Page 3 - Index

PRESIDENT’S VIEW

CONTINUED VIGILANCE

AND PROFESSIONALISM

SASI members certainly There are also a few new crewmembers to use physical providers delay implement-
helped ensure that air ac- safety concerns that accident restraint or require pilots to ing 5G technology, planned
cidents and incidents were investigators and aviation declare an unscheduled emer- for January 5, for two weeks
Isignificantly lower in 2021 safety personnel may need to gency landing. Such situations to allow the agency to study
compared to previous years, consider. diminish air safety and may 5G mitigation in Europe and
but the fact that commercial The world is experiencing lead to accidents and inci- begin applying appropriate
flights continue to reel from a new COVID variant that is dents that investigators must safety efforts to U.S. aviation.
adverse effects of the COVID highly contagious, but per- consider. The FAA and the Department
pandemic also played a major haps not as deadly as previous A possible threat to air safe- of Transportation suggested
role. Airlines are still operating strains. But because of the ty has arisen anew with the that the delay would allow 5G
fewer flight than before the increasing numbers of people expansion into 5G bandwidth service to start in January with
pandemic, and new variants requiring sick leave and then for electronic mobile devices specific exceptions around
of the virus are resulting in an a short isolation period, the that is very near to and may priority airports that the FAA
and the U.S. aviation indus-
numbers of available experi-
interfere with the C-Band
increase in cabin and flight enced airline flight and cabin frequency that aircraft use for try would designate where a
crews contracting COVID. Air crewmembers and aviation navigation ground proximi- buffer zone could permit safe
traffic controllers are also be- mechanics significantly ty and landing. The Federal operations while the agency
ing affected. All other forms of dropped over the last year. Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to assess appropri-
flight—general and sport avi- Some airlines have resorted has identified some 17 vital ate mitigations.
ation, helicopter operations, to premium pay offers to staff electronic aircraft applica- My concern is that air safety
military aviation, and perhaps flights, and other carriers have tions that could be adversely margins all over the world are
even space operations—have been forced to significantly affected. This same problem being tested—not yet crossed,
been adversely impacted. So cancel scheduled flights due surfaced several years ago only tested. Air accident
your continued vigilance and to crew shortages. Safety when electronic communi- investigators and safety
professionalism is very much personnel and investigators cation devices first became personnel cannot make
needed. may need to consider human ubiquitous and people aboard COVID go away, but we
As air accident investiga- factors as an integral part of aircraft wished to use their certainly can do our part to
tors and safety personnel, their routine. Are pilots flying phones and computers while keep air safety as robust as
we don’t work alone—we’re under pressure? Are cabin in flight. Then the FAA allowed possible. Remain vigilant and
part of a team—sometimes a crewmembers experiencing use of electronic communi- continue to stay safe.
large team—and may work in too much stress and worry cation devices in flight only
direct contact with colleagues about what adverse event they above 10,000 feet.
from many parts of the world. may face today? Are mechan- The 5G problem will hope-
Consequently, as you go to ics becoming overworked due fully be resolved or mitigated
work, please stay aware of to staff shortages? Are aircraft in the U.S. by the time you
COVID-avoidance protocols manufacturing workers facing read this “President’s View.”
and take whatever prevention longer hours or pressure to In late December 2021, the
actions that are available in keep the assembly deadlines? FAA published a Safety Alert
your part of the world. Stay Another ongoing human for Operators warning that “a
safe and healthy so that you factors problem is an increase wide range” of aircraft safety
can ensure that aviation stake- in “uncooperative” airline pas- devices could malfunction
holders can remain as safe as sengers who cause disruptions from 5G interference and
possible. We’re familiar with in operations, threaten, or that the agency might issue
on-the-job biohazards and even attack cabin crewmem- specific use restrictions during
should also be cautious with bers and other passengers flights. The FAA suggested Frank Del Gandio
COVID exposure. thereby either forcing cabin electronic communications ISASI President
January-March 2022 ISASI Forum • 3