Tue, Jun 09, 2009
Aero-News: Quote of the Day
ANN's Quote of the Day usually
derives from current news, though we reserve the right to pick
quotes out of history that have a bearing on the day's events and
issues.
Sometimes, you'll find them timely and in keeping with the
content of the day's news... and sometimes, they'll just be
thought-provoking.
Reader suggestions and comments are welcome... and if
particularly intriguing, timely, or poignant, may themselves
become future Quotes of the Day.
Let us hear from you, folks!
Aero-News Quote of the Day
"Starting in May 2008 Air France experienced incidents
involving a loss of airspeed data in flight, in cruise phase on
A340s and A330s. These incidents were analysed with Airbus as
resulting from pitot probe icing for a few minutes, after which the
phenomenon disappeared. Discussions subsequently took place with
the manufacturer. Air France asked for a solution which would
reduce or eliminate the occurrence of these incidents. In response
to these requests, the manufacturer indicated that the probe model
recommended for the A320 was not designed to prevent such incidents
which took place at high-altitude cruise levels, and reiterated the
operational procedures well-known to the crews.
In the first quarter of 2009 laboratory tests suggested,
however, that the new probe could represent a valuable improvement
to reduce the incidence of high altitude airspeed discrepancy
resulting from pitot probe icing, and an in service evaluation in
real flight conditions was proposed by Airbus. Without waiting for
the in service evaluation, Air France decided to replace all its
probes and the programme was launched on 27 April
2009.
Without making any assumptions as to a possible link
with the causes of the accident, Air France speeded up this
programme and reminded its pilots of the current instructions
issued by the manufacturer to cope with the potential loss of
airspeed data."
Source: From an Air France statement
issued in order to clarify questions about issues involving their
Airbus A330 Pitot probes.
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