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Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Okay, so this is incredible. Airline shrinks the coffee cups so small that they get stuck in the pilot's cupholder, so pilots stop using the cupholder, airline also didn't buy lids for the cups. Gee, what could possibly go wrong? https://www.scribd.com/document/425705609/AAIB-Bulletin-Coffee

9/13/2019, 11:24:09 AM

Favs: 12

Retweets: 5

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Seemingly unrelated "business decisions" can indeed have a material impact on overall operational safety and reliability!

9/13/2019, 11:24:09 AM

Favs: 2

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

And this is not the first time an airliner had to divert because a pilot's coffee spilled in to the electricals! https://avrodex.com/view/2016O3339

9/13/2019, 11:24:09 AM

Favs: 1

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Since I don't know anyone that would want to fly with an uncaffeinated pilot, it's clear to me that caffiene delivery mechanisms ought to be recognized as critical cockpit safety components. Cups, lids and cupholders must all be standardized and tested for compatibility.

9/13/2019, 11:24:10 AM

Favs: 2

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

The International Standards Organization has established a committee that apparently includes this objective in scope, and they've already published 27 Standards under the direct responsibility of ISO/TC 34/SC 15

9/13/2019, 11:24:10 AM

Favs: 0

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Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Their scope: "Standardization in the field of coffee and coffee products, covering the coffee chain from green coffee to consumption, in particular." ...

9/13/2019, 11:24:10 AM

Favs: 0

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

... "Standardization includes terminology, sampling, test methods and analysis, product specifications and requirements for packaging, storage and transportation"

9/13/2019, 11:24:10 AM

Favs: 0

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Hopefully, as Technical Programme Manager, @mnbourquin can take on this challenge and make a measureable positive difference to worldwide aviation safety.

9/13/2019, 11:24:11 AM

Favs: 0

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Maybe then I'd also be able to stop telling baristas "whatever your largest size is called, please give me that one"

9/13/2019, 11:24:11 AM

Favs: 2

Retweets: 0

Rob Russell

@www_ora_tion_ca

Two more incidents since this thread, and both of them on Airbus A350s! (Previous ones I linked were A330 and a Boeing 777)

In those past incidents, coffee knocked out communications gear, but in these two new incidents, the coffee shut down either one or both the engines.

    2/6/2020, 12:06:30 PM

    Favs: 2

    Retweets: 0

    Rob Russell

    @www_ora_tion_ca

    "To address these occurrences, Airbus published the AFM TR defining a liquid prohibited zone in the
    cockpit, and the procedures to be followed in the case of inadvertent liquid spillage on the centre
    pedestal."
    https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2020-0020-E

    2/6/2020, 12:06:31 PM

    Favs: 0

    Retweets: 0

    Rob Russell

    @www_ora_tion_ca

    Given the current state of flight crew fatigue risk, and given that the A350 can fly for 20 hours, you should pay extra special attention to whether your pilots are stepping out of the cockpit instead of skipping their coffee breaks entirely.

    2/6/2020, 12:06:31 PM

    Favs: 1

    Retweets: 0

    Rob Russell

    @www_ora_tion_ca

    Newsflash update! Airbus has designed a little drink umbrella to place over the throttles and protect them from coffee spillages.

    7/27/2020, 3:42:37 PM

    Favs: 0

    Retweets: 1

    Rob Russell

    @www_ora_tion_ca

    Here's the full Airworthiness Directive for the A350 that allows pilots to have coffee again (except during takeoff and landing) once this little drink umbrella is installed over the throttles: https://ad.easa.europa.eu/blob/EASA_AD_2020_0090_R1.pdf

    7/27/2020, 3:47:02 PM

    Favs: 1

    Retweets: 0

    Rob Russell

    @www_ora_tion_ca

    This is not a laughing matter!

    10/25/2020, 6:54:36 PM

    Favs: 4

    Retweets: 0