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Published For & By The Midwest Aviation Community Since 1978midwestflyer.comJune/July 2011Flight SafetyWhat Does Roger Really Mean?” FAA Notice Number: NOTC3893For most of us, we learned touse the word “Roger” early inour aviation career. We learnedthat it simply means that we heard andunderstand what the other person said.We were clearly taught that it connotesno permission or authorizations. Forwhatever reason, we then go on withour flying and hardly ever use thatword.So what happens when we have aproblem on the airfield and we tell ATCthat we need to do something and theysay “Roger?” What does that mean?Here is an example.A Cessna-210 received ATCclearance to taxi via Taxiway Julietteand cross Runway 1/19. Enroute,the C-210 pilot advised ATC thatthe aircraft just blew a tire. The pilotrequested to exit the aircraft to inspectthe wheel. The tower authorized thepilot’s request and asked the pilot toBig Plane Problemsadvise if he needed help.At this time, a C-172 reportedinbound with a request for full stoplandings or touch-and-goes on Runway1. The tower cleared the C172 asrequested. (Can you see the runwayincursion scenario developing?)The C-210 pilot came back on thefrequency stating he had a wheel comeapart. The tower asked his intentions,and the C210 pilot said if he movedthe aircraft it would do damage andrequested to go to an FBO. (Gettingto the FBO from the damaged C-210would require a runway crossing.) Thetower responded “Roger.” The pilotresponded, “Thank you very much.”The tower then observed two menon foot walking towards the runway.The tower called the C-210 severaltimes with no response. The tower,after observing the men crossing theactual runway, told the inbound C-172to go around and enter right traffic forRunway 1, later changing clearance toland on Runway 5.It appears to me that with theadditional stress caused by the blowntire, when the pilot made his request togo to the FBO, he expected the towerto give him a “Yes” or a “No,” andwhen the tower replied with a simple,“Roger,” he forgot his early training that“Roger” is not an authorization – andstarted hiking! Fortunately, the pilot ofthe C-172 executed a proper go-aroundand landed safely on another runway.The Aeronautical InformationManual is the authoritative source forproper aviation communications: http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/. But most of all, rememberyour early training – “Roger” onlymeans that someone heard what wassaid; it does not give authority to dosomething (www.FAASafety.gov). qAirbus & Boeing Production Rates Straining Supply ChainFARNBOROUGH, UK – Airbusand Boeing are gearing up to roll outlarge commercial jetliners in everincreasingquantities over the next 10years, according to a new report fromForecast International, but componentsuppliers may not be able to keep upwith demand. Adding to the pressureon suppliers is the fact that Airbusand Boeing are shifting their focusSUBSCRIBEOFFEREXPIRES DEC. 31, 201262 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2012 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINEMfrom manufacturing to integration,and are looking to outsource moredesign and production responsibilities.But how fast and high to increaseproduction is a tricky proposition forthe two companies. In addition to thevulnerability of their supply chains,another concern is the overall health ofthe airline industry.Airbus and Boeing have considerableIDWEST FLYERName________________________________________Street________________________________________City__________________ State_____ Zip___________AGAZINE$19. 00 One Year (6 Issues)$29. 00 TwO Years (12 Issues)subscribe atwww.midwestflyer.comor complete& return this form toMidwest Flyer MagazineP.O. BOx 199OregOn, wi 53575-0199incentive to keep production rateshigh and growing. The two companieshold large numbers of unfilledorders, but this means long waitingtimes for customers to take deliveryof their aircraft, which often resultsin considerable frustration for thesecustomers. A lack of early deliveryslots could also tempt potential buyersto take a serious look at new aircraftemerging from manufacturers outsideof the Airbus/Boeing duopoly. Suchaircraft include the Bombardier CSeries,the COMAC C919, and the IrkutMC-21.Forecast International’s newlyreleased “The Market For LargeCommercial Jet Transports” projectsthat 14,655 large commercial airlinerswill be produced in the 10-year periodfrom 2012 to 2021. The Connecticutbasedmarket research firm estimatesthe value of this production at $2.04trillion in constant 2012 U.S. dollars(www.forecastinternational.com). q