FAA External Load Meeting

[Scooter7779h]

I got notice last week, and signed up with the FAA as an attendee on tonights External Load public input meeting. It is at 7pm at UAA at Merrill Field. I understand they are limiting attendence, and don't know if they will let you in if you just show up.

But.... I would recommend if you have an interest on proposed changes to external load polices, procedures and regulations you get your butt over to Merrill Field in less than an hour.

I am out of here.... headed to meeting.

[mit greb]

Give them hell for scheduling it when we will be hunting and getting ready for winter...... I will be in Minto flats if you need me. Quack

[Scooter7779h]

Actually, this meeting was far different than I thought. The FAA was actually praising the way the system works in Alaska. They were honestly looking for input from the pilots, operators, mechanics doing external loads about EXPANDING the external load program into the LOWER 48. Obviously there are alot of issues. I don't have time now to go over it. However I wanted to chime in on two important points:

1. The FAA attitude was really good about this, and soliciting input from the user group with institutional or "tribal" knowledge about the subject was really encouraging to me.

2. There are MORE MEETINGS. Tonight, September 31 there is another meeting at UAA Aviation complex at Merrill Field, 7pm. It is a shame that is duck season opening day "eve". But if you arn't going hunting, I would suggest going to the meeting!! They are meeting in Fairbanks sometime soon, I forgot the dates.

Good show FAA..... Going fishing it's 4:30am, and I want to be in the water at daylight...

[mit greb]

[quote=" They are meeting in Fairbanks sometime soon, I forgot the dates.[/quote]

Sept 1, 6:00 at the princess hotel.

Snow in the forecast to 2500' level.

[mvivion]

Stop it, Tim, just stop it!!!!

MTV

[mit greb]

Stop it, Tim, just stop it!!!!

MTV

Ok

Since I wimped out of duck hunting and went to the meeting. It seems like they are trying to get good information before they write the rules.

That being said, it scares me just a bit that I feel like they might be doing good

[Mikey]

EXPANDING the external load program into the LOWER 48

Could this mean the FAA is considering the possibility that the molecular structure of the atmosphere in the 'States' is enough similar to AK that our aircraft will fly too without 10# of extra paperwork and a restricted AWC?

Pinch me when it happens, 'cause I'll still think I'm dreamin'.

Chris

[S2D]

Could this mean the FAA is considering the possibility that the molecular structure of the atmosphere in the 'States' is enough similar to AK that our aircraft will fly too without 10# of extra paperwork and a restricted AWC?
Chris

Hate to break this to you Mikey, but you'd have been legal with just a minor alteration signoff for your antenna's. I've now got two letters from the FAA stating thus. Now they are gonna change it and I guarantee its never for the better

[StalledOut]

Just remember that when you fly external loads you're supposed to have a "restricted" placard in the window and there's some size it's supposed to be. Mine always falls off the window from vibration during take off from Lake Spenard and once the a55hole in the tower called me on it. Now I damn near duct tape the thing to the window. You'd think they'd have better things to do.

[Mikey]

Hate to break this to you Mikey, but you'd have been legal with just a minor alteration signoff for your antenna's. I've now got two letters from the FAA stating thus.

From what FSDO? I would love to have copies. Last Feb. I could not find anybody outside AK who could get it done as a minor alteration and avoid the Restricted AWC.

Chris

[mvivion]

Chris,

I discussed this very topic with these folks last night, and again this morning while I was showing them a couple sets of tracking antennas for perspective.

They offered a possible solution, which I kinda like the sounds of. They may be more devious than previously thought.

More later,

MTV

[kase]

I really dont want to see a national policy then I would have to comply with it. As of now I can carry what ever I want according to the FAA. The Alaska policy is only for Alaskans.