27 April 2009

Course Description

This course presents some of the most important and common material factors and aircraft performance issues that are involved in aircraft accidents.  The course is designed to give the investigator a relatively “low-tech, non-mathematical” introduction to the highly specialized and complex subjects of structural failure analysis and aerodynamics.  The participants will be introduced to basic concepts of material failures and how to recognize such failures in an accident situation.  The emphasis is on pragmatic failure recognition and how to evaluate the significance of such failures during an accident investigation.  In the area of aircraft performance the classroom discussion centers on those aspects of aircraft performance that are known to contribute to aircraft accidents. Problems such as icing, weight and balance, and wind shear will be described as well as the accident clues to these factors.  The course will draw heavily on accident case studies to illustrate and amplify the subjects under discussion. 

Who Should Attend

This course is for investigators not trained as engineers, who need to better understand the technology aspects of aircraft accidents and incidents.  It is also valuable for engineers who need a basic understanding of how their specialty is involved in aircraft accident investigation.  

How You Will Benefit

• This course provides an introduction to aircraft material factors, including common types of material failures and how to recognize them in aircraft accident situations.

• You will learn the basic steps in conducting an effective investigation of aircraft material factors.

• You will review specific situations where aircraft performance factors have led to aircraft accidents and see how to recognize these factors from evidence at the accident scene.

• You will gain an understanding of how to evaluate aircraft performance as a part of an accident.

• You will learn the role of the technical expert in aircraft accident investigation.

• You will learn the elements of an effective technical investigator’s report and how this report relates to the final aircraft accident report.

• You will use case studies and practical exercises to reinforce and illustrate the subjects covered in the course.

• The APSI course is an elective for the Certificate in Aircraft Accident Investigation.

• The Board of Certified Safety Professionals accepts this course for Continuation of Certification Credit.

• SCSI will award 3.6 CEUs to each participant who successfully completes this course.

 Course Topics

• Loads and Stresses on Aircraft.

• The Aircraft Flight Envelope.

• Properties of Aircraft Materials.

• Elementary Failure Analysis.

• Fatigue and Corrosion.

• Composite Materials.

• Conducting the Material Factors Investigation.

• Determining Aircraft Performance

• Stalls and Spins

• Downwash and Wingtip Vortex Hazards.

• Loss of Performance.

• Ground Operations Hazards.

• Stability and Control.

• Icing.

• High Speed Flight.

• Preparing the Technical Report.

• Case Studies and Practical Exercises in Aircraft Performance and Material Factors Investigation.

Course Administration

Taught at the DoubleTree Hotel San Pedro in Southern California, the Aircraft Performance and  Course consists of 4.5 days (36 hours) of instruction.  Students receive a textbook, lecture outlines, additional reference material and a Certificate of Completion.  Classes begin daily at 0800 and end at noon on Friday.

Course Schedule, Location and Tuition

• Course Tuition
• See Course Schedule
• Contact SCSI Directly for Information