Safety

Staff

Director of Safety: Lt Col Barry Metz

Safety News


05/11/2008 09:21 PM
Jet Blast & What it Can Do
The letter below comes from the latest monthly Angel Flight North East Safety Tip. Fellow Angel Flight Pilots,
  1. This installment of our flying safety series will revisit what turned out to be a popular subject: Boston’s Logan Airport procedures. Actually, this subject is germane to any airport serving large transport aircraft and GA.
  2. Today’s subject illustrates both with date and video, the need for “safe separation” on the ground between “large and small aircraft.” With that thought, remember that the “large” aircraft take-off weights can be in excess of 750,000 pounds; compare that to your airplane and remember the high school physics class you had to take.
  3. The catalyst for this occurred earlier this year at Logan between the unsuspecting aircrafts, an Airbus and an AFNE Cessna 172. In short, the Cessna was given the instruction to expedite their crossing of a runway and hold next to the Alitalia 767. When the Airbus was cleared to taxi, and power advanced, sufficient for breakaway, the Cessna was in the “wrong place at the wrong time.” Very fortunately, no one was hurt, but the aircraft wing was lifted such that a prop strike and sudden stoppage occurred. The Cessna was safely towed to parking, and again no one suffered physically. As you can imagine, there were many “shaken up” people, both pilots and controllers. Thankfully, there were no Angel Flight patients aboard. The point of this is not about blame, but rather knowledge, situational awareness and exercising control.
  4. First let’s touch on safe taxi distance behind “heavy” aircraft. I was very surprised to discover how little data was available on this subject. Of course, there was an abundance of wake turbulence info for t/o, landing and in-flight procedures, much of which we are all aware, but relatively little in safe taxi procedures. The only quotable data I found was the following from an old copy of the Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge:
  5. Jet Blast Turbulence
    • Wake Turbulence is a function of aircraft motion. On the ground call it “thrust stream turbulence” or more simply “jet blast.”
    • During ground operations, these jet blasts can cause severe damage if encountered at close range. Exhaust velocities distance studies at varied thrust levels have shown the need for light aircraft to maintain a healthy ground separation from the jets during taxi or breakaway (from a standstill) operations. For example, below are distance requirements to avoid exhaust velocities of greater than 25mph created by some older jets: 25 MPH Velocity 727 DC-8 DC-10Take-off Thrust 550ft. 700ft. 2,100ft.Breakaway Thrust 200ft. 400ft. 850ft.Idle Thrust 150ft. 350ft. 350ft.
    • Get visual sense/memory of the “safe distance” reflected in the preceding table.
    • Do not place your aircraft perpendicular to the thrust of the aircraft ahead.
    • Offset taxi to the right/left of the thrust of the preceding aircraft.
    • Try to anticipate the next turn of the aircraft ahead such that you are on the “inside” of the turn. The thrust line will not sweep across your aircraft.
    • Do not, repeat, do not, accept any taxi instructions that you believe will jeopardize a safe trip to the runway or FBO. Simply say, “unable for safe separation” or any terminology you choose. Remember you are ultimately in control - exercise it if you even “think” you will be too close to the preceding aircraft.
  6. Watch this video. It will illustrate what could happen from a jet blast Jet Blast

    05/11/2008 09:21 PM
    Pennsylvania Safety Down Day
    1. As many of you know, National has mandated that each unit with in the Civil Air Patrol hold a "Safety Down Day" in December. As we head into the Winter period, our operations, both ground and air, can become even more hazardous. Please take time to read the National Commander's memo. It will set the tone for this engagement. Click here to read the National Commander's memo on the December 2007 Safety Down Day: CAP National Commander's Safety Down Day Memo.
    1. Each commander and every level needs to comply with this directive. Compliance to this directive means that each group and squadron commander needs shut down operations for one day to conduct safety briefings, seminars, etc. Each person (senior member and cadet) needs to be accounted for having particiapted in the safety down day. Once you have completed your Safety Down Day, squadron commanders are to to forward their sign-in sheets to their respective group commanders. Group commanders, you are required to consolidate and forward to me your consolidated sign-in sheets NLT 3 January 2008. I will then report our Wing's compliance to the Wing Commander, who will report to National.
    2. To help you with this requirement, I have compiled some website where you can get suggestions for fulfilling the requirement to conduct a "Safety Down Day."
    3. Here is a signup roster for you to use for squadron commanders to send back to their group commanders and for group commanders to consolidate to send back to me: Safety Down Day Roster.Here are those tools that I discussed earlier for you to consider.

      "Signed"

      DEMETRIUS D. GLASS, Lt Col,CAP
      Pennsylvania Director of Safety

      05/11/2008 09:21 PM
      December 2007 Safety Down Day
      30 NOVEMBER 2007 MEMORANDUM FOR REGION AND WING COMMANDERS AND SAFETY OFFICERS FROM: CC SUBJECT: Safety Down Day 1. With the end of the calendar year upon us and the potential for mishaps during the holiday season, all regions and wings will conduct a safety down day during the period 1 to 30 December 2007. During their chosen safety down day all operations will cease other than emergency search requests by AFRCC. 2. Safety down days for units within a wing do not have to be simultaneous. Wings will ensure all subordinate units are notified of the Safety Down Day requirement and each echelon will be responsible for reporting compliance/noncompliance to higher headquarters. 3. During the safety down day there will be briefings to include the following: a. Units that operate aircraft in areas with surface elevations above 3,000 ft will review mountain flying techniques with all crewmembers. Individuals not present for the briefing will be grounded until they make up the briefing. b. All members will be briefed on vehicle driving techniques and use of seatbelts. Special attention will be given to holiday traffic operations and winter season driving in those areas adversely affected by weather. c. All members will be briefed on holiday safety to include how to act in large crowded areas and fire safety during cold weather to include holiday lighting, heaters and fireplaces. For members in appropriate climates, cold weather protection and safety should be included. 4. Wings will ensure all members are briefed and report completion to their region NLT 3 Jan 2008. 5. Regions will track their wings completion and report to the National Commander NLT 4 Jan 2008. 6. You may direct questions to Col John Tilton, National Safety Officer, at tiltonj@alltel.net or 205-337-0957. AMY S. COURTER Brigadier General, CAP Interim National Commander cc: CAP/DCS,T/DCS,S/DCS,O/DCS,M/EX/SE/MD/MX CAP-USAF/CC/SE/LRCCs/SDs

      05/11/2008 09:21 PM
      HOLIDAY SEASON SAFETY BULLETIN FROM THE NEW CUMBERLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT
      Safety Tips for the Holidays and other times as well. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) discourages the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil.These turkey fryers use a substantial quantity of cooking oil at high temperatures, and units currently available for home use pose a significant danger that hot oil will be released at some point during the cooking process. The use of turkey fryers by consumers can lead to devastating burns, other injuries and the destruction of property. NFPA urges those who prefer fried turkey to seek out professional establishments, such as grocery stores, specialty food retailers, and restaurants for the preparation of the dish, or consider a new type of "oil less" turkey fryer."

      * Hot oil may splash or spill at any point during the cooking process, when the fryer is jarred or tipped over, the turkey is placed in the fryer or removed, or the turkey is moved from the fryer to the table.Any contact between hot oil and skin could result in serious injury. Any contact between hot oil and nonmetallic materials could lead to serious damage.

      * A major spill of hot oil can occur with fryers designed for outdoor use and using a stand these units are particularly vulnerable to upset or collapse, followed by a major spill of hot oil. Newer countertop units using a solid base appear to reduce this particular risk. NFPA does not believe that consumer education alone can make the risks of either type of turkey fryer acceptably low because of the large quantities of hot oil involved and the speed and severity of burn likely to occur with contact.

      * In deep frying, oil is heated to temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Cooking oil is combustible, and if it is heated beyond its cooking temperature, its vapors can ignite. This is a fire danger separate from the burn danger inherent in the hot oil.Overheating can occur if temperature controls, which are designed to shut off the fryer if the oil overheats, are defective, or if the appliance has no temperature controls.

      * Propane-fired turkey fryers are designed for outdoor use, particularly for Thanksgiving, by which time both rain and snow are common in many parts of the country. If rain or snow strikes exposed hot cooking oil, the result can be a splattering of the hot oil or a conversion of the rain or snow to steam, either of which can lead to burns. Use of propane-fired turkey fryers indoors to avoid bad weather is contrary to their design and dangerous in its own right. Also, moving an operating turkey fryer indoors to escape bad weather is extremely risky. Fires have occurred when turkey fryers were used in a garage or barn or under eaves to keep the appliance out of the rain.

      * The approximately 5 gallons of oil in these devices introduce an additional level of hazard to deep fryer cooking, as does the size and weight of the turkey, which must be safely lowered into and raised out of the large quantity of hot oil. Many turkeys are purchased frozen, and they may not be fully thawed when cooking begins. As with a rainy day, a defrosting turkey creates the risk of contact between hot cooking oil.

      * There is a new outdoor turkey cooking appliance that does not use oil.NFPA believes these should be considered as an alternative. NFPA understands that this appliance will be listed by a recognized testing laboratory. NFPA continues to believe that turkey fryers that use oil, as currently designed, are not suitable for acceptably safe use by even a well-informed and careful consumer. Consumers may find packaging of turkey fryers displaying independent product safety testing labels. NFPA is familiar with the details of these test standards and does not believe that they are sufficiently comprehensive regarding the different ways in which serious harm can occur, and, in some cases, regarding the different parts of the turkey fryer that need to be tested.

      Deputy Fire Chief Henry C. Hoffman
      770-5506

      05/11/2008 09:21 PM
      Kitchen Fires
      This short video clip shows what to do and what not to do if you have a fire in your kitchen.

      1. This is so important ... as old as I am I never heard of doing the wet towel thing... but I will remember it after seeing this. Kitchen Fire Safety - Good reminder for everyone..... This is a powerful message----watch the video and don't forget what you see. Tell your whole family about this video. Or betteryet, send this to them. This is a dramatic video (30-second, very short) about how to deal with a common kitchen fire ... oil in a frying pan. Please read the following introduction and then watch the show .. It's a real eye-opener !!
      2. At the Fire Fighting Training school they would demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup a t the end of a 10 foot pole toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students.
      3. The water, being heavier than the oil, sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen, the fire ball Hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of dynamite.Kitchen Fire Video Clip

        05/11/2008 09:21 PM
        Are the Right Charts in Your Bag?
        IFR Flight Charts are changing. It will affect all IFR Flights in the North East Area. IFR en route low altitude charts will be changing on Oct. 25 because the FAA wants to reduce chart clutter and provide better chart resolution. Eight new charts will be added to the existing 28, and all of the charts will be renumbered. [View image of new charting areas.] The FAA National Aeronautical Charting Office has assured AOPA that current subscribers of the en route low altitude charts will continue to receive all charts required to cover their subscription area, with no additional charges, until their subscription expires. Upon expiration, subscribers must update their chart coverage to reflect the new configuration.

        05/11/2008 09:21 PM
        Aircraft Taxing Check List
        Ground taxing of aircraft is just as critical as actually flying the airplane. Listed here is a check list. Here is a checklist for pilots to follow for safer aircraft taxing: Safe Taxing Checklist

        05/11/2008 09:21 PM
        Seat Belts Can Make A Difference
        This short video makes a powerful statement for wearing seat belts...all the time. This short clip was brought to our attention by Major Tom Koedel. Thanks Major Koedel for this safety tip. Seat belts is one line of defense that can help keep us safe. This short video makes that point, Heaven Can Wait

        05/11/2008 09:21 PM
        Operational Risk Management University Course
        Because of the partnership between the United States Air Force Safety Center (AFSC) and Civil Air Patrol (CAP), CAP members are now able to take an online course on Operational Risk Management (ORM). This course is part of the Pennsylvania Wing's on-going safety education program. To get to the ORM Course, click here: -> Operational Risk Management (ORM) University Course

        05/11/2008 09:21 PM
        Applying Lessons Learned from Accidents
        • In accordance with the CAP Commanders recent requirement, each Wing, Group and Squadron must have a Safety Event completed before 12 Sep 07. With this short time-frame to get this accomplished, I believe the best and quickest way to accomplish this requirement is through an online course.
        • The course that you are about to go through is designed to provide each of us with case studies from aircrat accidents that have happened and which have been investigated and studied.
        • As part of PA Wing's continuing education series, the lesson below will be September's safety notice, "Applying Lessons Learned from Accidents." While this one is geared towards flying, the concepts in the lessons learned can apply to all operations.
        • Please keep in mind, the Wing Commander needs to report our completion of this task back to the National Commander by the 12th of September.

        Thank you in advance.

        Demetrius D. Glass, Lt Col, CAP
        Pennsylvania Wing, Director of Safety

        • While this course is broken down into three major lessons. You will only need to complete the following:
          1. "Welcome"
          2. Lesson 1
          3. Lesson 2
            • Here, you need only review 1 of the 10 case studies
        • You are finished. Use the spreadsheet or just an e-mail to your squadron commander to let them know you have completed the safety event.
        • To get to the spreadsheet, go the this link to get to the course, click here -> Applying Lessons Learned from Accidents

        Enjoy and be Safe

        "Mission Driven...Safety Focused"

        Here is the Excel Spreadsheet for you to fill out and to send to your squadron commanders after you have completed this session: Safety Event Roster

Cold Weather Flying Safety Resources

CAP Resources

Other Resources