If you haven’t noticed yet, a lot of the things I post about are things I am actively learning. Usually something I encounter while flying somewhere and I think, “Wow, I wonder what that is?” or “Cool, I never knew that” Take for instance, today’s post about EMAS.

I ran into EMAS (not litterally) while flying into JFK. If you look at a approach plate for JFK and the end of runway 4 R, you will notice a large diagonal pad entitled EMAS. A little more searching in your chart Glossary will tell you that EMAS is a “Engineered Materials Arresting System.” I generally knew that EMAS is collapsible concrete meant to help stop a aircraft but like always, I needed to learn more.

A little time on Google and I found a website for the manufacturer of that concrete, ESCO. ESCO, which stands for Engineered Arresting Systems Corporation, has been engineering and manufacturing arrestor beds for military applications for a long time, it is only recently (the 90s) that they have begun to assist the civilian world in manufacturing beds that comply with all the requirements for a overrun area for a part 139 airport. Turns out that EMAS is “is consisted of a bed of cellular cement material manufactured in the form of engineered block components that are strategically placed at the overrun end of a runway.”

ESCO’s website has a lot of really neat information about EMAS areas. In fact, they have a pretty nice video explaining EMAS. The only problem is the video is like 8 minutes long so I cut it down to just the good stuff which is about 1:48 or so. If you want to see the rest of the video you can visit ESCO’s website.

We have heard it before, “A good pilot is always learning.” Well, I learned something this morning and I wanted to share it with you.

I was doing some preflight planning and I ran across this NOTAM:

Rwy 3/21 PAEW ADJ

I did a little research and learned that PAEW ADJ stands for:

Personnel and equipment on or adjacent to runway

So what that probably means is that people are most likely mowing the airport and might be in the vicinity of the runway so I better do my best to keep it on the centerline.

Here is the link where I learned this information:

http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/ntm/not0501.html

Fly Safe.

I am fresh off a visit to Sun N’ Fun last week in Lakeland, Florida.  There were a lot of neat exhibits that I would love to tell you about but that would probably bore you to death.  When I go to this kind of airshow I love visiting the exhibitor halls.  I like seeing what kind of exhibits people were congregated around.  It is a good way to notice what is particularly hot right now in the industry.

One of the things that is really hot right now is FADEC.  We have been hearing a lot about this technology and how GA is embracing this.  So what exactly is FADEC?

FADEC stands for Full Authority Digital Engine Control.  FADEC electronically monitors and adjust the engines for proper and smooth operation.  So instead of the pilot manually adjusting the mixture and throttle controls, the pilot is left with single-lever control for all phases of flight.  No more mixture, carberator heat, primer, or even prop control to mange, just one throttle lever to think about.

FADEC has been available for a while in turbine class aircraft but just has recently really begun to take on new life in general aviation.

What are some of the other advantages of FADEC for piston aircraft?

• Waste Spark Ignition - We all know that spark plugs are easily fouled by excess carbon.  FADEC can reduces this by controlling the charge to individual spark plugs.
• Ignition Timing - Because of the individual spark plug control, you can now also optimize your ignition timing for peak performance during climb, cruise and descent
• Automatic Calibration - an aircraft engine is a dynamic system and things are constantly changing.  Important measures such as temperature, fuel pressure and even voltage fluctuations can impact engine performance.   By monitoring these and other parameters the engine becomes self regulating.
• Density Altitude Compensation - no more mixture control!  FADEC monitor air density and temperature and will adjust fuel flow for optimal performance.  Just set it and forget it!
• Downloading - Most people know how to download songs unto their computer.  Imagine being able to download your engine as well.  Being able to download and monitor engine performance can help to identify problems long before they manifest themselves during flight

There are many other operational advantages such as fuel savings, reduction in pilot workload and longer engine life just to name a few.

You can see learn more about FADEC at http://www.fadec.com

Fly Safe.