Biweekly FAA Safety Briefing News Update
Final Rule Issued to Remove Certain Instrument Approach Procedures
On November 10, 2015, the FAA issued a final rule that removes certain redundant or underutilized ground-based nondirectional radio beacon (NDB) and VHF omnidirectional range (VOR) Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs). Removing these NDB and VOR SIAPs (334 in total) is an integral part of right-sizing the quantity and type of procedures in the NAS, especially as a growing number of area navigation (RNAV) instrument approach procedures are made available. The complexity and cost of maintaining the existing ground based navigational infrastructure while expanding RNAV capability is not sustainable. To view the rule and the list of affected SIAPs and their removal dates, go to www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-11-10/pdf/2015-28478.pdf.
FAA Provides Clarification on Logging Instrument Approaches
This past fall the FAA posted an Information For Operators (InFO) notice that clarifies the conditions under which a pilot may log an instrument approach procedure (IAP) in his or her logbook. The InFO was posted in response to several requests for clarification and legal interpretations regarding what constitutes a “loggable” instrument approach.
For example, as stated in the InFO, a pilot cannot log an IAP for currency in an aircraft without also logging actual or simulated instrument time. Simulated instrument conditions occur when a pilot uses a view-limiting device in an aircraft to prevent the pilot from seeing outside visual references. Consequently, a pilot operating under simulated instrument conditions is required to have a qualified safety pilot present and must also log the name of that safety pilot. The InFO also provides examples that may help pilots determine when an IAP qualifies as an approach that may be logged. For more information, go to http://go.usa.gov/cYUNY.
Good N.I.G.H.T. (I = Illusions)
Technological advances can provide all kinds of enhancements to situational awareness, but our sensory perceptions — including the famous “Mark II Eyeballs” — haven’t evolved nearly as much. Accidents and incidents still occur because human beings fall prey to one or more sensory illusions. With fewer orienting cues in the night flying environment, visual illusions can be amazingly (and sometimes tragically) powerful. Since forewarned is forearmed, now is a good time to review some of the potential sensory illusions. Learn more about illusions at night in the current “FAA Safety Briefing” magazine issue at http://1.usa.gov/FAA_ASB.
