— Unwilling To Fly Helicopters Without Crash Resistant Fuel Systems
Credit: 9News
In case you missed it—
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) executive manager, Jim Viola, went on record this week.
In his interview with 9News, Denver, Colorado, Mr. Viola said he would have a problem flying helicopters that do not have crash-resistant fuel systems, despite FAA regulations that allow them.
Unfortunately, Mr. Viola did not say he was uncomfortable with you
or air medical flight crews
or your family
flying in these types of helicopters.
As the FAA executive manager of the General Aviation and Commercial Division in the Flight Standards Service, he is personally uncomfortable flying in helicopters without crash resistant fuel cells.
He deserves better.
As of today, you do not.
Holding true to the FAAs course over the last four decades, Mr. Viola stated the situation is not the FAA’s fault and found a 3rd party to blame.
This time the FAA chose helicopter manufacturers to blame for lack of FAA competence or oversight.
Viola told 9News “A change could happen. I mean, right now industry can stop producing aircraft that don’t have crashworthy tanks.”
Over 5,000 helicopters in the US currently do not have a crash-resistant fuel system, and recent deaths from post-crash fires have caused many to pressure the FAA into banning helicopters without the system. Thus far, the FAA has remained silent and done nothing.
The one positive to the FAA is consistency.
Government employees failing Americans they’re entrusted to represent is barely newsworthy. Americans expect it, and fully anticipate government executives like Mr. Viola to pass the buck.
The FAA has long forgotten about the public it represents or inconvenient projects like aviation safety.
How can you help?
First, thank you in advance for caring enough to get involved.
Second, for your own sanity, understand what’s really possible and what’s not. Let me explain.
You cannot personally make government employees do their jobs.
You cannot make them better people.
You cannot make them care.
What you can do is force government employees to take some actions.
How?
Write your congressman.
Follow-up.
Demand a written response.
Nothing will change until regular people start holding government officials accountable. I’m bias, of course. But I believe air medical flight crews deserve better. I believe they’ve earned better.
Watch the full report here.
[divider style=”4″]
Want more tips and advice on how to succeed in EMS and air medical?
Sign up for The Net Newsletter. Just enter your name and email address in the box below (it’s free):
[shortcode-variables slug=”optin-form”]
