Issues, Information, And Actions To Help Prevent Foreign Object Damage
The following recent news articles and FAA Fact Sheet highlight the need for continuous improvement of wildlife FOD control.
3/11 USA TODAY: Experts: awareness of bird strikes needs improvement
3/14 FLIGHTGLOBAL: Engine Certification: Meet the Flockers
3/16 USA TODAY: Federal watchdog to review FAA bird-strike measures
3/28 FAA FACT SHEET: The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Wildlife Hazard Mitigation Program
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University runs through recent high-profile bird strikes, the government’s plans to kill thousands of birds who live within several miles of New York City’s major airports, and otherwise keeps you updated on this controversial aspect of flight safety.
Compliments of U.S. Air Force “Flying Safety” Magazine
You all have seen or heard of “The Right Stuff.” How about The Right Part? We have too many incidents where using the wrong hardware resulted in aircraft damage. Never forget the few seconds you save will cost a whole lot more when you redo the work. Isn’t “Excellence in all we do” one of our core values? [Read more…]
Read this concise FAA safety article directed toward GA pilots who may be in too much of a rush to think about safety before takeoff, including proper attire, foreign object damage prevention and – oh, yes – never rest your body against a propeller blade.
Click here for the PDF
Courtesy of MSgt Steve Ball and USAF Air Combat Command’s
“The Combat Edge” online newsmagazine.
Foreign Objects Can Become FOD
by MSgt Steve Ball, Minot Air Force Base
I was headed to Texas on temporary duty. As I sat in one of those big airports, waiting for a long layover to end, I began watching the baggage handlers down below. They move real fast and can load up a jet Pretty Darn Quick (PDQ). Anyway, I was watching these guys driving around for about 30 minutes when I started to look at something else down there in the loading area: Yup. FO! You know, Foreign Objects that can lead to Foreign Object Damage (FOD)! The funny thing was, it wasn’t on the ground exactly. [Read more…]
Compliments of U.S. Navy Safety Center
…wait a minute, it is a snake! This photo sent in by one of our users shows a crewman taking care of this unusual preflight problem. [Read more…]
After civilian airports asked for a follow-up to its ground-breaking AC on FOD detection, the Federal Aviation Administration has issued the final release of its new AC on FOD program procedures and equipment.
Between the growing numbers of migrating birds and other wildlife, and the increased air traffic, the potential for collision with wild geese, seagulls and even vultures is growing. And, bird eradication is getting more difficult and more costly, said civilian and military aviation and wildlife experts attending the Bird Strike Committee USA/Canada, which drew 400 people in August. [Read more…]
Keeping track of captured enemy combatants isn’t the only worry at US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. Military personnel there treat FOD seriously. So should you.
Transportation authorities in Australia report that FOD occurrences have increased significantly at the nation’s airports. The report includes an interesting list of the types of FOD most commonly found.
