NTSB Most Wanted

The Aviation specific items on the NTSB Most Wanted 2013 list are as follows: General Aviation: Identify and Communicate Hazardous Weather, and Address Unique Characteristics of Helicopter Operations. Since, in our aviation program, we tend me discuss Fixed-wing aircraft, I am going to focus on the Helicopter Operations item on the Most Wanted list.

According to the NTSB, the issue to address regarding Helicopter Operations is simply that higher risk tasks that helicopter operators need to take on (helicopter emergency medical services, for example) are leading to an unacceptably high number of accidents. There is no way to completely eliminate risk with anything, especially when it comes to something as intense as these certain helicopter operations. The NTSB is trying to implement educated and significantly researched programs for rotorcraft risk evaluation. Since the NTSB has researched so thoroughly over the last 10 years (regarding these safety issues), I believe they really do understand the dangers of the system as it is now, and issuing a proposed plan really shows that they are trying to do something about it. In addition to making people aware that there is a problem, I believe they should immediately develop and issue certain safety programs to rotorcraft operations, and to emergency helicopter organizations specifically in order to reduce risk. Helicopter pilots should, at least, be thrown into training scenarios that have posed the biggest threat to them in the field; based on the NTSB's research and findings over the last decade. Mitigating risk should be the target goal of these rotorcraft operations and the NTSB should immediately step in and make sure this is being done efficiently. These programs will not only benefit the pilots and operators, but the people whom they service as well.

I certainly believe that this two issues should be on the NTSB Most Wanted list. Weather has always been a huge issue and hazard in the aviation community. Since the PIC makes the final decision of "if" they should fly in certain weather or not, the NTSB wants to make sure that they have the proper weather-flight training, proper equipment available for being about to fly in certain weather, and very accurate and fast information regarding the weather. I also believe that these risky helicopter operations are an important issue, as well. On the Aviation Accident Reports page on the NTSB website (http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/reports_aviation.html), there are plenty of examples in which fatal accidents occurred from helicopters being in these researched, risky situations. Along with these issues, I believe there are other problems in the industry in which some new NTSB enforced programs could really help all types of aircraft operations. One such BIG problem in the industry is aircraft collision and improper direction from the tower. A case involving a midair collision between a Piper PA-32R-300 and a Eurocopter over the Hudson River in 2009 is a great example of this problem. It was determined that the air traffic controller's distraction and lack of guidance was a probable cause of this accident (http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/summary/AAR1005.html). The industry would certainly benefit by setting up programs to better improve air traffic control operations. These programs could help better screen air traffic controllers to ensure they are a good fit for their position, as well as, help make better the very competent air traffic control operations.

I definitely see the potential for new jobs within the NTSB - due to this new Most Wanted list. Assuming the NTSB acts on what it is recognizing in the industry, they will surely hire people to help implement these new programs. Along with the NTSB, the general aviation: weather problem will require more people to help expedite the weather fast and accurately. People involved with the training of pilot's for the weather problem, according to NTSB, will need to be hired as well. There is a lot of potential for new jobs because of this newly published NTSB Most Wanted list.

Landing at the wrong airport...no biggie?

On July 20, 2012, a large military C-17 bound for MacDill Air Force Base near Tampa, FL landed at the Peter O. Knight airport by mistake. The Peter O. Knight Airport is significantly smaller than the Air Force Base airport, which made it problematic for the C-17 to land there. It was determined that the C-17 pilot's confusion is not completely unjustified as both airports are within 4 miles of each other, as well as, the runway's of both airports are both numbered 22 and run in the same direction. The Air Force Base's runway is 11,500ft long, whereas the smaller airport has a runway length of only 3,500ft. The C-17 was cleared to land at the Air Force Base, but just mistakenly landed at the smaller airport.

Full story here: http://www.wtsp.com/news/article/264803/8/Massive-military-plane-lands-at-wrong-airport-in-Tampa

In the C-17 case of mistaken airport landing: A large part of the hazard surrounding this mistake was that the wrong airport happened to be right in the middle of a large, suburban neighborhood. If this large aircraft was not lucky enough, or the pilot's were not skilled enough to land the large aircraft on such a small runway (3,500ft opposed to the necessary C-17 runway length of 7,600ft, according to http://planes.findthebest.com/q/139/7735/How-long-of-a-runway-does-the-Boeing-C-17-Globemaster-III-Jet-need-to-take-off) then it could have ended up being disastrous for many people at and around the airport. In general, wrong airport possible hazards include: collisions due to traffic, unavoidable runway run-off for some aircraft, confusion to a tower which would create more immediate mistakes, and many other possible disasters. 

In order to correct issues such as this, airports should be able to make modifications as to insure that the arriving pilot's know exactly where they are. For airports that are very close to each other, towered airports could ask each arriving aircraft exactly which airport they are planning to land at. That way, there would be less risk involved in making this mistake. 

As an Aviation Management Major: In the case of the Southwest 737, I believe that the pilot's were rightfully suspended until the investigation was complete. As this was viewed as an "innocent mistake" it is very important to investigate in order to make sure that the pilot's did not make the mistake due to fatigue or any other personal reason. If the pilot's are cleared for anything unforgivable by the NTSB, then I see no reason why the pilot's should not be able to continue flying as they would have been before the incident. 

Personal Introduction

Personal Introduction:

 Hello. My name is Chase Fabbri. I am currently a Senior at Eastern Michigan University in the Aviation Management Technology program. I will be graduating this April with my Bachelors Degree in Aviation Management Technology and a Minor in General Business.

Although I do not have much experience in the actual Aviation professional world, I have a lot of experience in Business Management. For the past Four Years I have worked as a Shift Manager for CVS Pharmacy. Before that, I partook in the Walt Disney World: College Business Internship program for the better part of a year and eventually became a Training Supervisor. During my time in supervision and management, I have engaged in various managerial activities such as: money management, human resource management, scheduling, time management, operations management, staff development, inventory control, staff training, creativity and innovation implementation, marketing and sales operations, and customer service - among many other duties.

After I graduate, I want to work within the Transportation Security Agency. I would very much so enjoy working as a Federal Air Marshal, and then eventually work in TSA Administration. I have several connections who are currently employed within this specific line-of-work and they enjoy it very much. Based on what they have told told me and personal research, I certainly believe that I would be a great fit within their organization.

However busy school and work keep me, my personal hobbies include: snowboarding, hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, reading, playing softball, running, coaching (for high school wrestling), film acting, shooting, and BMX biking, along many other activities.

My Professional Email Addresses Include:
Chase Fabbri @
chasefabbri@gmail.com
or
cfabbri@emich.edu