24 SEP 2009 _______________________________________ *FAA sees limited response for Babbitt's call to action *After US prod, DGCA cracks whip (India) *Boeing Starts Repairs on 787 *Crashed Airlink J41 pilots critically injured, aircraft identified *Plane toxins 'brain damage link' *FedEx Express Gets First Boeing 777 Freighter *O'Hare Airport hit for safety violations in FAA report *Japan Airlines requests bail-out *************************************** FAA sees limited response for Babbitt's call to action A lackluster response from airlines to FAA administrator Randy Babbitt's request that carriers adopt voluntary safety initiatives is fuelling greater sentiment in the US Congress that legislative action is necessary to improve aviation safety. Babbitt made the request of 105 airlines and a related request to eight unions in June following a fatal crash in February of a Colgan Air Bombardier Q400. He asked for a written outline of their commitment by 31 July; however, the FAA cannot require compliance with voluntary measures. "Three months later, less than half have responded to your [Babbitt's] request. A response of less than 50% to the FAA is exactly why we cannot rely on voluntary compliance," US Congressman Jerry Costello, chair of the House aviation subcommittee, said today during a hearing on the FAA's call to action on airline safety and pilot training. He adds that the response rate highlights the need for Congress to enact the Airline Safety and Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009. Introduced in the House in July, the legislation would require the FAA and airlines to enhance training and hiring requirements and fatigue countermeasures. Babbitt described the bill as "not necessary" in July. The US Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $15 million between 2010 and 2014. Regarding the response rate, the FAA is still collecting submissions because the agency did not specify to whom within the FAA airlines should submit information, Babbitt said during a recent media briefing. As a result, carriers sent their responses to various places within the agency. The FAA is double checking that it has received all submissions sent by carriers and unions, Babbitt explains. By the end of September the FAA will identify which carriers have and have not responded to Babbitt's request, the administrator said during today's hearing. In June FAA asked carriers to implement a policy of asking pilot job applicants for voluntary disclosure of all FAA records as the agency works with the Congress to update the Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 to possibly require airlines to seek such information. Further, Babbitt asked all airlines to participate in voluntary safety reporting schemes such as the Flight Operations Quality Assurance (FOQA) and the Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP). In addition to participating in FOQA and ASAP, Babbitt requested that carriers develop data analysis processes to ensure "effective use of this information". Babbitt also asked unions to publish a code of ethics and to establish professional standards and ethics committees to develop peer audit and review procedures. Labour groups were also asked to support periodic safety risk management meetings between FAA and mainline and regional carriers "to promote the most effective practices, including periodic analysis of FOQA and ASAP data with an emphasis on identifying enhancements to the training program", Babbitt said in his June letter to unions. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news **************** After US prod, DGCA cracks whip (India) | NEW DELHI: For once, big brother Uncle Sam's threat to downgrade Indian aviation to sub-Saharan African countries has meant tough times for desi airlines. To avoid being downgraded to level two from its current top rating, the government strengthened the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) week flight inspection systems. From four inspectors for India's burgeoning airline industry, the number went up to 32 in past five months, who in turn have so far conducted 2,500 checks and found a whopping 3,000 violations by airlines. As many as 87 actions have been taken so far against pilots, engineers and notices issued to airlines for these safety breaches. What's more, DGCA which was on Wednesday told by US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that it retains its top billing thanks to the massive steps taken to strengthen the regulator in past five months is going to conduct 1,800 more such checks to complete its target of 4,300 surveillance activities this year. So, airlines better be on guard as the directorate, led by its head Nasim Zaidi and key deputies A K Chopra and R P Sahi, is going to be doing surprise checks anywhere, anytime. Most of the violations detected were in areas of licensing of the crew, medical lapses, flight duty time limitations, maintenance and operations side. Cases like pilots not carrying licences or wearing specs despite being told by doctors were found. On maintenance side, stationary aircraft not being checked with tyres blocked or planes not being serviced as per latest manuals were detected, said sources. What surprised flight inspectors was the extent to which cash-strapped airlines go these days to defer expenditure. Aircraft can be released for operation if a non-vital part is not serviceable on the condition that the same is replaced or repaired within 10 days. To buy time, airlines take such a defective part from one plane after five to seven days and replace it with a good part from another aircraft in its fleet. The defective part is put on the other plane then to get additional 10 days to repair or replace it! A south Indian airline had repeated maintenance issue with the same aircraft for the same part. A north Indian airline did not have a flight despatch system in place that briefs pilots before each flight. It also did not have monitoring system in place in the cockpit to see if pilots remained within permissible limit of speed, height and other parameters during a flight, said sources. There were many instances of airlines repairing a certain part before a flight and same thing going for a toss on the next flight itself, raising questions over maintenance in these financially challenging times. The government has now vowed to have best possible flight inspection systems in place here so that airlines can't take any chance with safety, a process that has already begun. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/After-US-prod-DGCA-cracks-whip /articleshow/5048923.cms **************** Boeing Starts Repairs on 787 Workers at Boeing Co. in Everett, Wash., have begun fixing a flaw on the first 787 Dreamliner test aircraft in preparation for its long-delayed first flight later this year, a Boeing executive said Wednesday. Randy Tinseth, vice president for marketing at Boeing's commercial airplane unit wrote in a blog post that modifications to reinforce the areas where the plane's wings join its body had recently begun, three months after the company again abruptly postponed the Dreamliner's long-awaited test-flight program. The sophisticated, composite material aircraft is already more than two years behind schedule and Boeing has been rushing all summer to design, install and test a fix for the structural flaw discovered on the airplane in late May. In his blog post, Mr. Tinseth wrote that the modifications are underway on both the first test plane and the so-called "static airframe," an airplane that Boeing conducts all types of tests on, but that won't ever take a flight. He said modifications will soon begin on the other five 787 test aircraft, which are in various stages of final production. The modifications are expected to take about 30 days, which means the first Dreamliner could fly by late October or early November. At the same time, the company is moving to begin test-flying the revamped version of its iconic 747 jet, now dubbed the 747-8. The first of three 747-8 test aircraft is also supposed to fly by the end of the year. On Aug. 27, Boeing issued a revised flight-test and delivery schedule for the Dreamliner. Boeing now says the first test flight will happen sometime before the end of this year. That's more than two years behind September 2007 date Boeing had initially envisioned for the first test flight. The company now plans to deliver the first airline in the fourth quarter 2010. Eventually, Boeing plans to use six 787's in the test-flight program, which is expected to last up to a year. For months, Boeing had promised an accelerated test flight program of only eight to nine months, but recently gave itself extra leeway to handle any new problems that might crop up during the tests. Boeing last month said it would take a $2.5 billion write-off in the quarter that ends Sept. 30 relating to the Dreamliner program and said the first three test planes won't be sold to customers. They hope the remaining three can be sold as business jets. Originally, all six aircraft had airline customers. Earlier this month, the Chicago-based aerospace giant shuffled some of its top executives, replacing Scott Carson, who ran the commercial airplanes unit since 2006, with James Albaugh, the head of its defense unit. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125377290401736907.html?mod=googlenews_wsj ************* Crashed Airlink J41 pilots critically injured, aircraft identified South African regional carrier Airlink has identified the British Aerospace Jetstream 41 which crashed while departing Durban today. The aircraft is a 14-year old turboprop, registered ZS-NRM, last listed by Flight as being leased from Midlands Aviation. Both pilots on the positioning flight have been critically injured, says the carrier, while the flight attendant - the only other occupant - was seriously injured but is in a stable condition. The aircraft came down on school fields in the Merebank area, which lies off the end of runway 06. Weather data for the time of the accident, 08:00, shows weather conditions were good. Airlink says the crew reported engine loss shortly after take-off, as well as smoke from the rear of the Jetstream. The type is powered by two Honeywell TPE331s. It adds that a worker on the ground was slightly injured in the accident, and taken to hospital. The aircraft broke into at least three sections on impact, some 400m from the airport. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news ***** Date: 24-SEP-2009 Time: 08:00 Type: British Aerospace Jetstream 41 Operator: SA Airlink (Pty) Ltd Registration: ZS-NRM C/n / msn: 41069 Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Merebank, near Durban International Airport, KZN - South Africa Phase: Take off Nature: Ferry/positioning Departure airport: FADN (Durban) Destination airport: FAPM (Pietermaritzburg) Narrative: The aircraft was on a positioning flight, SA8911, from Durban International Airport to Pietermaritzburg. It has been reported that the aircraft suffered an engine failure on take off and that the crew declared an emergency. The aircraft then crashed onto a vacant lot and slid into primary school grounds at Merebank approximately 400m from the runway and broke up. The plane is said to have struck a municipal worker on the ground who was cleaning the street. The crew consisting of two pilots and a flight attendant were seriously injured and have been airlifted to the St Augustine's hospital by helicopter. The captain is in critical condition with serious leg injuries. The others were reported as being in stable condition. (aviation-safety.net) ************** Plane toxins 'brain damage link' Former pilot Tony Watson: 'I didn't think I was safe to fly any more' Toxins found in airliner air systems can be linked to the neurological symptoms suffered by some pilots, according to researchers. For years pilots and cabin crew have blamed their long-term exposure to jet engine fumes for symptoms such as memory loss and muscle spasms. Now a neurophysiologist says the symptoms can only be explained by exposure to onboard organophosphates. But aircraft makers BAE and Boeing say they meet health and safety standards. It is estimated that about one in 2,000 flights have the toxins present in their air supplies. As many as 200,000 British travellers could be exposed every year. 'Aerotoxic Syndrome' A few years ago American researchers found the organophosphates in the blood and fatty tissue of 26 pilots. It is our belief that air quality on airplanes is healthy and safe. Boeing spokesman 'Toxins ended my career' Now Dr Peter Julu, a consultant neurophysiologist at the Breakspear Clinic in Hertfordshire and Royal London Hospital, has conducted further tests on 18 pilots suffering from so-called Aerotoxic Syndrome - half from the US study and the others independently. He said: "The only connection I can derive from there is the organophosphate." 'Healthy and safe' In 2004, the British Airline Pilots Association highlighted two aircraft the BAE 146 and the Boeing 757 as causing the most problems. A spokesman for BAE said it has trialled a new air filtration system which is currently being fitted to aircraft. He said: "BAE systems regards the safety of its fleet of aircraft and those who operate them as of the utmost importance. "The air quality on the BAE 146 has been shown by independent studies to exceed all existing international standards." A Boeing spokesman said: " It is our belief that air quality on airplanes is healthy and safe. "This belief is based on a number of studies that show measured contaminant levels are generally low ad that health and safety standards are met." Professor Helen Muir, of Cranfield University, who has been researching fume events since 2008, said the link was not yet proven. She said: "There will be organophosphates on the flight deck, but what matters is, are they there in sufficient concentrations to potentially cause harm to people." The airline industry is awaiting the findings of Professor Muir's research. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8270972.stm *************** FedEx Express Gets First Boeing 777 Freighter Thirty B777 Freighters Ordered For Delivery Over The Next 10 Years FedEx Express unveiled its first Boeing 777 Freighter (777F) during ceremonies with The Boeing Company in Everett, Washington Tuesday. FedEx Express is the first U.S.-based global all-cargo freight airline to take delivery of the 777F, and has placed the largest order for the aircraft model to date. "The Boeing 777 is an extraordinary testament to our dedication to fleet enhancement, allowing FedEx Express to provide unmatched services to our customers around the world," said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Express. "Its payload capacity, range and environmental efficiencies create well-rounded, long-term strategic value for our company in meeting the global shipping demands of customers." Introduction of the 777F to the FedEx fleet of more than 650 aircraft expands what is already the world's largest cargo airline. Its international routes will provide service benefits to customers and enhance the efficiency of the FedEx Express global network. The 777F is the world's largest twin-engine cargo aircraft. Its flight range, the equivalent of about 6,675 land miles, or nearly three times the approximate distance between the east and west coasts of the U.S., is the longest of any two-engine freighter, with a payload capacity of 215,000 pounds (98 metric tons). This represents an increase in range of more than 2,400 miles and an additional 14,000 pounds of payload over the MD-11 freighter, which until now has been the primary long-haul aircraft in the company's fleet. The global freighter's range enables FedEx Express to fly between major markets and hubs in Asia, Europe and the U.S. with more freight and in less time than it takes today, allowing later cut-off times for customers in the markets to drop off their shipments. For example, 777F transit times from points in Asia to the U.S. will be from one to three hours faster than those of the MD-11. In addition to service enhancements the aircraft provides for our customers, the freighter also delivers noteworthy environmental benefits and efficiencies: .Uses 18 percent less fuel than an MD-11; .State-of-the-art engine technology reduces emissions 18 percent; .Advanced noise-reduction technology meets airport noise standards and makes landings and takeoffs quieter; .Has lower maintenance and operating costs than other aircraft in its class. "The 777F is a game-changer," said Michael L. Ducker, president, International, FedEx Express. "Its operational efficiencies and environmental benefits alone are impressive, but combine those advantages with the service improvements it delivers and FedEx will be able to take international shipping to another level. Our customers around the world will benefit from more point-to-point routes and the shorter flight times, increasing their competitiveness in the global marketplace." By April 2010, FedEx Express plans to have four 777Fs serving routes between Asia and the U.S. In all, there will be 15 777Fs in the company's fleet by the end of fiscal 2014; FedEx Express also has a second order of 15 777Fs, which will be delivered between fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2019, and holds options on 15 more 777Fs. FMI: www.boeing.com aero-news.net *************** O'Hare Airport hit for safety violations in FAA report Tribune exclusive FAA's warning notice lists hazards that endanger takeoffs and landings Federal inspectors found numerous violations at O'Hare International Airport that endanger airplanes at the most critical phases of flight -- takeoffs and landings, officials said Wednesday. The safety breaches, uncovered by the Federal Aviation Administration during routine inspections last month at O'Hare, range from debris on runways to excessive amounts of tall grass and weeds that create hazards for planes by attracting birds and other wildlife. A warning notice from the FAA to Chicago said the inspections show that O'Hare is seriously out of compliance with federal aviation law. The notice, called a "letter of correction," also chastised the Chicago Department of Aviation for what the federal agency called a pattern of false statements in its self-inspection program. "The daily self-inspection records do not reflect actual conditions in the field, violations have not been noted on the self-inspection records that are evident in the field," said the FAA letter, which was obtained by the Tribune. Most of the violations have already been corrected, and the rest, involving the training of workers driving on the airfield and filing accurate self-inspection reports, will be resolved by the end of November, said Karen Pride, spokeswoman for the Aviation Department. An object as small as a stone on a runway can pose a danger to flight by being ingested into aircraft jet turbines or piercing a fuel tank and sparking an explosion and fire. Yet FAA inspectors found rocks, garbage and wood survey stakes used during construction on runways and taxiways at O'Hare. Collisions between aircraft and birds are a constant threat to safety at airports like O'Hare that are surrounded by woods and waterways. The FAA has told aviation officials nationwide to practice extreme vigilance in controlling bird populations in the wake of a US Airways jetliner crash-landing in New York's Hudson River in January after flying into geese as the plane climbed up from LaGuardia Airport. All on board survived. The problems at O'Hare the FAA cited in its warning notice are considered major violations -- not just housekeeping issues -- because airfields are supposed to be sterile environments free of debris and other hazards that could interfere with flights. The FAA inspectors determined that the wildlife hazard management program at O'Hare "is not being complied with regarding 6" grass height and modification of vegetation on the airfield." "All paved surfaces should be free of any type of vegetation at all times," said the report written by Tricia Halpin, a FAA airport certification safety inspector. During an inspection of O'Hare's newest runway that opened last year, the FAA found rocks and construction debris in the safety areas at the ends of the runway, on the airport's northern sector. It is important that safety areas be maintained as pristinely as runways because they are used in emergencies when planes overrun the runway during landing or must abort a takeoff and need additional pavement to stop safely. Inspectors also identified "potentially hazardous ruts, humps (and) depressions" on the surface of the new pavement in the safety areas of the runway. The FAA inspectors uncovered similar problems on O'Hare's longest runway that serves the largest commercial planes carrying hundreds of passengers. Other violations the FAA cited include incomplete training of personnel working on the airfield and record-keeping problems. One violation reported included instances in which airport workers were allowed to drive vehicles on the airfield without receiving all of the required training, officials said. Recurrent driver training and testing were also being put off for "numerous employees" until the final weeks before the expiration of the drivers' badges allowing them to operate vehicles on the airfield, the FAA said. In some areas where the FAA spotted lapses in airport operations, including daily field inspections and garbage removal, the inspectors said the problems reflect "insufficient or unqualified personnel to comply with the regulation. Additional training is needed." Chicago Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino was out of town Wednesday and unavailable for comment, Pride said. But Andolino and other city aviation officials are taking the FAA warning very seriously, Pride said. "The highest priority we have at the airport is safety and the cleanliness of the runways and the taxiways," she said. All airport operations supervisors will be required to view instructional videos on how to properly conduct self inspections, Pride said. In addition, O'Hare recently added extra inspections of all taxiways and runways, she said. O'Hare air-traffic controller Craig Burzych said he noticed that in the last week the city has temporarily shut down runways for up to 45 minutes at a time during daylight hours to carry out major inspections for debris. "They said they were missing things at night," said Burzych, who is a runway safety representative at O'Hare for the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. Andolino took over responsibility for O'Hare and Midway Airport this year when Mayor Richard Daley promoted her to a dual city aviation post. Andolino, 42, already served as director since 2003 of the O'Hare Modernization Program, a $15 billion runway expansion project. Some airline officials who have worked closely with Andolino on O'Hare expansion questioned the move to have one individual in charge of two very complex and time-consuming programs. Daley said that when he expanded Andolino's responsibilities in February, it made sense to consolidate all aviation activities. But the findings in the new FAA inspections raise doubts about the ability of Andolino and her department heads to provide sufficient oversight on daily maintenance issues and operations at O'Hare, officials said. "It's hard to tell whether the airport management in Chicago has not been keeping up with the physical plant. But this is a shot across the bow of the airport to get its act together," said Frank Ayers, executive vice president at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's campus in Prescott, Ariz. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ohare-runways-24-sep24,0,6297221.stor y *************** Japan Airlines requests bail-out The airline had said it expected to make a heavy loss this year Loss-making carrier Japan Airlines (JAL) has asked for a government bail-out to help it survive. JAL president Haruka Nishimatsu made the requests after meeting Japan's new transport minister. He also proposed a more drastic restructuring. The airline recently announced plans to cut 6,800 jobs. JAL's shares had already tumbled 18% to a record low on rumours that it was seeking public money, or that it might seek to break up the company. Tie-up hopes "Ultimately, we think that the use of more funds will reduce our debts to the public," Mr Nishimatsu said. He made the comments to reporters after meeting Transport Minister Seiji Maehara, who took over the role after the Democratic Party took charge of the government. Mr Nishimatsu plans to apply for public funds under the industrial revitalisation law. The law means that companies need to obtain approval from the government to restructure. They can then apply for loans from banks, which are backed by the Japanese government's wholly-owned Japan Finance Corp. Media reports recently have said that several US and European airlines - including Air France-KLM, Delta Airlines and American Airlines - are in the running to take a stake in JAL and expand into Asia via code-sharing agreements. Mr Nishimatsu said last week that he hoped JAL would have a deal in place with an international carrier by the middle of October. Sector suffers The airline industry as a whole has suffered in the global downturn, hit by a combination of falling passenger numbers and high oil prices. The International Air Transport Association (Iata) has increased its forecast for losses across the whole industry to $11bn for 2009, from the $9bn it predicted earlier this month. Airlines have already lost $6bn in the first half of the year alone, Iata said, with Asian airlines among the hardest hit. In the Asia-Pacific region, Iata predicts airlines will report losses of $3.6bn for 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8272234.stm *************** Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC