Sun, Aug 28, 2005
Now Is NOT The Time To Be Hearing This
After a spate of crashes
worldwide this month, it makes sense that there is more attention
on airline safety now than at any time since the days following
9/11.
Frequent air travelers, jittery novices, and armchair auditors
alike are questioning the effects of the Northwest Airlines
mechanics strike on the safety of that carrier's planes
(thankfully, seemingly none so far) while crashes in Greece,
Venezuela, and Peru appear to show the worst consequences of failed
procedures and, perhaps, mechanical failure.
Now comes word that as recently as 2003, the most recent statistics
available, that the FAA had fallen as much as 25 percent behind on
their own mandated safety inspections of the five major domestic
airlines for that year. That left 938 unfinished inspections
nationwide, including 516 in which specific safety risks had been
identified, awaiting the review and judgement by an FAA
inspector.
"We are down to the nub," said Linda Goodrich, regional vice
president for flight standards with the FAA inspectors union.
"We can't possibly provide the oversight we're required to
do."
Lack of funds is the
issue, according to the FAA, forcing staff reductions and thinner
coverage over larger territories. The FAA expects to lose 300
inspectors this year alone -- an ongoing trend, according to former
NTSB member John Goglia (pictured, right).
"The FAA has been resource-strained for a while," he said. The FAA
hopes to regain additional funds and staff in the 2006 budget
year.
The FAA is quick to point out that the lack of inspectors does not
mean that passenger safety has been compromised in any way. There
has not been a fatal crash of a large domestic passenger plane in
more than three years, for example.
Also, FAA inspectors review the maintenance procedures already
in place at the airlines -- they do not provide maintenance
themselves.
"This is the safest period in aviation history and we intend to
keep it that way," said FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory.
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]