Page 16 - Mar17ABS

Jet Journal
No Fly Zone
Fitness to Fly: IMSAFE
by Kevin R. Dingman
Since the aircraft did not appear on the next radar sweep five seconds later, you could postulate that radar coverage was to about 1,800 MSL or 1,200 AGL. As the aircraft accelerated to perhaps 270 to 280 kts, the final 1,200 feet of the descent below radar coverage consumed something
less than one additional radar sweep, or three to four seconds.
The airplane was capable, the pilot experienced. His family was onboard; he would not knowingly push his luck. The flight home was at the end of a long day. It was a cold, windy and bumpy departure. They were most likely on top at about 3,500 for less than a minute. And something happened: to the airframe or motor(s), the avionics, the autopilot, the flight instruments, to him physically or to his situational awareness. Maybe it was something a little bit bad. Maybe it was something terribly
bad. Either way, the jet got away from him.
A Critical Decision
Would you be ready for “it”? And what is “ready?” Has anyone ever officially asked you before a flight? When the answer is obvious, you know. But how do you determine where the fuzzy, judgement edge of the envelope lies?
In the Part 121 world, we’re required to electronically sign our names before every flight verifying that we are healthy, rested and up to the task. It’s part of the new crew rest FAR’s intended to address our state of restfulness, to ensure adequate sleep and to mitigate the effects of short- and long-term fatigue. While primarily focused toward flight scheduling practices and daily changes to those schedules, it also provides a no-fault method to remove yourself from flying. In Part 91, our self-regulated, fit-to-fly determination is unmonitored, yet as critical as fuel and weather minimums.
Fit to fly is not only about sickness and fatigue. It means mentally up to speed as well. How much mental energy did you already
KBKL – 29 Dec 16 – 2250L – 26023G32KT 6SM -SN BR SCT012 BKN021 OVC026 01/M02A. The Aircraft: 2012 Citation 525C CJ4, 6 SOB. Crew: Owner-pilot. The passengers: his wife, two sons, a neighbor girl and her dad. The trip: a one day out-and-back for a basketball game. Last radar contact: 2,100 MSL (1,600 AGL) over Lake Erie, descent rate 3,750 fpm. Speed: 245 kts, accelerating. TRACON: 12.5 rpm, 4.8 seconds/sweep.
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