Laser attacks on aircraft remain a serious safety risk for all pilots and flight crew, but for air ambulance services these incidents can also delay vital medical treatment reaching patients.We speak with crew from Yorkshire Air Ambulance who share their experiences of laser attacks, including a recent incident where a crew member suffered an eye injury from a laser beam.This episode covers safety guidance for pilots, flight crew and operational staff and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) explains why it is important for UK airspace users to report laser incidents as a crime.Related information: Laser exposure self-assessment tool (ALESA)(For pilots, flight crew or air-traffic controllers who have been exposed to lasers)Guidance for UK airspace users on how to report a laser incidentAs covered in this episode, if you are a pilot, flight crew, air traffic or other operational staff who has experienced a laser incident, please report it, both to the UK CAA using the link below and to your local police force.Make a report to the UK Civil Aviation AuthorityFeatured in this episode:The National Police Air Service (NPAS) Yorkshire Air AmbulanceThe image for this episode shows Yorkshire Air Ambulance Chief Pilot, Owen McTeggart who features in the podcast.
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43:14
Powered flights over gliding sites
A glider pilot has just launched into the air in Southwest England and released from the winch when they see a Cessna flying below them. They take immediate action to avoid the aircraft and later file a report with the UK Airprox Board (UKAB).UKAB Director Simon Oldfield tells us more about this incident and the review that followed.We also speak with experienced glider pilot Andrew Watson and highlight the potential risks involved when flying near or above active gliding sites.Resources mentioned in this episode:Airprox report 2022173 (UK Airprox Board)Airprox inside magazine – February 2023 (UK Airprox Board)Report an airprox (UK Airprox Board)Flying over gliding sites (UK CAA)
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28:41
The risk of incorrect altimeter settings
In May 2022, an Airbus A320 approaching Paris Charles de Gaulle airport was given an incorrect altimeter pressure setting, which caused the barometric altimeters on board to show that the aircraft was nearly 300 feet higher above the ground than it actually was.The crew were unaware of the problem and didn't see the runway because of bad weather. They carried out what they believed was a normal go around and never realized that they came within six feet of hitting the ground.In this episode we talk to aviation experts at the UK CAA and NATS to get their perspectives on what happened, the risks involved and the safety guidance in this area. Guidance and resources mentioned in this episodeSN-2023/003: Risk of Controlled Flight into Terrain during 3D BARO-VNAV and 2D Approaches (Altimeter Setting Procedures)Safety awareness video about this issueInformation on the A320 incident at Paris Charles de Gaulle (Skybrary)
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20:13
Runway incursions - Part 2 of 2
How do airports manage the risk of runway incursions? We talk to Heathrow Airport’s Head of Airside Operations Trevor Waldock about causal factors that can lead to an incursion and some of the safeguards that are in place to prevent them.You’ll hear about the safety guidance and procedures that are followed at airports and the importance of a ‘just culture’ where everyone is encouraged to report safety concerns and incidents. We also discuss the challenges of working through and emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.Guidance and resources related to this episode:European Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (EAPPRI)CAP 168 –Licensing of aerodromesUK (EU) No 139/2014 - The UK Aerodrome Regulation, UK Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, and UK Certification Specification and Guidance Material for Aerodrome DesignCAP 790 –Requirement for an Airside Driving Permit (ADP) scheme
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43:45
Runway incursions – Part 1 of 2
An aircraft has landed at a busy UK airport and taxied away from the runway. A tower controller asks the flight crew to hold position and the pilot reads the instruction back to confirm. The runway is clear and the controller is about to issue a landing clearance when they see that the aircraft is no longer holding its position. It is now infringing the runway and continuing to roll forward.This is the first episode of a two-part series looking at runway safety and specifically incursions at commercial airports. We speak with aviation experts including the UK CAA’s Principal Aerodrome Inspector, a commercial airline pilot and an air traffic controller about the risks relating to runway incursions and how to mitigate them.Guidance and resources mentioned in this episode:CAP 168 –Licensing of aerodromesUK (EU) No 139/2014 - The UK Aerodrome Regulation, UK Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material, and UK Certification Specification and Guidance Material for Aerodrome DesignCAP 790 –Requirement for an Airside Driving Permit (ADP) schemeEuropean Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Incursions (EAPPRI)
This series looks at occurrence, incident or accident reports that have been published throughout the different areas of the UK aviation industry.
Each episode will focus on a different report. We'll talk about what can be learned from it, and also hear from experts who will cover the relevant safety guidance.
UK