Alright, guys. I've done plenty of research at this point, and I'm hoping Robodog, who has plenty more knowledge than myself on the industry can shed some more light on this. I do not like what I just found, as I feel it is the document I'm about to discuss that really needs changes to be made so that operators (airlines) will not be penalized for FAA-approved manufacturer mistakes.
What do I think is really going on here? The way this whole thing reads, we would deserve a fail. But we all know the truth, that we don't deserve a fail. And if we were an isolated situation, then I'd say we probably would get the fail and be told to try again. But we're not. This is a global problem, so they have to evaluate the entire industry as a result, and holding us back would mean we're being penalized when existing airlines are not for something out of Baltia's control. So please read on and tell me your thoughts.
As I mentioned before, the AC is just guidance from my research. What we're really tested against is 14 CFR Part 121, correct? This adopts FAA Order 8900.1.
Here's a URL to the document I'm talking about:
http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=890...0,Sec7_SAS
This is Volume 3, "General Technical Administration", Chapter 30 "Emergency Evacuation and Ditching Demonstrations", Section 7 "Safety Assurance System: Evaluate 14 CFR Part 121 Emergency Evacuation/Ditching Procedures/Demonstrations". It thoroughly describes the test and all of its procedures and what would be deemed unsatisfactory. THIS (I believe, and Robo correct me if I'm wrong), is the real meat and potatoes used to judge the mini AKA partial evacuation.
So here are my findings from this document that I think the FAA needs to re-evaluate to enable our well-deserved pass:
Under 3-2626.K.13:
"For a partial demonstration, each FAA observer assigned to an exit to be used will determine if the assigned exit was opened and each slide or slide raft was ready for use before the termination signal. Should any exit, slide, or slide raft remain not ready for use after the termination signal, the demonstration will be declared unsatisfactory."
Under 3-2628.A.3.b:
"Ensure that the following occurred: For a partial emergency evacuation demonstration, designated exits were opened and slides ready for use within 15 seconds."
Under 3-2628.B:
"Determine if Demonstration Was Unsatisfactory:
1) A demonstration must be declared unsatisfactory if the operator fails to meet the specified time limit.
2) A demonstration may be declared unsatisfactory for the following reasons: Crewmember ineffectiveness or equipment malfunctions...."
What do I think is really going on here? The way this whole thing reads, we would deserve a fail. But we all know the truth, that we don't deserve a fail. And if we were an isolated situation, then I'd say we probably would get the fail and be told to try again. But we're not. This is a global problem, so they have to evaluate the entire industry as a result, and holding us back would mean we're being penalized when existing airlines are not for something out of Baltia's control. So please read on and tell me your thoughts.
As I mentioned before, the AC is just guidance from my research. What we're really tested against is 14 CFR Part 121, correct? This adopts FAA Order 8900.1.
Here's a URL to the document I'm talking about:
http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?docId=890...0,Sec7_SAS
This is Volume 3, "General Technical Administration", Chapter 30 "Emergency Evacuation and Ditching Demonstrations", Section 7 "Safety Assurance System: Evaluate 14 CFR Part 121 Emergency Evacuation/Ditching Procedures/Demonstrations". It thoroughly describes the test and all of its procedures and what would be deemed unsatisfactory. THIS (I believe, and Robo correct me if I'm wrong), is the real meat and potatoes used to judge the mini AKA partial evacuation.
So here are my findings from this document that I think the FAA needs to re-evaluate to enable our well-deserved pass:
Under 3-2626.K.13:
"For a partial demonstration, each FAA observer assigned to an exit to be used will determine if the assigned exit was opened and each slide or slide raft was ready for use before the termination signal. Should any exit, slide, or slide raft remain not ready for use after the termination signal, the demonstration will be declared unsatisfactory."
Under 3-2628.A.3.b:
"Ensure that the following occurred: For a partial emergency evacuation demonstration, designated exits were opened and slides ready for use within 15 seconds."
Under 3-2628.B:
"Determine if Demonstration Was Unsatisfactory:
1) A demonstration must be declared unsatisfactory if the operator fails to meet the specified time limit.
2) A demonstration may be declared unsatisfactory for the following reasons: Crewmember ineffectiveness or equipment malfunctions...."
