FAA manager would not fly without crash-resistant fuel system
Federal Flight Administration (FAA) manager Jim Viola has said that he would have a problem flying helicopters that do not have crash-resistant fuel systems.
Image: 9News' Chris Vanderveen interviews Jim Viola
Credit: 9News
Federal Flight Administration (FAA) manager Jim Viola has said that he would have a problem flying helicopters that do not have crash-resistant fuel system, despite FAA regulations that allow them, according to 9News in Colorado, US.
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 choppers without the system. It has however stayed silent on the matter.
Viola told 9News that he ‘won’t want to look a fool when I catch a skid, roll the helicopter and it catches fire’ and so would not fly in these helicopters himself, despite thousands of pilots, including many medical teams, who have to every day.
Viola claimed however that the FAA was not to blame for this, and instead the responsibility should be shouldered by manufacturers: “A change could happen. I mean, right now industry can stop producing aircraft that don’t have crashworthy tanks.”
The news outlet was unable to gain any other on-camera interviews from any other members of the FAA, but did ask FAA administrator Michael Huerta at a question and answer session about bringing in legislation on the matter. He answered: “This is something we are actually very focused on. I don’t have a specific answer in terms of when.”
9News suggests in its investigation that the issue may have to be taken up by US Congress if there is any chance of change.
Watch the full report here