13 JAN 2009 _______________________________________ *AAMS to Participate in NTSB Medical Helicopter Safety Hearings *AAIB issues report on landing difficulties due to runway friction problems at Br *Brazil's Embraer delivered 204 jets in 2008 *Foreign pilots to fly Turkish Airlines *French Concorde Crash Manslaughter Trial To Begin In Feb 2010 *Indian flights to US score low on safety *One Jetliner Narrowly Misses Another At Charlotte Airport *The Fatigue Factor - FAA Sets Rules for Staying Sharp in the Cockpit *************************************** AAMS to Participate in NTSB Medical Helicopter Safety Hearings The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) has been invited to participate in upcoming National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearings that will examine the safety of medical helicopters. The hearings, scheduled for Feb. 3-6 in Washington, D.C., are being held in response to an increase in fatal medical helicopter crashes in the past year. "AAMS is deeply saddened by the recent accidents and incidents in air medical transport, and my heart goes out to the victims and their families," said AAMS President Sandy Kinkade. "This is clearly an unacceptable trend that cannot continue, and it is our hope that the NTSB hearings will shed further light on the complex contributing factors, with the goal of making future air medical transport as safe as possible." To assist in that effort, AAMS has taken several proactive steps, including coordinating meetings between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and air medical industry aviation experts, and holding a full-day Safety Summit last July aimed at identifying and incorporating effective cultural and operational safety enhancements. More importantly, the association has been working toward improved access to and practical implementation of several enhanced safety technologies, including Night Vision Goggles (NVG's), Helicopter Terrain Alert Warning Systems (H-TAWS), Cockpit and/or Flight Data Recording Devices and similar in-flight systems. To that end, AAMS also supports proposed legislation in Congress that addresses key safety-enhancement application issues and related funding concerns. Still other AAMS-supported initiatives include improving the low-altitude aviation infrastructure by expanding the Airport Improvement Program to include private-use hospital helipads, regional airports and other routinely utilized locations; and directing more FAA funding and research toward expanding the capacity of low-altitude, off-airport weather reporting. AAMS believes these goals can be achieved by increasing the number of automated weather observation stations (AWOS), helping to improve hospital helipads and supporting such technologies as the Helicopter Emergency Medical Systems (HEMS) Weather Tool (www.weather.aero/hems/), a free online device that fills in weather reporting "gaps" via an algorithm that assesses cloud ceilings and visibility between AWOS systems. "The role of AAMS in this process is to ensure that the safest and most practical solutions are implemented," said Kinkade. "Because some of these technologies include access, funding and other issues, and are not always one-size-fits-all, it's important to build flexibility into their implementation, along with timelines adapted to regulatory oversight and procedures." About AAMS The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is the trade association serving the entire air and critical care ground medical transport community. AAMS, together with its charitable arm, the Foundation for Air Medical Research and Education (FARE), strives to enhance the medical transport industry by promoting the highest level of industry safety; promoting quality patient care; inspiring commitment to the industry's work, causes, and viability; and providing superior service to its members.For details, see http://www.aams.org/. http://www.verticalmag.com/control/news/templates/?a=9681&z=6 *************** AAIB issues report on landing difficulties due to runway friction problems at Br The AAIB released the final report on their investigation of several incidents at Bristol International Airport. Resurfacing and re-profiling work was taking place on parts of the runway at BIA as part of a major project to resurface the manoeuvring area pavements, and sections of the runway surface were ungrooved 'base course' asphalt. From 14 November 2006, there were reports from flight crew of a variety of problems related to the friction characteristics of the temporary runway surface, though no serious incidents occurred until 29 December 2006. On that day, the flight crew of G-XLAC (a Boeing 737-81Q) experienced poor stopping performance during landing. Later that day, the flight crew of G-BWDA (an ATR-72-202) experienced stopping and lateral control difficulties during landing, and the aircraft departed the runway surface and came to rest on the grass area at the side of the runway. Later still, the flight crew of G-EMBO (an EMB-145EU) experienced lateral control difficulties during landing, and the aircraft partially left and then regained the runway. On 3 January 2007, another flight crew, also operating G-XLAC, experienced poor stopping performance. The airport was subsequently closed whilst grooves were cut in the base course. After it re-opened there were no further incidents. The investigation identified the following causal factors: 1. Reduced friction on the wet ungrooved base course sections of the runway caused flight crews to experience reduced braking action and reduced lateral controllability on landing in strong crosswinds; 2. The Flight Operations Department Communication (FODCOM) advice published by the CAA regarding operations on runways notified 'slippery when wet', in wet conditions, was not communicated by operators to flight crews; 3. The passing, by ATC, of braking action reports based on Mu-meter friction assessments, gave flight crews a false confidence in the braking action available on the wet runway. The investigation identified the following contributory factor: 1. G-BWDA landed in a crosswind outside the operator's published limits and the subsequent use of reverse thrust was contrary to the advice contained in the company's Operations Manual. The AAIB has made five Safety Recommendations. (AAIB) (aviation-safety>net) *************** Brazil's Embraer delivered 204 jets in 2008 SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) - Brazil's Embraer delivered 204 jet planes last year, a 21 percent increase over the 169 jets delivered to buyers a year earlier, the company said Monday. Empresa Brasileira Aeronatica SA also said in a statement that it had $20.9 billion in firm orders for its planes as of Dec. 31. Embraer's deliveries last year included 162 midsize jets used mostly for regional routes, 36 executive jets and six jets for military and government customers. The company is the world's fourth-largest plane maker after U.S.-based Boeing Co., Europe's Airbus and Canada's Bombardier Inc. Embraer's American depository shares in New York fell 4.8 percent, or 88 cents to $17.40. ************* Foreign pilots to fly Turkish Airlines ISTANBUL - To satisfy a growing demand, Turkish Airlines, or THY, is turning to foreign pilots for the first time in the history of the airline. The THY administration cannot find Turkish pilots to keep up its growing fleet. THY, which has enjoyed enormous growth in the last five years, now has a total of 127 aircraft. THY announced that it was looking for new foreign pilots on its Web site. Prospective pilots must have a 8,000 flying hours, 3,000 of which must be as a capitan. The contracts will last for around 18 months. http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/10763981.asp?scr=1 *************** French Concorde Crash Manslaughter Trial To Begin In Feb 2010 PARIS (AFP)--The trial of U.S. airline Continental Airlines Inc. (CAL) and two of its employees for manslaughter over the crash of a Concorde airliner in 2000 will start in February next year, prosecutors said Monday. A former French civil aviation official and two senior members of the Concorde program will be tried on the same charge before a criminal court in Pontoise, outside Paris. The New York-bound Concorde crashed in a ball of fire shortly after takeoff from Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on July 25, 2000, killing all 109 people on board and four workers on the ground. The trial of Continental Airlines and the five defendants will open Feb. 2, 2010, the Pontoise prosecutor said. A French accident inquiry concluded in December 2004 the disaster was partly caused by a strip of metal that fell on the runway from a Continental Airlines DC-10 plane that took off just before the supersonic airliner. The Concorde ran over the super-hard titanium strip, which shredded one of its tires, causing a blowout and sending debris flying into an engine and a fuel tank. Continental Airlines is charged over a failure to properly maintain the aircraft along with two U.S. employees: John Taylor, a mechanic who allegedly fitted the non-standard strip, and airline chief of maintenance Stanley Ford. The former Concorde officials and French aviation boss are also accused of failing to detect and set right faults on the supersonic aircraft. Henri Perrier was director of the first Concorde program at Aerospatiale, now part of the EADS group, from 1978 to 1994, while Jacques Herubel was Concorde's chief engineer from 1993 to 1995. Both men are accused of ignoring warning signs from prior incidents on the Concorde, which suffered 67 tire blowouts or wheel damage during its 27 years of service, piercing the fuel tanks in seven cases. Finally Claude Frantzen, director of technical services at the civil aviation authority DGAC from 1970 to 1994, is accused of overlooking a fault on Concorde's distinctive delta-shaped wings, which held its fuel tanks. *************** Indian flights to US score low on safety MUMBAI: India faces the threat of being downgraded by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for consistently not adhering to the safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The result of the downgrade will mean that airlines like Jet Airways and Air India, which operate to and from the US, will face stringent security checks when planes land there. "The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is lobbying hard with the FAA to buy six months' time to fall in line with the ICAO norms and prevent India from being downgraded from Category 1 to Category 2," said a source, adding that the FAA team was in Delhi last week as part of its international aviation safety assessment programme. Category 2 nations are those that violate ICAO norms. As a Category 2 nation, India will join the ranks of Serbia, the Ukraine, Indonesia, Guyana and the like. Pakistan and China are in Category 1. If downgraded, Air India and Jet will not be able to change or expand their US schedules. Also, other airlines will be unable to start operations there. If there are violations in the case of any Air India or Jet plane, the aircraft can be impounded and a heavy fine levied. Capt A Ranganathan, an air safety consultant, said, "It's not surprising that the FAA wants to downgrade India. For the last four years, we have not been conforming to ICAO standards and the DGCA has not been functioning as a regulator. For instance, Indian carriers have done three wrong runway landings in the past one-and-a-half years. This could have been prevented had the DGCA carried out proper safety audits." DGCA Nazim Zaidi, who took over recently from Kanu Gohain, was unavailable for comment despite several attempts to contact him. In 2006, the ICAO itself had conducted a safety audit of India and found several violations. "India got two out of ten for technical personnel qualification and training, while the global average was four. In safety oversight functions, it got four out of ten while the global average was six," said a source. Ranganathan said, "Falling below the global average means that India has not been carrying out safety audits at the required time and with the required frequency." A safety audit confirms if the airline conforms to rules on cockpit crew flying hours, the validity of licences, proficiency checks, updated flight manuals and documents, periodic maintenance and aircraft schedules. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Indian_flights_to_US_score_low_on_safety/ articleshow/3970269.cms ************** One Jetliner Narrowly Misses Another At Charlotte Airport CHARLOTTE - Authorities said two airplanes avoided a collision at a North Carolina airport when a jetliner that was landing pulled up to avoid a plane on the runway. The Charlotte Observer reported that the America West Airlines Airbus A321 aborted a landing and circled for another try Sunday at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen in Atlanta said the procedure isn't uncommon. She said quick reaction by air traffic controllers and the pilots kept passengers out of danger. Bergen also said the "go-round" procedure probably happens once or twice a day at the airport. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28619521/ ************* Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL) has named Brian T. Hunt to the new position of Vice President and General Counsel. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. is the parent company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and Colgan Air, Inc. Hunt joins Pinnacle after an 18-year career at ATA Airlines where he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. His previous experience includes private practice at Baker & Daniels, LLP and Riley Bennett & Egloff, LLP, both in Indianapolis. "Brian's broad legal experience in the airline industry makes him a valuable addition to our team," said Philip H. Trenary, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. "Brian's expertise will be invaluable as we execute our strategy to address the issues of an ever changing airline environment." Hunt is a native of Cleveland, Ohio. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Dayton and his law degree at Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis. About Pinnacle Airlines Corp. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ: PNCL), an airline holding company, is the parent company of Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. and Colgan Air, Inc. Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. operates a fleet of 139 regional jets in the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Turks and Caicos Islands as Northwest Airlink and Delta Connection. Colgan Air, Inc. operates a fleet of 51 regional turboprops as Continental Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. Pinnacle Airlines Corp. operating units fly over 1,000 daily flights and transport 13 million passengers a year to 144 cities and towns in North America. The corporate headquarters is located in Memphis, Tenn. Airport hub operations are located in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Newark, Washington Dulles, Houston, LaGuardia, Memphis and Minneapolis. Visit www.pncl.com for more information. http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0465424.htm ************** The Fatigue Factor - FAA Sets Rules for Staying Sharp in the Cockpit Seven U.S. airlines have filed an appeal to stop new Federal Aviation Administration rules that more strictly regulate the quality of rest crews get on ultra-long flights. As the debate on whether or not the proposed rules are legitimate, some historical perspective might shed some insight. The FAA wants crews on aircraft that fly non-stop 14 hours or more to have separate rest areas. It also wants to put more pilots on those airplanes. The landscape is laced with examples of crew fatigue contributing to accidents. Some of the flights were short-hauls, other transoceanic sojourns. Regardless, the common contributor in the crashes was fatigue. Consider two of the more prominent accidents: June 1, 1999, American Airlines Flight 1420 from Dallas/Fort Worth to Little Rock crashed on landing in bad weather, killing the captain and ten passengers. The MD-82 was destroyed. On the cockpit voice recorder, shortly before the crash, the captain tells his first officer, "This is a can of worms." A bit later-in searching out the runway-the first officer tells the captain, "We're way off." The captain replies, "I can't see it." Seconds later, the first officer says, "We're sliding." Then, the first sound of im pact. The National Transportation Safety Board www.ntsb.gov concluded that, "Contributing to the accident were the flight crew's impaired performance resulting from fatigue;" August 6, 1997, Korean Air Flight 801 from Seoul to Guam crashed on landing in bad weather, killing 228. The well-respected captain of the 747-recipient of an earlier safety award for his airmanship-was in need of real rest. NTSB says the pilot's fatigue contributed to the accident. While it's important to differentiate between "duty-time" issues (which contributed to these accidents), and crew rest accommodations on board aircraft, the fact remains that fatigue can be deadly. In their lawsuit, the airlines contend that there's no "conclusive evidence" that the older crew rest provisions which the new rules seek to replace contribute to fatigue or hurt safety. Underpinning the carriers' opposition to FAA's new rule is money. Cash-strapped carriers, not yet recovered from last summer's staggering fuel bills, say there are "significant costs" entailed in-among other things-fitting more airliners with crew-rest areas. http://news.cheapflights.com/airlines/2009/01/the-fatigue-factor-faa-sets-ru les-for-staying-sharp-in-the-cockpit.html ***************