Sun, Mar 09, 2003
Keeping Planes From Going 'Bump' In The Night
The FAA has approved a scaled-back proposal for the Air Force to
conduct "lights-out" night training flights in military operations
areas (MOAs). But that approval incorporates safety recommendations
pushed for by AOPA.
The safety recommendations include specific
procedures that the military will follow to minimize the risk of
collision between general aviation aircraft and military aircraft
flying without position lights. Military aircraft need to fly
without lights for pilots to train using night vision systems.
Close Cooperation
While AOPA
objected to the initial proposal because of the potential safety
hazard to non-participating general aviation aircraft, the
Department of Defense worked closely with the association staff to
resolve these concerns.
"The initial Air Force proposal was too broad in scope and did
not provide adequate mitigation for the lost "see and avoid"
capability of non-participating general aviation aircraft,"
explained Andy Cebula, senior vice president for Government and
Technical Affairs.
"While AOPA understands the training requirements of the U.S.
military, we felt it was imperative that AOPA's recommendations be
adopted before the revised petition was granted. We appreciate the
response by the military to our safety concerns."
Reaching Out About The Dark
The AOPA recommendations adopted in the FAA's
approval of a petition for exemption include requirements for
continuous radar coverage, for the military to cease operations and
turn on external lights when a non-participating aircraft enters
the MOA, and an on-going educational outreach program to the
general aviation community and airports in close proximity to
"lights-out" MOAs.
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation proposed and is currently working
with the military to create a MOA education program, which will
include "Lights-Out" operations. ASF is looking to establish an
online program as well as a "Seminar in a Box."
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