Page 44 - Volume 15 Number 10

42 • TWIN & TURBINE OCTOBER 2011can direct them to where you are leaking fuel or hydraulic fluid; or the precise location of your right engine turbocharger fire. Describe to them exactly where your flammable cargo is stored. We little guys can carry firewood, fireworks and firearms you know, even actual explosives. They’ll want to know details about those weapons and explosives by the way – the type of weapons and the quantity of explosives.If you happen to be carrying some explosives or weapons, don’t be alarmed if ATC gives you a suggestion for another airport other than your planned emergency destination as the safest, or least congested place to go; that’s what they’re supposed to do. Tell them you’re unable if you can’t make it to their suggested airport. You are the PIC and it’s your job to set the tone and clarify things with ATC and ARFF, time permitting. In an emergency you can do what you think is necessary to safely complete the flight.The Rotating ImpellerHere’s some things to consider about that emergency diversion: Using the “nearest airport” function of your GPS and then loading an instrument approach to that field is something to practice in daylight and when things are calm – not at night or after the feces hasimpacted the rotating impeller.You have already programmed theparameters for the nearest airportfeature, right? You know: 3,000feet, paved and lighted for example?Once the airport is chosen, if youare too low, too remote, or the toweris closed (or non-towered), contactanother aircraft on 121.5 and havethem relay to ATC your airport ofassistance, that’s the time to make your request. And even though ARFF may believe they understand what a flight control, engine, hydraulic, or electrical problem might mean, have ATC pass to them how you think your situation will unfold and how it may affect their deployment. Don’t forget to tell them if you are carrying any HAZMAT as well; I mean real HAZMAT like chemicals or the fireworks from above, not the powdered sugar from your beignets (see August 2011 Twin & Turbine).If you’re still reluctant to request ARFF, you should probably be ready to explain to your loan company or board of directors why you let their airplane sink into the swamp off the end of the runway or get crispy around the edges while you ran for cover.And without ARFF, make sure you and your passengers have some of those crash helmet thingies close at hand, too, like the honorary Mercury Astronaut, José Jiménez. Will you need to use them? Oh, I hope not! T&Tintended landing; transmit “in the •blind” if necessary. ATC will then alert the correct ARFF.Once safely on the ground, if you’re unable to talk to ARFF after the vehicles arrive, you’ll need to recognize some standard ARFF hand signals, at least four important ones. The signal that means they recommend immediate evacuation is a beckoning motion with a single raised arm; a “come here” type motion. The next two are easy: one is the same signal the FBO lineman uses to tell you to stop, making an “X” with arms or wands. The other easy one is the signal to shut off your engine(s), which is the “cut” signal. Finally, the signal that indicates to you that the situation is contained and resolved is the “safe” signal like from a baseball umpire.Into The SwampARFF is available and ready for your use; simply let them know. When center, approach control or tower asks if you will requireKevin Dingman has been flying for 39 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 18,000 hours. A retired Air Force Major; he flew the F-16 then performed as a USAF Civil Air Patrol Liai- son Officer. He flies volunteer missions for the Christian or- ganization Wings Of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beech- craft Duke. Contact Kevin at Dinger10d@gmail.com.