FTSC News

The Fairey Rotodyne is an incredible collection of complex systems and technology—thousands of pieces of aircraft all flying in formation together—and it’s old.  It’s amazing how there is “nothing new under the sun with airplane tech.”  If I was going to segregate rotorcraft and powered lift in their own tournament bracket, I would probably include this marvelous invention.  Turbo has some thoughts on The Greatest Aircraft of All Time, and it aligns with the March Madness sweeping the nation (United States) right now.  What aircraft would you include in the tournament brackets pictured here? This edition lets you interact digitally with others in our industry, if you’d like a diversion from work.

Another trend that isn’t quite sweeping the nation is the gradual evolution of online and digital interfaces for text and data.  For example, this edition includes several hyperlinks to updates that should probably be included in the Houle database, sent in from a reader in a letter to the Editor.  One of the offshoots of that conversation included some observations about word docs (not “docx” files, but “doc” files) published by an industry-leading organization [if the shoe fits…].  The point is, no one should be using word docs if they want people to use their docs.  There are so many better ways to do things, and that’s my opinion but it’s also a thread woven into Houle database conversation. 

Speaking of better ways to do things, if you have any ideas, we would love to hear them.  Send your thoughts to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and we will share them in a future edition.

Sincerely,

Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

PS For added convenience and security, you can download the pdf here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 50 – 50th Episode Modeling Risk

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

If I close my eyes, I can picture the outline of an airplane against the glowing fog in the background created by hangar lights on the other side of an icy ramp in North Dakota.  I can feel the cold air on my face and imagine the steam exhaled from my mouth.  You may have a similar memory.

I can also see the pristine white Canadian fields, blanketed by snow and the slushy centerline of the runway at International Falls Airport.  I remember the waves of anti-ice fluid flowing back along the wing, and I can almost feel the difference in force required to rotate the aircraft.

Those two memories are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the host of memories of cold weather testing, and this edition covers some of those topics in A Limited Survey of Cold Weather Flight Test Safety - Three introductory observations about Cold Weather and Flight Test, which flows right into the next features: Sample of Cold Weather Flight Test Safety Papers, and an account of Lockheed F-117 Cold Weather Testing.

There’s much more in this issue as Flight Test Safety Fact and the podcast both celebrate major milestones, including some of the data that describes our journey.  As always, we crave your feedback, which you can send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  If you have a memory you’d like to recount, we’d be delighted to share it in a future edition.

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For security and added convenience, you can download the newsletter here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 49 – Battle of the X Pilots (Part 3)

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 48 – Battle of the X Pilots (Part 2)

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Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

As we approach the end of the hurricane season in the northern hemisphere, we take you on a whirlwind tour of several important headlines that are probably relevant to your flight test program or your knowledge of industry trends.  

Turbo serves up some Halloween drama and a picture in a shark hat.

A reader submitted his story about the Flight Test Safety Database, one of the resources of the FTSC, and he encourages you to engage.

Finally, you can find out more about the award winning team who earned this year's LeVier Safety Award.

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For security and added convenience, you can download the newsletter here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 47 – The Tale of Aircraft 163666

A special Halloween themed episode again this year about another seemingly cursed aircraft. This time an AV-8B Harrier. Join me and my guest Col Kevin "Smells" Gross, USMC (Ret) as we recount the terrifying tale of aircraft 163666.

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And for a little more spooky humor check out this excerpt from the SETP Awards Banquet pre dinner entertainment "The Testy Zone"

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 46 - Are You Ready For the Bad Day? Part Two - Safe on Deck...Now What?

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This month we will pick up where we left off with Marty Rollinger after his episode off the catapult in his F/A-18.  If you missed part one check it out first.

Marty Rollinger LinkedIn Page

Got an exciting aviation story to share, email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

See you the last week in September in Anaheim for the SETP Annual Symposium and Banquet.

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

It's back to school time, and Turbo makes an interesting observation that correlates what we did in school with what's in this issue.  

There is a lot to read in this issue, but the simple fact that so many of our readers are weighing in is a good thing--a great thing really--discussion means the newsletter is doing what it ought.  In this issue, you will find three letters to the editor, some fanciful observations about book covers and art and even dealing a hand of cards.

So whether you want to weigh in on the probability of a losing poker hand or join the STPA function vs component conversation, we hope to hear from you.  

While you are at your Annual Symposium, take notes and share those too with the editor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., because connecting you and sharing your insights with other readers is why we are here.

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For convenience and safety you can view the newsletter here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 45 – Are You Ready For the Bad Day? Part One - The Water’s Getting Closer

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How ready are you for the unthinkable to happen? This month we are joined by Marty Rollinger, former Marine F/A-18 pilot who shares a harrowing experience he had during pre-deployment carrier operations.  

Marty Rollinger LinkedIn Page

SETP Annual Symposium and Banquet Registration Link

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

It’s officially August, which means hot weather in the United States, a season that brings back many fond memories of summer fun.  One of the things I loved as a kid was the joy of discovery, and that usually included some new scientific fact I hadn’t known before or an adventure, whether that was on a trail or a boat.  Both discovery and adventure are included in this edition of the Flight Test Safety Fact.  

We kick off the newsletter with an op ed that recommends you check out the tutorial videos from our most recent Flight Test Safety Workshop, which is where I found my first dose of discovery.  There are plenty of things to discuss about the STPA videos and the questions they raise.  

Turbo shares reflections from his own adventure at sea, and somehow he links them succinctly to safety.  And you’ll find a recap of his most recent podcast as well, a tale of two pilots.  

As always, we encourage you to send your comments and questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and hopefully this edition will generate some comments.

Thanks,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For convenience and safety you can download the newsletter here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 44 – Battle of the X Pilots (Part 1)

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Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 43 – Signs of Danger

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This month we have an episode recorded live at the Flight Test Safety Workshop last month.  My guests are the 150 attendees of the workshop. We have five visuals you might encounter on any given day that we will discuss applying everything we know about risk management.  You can find the slides used here: Click Here to download

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

It's almost summer, and things in this edition are heating up.  Chia Rogerson shares a recap of the recent Flight Test Safety Workshop from Wichita, and the Textron team also earned top honors with their paper on stall testing of a special mission King Air aircraft.  So you should probably ask them for a copy or make plans to hear it in Anaheim.  

Jeff "Canman" Canclini has a survey (a short one) that you should fill out, and then you can listen in while Ben Luther and Canman philosophize about the future Flight Test Professional.  

Finally, take history and add flight test, and you get the second half of a great interview you don't want to miss in last month's podcast.  

As always, we'd love to hear your comments.  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sincerely,
Mark Jones Jr.
Editor

For security and added convenience, you can download the newsletter here.

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 40 – This Is The Way. Applying Safety Every Day.

During my years of flying and flight test I learned a lot about safety and making decisions relative to risk.  But what good does any of that do me in everyday life?  Well, turns out it comes in handy.

Tell us about a way you apply flight safety to your everyday life.

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Arrows in the Desert Video Link

Arrows Across America Website

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting

Flight Test Safety Committee Podcast Channel - EP 41 – B-1 Flight Test Lessons Learned

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This month we talk with Ken Katz about flight test lessons from the B-1 program.  A link to Ken's Bio is below.

Register now for the Flight Test Safety Workshop: https://www.setp.org/symposium/meetings/workshop/

Ken's Bio: https://www.casematepublishers.com/author/kenneth-katz/

Available on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, Google Play, and Amazon Music: FTSCChannel

This Podcast is sponsored by Time2climb Training and Consulting