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Air carrier captain laments new company policy that does not require a two way radio check when pre flighting the HF radios.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 978936 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201111 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Commercial Fixed Wing |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Parked |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 250 Flight Crew Total 19000 Flight Crew Type 4000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | No Specific Anomaly Occurred All Types |
Narrative:
I am writing to state that I believe the new procedures for checking the HF radios on the ground is asking for trouble. While on the ground; the procedure mandates that only the receive function of the radio works properly. At no time does the procedure ask that pilots to either tune the radio or actually check to see if they are able to transmit. Several times in the last few years; I have had HF radios that would only receive but not transmit. Each time; this was determined during the ground test where maintenance was able to fix the problem. During my recent flights since the procedure changed; I had my first officers check to see if the radios were able to transmit as well (being cognizant of fueling operations; of course). I believe that this change in procedure is; once again; lowering the level of safety. What possible reason would management have for not wanting to make sure these radios work prior to flight? Aren't HF radios required for all polar operations? This is nuts.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Air Carrier Captain laments new company policy that does not require a two way radio check when pre flighting the HF radios.
Narrative: I am writing to state that I believe the new procedures for checking the HF radios ON THE GROUND is asking for trouble. While on the ground; the procedure mandates that only the receive function of the radio works properly. At no time does the procedure ask that pilots to either tune the radio or actually check to see if they are able to transmit. Several times in the last few years; I have had HF radios that would only receive but not transmit. Each time; this was determined during the ground test where Maintenance was able to fix the problem. During my recent flights since the procedure changed; I had my First Officers check to see if the radios were able to transmit as well (being cognizant of fueling operations; of course). I believe that this change in procedure is; once again; lowering the level of safety. What possible reason would management have for not wanting to make sure these radios work prior to flight? Aren't HF radios REQUIRED for all Polar Operations? This is nuts.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.