New audible safety alarms
New audible safety alarms to warn pilots about pressurisation problems are to be introduced for a range of aircraft operating in Australia.
The alarms will be required in pressurised jet and turboprop aircraft to supplement existing pressurisation warning lights.
It is estimated that around 300 aircraft in Australia will need to be modified at an total cost to the aviation industry of about $500,000.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued a discussion paper detailing the proposed changes and costs.
CASA is calling on the aviation industry to comment on the proposals before new rules are drafted to implement the changes.
The move to make audible alarms mandatory follows the investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau of a pressurisation incident in a Beechcraft Super King Air in June 1999.
The RAAF pilot of the King Air may have turned the air off by mistake. He then passed out from the effects of hypoxia and a passenger who was also a pilot successfully made an emergency descent.
The investigation concluded that an audible warning may have helped the pilot recognise a pressurisation problem.
CASA began an industry education campaign on pressurisation last year with a series of seminars to improve awareness amongst pilots and aircraft owners. This successful campaign will continue, with the production of a video presentation on the issues.
CASA estimates it will cost owners about $1700 to fit each aircraft with audible alarms, although more complex aeroplanes will cost more. Extra maintenance for the 300 aircraft fitted with alarms will cost the industry a total of $84,000 a year.
The target date for the implementing the new pressurisation alarm rules is 30 November 2001.
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Ref: MR0104