New Method for Runway Condition Reporting Begins This Weekend

As reported in FastRead on August 31, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 16009 announcing a new methodology for reporting wintertime runway conditions. Starting this Saturday, October 1, 2016, the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) will be used by airport operators to perform assessments of runway conditions and by pilots to interpret reported runway conditions. The RCAM replaces subjective judgments of runway surface conditions with objective assessments tied directly to contaminant type and depth categories. The new RCAM methodology is based on recommendations from the Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on which ALPA was an active participant.

The airport operator will use the RCAM to assess paved runway surfaces, report contaminants, and through the assistance of the NOTAM system, determine numerical Runway Condition Codes. Pilot braking action reports will continue to be solicited and used in assessing braking performance. The descriptor "fair" will be replaced by "medium," and pilot braking action reports will now describe conditions as good, good to medium, medium, medium to poor, or NIL. This will harmonize the U.S. National Airspace System with ICAO standards. Additionally, a report of NIL on any airport surface will require the closure of that surface until the NIL braking condition no longer exists.

Pilots are encouraged to check with their airlines before October 1, 2016, to ensure that they have their company's latest procedures for use of RCAM and related runway condition reporting procedures. For additional information, a list of reference publications is provided in the SAFO. For questions, please contact ALPA's Engineering & Air Safety Department (EAS@alpa.org, 1-800-424-2470).

FAA Sanctions Lithium Battery Manufacturer

On September 16, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency Restriction/Prohibition Order against battery manufacturer Braille Battery. In its order, the FAA cites that Braille Battery has been shipping lithium-ion batteries by air that do not meet the FAA Hazardous Materials Regulations or ICAO Technical Instructions.

Braille Battery was the manufacturer of a battery that caught fire in Canada on June 3, 2016, on a FedEx Express delivery truck that had recently been offloaded from a FedEx Express aircraft.

The FAA conducted an investigation and concluded that the manufacturer did not have proof that the batteries met standards contained in the UN Manual of Test and Criteria and were not packaged correctly. As a result, the FAA has prohibited Braille Battery from future air transport shipments until they can demonstrate that their batteries have been manufactured appropriately and shipped according to current safety standards.

ALPA commends the FAA for taking this serious action and promoting the safe transport of lithium batteries.

ALPA Crews Support Rescue and Firefighting Training at MKE Pictured here with the MKE ARFF crew are Capt. Dan Lehenbauer, ARW Central Air Safety chair (left), and Capt. Bob Hammond (ARW), chief U.S. airport safety coordinator. As part of their ongoing efforts to promote aviation safety, ALPA crews from Air Wisconsin collaborated with Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) crews at Milwaukee International Airport (MKE) to enable a multiday ARFF training event. Although ALPA crews from ExpressJet had supported a similar event several months earlier, this was the first event of this type at MKE that included ALPA participation. The training was conducted over a three-day period from September 13–15 so that all shifts of the MKE ARFF crews could participate. Training included a short classroom discussion on all CL-65 exits, doors, and cockpit shutdown procedures. More importantly, and with ALPA participation, the training allowed each ARFF member to open and close all doors and exits from inside and out, occupy the cockpit seats and use seat harness, and execute an engine and APU shut down procedure. The ARFF crews expressed their appreciation to ALPA and emphasized that some of the cockpit items had never been seen by the ARFF members previously.

Air Safety Organization Conducts Advanced Accident Investigation Course

This week, ALPA's Air Safety Organization is conducting its semiannual Advanced Accident Investigation Course (AAIC) in Grand Forks, N.D., with the continued support of the University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks Airport Authority, which again made its donated FedEx 727 airplane available for the course.

Fourteen ALPA pilots from eight pilot groups and an IFALPA pilot are investigating a mock accident during the AAIC. An aircraft systems group is documenting the cockpit and relevant aircraft systems components, and an operations group is reviewing flightcrew training records, pilot certificates, medical history of the flight crew, dispatch paperwork, weather information, and conducting crew interviews while also investigating human performance issues. Additionally, a structures group is documenting structural damage, and a survival factors group is documenting escape systems. A CVR group is transcribing the voice recording.

After documenting the factual information, the participants will develop field notes comparable to the typical style that is prepared during an NTSB investigation. By the end of the course, all attendees will have an understanding of the ALPA pilots' role and responsibilities in conducting accident investigations and be prepared to participate as the need arises.

Are You Ready for the Election?

ALPA Government Affairs is excited to announce the launch of "Vote, Then Fly," an electronic voter-education tool designed to help pilots, colleagues, friends, and family keep up with the latest information on the 2016 elections. Hosted on ALPA's website, Vote, Then Fly will provide real-time voter information and updates on presidential, Senate, and House candidates on the ballot in each state. State-by-state early/absentee voting information, including deadlines and ballot availability/return information, is also available to assist those who will vote absentee this November.

An additional feature is available for ALPA members when logged into your ALPA account—the Pilot Partisan Index. This rating index provides a numeric representation of elected officials' past actions on pro-pilot initiatives and is present for all incumbents.

Your vote is your voice in the political process. Vote, Then Fly is intended to be a tool for pilots to ensure you are able to exercise your right to vote, regardless of where in the country or the world you happen to be on election day. Ensure your friends and family have the same opportunity by sharing the information.

ALPA Inspires Future Aviators at Girls in Aviation Day

Over the weekend, September 24 marked a successful day for the future of aviation, as young people all around the world came together for Girls in Aviation Day events. Hosted by local chapters of Women in Aviation International (WAI), these annual events are designed specifically to inspire and encourage young women ages 8 to 17 to pursue and celebrate their flight dreams, and many ALPA members were actively involved in events in their communities.

Catch up on the fun from Girls in Aviation Day on social media by searching #GIAD16.

Girl Scouts from Brownie Troop 40246 built model planes as part of an event in their community. Photo credit: Carmen Zabel.

• Russia Implicated in Shooting Down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 Over Ukraine (New York Times)
• Lufthansa board approves Brussels Airlines takeover (Reuters)
• Is Renewable Diesel The Way Forward For The U.S. Aviation Industry? (Forbes)

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