NASA is asking general aviation pilots to participate in two special studies it is conducting with the FAA based on data collected through the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS), according to a report at AOPA.org. The first is “Aviation Weather in the Cockpit and Aeronautical Information Services via Data Link,” which seeks information from pilots about incidents that occurred while they were using weather or AIS information in the cockpit. The second is a study examining wake vortex encounter events. Find out more here.
ASRS marks 1 million reports
NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting Service (ASRS) marked a significant milestone earlier this year: Its 1 millionth report. “In 1 million reports in 36 years, we’ve never violated the confidentiality of any person reporting,” said NASA ASRS Program Director Linda Connell in a report at NBAA.org. “We’re hearing from every aspect of aviation.” Read the full report here, which also includes a link to a podcast with Connell.
FAA updates ASRS program
A blog post by attorney Greg Reigel at GlobalAir.com notes that the FAA has updated its Advisory Circular for the Aviation Safety Reporting Program, sometimes known to general aviation pilots as the “NASA” form as NASA officials administer the program. The update provides a bit of leniency for pilots and others in aviation. Previously, incidents had to be reported within 10 days. The new language says: “that, within 10 days after the violation, or the date when the person became aware or should have been aware of the violation, he or she completed and delivered or mailed a written report of the incident or occurrence to NASA.” Read more here.
Increasing safety one report at a time
Some pilots call it a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Others call it a “Cover Your Butt” card.
But what the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) is all about is improving safety for all pilots. In our last print issue, we debuted a new feature in which we run a variety of general aviation-related ASRS reports, which differ quite a bit from the NSTB Accident Reports. Most tellingly, the ASRS reports are written by pilots, not bureaucrats, so you get a real feel for what the pilot was feeling and what he or she learned from the incident.