03 JUN 2009 _______________________________________ * Nigeria: Air Safety - Weathering the Weather Factor * Next-Generation Checkpoint System * Pa. (US: Pennsylvania) Governor Announces Millions For Airport Safety, Improvement * Minute's silence on first A380 flight from Paris Click for more photos * Delta: Kenya says it is a travel advisory * Brazil: More debris from crashed jet found *************************************** Nigeria: Air Safety - Weathering the Weather Factor Hamisu Muhammad 2 June 2009 The recent plane crash in Indonesia that claimed about a hundred lives has once again thrown up the question of the safety of flying in Nigeria's skies. It is agreed however that total eradication of air crash exists only in utopian state, yet there is a meeting point among stakeholders and experts that it can be minimised to an 'acceptable' level. Air transport is recognised world over as the quickest, safest and most reliable means of movement from one continent to another. The world aviation safety regulator-International Civil Aviation Organisation and World Meteorological Organisation classified some skies as unsafe because some airports poor radar system and weather equipment. One of the greatest challenges in aviation safety is the weather- induced aviation disasters. These types of disasters usually occur as result of Wind shear, storms, and heavy rain fall. Wind Shear is a hazardous meteorological phenomenon caused by sudden changes in the wind speed and/or direction over a short distance and/or short period of time. Wind shear is particularly hazardous when it occurs at lower altitudes. Low Level Wind Shear has therefore been recognized as a potential hazard to the aircraft, especially during landing and take-off phases of aircraft. Also, weather imposes some dangers in aviation as convective weather systems are usually very severe in nature and pose very serious threat to both life and property especially in air craft operations. They are particularly hazardous to aircraft operations because of the down and updraft (wind systems) and lightning associated with such convective systems. In general, Weather is a significant factor affecting safety in the skies. Statistics indicate that weather contributes up to 30% of civil aviation accidents worldwide, either as a sole factor or among the causative factors. Beyond rhetoric, the question is what is Nigeria doing to clear it air from unwholesome 'potholes' and avoid weather induced crash? While critics say there is still room to entertain fear, pundits point to the recent installation of weather equipment in various airports in the country as succour. They say one of the strategies adopted by the Federal Government towards achieving safer skies over Nigeria is the strengthening of the operational capacity of our national weather service provider-the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET). This step has been applauded by many stakeholders in the aviation industry. With the support of the Federal Government, NIMET embarked on some safety-critical projects and has recorded substantial accomplishments since May 2007. Some stakeholders believed that with some of the initiatives being implemented by NIMET, Nigeria's skies will surely be among the world's best in the next few years. They say some of the safety-critical major projects that have been implemented by NIMET since May 2007, or are on-going include: (i) procurement and installation of 6 (six) Doppler Weather Radars (DWR); (ii) installation of low-level wind shear alert system (LLWAS) at three airports; (iii) procurement and installation of Upper Air sounding equipment; (iv) establishment of five (5) marine weather stations along Nigerian coasts; (v) installation of MeteoSat Second Generation (MSG) ground receiver at the four international airports; (vi) installation of thunderstorm detectors at six airports across the country. Some pertinent questions are: What are these equipments? How would they improve aviation safety in Nigeria? How far has government gone in implementing them? The Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) is a highly sophisticated weather monitoring equipment used for the detecting, tracking and monitoring convective systems such as severe storms, microburst, line squalls, wind shear, thunderstorms etc. It detects the location, severity, speed and direction of convective systems. Shipment from the factory of this equipment, according to the authorities is expected to commence in July this year and installation completed in January 2010. The six Doppler Weather Radars are to be located in Abuja, Kano, Lagos, Maiduguri, Port Harcourt and Yola. NIMET also said it is about to procure and install Low Level Wind shear Alert System (LLWAS) at some airports to detect wind shear. LLWAS is already installed in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Another critical project embarked upon for more accurate weather forecasts in the ongoing aviation sector transformation is the procurement and installation of Upper Air sounding equipment. With financial support from the Federal Government, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has completed the procurement and installation of Upper Air Sounding equipment at Lagos and Maiduguri within this year. The third Upper Air Sounding system for Enugu airport is expected to be delivered and installed by end of July 2009. Other initiatives that are being implemented by NIMET towards achieving safer skies over Nigeria include the establishment of a National Weather Forecasting and Research Centre in Abuja; installation of new conventional meteorological instruments in the NIMET's weather observatories nationwide to replace the obsolete ones, establishment of marine meteorological stations along the countries coastal belt; human capacity development, particularly for the professional cadre of NIMET. Ensuring safer skies bring socio-economic benefits to a country. Nigeria is hoping to diversify its economy from oil-dependent one to other sectors such as tourism, solid minerals and information technology. Tourism is one of the global means of generating revenue, and the sector can only take off fully if there the skies are safer. It is therefore necessary for government through the aviation ministry to ensure quick installation of such weather detection equipment. The aviation is capable to lead the way to meet the vision 20:2020 of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua. Whether President Umaru Musa Yar'adua government can weather the weather factor towards ensuring a safe air travel time would tell. http://allafrica.com/stories/200906030133.html *************************************** Wednesday, June 3, 2009 Next-Generation Checkpoint System Reveal Imaging Technologies has unveiled ArrayCT, a new x-ray detection system for screening baggage at the checkpoint. Unlike today's static x-ray checkpoints, which capture only two images of a stationary bag, Reveal ArrayCT uses multi-axis image acquisition and Array Motion Imaging to scan moving bags from multiple angles simultaneously. The resulting image enables the operator to identify threat objects by their shape, placement, and most importantly, relative motion. This capability, combined with ArrayCT's best-in-class material classification algorithms, improves operator effectiveness and results in greater efficiency. ArrayCT also can detect the multiple threats of liquids, explosives and laptops simultaneously without compromising security. ArrayCT is fully compatible with existing and planned checkpoint operations, making it a good choice for airport security checkpoints, border crossings, courthouses, police stations, office buildings, government facilities, military bases, critical infrastructure facilities and other public venues. In addition, ArrayCT complies with the requirements of leading international security standards organizations. http://www.aviationtoday.com/asw/topstories/Next-Generation-Checkpoint-Syste m_32594.html *************************************** Pa. Governor Announces Millions For Airport Safety, Improvement State Funds $3 Million Investment For 16 Pa. Airports UPDATED: 2:19 pm EDT June 2, 2009 HARRISBURG, Pa. -- State legislators have announced nearly $3 million in funding to help improve 16 airports in Pennsylvania. Gov. Ed Rendell said the money will be used to improve safety and facility maintenance. "Airports are important assets that can attract new business and create jobs," Rendell said in a news release. "We are making the smart investments necessary to increase economic vitality and facilitate the more than $12 billion in state revenue the aviation industry yields each year." Funding for the grants comes from the state's jet fuel tax and is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aviation. The grants leverage $904,800 in local matching funds. Public-use airports in the state are eligible for the aviation development program. The state has 134 public-use airports and heliports and 15 airports have scheduled commercial service. What follows is a listing of some of the local grant recipients: .Beaver County: Zelienople Municipal Airport -- $22,500 for a Remote Communications Outlet, which will allow pilots to communicate directly with Pittsburgh Air Traffic Control for safer departures. .Butler County: Butler Farm Show Airport -- $112,500 for the construction of security perimeter fencing. .Washington County: Finleyville Airport -- $127,500 to develop, design and construct a hangar, modernize the administration building, and upgrade the fuel farm's credit card system. http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/19634489/detail.html *************************************** Minute's silence on first A380 flight from Paris Click for more photos June 3, 2009 - 10:23AM The world's biggest passenger jet, the Airbus A380, made its first commercial flight to Paris on Monday when a Singapore Airlines flight arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport. The aircraft took off with almost every seat filled, and among the passengers were 35 members of the French national rugby team, travelling in business class for a tour of the Pacific region. The team's general manager Jo Maso said: "It is a great honour to inaugurate this aircraft, adding that he was "not worried at all" after the accident on Monday, and that "air travel is one of the safest ways of travelling." The spokesman for Singapore Airlines, which operated the flight, asked for a minute of silence for the 228 passengers and crew missing aboard an Air France Airbus airliner lost over the Atlantic Ocean on Monday. Most of the French officials invited, including Transport Minister Jean-Louis Borloo and the head of French airports operator ADP, Pierre Graff, cancelled their attendance at the event. The missing aircraft, an Airbus A330, had been due to arrive at the same airport on Monday morning on a flight from Brazil. The A380 superjumbo jet can carry up to 853 passengers. But Singapore Airlines has chosen to offer plenty of space, fitting the airliner with only 471 seats, in three classes: 12 suites with armchairs one metre (39 inches) wide that can be made to recline full length, 60 seats in business class and 399 in economy class. The spokesman said the plane had taken off with 93 percent of the seats filled and that nearly all of the seats in business and economy class had been sold. Boarding took longer for the flight out of Roissy than out of Singapore because only two gangways were provided instead of three to give access to the two decks. The process here took an hour instead of 40 minutes in Singapore. The airport authorities intend to make a third gangway available to reach the upper floor before March 2010. Singapore Airlines already runs A380 flights from Singapore to Sydney, London and Tokyo. The flight left Singapore on Monday at 2140 GMT and arrived in Paris at 0440 GMT. Singapore Airlines says it plans daily Singapore-Paris flights using A380s, of which it was the first airline to take delivery in October 2007. An airline source said there had been a delay in the delivery of one new A380 intended for the route. It has ordered 19 of the long range jets and has options for six others. Other airports that have received A380 aircraft are Sydney, London, Tokyo, Dubai, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Auckland, Toronto and Bangkok. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-news/minutes-silence-on-first-a380-fligh t-from-paris-20090603-buuv.html *************************************** Delta: Kenya says it is a travel advisory US ambassador Michael Ranneberger during a media briefing on the cancellation of Delta Airlines direct flights to Kenya. Foreign Affairs minister Moses Weteng'ula (right) said the action amounts to a travel advisory against Kenya. Photo/HEZRON NJOROGE By PETER LEFTIEPosted Wednesday, June 3 2009 at 13:48 In Summary .Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula summons US ambassador Michael Ranneberger to his office to demand an explanation. .He says the decision amounted to a travel advisory against Kenya, which he said could hurt the tourism sector. .Mr Ranneberger at pains to explain the last minute change, saying it was a "postponement" and that flights would resume "soon." The Kenya Government has reacted furiously to the US decision to cancel the maiden Delta Airlines flight to Nairobi. US direct flight cancelled over security fears; Security threat behind flight cancellation, say MPs Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula summoned US ambassador Michael Ranneberger Wednesday to demand an explanation to the abrupt cancellation of the Airlines' inaugural flight to Nairobi. "I have summoned the US ambassador to express our government's concern about the cancellation of the Delta flight and particularly the manner and the nature in which it was done," said Mr Wetang'ula. "Things can be done in a much better manner. Great friends like Kenya and America do not have to communicate through website postings." He asked the envoy to notify Washington of Kenya's displeasure and demand an explanation about the decision, terming it "unacceptable." He said the decision amounted to a travel advisory against Kenya, which he said could hurt the tourism sector at a time when the government was reaching out to US citizens to invest in the country. "This is unacceptable, it is a covert imposition of a travel advisory against Kenya, many tourists who are planning to come to Kenya could easily read the postings on the website and cancel their trips," the minister said. The US envoy confirmed that the Kenya government had addressed all the concerns raised by Washington to clear the way for Delta Airlines to start direct flights between the two countries. "We thank the government for enhancing security at the airport, we want American tourists to come to Kenya because it is a very safe destination," he said. The government's furious reaction stem from a decision by the United States Department of Homeland Security to cancel the Airlines maiden flight from Atlanta, Georgia in the US to Nairobi in order to seek more time to review the flights. A statement e-mailed to newsrooms by the US embassy in Nairobi on Tuesday evening attributed the decision to "last minute issues." Before summoning Mr Ranneberger to the news conference Wednesday morning, Mr Wetang'ula had indicated to journalists the steps Kenya had taken to ensure that it met all the security concerns raised by the US prior to the commencement of the flights. The minister also outlined to journalists the preparations which the government had put in place ahead of the maiden flight, including dispatching Prime Minister Raila Odinga to the US to sign two agreements in order to enable the flights to commence. He said the government had gone to the extent of dispatching Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere to Atlanta, Georgia to be in the inaugural flight to Nairobi, with a stopover in Dakar, Senegal. "Our minister (Mwakwere) who is in Washington was embarrassed alongside our ambassador (Peter Rateng Ogego) at the last minute when he was boarding a flight from Washington to Atlanta and was told not to go to Atlanta because there was no flight to Nairobi," a furious Wetang'ula complained to the envoy. Mr Ranneberger was at pains to explain the last minute change, saying it was a "postponement" and that flights would resume "soon." "I very much regret the manner in which the decision reached the government. I have spoke to the prime minister and I have emphasised that it is a postponement and that we will resume soon," he explained. "I have talked to Washington and to Delta and we are certain we'll have this resolved," he went on. http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/606184/-/ujr7j9/-/ *************************************** Brazil: More debris from crashed jet found AP - This photo taken Tuesday, June 2, provided by ECPAD, shows French army air crewman aboard an Atlantic . FERNANDO DE NORONHA, Brazil - A Brazilian air force spokesman says more debris from the crashed Air France jet has been spotted. The new debris includes what appears to be a seven-meter (23-foot) long chunk of the plane. But Col. Jorge Amaral says there were no obvious markings that would identify the jet. Amaral says no bodies were seen in the latest wreckage spotted about 90 kilometers (55 miles) south of where the main debris field lies. Also spotted were about 10 other metal objects and an oil slick stretching about 20 kilometers in the area. The main debris field lies about 400 miles (640 kilometers) northeast of the Fernando de Noronha islands off Brazil's northern coast. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/brazil_plane *************************************** Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC