FUEL SAVING A320 SHARKLETS

A320 NEO

Anew milestone has been achieved in Airbus’ application of “Sharklets” to its single-aisle product line with this week’s rollout of the company’s first new-build A320 fitted with the large wingtip devices, which will reduce fuel burn and enhance aircraft performance.

TURBULENCE AND SEAT BELTS SIGNS

Turbulence is the reason for inflight injuries of crew and passengers. Turbulence is defined as follows :

Light turbulence---  Light turbulence - briefly causes slight, erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude, slight strain against seat belts, little or no diffuculty in walking, service may be conducted.

ANNUAL US AVIATION ACCIDENT STATISTICS

NTSB released the annual aviation accident statistics for 2011 for US Civil Aviation.

Salient features are as follows:

NO fatalities in air carrier operations and in scheduled commuter operations.

Fatalities increase in on demand Part 135 operations from 6 to 16 and accidents from 31 to 50 in 2011 as compared to 2010

INQUIRY AND ADVOCACY IN THE COCKPIT

 Inquiry is “A search for knowledge, or an instance of questioning” and Advocacy is “Active support of an idea or cause etc.” as per Webster dictionary.Inquiry and advocacy has been jointly addressed by Human Factors experts and lets examine its importance in the cockpit.

INTER-COCKPIT

There is a dire need for inquiry in the cockpit and the need for crew to be in the loop and only way is for either crew to communicate and inquire. Typically, Captain must encourage inquiry from the fellow crew member to enhance safety and make the fellow crew comfortable in doing so without any fear of  reprisal or retribution.

TAIL STRIKE ON TAKEOFF

A tail strike is deemed to have occurred when the tail of an aircraft touches the runway during takeoff or landing. Long aircraft are more prone to this and this would result in significant structural damage to the aircraft and jeopardise the safety of the flight.Statistically, there are more tail strikes during landing than at takeoff.(Airbus)