ASP? What's Cleopatra got to do with this?

(Written on 2019年 08月 16日)(Permalink)

It's a terrain issue. Runway length (if that was the only factor to be considered) would have been adequate for the Citation Latitude. NTSB is saying the winds were calm. Runway 6 should have been the runway they chose. Due to terrain issues, a mid-size business jet has no business using runway 24 at that airport. Unstabilized approaches lead to unstable landings.

(Written on 2019年 08月 16日)(Permalink)

There's not even a published approach to Runway 24 at 0A9 due to high terrain on the approach end. So they would have had to descend on the visual at a greater than normal glide path angle to a 4,500 ft. runway. Why do you take a mid-size business jet into that situation? Weighing all the factors available to me (and I am the first to admit I don't know them all) for a decision to go there instead of KTRI, there are plenty of factors to fill the "minus column". Cheaper fuel is the only factor (and a lightweight factor at that) that I can find to place in the "plus column".

(Written on 2019年 08月 16日)(Permalink)

TRi-Cities has an 8,000 ft. runway, the obstacle clearance procedures are far less restrictive, and it's closer to the race track. Fuel is more expensive at Tri-Cities though...

(Written on 2019年 08月 16日)(Permalink)

"2 fully trained MAX pilots". OK, but what's the definition of "fully trained"? Ab-Initio?? "Ethiopian crew did follow the memory checklist". Yes, and then they turned the "Stab Cutout" switches back on. My question is, did they fully understand the aerodynamic implications of what was happening? Why did they feel the need to restore faulty automation when maybe a better solution would be to reduce automation??? I don't know. These are questions I have.

(Written on 2019年 06月 27日)(Permalink)

The guys flying the LM had seen a wide variety of unusual and even emergency situations in a wide variety of aircraft. They had confidence in their own ability to take control away from the automation when necesary. That said, I'm wondering if the "ab-initio" training concept is such a great idea. Neither of those MAX accident aircraft were unflyable if Memory Items in the FCOM Runaway Stabilizer checklist had been completed. Are we training a generation of pilots that do not have confidence in their own ability to fly the aircraft without the automation active? Air France 447 and Asiana 214 come to mind...

(Written on 2019年 06月 27日)(Permalink)

"Not sure were flight 1158 and 2277 go now" Uhmmmmm, this is the Flightaware website, it's not too hard to find out...

(Written on 2019年 05月 11日)(Permalink)

While there is no MCAS 'annunciator' as such, there are two big wheels on each side of the center pedestal which spin and sound a clacker. Irregardless of which system is delivering an uncommanded pitch change, the stab trim cutout switches located next to the copilot's wheel are memory items on the 'Runaway Stabilizer' checklist. https://vimeo.com/34501723

(Written on 2019年 03月 27日)(Permalink)

I flew on Spirit Airlines once. I'd rather walk where I'm going than fly with them again.

(Written on 2019年 03月 23日)(Permalink)

Actually, it's very basic instrument flying. I'm probably revealing my age?

(Written on 2019年 02月 27日)(Permalink)