The December 1 deadline to train employees on the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Classification (GHS) into the existing Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has come and gone. In this New Hazard Communication Standard, employers were mandated to train (the right to know and understand) their workers on...

  My AME said the easiest thing to do was issue me a new medical. He’s awesome and was able to call OKC with my data and get a Special Issuance within a day. The FAA is a lot more accepting of sleep apnea as long as it’s treated. It’s...

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released its annual Occupational Injuries and Illnesses report, which estimates that three million workers were injured on the job in 2012. Following this announcement, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued, on November 19, 2013, a proposed rule to improve workplace safety and...

It’s been many years since I closed a bar and heard the “last call for alcohol” yell across the room. These days, I hear a similar chant from the beer vendor before the last out of the 7th inning. Well, here is Advanced Aircrew Academy’s last call for OSHA training...

In our courses and conversations, we’ve been observing that LORAN is gone, NDBs are headed out the door, and VORs are next. A presentation at the most recent Aeronautical Charting Forum described the VOR shutdown program in more detail. The name of the formal plan to reduce the number of operational...

New Alphabet Soup: NextGen’s ADS-B Surveillance Technology Language is depicted through a standard set of letters or graphemes/symbols called an alphabet. Soup is primarily a liquid food that is made by combining ingredients. The alphabet of NextGen’s new soup spells ADS-B. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) is a new...

GHS Workplace Label Requirements Deadline The deadline for employers to train employees on the concepts of the Globally Harmonized Standard of Chemical classification is December 1, 2013. This training requirement applies to all employees that use, handle, or store hazardous chemicals. Chemicals that may seem benign to us, such as...

In October 2012, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 12007 on Categorization (RECAT) of Wake Turbulence Separation Categories at Memphis International Airport (MEM). The RECAT was based on research by the FAA, Eurocontrol, scientific experts in wake, and experts in safety and risk analysis. Fast...

Have you ever wondered what the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) training requirements actually are? Figuring out what training is required according to the IS-BAO is not simple or straightforward. The Standards are lengthy and complex, largely due to the range of operations that they cover. Veterans of...

New GHS Standard Compliance Deadline Less Than One Month Away Less than one month remains for employers to train employees on the Globally Harmonized System of Chemical Classification (GHS). The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandated the training of thousands of flight department employees by December 1, 2013 to...

File Accurately: We pilots, by nature being both practical critters and not looking for extra work, are sometimes shooting ourselves in the foot in three ways – by filing for departure times ahead of what we really expect; by defaulting to filing ‘GPS Direct’ routings, and in some cases, by not...

Additionally, 50 NM longitudinal separation minimum will be applied for appropriately authorized and equipped RNP-10 certified aircraft. New York ARTCC will continue to accommodate aircraft that are not eligible for 30 NM lateral / 30 NM longitudinal separation minima throughout the CTA. Lateral, longitudinal, and vertical separation minima for these...

Holdover times and Regression information When you go to the Aircraft Ground Deicing page on the FAA web site to retrieve Holdover Time Tables this year you will see another document is available: 2013-2014 Regression Information. This is the first year the FAA has published this document, although a similar...

On August 27, 2013, the FAA released a new Rule Making Document: Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Standards for Aircraft Cabin Crewmembers (www.regulations.gov, docket number FAA -2012-0953). This rule making includes Hazard Communications, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Noise Protection policies for Aircraft Cabin Crewmembers. This action becomes effective September 26, 2013....

Wake Turbulence – KLAS On a recent 110 degree day in KLAS (Las Vegas, NV), I was faced with an interesting wake turbulence situation. We were next in line for takeoff at 25R behind a Boeing 737. The tower controller cleared the 737 for takeoff, cleared us to Line Up...

I was flying an ILS in the sim a few years back, night of course, everything as it should be; on speed, in the window with “George” connected and doing the usual good work, when about halfway down the GS the sim crashed. I mean simulated an impact with the...

The primary hope for each of these standards is a significant decline in occupational injury and illness nationwide. In addition, these standards aim to increase employers’ monetary profit by reducing workman’s compensation costs, employee loss and downtime, and litigation. “Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.” “We are...

  Controlled Flight Into Terrain (5.1.3 Note) Crew Resource Management/Human Factors (5.2) Fatigue Management (6.13) High Altitude Operations (5.4) International Procedures, including RVSM, MNPS, and RNP (5.1.3 Note; 7.3) International SOPs (7.5.1) ILS LDA PRM Approaches (FAA; AIM 5.4.3) MEL Use (5.1.3 Note; 8.15.2) Occupational Health and Safety (U.S. -...

The new OSHA Hazard Communication standard mandates that Business Aviation Flight Departments train the thousands of Flight Department employees by December 1, 2013 for improved understanding on identification of and protection from hazardous chemicals in the workplace. The HCS will be fully implemented in 2016. Advanced Aircrew Academy guides your...

Here is the example of an IS-BAO compliant Advanced Aircrew Academy course list (with IS-BAO references) that might be recommended for fixed-wing pilots at Acme Widgets: Courses to be taken every 24 Months Emergency Situations and Equipment (5.1.3; 5.3.1) HAZMAT/Dangerous Goods (5.1.3; 14.1.3) Winter Operations/Surface Contamination (5.1.3) Courses that cover...

Other/Extra: These training subjects are not specifically mentioned within the IS-BAO but could be an elective for the operator, based on hazards identified by your SMS. Examples include Mountain Flying and Weather Radar. Using the guidance above for the Emergency Situations topic, here is the complete list of Advanced Aircrew...

In order to ensure complete compliance with the Standard, you should complete a comprehensive analysis of the training requirements of the IS-BAO, State requirements (FAA in the U.S.), and any additional company requirements.  (Do you require a PIC check-out before operating into KASE?  Training on ramp operations?  On aircraft servicing...

The first variable is the training subjects: Surface Contamination, CRM/Human Factors, Dangerous Goods, and so on. It‘s fair to say that you will definitely need a complete list of all of the subjects to start the process. It is very important to keep in mind that IS-BAO is but one...

HEADLINE: Advanced Aircrew Academy Lands First Ever Client Operating Totally Unmanned Fleet! Well, not yet anyway, although you may have seen the FAA’s Notice of June 25 advising that the special committee on Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Unmanned Aircraft Systems will meet on July 30th. It’s no wonder that...

Advanced Aircrew Academy is adding a new online course to their extensive catalog of eLearning courses available to pilots. The Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) course is approximately 1 hour long and includes the following topics: Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C) Flight Planning Connecting with Air Traffic Services...