The NTSB recently released their Most Wanted list, created to increase awareness of the most critical changes that are needed to reduce transportation accidents and save lives.
Three of NTSB's most wanted changes strictly pertained to aviation; (1) being the Unique Characteristics of Helicopter Operations, (2) General Aviation: Identify and Communicate Hazardous Weather, and (3) Strengthen Occupant Protection in Transportation.
One of NTSB's Most Wanted changes I would like to point out is one that I've witnessed and wondered how and why this issue has been ignored for so long: occupant protection. Currently, the FAA allows exemptions for children under the age of two, to travel unrestrained on the lap of an adult despite the FAA's requirement that we stow luggage, small bags, and even snacks and beverages during crucial parts of flight.
The NTSB has also left out some hot topic safety issues that are currently being discussed. These topics include; pilots landing at the wrong airport such as the Southwest and Boeing incidents, and the issue of pilots relying on too much automation. Such an incident that happened this summer when Asiana Flight to 214 crashed into the runway at San Francisco Airport, killing three. Here is an article about the topic: http://www.today.com/news/are-airline-pilots-relying-too-much-automation-1B11170594
Pilots today are relying too much on automation and are beginning to lose the necessary skills to pilot an aircraft. These two hot topics should have been included in the NTSB's most wanted list and have greater urgency because of the recent incidents as stated above.
There's great potential for new jobs, especially in the areas of management and safety administration in order to reduce the hazardous brought forth from the incidents.
Good point about occupant protection. I didn't even consider this when I was writing the assignment, but I should of. I, too, have been confused about the age two rule on airlines. It is clearly a policy that has been pushed by the profiters of the airlines and not by the NTSB or FAA. If this rule didn't exist, I would assume that profits would be lost because many families would not be able/willing to pay for the additional seat(s) and, therefore, may choose not to travel via air.
ReplyDeleteVery good points Tom! I do feel that reliance on automation is a huge up and coming problem problem in aviation. I look to see that one on the most wanted list here soon. Occupant protection definitely deals with aviation, in fact, it might be most important in our industry than any other that the NTSB oversees.
ReplyDeleteThe occupant protection aspect is something I also have wondered. I never understood why this has been accepted—it almost seems as if it has been grandfathered in and just accepted. Seatbelts used to not be a law in a car—and I think during that area it wasn’t a big deal for airlines either. Eve though now airlines put an emphasis on seatbelts, the children under two somehow slipped through the cracks.
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