can make the worstworst mistakes:

INATTENTION,INATTENTION,

FORGETFULNESS,FORGETFULNESS,

PREOCCUPATIONPREOCCUPATION,,

…these are the LEAST manageable parts of the error sequence.

Managing ERROR PRODUCING SITUATIONSERROR PRODUCING SITUATIONS is better”Dr. James Reason, Manchester University, UK



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Reducing Errors During Takeoff and Landing Operations for Vintage and Surplus aircraft

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