The smaller business jet blocking the runway was clearly visible through the cockpit window. Yet Joe Duval, the 757 pilot, deliberately continued his approach, setting his aircraft on a collision course with the Falcon 900.
When the 757 was just over a mile out and 30 seconds from touching down, an urgent aural warning sounded in the cockpit: 'Traffic on runway! Traffic on runway!' Moments later, the same message appeared in amber text on the pilot's navigation display. The alert sounded again at 15 seconds from potential collision. Duval pulled up and aborted the landing. No sweat. Mission successful.
This was a controlled demonstration of a new in-flight technology developed by Honeywell that is designed to prevent disaster when aircraft are inadvertently headed toward a runway collision. On a clear, sunny day in the Pacific Northwest with perfect visibility, the technology was hardly needed. But what if that had been at night or in fog or low clouds with driving rain?
Increased runway incursions
Last year, a series of near collisions at US airports, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) calls 'runway incursions, raised serious public alarm. Among the most egregious of a string of human error-induced close calls last year were two incidents, one in Austin, Texas and one at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York when disasters were only narrowly avoided.
The United States air travel system carries an average of nearly three million passengers per day and is remarkably safe. The last fatal crash of a US airliner was 15 years ago. Still, the system is straining under the load of record numbers of flights and shortages of air traffic controllers, some of whom work exceptionally long hours. Last year, the FAA recorded 12 serious runway incursion incidents in the US, up from just two the previous year.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من African Pilot.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 2024 من African Pilot.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.
Jabiru South Africa
Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.
Bat Hawk Aircraft
Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.