Aviation Safety Letter Satellite System
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Transport Transports debrief Canada Canada TP 185E Issue 2/2008 Goodbye, 121.5: Major Changes Are Coming to the SAR Satellite System on February 1, 2009 by Nancy Lugg, Aerodrome Safety Engineer, Policy and Regulatory Services, Civil Aviation, Transport Canada Debrief Debrief On February 1, 2009, the international search and aviation community. This included evaluating alternative rescue (SAR) satellite system, COSPAS-SARSAT, will no technologies for ensuring the prompt notification and longer process signals from 121.5 or 243 MHz emergency location of downed aircraft. locator transmitters (ELT). Why? As of that date, the system will complete its transition to digital 406 MHz-only Twenty-eight highly qualified participants from industry and technology, which presents a faster, more capable, and more government, having a wide range of technical and operational reliable form of distress alerting. The switch to 406 MHz expertise, met over eighteen formally scheduled meetings emergency beacons has been made across Canada and around between February and June 2007. The Team consisted of the world by marine and land-based users. representatives from the Canadian Forces, the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS), Transport Canada, With these changes, after February 1, 2009, the 121.5 MHz the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA), ELT from a downed aircraft will not be detected by the the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), the Air Transport aviation safety letter satellite system. Alerting of the SAR system could be Association of Canada (ATAC), and the Air Canada Pilots significantly delayed, adversely affecting the survival of pilots Association (ACPA). Debrief and passengers and causing anguish to friends and families. Since the Government of Canada has an obligation to search Based on the results of their work, Transport Canada Debrief for missing aircraft, delayed notification and the possibility has drafted a performance-based regulation to include of extended visual search missions also strains resources 406 MHz ELTs as well as acceptable alternative and increases the exposure to risk for SAR personnel, systems. The ultimate objective is to ensure that after including the Canadian Forces and the volunteers of the February 1, 2009, SAR authorities can continue to be In this Issue... Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA). promptly notified of the occurrence and location of an While equipping aircraft with 406 MHz ELTs ensures aircraft accident. The proposed changes to the CARs were Communication errors are leading contributors uninterrupted access to the COSPAS-SARSAT system, presented in Ottawa on November 20, 2007, at a special Best Practices in Controller—Pilot Communications concerns have been expressed by aircraft owners about the meeting of the Canadian Aviation Regulation Advisory to losses of separation and runway incursions Disruptive Passenger Behaviour—Creating a Safer Environment high cost to buy and install this equipment. Council (CARAC) Part VI Technical Committee— General Operating and Flight Rules. The regulatory Declaring an Emergency You can help to prevent them! The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) proposal is currently being prepared for submission to the Longline Accidents—Another Perspective • Always use proper phraseology. Convention on International Civil Aviation, to which Canada Department of Justice for subsequent publication in the is a signatory, currently requires that aircraft engaged Canada Gazette. Debrief I Chose to Live: A Moving Account by an Air Tragedy Survivor • Give full readbacks, including your call sign. in international operations carry at least one automatic • Reduce multi-tasking while communicating: ELT that operates simultaneously on both 406 MHz and Updates on the regulatory process will be covered in future Hot Air Balloon Fuel Cylinders Pilots—have both crew members listen to clearances whenever possible; Debrief 121.5 MHz. Since Canada has an obligation to adopt these issues of the Aviation Safety Letter (ASL), and are available – www.tc.gc.ca/civilaviation/ Air traffic services—actively listen to readbacks. standards, Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation Directorate on the CARAC Web site at: Inspection Levels Part 2: Detailed Inspection Please! – regserv/affairs/carac/menu.htm. For more information on the • If in doubt—ask! Do not clarify ambiguity within the cockpit and do not use a readback convened an Issue Analysis and Risk Assessment Team Dangerous Goods in Transport: Reporting Requirements on February 5, 2007, to determine how the Canadian COSPAS-SARSAT system and the switch to 406 MHz, as confirmation. www.cospas-sarsat.org Aviation Regulations (CARs) can best accommodate these visit and the NSS Web site at: Goodbye, 121.5: Major Changes Are Coming • If you think a transmission has been blocked, say something. www.nss.gc.ca changes, while being responsive to the concerns of the . to the SAR Satellite System on February 1, 2009 • Be vigilant for similar call signs on the frequency. • Do not accept poor communication practices from others—insist on proper phraseology.. Learn from the mistakes of others; Air Traffic Services–Pilotices–Pilot CommunicCommunications Working Group you'll not live long enough to make them all yourself ... "Debrief" Debrief Transport Transports Canada Canada *TC-1002613* TC-1002613 40 ASL 2/2008 Groupe de travail sur les communications entre lesles pilotespilotes etet lesles serservices de la circulation aérienne Transports Transport Canada Canada Transport Transports Canada Canada Maintenance and Certification The Aviation Safety Letter is published quarterly by Note: Reprints of original Aviation Safety Letter — On September 16, 2007, a privately-owned, float- The pilot sustained back injuries, but was released Transport Canada, Civil Aviation. It is distributed to material are encouraged, but credit must be given to equipped, BushCaddy L-160 touched down on from hospital a day later. Inspection of the helicopter all holders of a valid Canadian pilot licence or permit, Transport Canada’s Aviation Safety Letter. Please forward Wolverine Lake, Ont., and immediately a gust revealed that the tail-rotor drive had disconnected to all holders of a valid Canadian aircraft maintenance one copy of the reprinted article to the editor. of wind lifted the aircraft off the water surface. A from the main transmission. TSB File A07P0344. engineer (AME) licence and to other interested second touchdown attempt was also unsuccessful. The individuals free of charge. The contents do not necessarily Change of address or format: aircraft began to veer towards some cottages near the — On October 11, 2007, the pilot of a Cessna U206F reflect official government policy and, unless stated, To notify us of a change of address, to receive the shoreline, and the pilot managed to get the aircraft was circling Kearns Lake, Ont., to look for a missing should not be construed as regulations or directives. Aviation Safety Letter by e-Bulletin instead of a paper to fly over the cottages, before the aircraft pitched boat for an outpost camp. Hunters in the area observed copy, or for any related mailing issue (i.e. duplication, nose down and struck the ground. Both occupants the aircraft circle the lake several times at low altitude. Letters with comments and suggestions are invited. request to be removed from our distribution list, language Maintenance and Certification evacuated the aircraft and received no injuries. During one tight turn at low altitude and high engine All correspondence should include the author’s name, profile change, etc.), please contact: TSB File A07O0256. power, the nose of the aircraft dropped and the aircraft address and telephone number. The editor reserves the struck the lake. The pilot, who was alone in the aircraft, right to edit all published articles. The author’s name and The Order Desk — On October 2, 2007, the Back Bone Silver 125 sustained fatal injuries. TSB File A07C0189. address will be withheld from publication upon request. Transport Canada powered parachute was on takeoff, when the Look out — Listen out — Speak out Toll-free number (North America): 1-888-830-4911 pilot noticed that his aircraft was drifting. He — On October 13, 2007, a Piper J-3 floatplane Recently Released TSB Reports Please address your correspondence to: Local number: 613-991-4071 compensated by using the opposite elevator to stalled while circling a moose at 500–600 ft above [email protected] ground level (AGL). The pilot increased power, but The risk of mid-air collision is greatest from takeoff to top of climb, and again from start of descent to E-mail: maintain control of his aircraft, and at the same landing. Don’t assume you’ll always be able to “see and avoid.’’ You, the pilot, are responsible for your own Paul Marquis, Editor there was insufficient altitude to avoid hitting the Fax: 613-991-2081 time, attempted to reposition himself in his harness. separation and lookout. These tips will help. Aviation Safety Letter Internet: www.tc.gc.ca/Transact While doing this, he accidentally reduced the engine trees. The floats hit the trees first, then the aircraft Transport Canada (AARTT) power, and the aircraft stalled at approximately flipped over. The two occupants were not injured. 330 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON K1A 0N8 TSB File A07Q0206. [email protected] Sécurité aérienne — Nouvelles est la version française 15 ft above ground. The pilot broke his shoulder. Look out: Stay focused on looking outside. E-mail: de cette publication. TSB File A07Q0196. Tel.: 613-990-1289 / Fax: 613-952-3298 — On October 28, 2007, a Cessna 172L took off VFR www.tc.gc.ca/ASL-SAN Don’t let routine tasks (programming GPS, paperwork, etc.) or familiarity with an aerodrome Internet: — On October 4, 2007, the pilot of a Champion from Golden, B.C., for Edmonton City Centre, Alta. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, The weather was poor with low ceilings and visibility. cause you to relax your lookout. Consider adopting “sterile cockpit” procedures while climbing or as represented by the Minister of Transport (2008).