19 NOV 2009 _______________________________________ *Bills seek ban of pilots' use of electronic devices in cockpit *Airbus Takes On Test-Flight Hazards *Qantas A330 upset inquiry considers cosmic particle strike *Pass for Cyprus for Aviation Safety *NTSB Chairman James E. Hall to Be of Counsel to Seward Square Group *Airlink suffers again as Jetstream veers off runway *Allegiant Air jet makes emergency landing *Six survive as Careflight jet forced to ditch off Norfolk Island (Australia) *Alaska plane makes emergency landing *************************************** Bills seek ban of pilots' use of electronic devices in cockpit By Alan Levin, USA TODAY When two airline pilots flew past their destination last month because they were intently focused on their laptops, several lawmakers likened it to drivers trying to text behind the wheel, and they introduced bills to ban personal electronic devices from the cockpit. Airlines and pilots have objected strongly to the proposals, saying they could stifle technology innovation and hinder attempts to add long-sought safety equipment on planes. Such a law could have "grotesque consequences" by preventing pilots from having the latest technology, said Scott Schleiffer, a cargo pilot who has worked on safety issues for the Air Line Pilots Association. "We would like to have access to tools, and as tools evolve, we would like to have better tools," Schleiffer said. The airlines' Washington-based trade group, the Air Transport Association, also opposes the legislation. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Randy Babbitt said, "We need to be very careful" before banning electronic devices. Federal rules already prohibit pilots from not paying attention to their duties, he said. The controversy over technology in the cockpit comes at a pivotal time: scores of airlines are on the verge of adding new electronic devices into aircraft. These computer-driven devices will replace paper maps and manuals, provide better weather information and improve safety on airport grounds. In many cases, the devices are essentially identical to what the Northwest Airlines pilots were using on Oct. 21 as they failed to hear air-traffic instructions and flew 150 miles past their destination in Minneapolis. JetBlue Airways, for example, issues its pilots laptops, which perform landing and takeoff calculations and hold electronic copies of its extensive flight manuals. The airline prohibits personal use of the laptops and trains pilots not to let them become distracting, said Capt. Bill Allen, director of Fleet Programs and Standards at JetBlue. In recent years, five airlines have received federal funding to put electronic devices in cockpits, and the FAA plans to help fund two other carriers, said spokeswoman Alison Duquette. Other carriers, such as Continental Airlines, say they are adding such devices. After the Northwest pilots revealed they were on their laptops, it prompted a firestorm of criticism. Two bills to ban the practice were introduced in the Senate on Nov. 5. One bill, the Distracted Flying Act, was sponsored by Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., chairman of the transportation committee, and Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., chairman of the aviation subcommittee, along with three other senators. The proposals include exemptions that would allow electronic devices and computers that are used to operate the aircraft or to enhance safety. Even with the exemptions, airlines and pilots said, the legislation is unnecessary and could hinder technology expansion. The law "would be counterproductive to safety and efficiency," said Basil Barimo, vice president of operations and safety at the Air Transport Association. Despite the sophistication of modern airline jets, they mostly are not equipped with the computers and internet connections that people increasingly take for granted. A pilot can get better weather information from his or her iPhone than from equipment on the plane, for example. Portable computers can also improve safety at airports. One of the reasons planes collide on runways is that pilots regularly get lost while taxiing in darkness or fog. The FAA has begun encouraging airlines to install maps showing pilots their precise position at an airport. If this equipment is installed into existing cockpit displays, it can cost more than $100,000 per plane. A portable laptop displaying the same thing costs a fraction as much, the FAA says. http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-11-18-laptops-ban-pilots_N.htm ************** Airbus Takes On Test-Flight Hazards Plane Maker Revises Rules for Its Crews, Advises Airlines on Standards By ANDY PASZTOR European aircraft maker Airbus is ratcheting up efforts to cope with a growing aviation hazard: poorly executed flight tests of jetliners emerging from major overhauls. Spurred by a pair of recent flight-test accidents in France and a near-crash in Britain, Airbus says it has revised rules for its own cockpit crews, who are responsible for checking the safety of newly delivered and overhauled planes. In 2007, an Airbus jet being delivered to Etihad Airways crashed into a barrier during ground tests. .Airbus also is helping its customers around the world develop tougher standards for how airline pilots should conduct tests to verify proper operation of aircraft following extensive maintenance. Safety experts say the effort, outlined at an aviation-safety conference in Beijing this month, seeks to address the problem of pilots getting into trouble when computers or other systems act up during airborne checks of increasingly complex and automated airliners. According to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, over one-quarter of commercial-aircraft crashes since the late 1990s involved some type of testing or ferry flights without passengers. Based on such statistics and recent examples, French accident investigators earlier this year urged European airlines and regulators to develop more-stringent rules and procedures for conducting those kinds of flights. Flight tests are essential after extensive overhauls, called "heavy checks," because the guts of the aircraft-from miles of wiring to cockpit instruments-are pulled out and either refurbished or replaced.The aluminum shells are painstakingly inspected for cracks, engines are taken off and flight-control surfaces are removed Once the work is finished, the aircraft must be tested and flown without passengers to ensure its parts have been reassembled correctly and all systems work as intended. While some airlines such as UAL Corp.'s United Airlines and AMR Corp.'s American Airlines rely on specially trained and designated "check" crews for such flights, other airlines assign regular pilots to verify the plane is safe to resume flying passengers. In revising its rules, Airbus built on lessons learned from a pair of flight-test crashes that highlighted crew mistakes and ended up destroying planes. In November 2008, an Air New Zealand Airbus A320 on a check flight crashed into the Mediterranean Sea off the southwestern coast of France, killing all seven people aboard. Investigators determined that while carrying out a low-speed test at an unusually low altitude, the pilots inadvertently stalled the jet by disconnecting the automatic thrust designed to keep it going at steady speed and attitude. In doing so, they failed to understand how the plane's computers would react. "We see a lot of problems with [airplanes] decelerating too rapidly and throwing themselves into a stall situation," said Harry Nelson, a senior flight-test pilot and manager for Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. "Certainly, we're getting a lot of queries from our customers" about how to safely conduct flight tests, he added, along with increased focus by regulators. In late 2007, a new Airbus A340-600 being delivered to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways crashed into a concrete barrier during routine ground tests outside the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France. Investigators concluded that an Airbus engineer revved up all four engines to high power at the same time, but didn't put a chock under the wheels to prevent them from rolling. When one of the Etihad crew believed the plane was moving, the engineer assumed there had been a hydraulic failure. To clear the problem, the Airbus engineer momentarily released the parking brake, and the plane began accelerating. In seconds, the $250 million jet smashed into the barrier, shearing off the cockpit and seriously injuring four people aboard. The harried engineer never pulled back on the throttles. These high-profile mistakes-plus a third post-maintenance incident involving an EasyJet plane in Britain that plunged about 10,000 feet before the pilots managed to regain control-prompted Airbus to reassess and tighten internal safety procedures. At the same time, Airbus has launched its first series of training classes specifically designed to sharpen the flying skills and decision-making abilities of flight-test pilots working for carriers. The five-day course is intended, in part, to teach them the hazards of testing systems at low speeds. The course also deals with how to adjust power, handle the controls and troubleshoot systems while approaching or trying to recover from a stall. Reflecting a growing concern over unexpected glitches with advanced flight-control computers during unusual maneuvers, Mr. Nelson told the safety conference: "We've all been hijacked by our own cockpits." He described the tendency of many pilots "to battle with automation and try to get it to work" instead of quickly reverting to manual controls as soon as difficulties crop up. Bill Voss, who runs the Flight Safety Foundation, an industry-supported advocacy organization, also sees dangers in pilots struggling to figure out why state-of-the-art flight computers might be misbehaving. Data indicates there are a host of problems "out there in the world of automation, more than is recorded," Mr. Voss said in a speech earlier this year. "Truth is, pilots didn't always deal with automation anomalies very well." In recent months, both French and British accident investigators have criticized the commercial aviation industry for often failing to provide specialized training for pilots conducting flight tests. French investigators, for instance, concluded that there aren't clear-cut regulations or safeguards that set "a framework for [such] nonrevenue flights." In the U.S. as well, crash investigators and regulators are focusing on the potential hazards of such flights. In the fall of 2008, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recommended that carriers analyze flight-data recorders from nonrevenue flights in order to pinpoint safety hazards and pilot deviations from standard operating procedures. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704538404574541950774901892.ht ml?mod=WSJ_hpp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection *************** Qantas A330 upset inquiry considers cosmic particle strike Australian investigators are to examine whether cosmic radiation played a role in the still-unexplained in-flight upset to a Qantas Airbus A330 in October last year. The inquiry has already determined that an air data inertial reference unit (ADIRU) provided erroneous data spikes just before the upset. Some of these spikes, in the angle-of-attack data, were not filtered by flight-control computers, which then commanded abrupt pitch-down movements. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has conducted extensive examination and testing of the suspect ADIRU, to check for electronic malfunctions, physical defects and possible problems in its software. Investigators have also carried out tests flights, using the A330 involved, to check whether the ADIRU might have been subject to electromagnetic interference. None of these tests have revealed any anomalies which might have explained the jet's behaviour. Given the lack of evidence of a problem with the system, the ATSB is considering - among other avenues of inquiry - the possibility of a 'single event effect', generated by particle impact from cosmic radiation. Upper-atmosphere collisions involving high-energy solar or intergalactic radiation can create secondary stray particles - notably neutron showers which have the potential to interact with, and damage, high-density integrated circuits. "[Single event effects] have been suspected of generating some of the soft errors that occur in a wide range of different aircraft systems," says the ATSB. These 'soft' errors include non-destructive changes in logic states within digital electronics. "The investigation team is evaluating the relevance, if any, of [single event effects] to the ADIRU fault that resulted in spikes being produced in ADIRU parameters," the ATSB adds. Investigators are also assessing whether a known fault, known as 'dozing', might have contributed to the A330 upset. The 'dozing' fault is a temporary issue which results in the ADIRU ceasing to output data for the remainder of the flight, although it resumes normal operation after power has been cycled on the ground. Eleven passengers and a flight attendant were seriously injured during the upset, which occurred as flight QF72 was operating the Singapore-Perth route on 7 October last year. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news *************** Pass for Cyprus for Aviation Safety The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) announced that the results of its inspection of Cyprus' Department of Civil Aviation are "highly satisfactory". EASA visited Cyprus on November 9-13 and inspected the Safety Regulation Unit (SRU) of the Department of Civil Aviation, to determine the level and mode of implementation of European regulations in Cyprus. The European experts announced that the inspections made by the Cyprus Civil Aviation Department, fully meets the safety standards of the European Commission and that the level of qualifications, technical knowledge and training of inspectors / officers are among the highest in Europe. They also pointed out that the system and structure of the Safety Regulation Unit ensures with efficiency the operational requirements, without dependencies on foreign experts. The experts added that there was a huge improvement in the last three years. The concluding comment of the Head of the delegation was that the inspection exceeded expected results. - Copyright C Famagusta Gazette 2009 http://www.famagusta-gazette.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=69&twindow=&mad =&sdetail=9882&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reo ption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=2350&hn=fam agusta-gazette&he=.com *************** NTSB Chairman James E. Hall to Be of Counsel to Seward Square Group NTSB Chairman James E. Hall to Be of Counsel to Seward Square Group, Brings Peerless Credentials and Expertise in Transportation Safety WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Seward Square Group, a new and innovative government relations firm in Washington, today proudly announces the appointment of James E. Hall as Of Counsel. As former Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, Mr. Hall brings highly valued expertise and strategic guidance in global transportation and infrastructure issues to bear on client solutions. "We are greatly honored to have Chairman Hall, a dedicated public servant and tireless safety advocate, join the Seward Square Group," said James Pericola, Seward Square's Managing Partner. "Jim Hall has managed numerous transportation crisis situations and knows how to negotiate any complex policy debate with an ease and level of care that is unrivaled. His experience adds tremendous value to Seward Square's staff roster of talented professionals." "Seward Square's leadership and innovative approach to government relations are what attracted me to the firm," said Mr. Hall. "This group provides more than just access, they also bring the strategy to get to the goal line, whether it's policy experience in transportation, telecommunications, appropriations or other issue people pay attention to in Washington. With principals like Jamie Pericola and Ali Amirhooshmand, highly-respected professionals who know how to operate and succeed in Washington, the firm will be a fierce advocate for all its clients." A decorated Vietnam veteran, Mr. Hall has worked in the public and private sectors for almost four decades, most prominently as President Clinton's NTSB Chairman from 1994 to 2001. He is universally recognized for his assistance with the investigations into the aviation cases of USAir 427, TWA 800 and EgyptAir 990, in addition to the Olympic Pipeline accident in Bellingham, Wash., the AMTRAK crash in Bourbonnais, Ill. and the Carnival Cruise Line accident near Miami. Mr. Hall has given congressional testimony on transportation issues before key House and Senate committees. He has served as a consultant and expert witness in private litigation matters on a broad range of transportation issues including, but not limited to, fixed wing and rotor-craft accidents, motor coach safety and airport litigation. The Seward Square Group, a top-level, bipartisan government relations firm, distinguishes itself from other policy and political advocates through focused, principals-only expertise in the legislative, regulatory, corporate and international affairs arenas. By offering a significant, thoughtful focus on strategy and tactics, Seward Square moves beyond the traditional Washington model of access-only and innovates outreach methods for the future of government and business success. To learn more about Mr. Hall, please see his bio at www.sewardsquare.com/bios/hall.html. For more information about the Seward Square Group, please visit www.sewardsquare.com. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ntsb-chairman-james-e-hall-to-be-of- counsel-to-seward-square-group-brings-peerless-credentials-and-expertise-in- transportation-safety-70367477.html ************** Airlink suffers again as Jetstream veers off runway South African carrier Airlink has suffered another British Aerospace Jetstream incident, less than two months after a fatal crash in Durban. The airline's flight SA8488 veered off the runway at Port Elizabeth while departing for East London. None of the 29 passengers and three crew members was injured and the carrier is checking the aircraft for damage. Airlink is attributing the incident to "extremely bad" weather conditions. Meteorological data shows reduced visibility and the presence of drizzle at the time of the incident, 15:42, and winds of around 20kt from the east. The carrier says a "high velocity wind squall caused a loss of directional control" during the take-off roll, resulting in the aircraft's coming off the runway. Airlink adds: "The quick-thinking pilots immediately aborted the take-off roll. The aircraft stopped in the grass just off the runway. "The aircraft appears not to be damaged but will be towed out of the grass verge and properly assessed." One of the three crew members on board an Airlink Jetstream died last month, two weeks after the aircraft crashed shortly after taking off on a positioning flight on 24 September. Source: Air Transport Intelligence news *************** Allegiant Air jet makes emergency landing WICHITA, Kansas - An Allegiant Air jet made an emergency landing at Mid-Continent airport after one of its engines was lost, an airline spokesperson said. Two passengers were injured while exiting down an emergency slide. The plane was enroute to Laughlin, Nevada from Pittsburg, Pennslyvania. It landed at Mid-Continent Airport to refuel. An Allegiant spokesperson says after taking off the pilot heard a loud noise, and returned the plane to the airport. There was smoke coming from the engine, but airport firefighters determined there was no fire. There were 125 passengers and 5 crew members on board. They exited the aircraft by using the slide. During that process, two passengers were injured and were taken to the hospital. All passengers were bused to the terminal. Allegiant is working to get another aircraft to continue the flight to Nevada. No Wichita passengers were on board. Allegiant described the original stop in Wichita as a scheduled refueling. http://www.ksn.com/news/local/story/Allegiant-Air-jet-makes-emergency-landin g/ATOyZ_qt10m63bgNuPNclw.cspx *************** Six survive as Careflight jet forced to ditch off Norfolk Island (Australia) AN NRMA Careflight patient had to be rescued twice after her emergency evacuation flight from Samoa crashed off Norfolk Island in darkness overnight. The NRMA Careflight flight operated by Pel-Air Aviation was on a mission from Western Samoa to Australia and was trying to land at Norfolk Island to refuel last night. But bad weather conditions prevented the jet from touching down and the pilot decided to ditch into the ocean off the remote Australian territory. According to Careflight the pilot of the Westwind jet performed a successful landing on the water and all on board were rescued by boat. CareFlight spokesman Ian Badham said the weather conditions were ''quite good'' when the jet left Samoa but deteriorated rapidly on descent to Norfolk Island. ``The pilot made four attempts to land before he elected to make a controlled landing into the sea near the island,'' Mr Badham said. A Pel-Air Aviation spokesperson said the two pilots, medical team, the patient and her husband were taken to the island's hospital for observation. ``A Careflight doctor and nurse will continue to look after her,'' Mr Badham said. The patient remains in a stable condition and wasn't injured in the landing. Pel-Air aviation chairman John Sharp said Captain Dominic James - who is listed in Cleo magazine's top 50 bachelors of 2009 and who is now expected to surge up the list - and the flight's First Officer "performed an intricate landing on water in darkness resulting in the evacuation of everyone safely and quickly". "The training of both the Pel-Air and CareFlight crew came to the fore as everyone kept together and remained calm." "Their professionalism stood out on the day and made a substantial difference to the outcome," he said. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26371248-952,00.html *************** Alaska plane makes emergency landing ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - A National Transportation Safety Board investigator says a plane with eight people on board, including two children, made an emergency landing about 18 miles from the village of Tuntutuliak. Alaska State Trooper Ron Monigold says there don't appear to be any serious injuries. NTSB senior air safety investigator Clint Johnson says the Yute Air Cessna 207 apparently lost power Wednesday evening on a flight between Kipnuk and Bethel in southwest Alaska. Tuntutuliak is about 40 miles southwest of Bethel. Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters says a village public safety officer and some volunteers set off on snowmobiles to bring those on board the plane to safety. At 7 p.m. Wednesday, the temperature at Bethel was -6 degrees. *************** Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC