General Aviation Joint Steering Committee
Community Outreach
Outreach Guidance & Notes Document
2022/12-07-271(I)PP
This outreach guidance is provided to all FAA and aviation industry groups that are participating in outreach efforts sponsored by the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC). It is important that all outreach on a given topic is coordinated and is free of conflicts. Therefore, all outreach products should be in alignment with the outline and concepts listed below for this topic.
Outreach Month: February 2024
Topic: Community Outreach
The FAA and industry will conduct a public education campaign emphasizing the best practices and benefits associated with Advanced Preflight Inspections and or Aircraft Accidents for First Responders.
NPP 40 for FY2024 and beyond has been redefined to require FPM production of Community Outreach Events. These events are intended to bring various General Aviation community members together at an airport location in the interest of improving safety and supporting local General Aviation communities. For 2024, two event options are offered: Option A Aircraft Accidents for First Responders and Option B: Preflight-in-a-box. FPMs will select one of the two options and assemble a community group to produce the event.
Event production personnel may include FAASTeam Reps, Flight Instructors, Mechanics, And designated examiners, Airport management personnel, and representatives of airport business tenants.
This Topic of the Month is intended to:
- Acquaint local audiences with our Community Outreach Program
- Generate interest in assisting with production or attendance at Community Outreach Events.
Background Option A: Aircraft Accidents for First Responders
Although the NTSB is primarily responsible for aircraft accident investigation, the FAA accomplishes those tasks in parallel as a matter of safety identification and safety assurance with certifications and operations within the National Airspace System. The First Responders are our front line to saving the lives and preserving the evidence necessary to properly determine what haapened in the event of an Accident. With their assistance in scene preservation, we may more effectively determine what was the cause of the accident.
Teaching Points:
- NTSB or FAA are in charge once notified, priority onel
- Require scene assessment prior to entry
- Unlike an automobile accident, aircraft accidents affect not only the oocupants of the aircraft but also the public bystanders near by or hundreds of feet away.
- Hazards commonly found at the accident site
- Hazards that are explosive
- Extraction may not be easy
- There may be more than one aircraft involved
Background Option B: Preflight in a Box
The General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) Loss of Control Work Group studied a group of General Aviation accidents that may have been caused by inadequate preflight inspection. THE GAJSC feels that thorough pre-flight inspections, with special attention given to systems and components that have recently undergone maintenance activity, are essential to flight safety.
Teaching Points:
- Some General aviation accidents are associated with inadequate pilot performance of pre-flight inspections.
- Aircraft document review is particularly important after maintenance activities, not only to ensure that maintenance has been performed but also that the aircraft has been returned to service.
- Mitigating distractions and human factors affecting the outcome of a thorough preflight.
- Hands-on Exercise to confirm the learning process and to allow the attendees to practice the skill of a good preflight.
- Importance of verifying that the aircraft has been returned to service after maintenance and the aircraft appears to be in an airworthy state.
