Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 04.16.06

There are times when an aircraft mechanical issue prompts the Federal Aviation Administration to issue an Airworthiness Directive.  ADs, as they’re known, are designed to provide guidance necessary to ensure that an airplane meets the standards of its Type Certificate or, if modified, applicable Supplemental Type Certificates.

There are also times, however, when the Feds want to get the word out about an aircraft issue without jumping through all the hoops required by the AD process.  One option FAA has to recommend change is the SAIB, or Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin.

SAIB, you say

A Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin is a means to alert, educate, or make recommendations to pilots, mechanics, owners and operators.  SAIBs are non-regulatory and are therefore not mandatory.

Nonetheless compliance with SAIBs (or at least consideration of their contents) is wise.  As examples, SAIBs have been released recently that address:

• Carburetor settings that have led to engine failures from overly-rich mixtures.
• Abnormal gear-tooth wear on engines from specific facilities.
• Requirements for aircraft engines involved in a propeller strike.
• Fire hazards from overheating brakes on a particular make and model airplane.
• Known hazards associated with certain types of pilot and passenger seat belts.
• Reported failures of engine components overhauled at identified facilities.
• And much more.

Aero-tip of the day:  It’s up to you if you want to take action as a result of a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin.  You can’t intelligently decide, however, if you don’t regularly check for SAIBs.

FMI: Aero-Tips