Aeroplane Records

No single fix for aircraft take-off errors: ATSB report

Date: 24 January 2011

Aircraft take-off performance errors resulting from simple human data calculation or entry occur too frequently but can be avoided or detected, according to an ATSB research report, released today.

The report examines Australian and international occurrences between 1 January 1989 and 30 June 2009 that involved the calculation and entry of erroneous take-off data. It reveals that take-off errors happen for many different reasons such as the wrong figure being used as well as data being entered incorrectly, not being updated, or being excluded.

Importantly, the report identifies that while no one is immune from these types of events, risk can be dramatically reduced through good operating procedures, aircraft automation systems and software design, and clear and complete flight documentation.

The consequences of these sorts of errors can range from aborted take-offs through the tail of the aircraft scraping the runway and, in the extreme, collisions with the ground. Continue Reading

Date: 28 January 2011

The importance of maintaining situational awareness and the risks of pilot distraction are two of the major safety lessons featured in the latest edition of the ATSB’s investigation bulletin, released today.

Situational awareness was a factor in air proximity events, breakdowns of separation, ground handling and wirestrikes. An example of a situational awareness issue occurred when a Pilatus PC-12/45 and Aeronautica MacchiAL60 passed within close proximity to each other while flying. This incident highlighted the need for aircrew to conduct diligent radio broadcasts and continual visual scanning to minimise the risk of collision.

The bulletin also identified how pilot distractions can affect the safety of aircraft operations. This was highlighted when the pilot of a Cessna 206 was distracted by other traffic operating in the area and consequently did not change the fuel tank selection. This resulted in an engine failure and subsequent forced landing. Continue Reading

To the modern day, airplanes are an essential and integrative part of our lifestyle. Air travel has improved intercontinental transportation time from long, arduous months to mere hours. Yet, this innovative technology did not emerge overnight; in fact, the airplane’s humble beginnings first drew inspiration in the 18th century.

Early Inspiration

Human flight was first achieved in 1783 when inventors created the hot air balloon. Essentially, the balloon relied on the use of hot air. Because warm air rises and cool air sinks, the temperature difference allows hot air to become lighter than cool air. These ingenious men filled the balloon with hot air, causing the contraption to rise into the sky. A basket was attached to the balloon to carry passengers; height was adjusted based on the amount of heat pumped into the balloon. Yet for all the success of the hot air balloon, the first airplane didn’t come to fruition until the late 19th century.

The First Plane and Beyond

In 1853, Sir George Cayley built the first passenger-carrying glider utilizing the concepts of lift and drag forces. During the 1890’s, the Wright brothers revolutionized airplane design by constructing gliders with rudders for steering and wing flaps for control; their first flight occurred in 1903 and lasted a whole 12 seconds. The brothers soon improved their design to incorporate a motor engine. Their design enabled for a fully controllable, stable flight during an extended amount of time. Continue Reading

Airplanes today form an integral part of the way we live and travel. Consequently, thousands of individuals have taken up the exciting hobby of building and collecting aircraft models. With so many models of airplanes that have been developed over history, the limits to an aircraft collection are endless. That being said, collecting model aircraft requires a careful consideration of both difficulty level and type.

Model aircraft hobbyists vary in enthusiasm and prefer models of different difficulty levels. A beginner’s model kit requires very few tools, while an advanced builder’s kit includes constructing, painting, and finishing tools. Possible tools required include a hobby knife, tweezers, putty knife, drill, paint brushes, and air brushes. Common building materials for model aircraft revolve around lightweight materials such as polystyrene, balsa wood, foam, and fiberglass. Furthermore, many aircraft collectors prefer to focus on specific eras of airplane models, ranging from early biplane designs to modern fighter jets and war planes. Specifically, fighter aircraft used during World War II remain a popular niche for aircraft model collectors. Ultimately, collecting model aircraft remains as a popular hobby for individuals of all ages. Continue Reading