Flight Safety Information October 20, 2010 - No. 214 In This Issue Pilot's licenses still short on security measures Long time friend to General Aviation Retires IATA calls for coordinated efforts to deal with MENA Pressure drop in Boeing 737 - landing in Leipzig Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC Pilot's licenses still short on security measures WASHINGTON (AP) - In an attempt to improve security, Congress told the Federal Aviation Administration in 2004 to come up with a pilot's license that included the pilot's photo and could contain biometric information like fingerprints or iris scans. Today, the only pilots pictured on FAA licenses are flight pioneers Wilbur and Orville Wright, and the licenses lack biometric data. In a letter Tuesday, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., asked the heads of the FAA, the Transportation Security Administration and the Homeland Security Department to explain why they haven't complied with the law he helped write. "It is absolutely astounding that DHS, TSA and FAA could, after six years to implement the act, still achieve such an incredible level of incompetence," wrote Mica, the top Republican member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 sought to fill some of the security gaps exposed by the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, including verifying the identities of people seeking access to airplanes and airfields. Mica said in an interview that FAA officials have told his staff that one reason the licenses don't contain biometric information is that they've been waiting for TSA and DHS to decide on criteria for the information and the equipment necessary to read the information. He said the three agencies have been pointing fingers at each other. TSA officials declined to comment on the biometric data. "TSA will respond directly to Congressman Mica," said Sterling Payne, a spokesman for the agency. The law doesn't say the licenses have to contain biometric data, just that they be capable of doing so. That would require they be embedded with microchips capable of storing fingerprints, iris scans or personal data that can be used to verify someone's identification. Lawmakers left it up to the FAA administrator to decide what biometric information should be included. In response to the lawmaker's letter, FAA spokeswoman Sasha Johnson said the licenses issued now already have the capability to hold biometric information. But Mica said that's not what the agency told his staff. Biometric data is increasingly being added to driver's licenses, passports and company IDs. Immediately after the law was passed, FAA required pilots to carry a government-issued photo ID in addition to their pilot's license. But the agency stopped short of requiring a photo as part of its license. At the time the law was being debated, FAA officials said that unlike state motor vehicles departments, the agency doesn't have conveniently located offices where pilots can present themselves to have their photos taken. However, Congress also gave the FAA permission to designate a local authority, such as a police department or an airport, to take the photos. FAA plans to propose a regulation later this year that would require pilot's licenses to include a photo, Johnson said. Andrew Sullivan, an aviation security expert in Dallas, said that while photos and biometric information would be helpful, their absence doesn't create a significant safety gap. At large airports with scheduled airline service, flight crews are required to show TSA screeners a company photo ID. They also need the identification to board planes or to step out onto the tarmac. The biometric data is only useful if TSA screeners or other officials have equipment capable of reading it, Sullivan noted. Airline pilots generally aren't asked to show their FAA licenses except by a company when they are being hired or by FAA inspectors during check rides or other skills tests. Commercial and private pilots are occasionally asked for licenses by FAA officials during airfield inspections or by accident investigators. Private pilots are also likely to be asked to present their licenses when joining a flying club or renting a plane. Mica said aviation security is based on redundancies so that if one security measure fails, another is still in place. "This is our most vulnerable transportation system," Mica said. "We've seen it time and time again that terrorists turn to commercial aviation." Source: http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=13352308 Back to Top Long time friend to General Aviation Retires As the General Aviation community assembles in Atlanta, GA for the 63rd NBAA Meeting & Convention, one of the industry's leaders is marking a professional and personal milestone. After 40 years with the company his father founded (founded as Valley Oil Company and today Air BP Aviation Services), Mike Delk has announced his retirement. Delk's leadership, based largely upon always putting the customer's needs first, has taken the company from a small business to one that's been recognized as one of the top privately-owned Oregon companies. While the company started in the home heating oil business it has grown into a leading fuel supplier in the U.S. and Canada. "It's been a great 40 years filled with the usual ups and downs that business throws at you. We've grown from a start up aviation fuel supply company to a major branded supplier in the industry with nearly 400 branded FBOs along with numerous airlines and other end-user customers," reflects Delk. "Although I intend to stay involved in the industry, at this point in my life I'm ready to start spending more time with my family." The leadership of Air BP Aviation Services and EPIC Aviation is being transitioned to Scott Walker. Walker brings extensive business leadership to the position and will be looking to the existing Senior Management team to continue the excellence in customer service. "Mike is certainly one of the most respected and honorable men in the general aviation community. I feel privileged to lead EPIC and follow in his footsteps, but I look forward to continuing to serve our long term customers while establishing new dynamic business relationships," stated Walker. Source: http://www.rotor.com/Publications/RotorNewssupregsup/tabid/177/newsid375/71927/Default.aspx Back to Top IATA calls for coordinated efforts to deal with MENA Planned aircraft purchases of $200 billion over the next decade will support this growth into the foreseeable future. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called for coordinated efforts to deal with the challenges of growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). "Over the last decade, the carriers of the Middle East and North African region have grown from 5% of global traffic to 11%. Planned aircraft purchases of $200 billion over the next decade will support this growth into the foreseeable future. This expanding global presence brings with it the challenge of playing a larger role in the global aviation community," said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and CEO. The financial situation of the MENA carriers is improving. For 2010, IATA is forecasting a bottom line improvement of $1 billion on the $600 million that the region's carriers lost in 2009. "We are expecting the region to make $400 million profits this year. A more cautious approach to capacity is helping to drive this improvement. While demand is in line for a 21% increase over last year, the capacity increase has been limited to 15.9%," said Bisignani in a keynote address to the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO) Annual General Meeting in Cairo, Egypt. For 2011, IATA expects a fall in global profitability to US$5.3 bn from the $8.9 billion that airlines are expected to make in 2010. IATA expects MENA carriers to follow the trend with a reduced 2011 regional profit of $300 million. The small profit will be partially driven by an expected capacity expansion of 10.6% outstripping demand growth of 10.4%. Bisignani highlighted four challenges of growth for the region: Safety: The region's hull loss rate for Western built aircraft slipped from zero accidents in 2006 to 3.32 accidents per million flights in 2009. "At 4.6 times the global average of 0.71, that is a concern. The region's rapid growth must be accompanied with a strong safety record," said Bisignani who challenged MENA's governments to adopt IATA's two safety audits-the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and the IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)-as part of national requirements. Egypt was the first government in the world to mandate IOSA, joined later by Lebanon, Syria and Bahrain, and soon Jordan. Today, 35 MENA carriers are on the IOSA registry, including all 26 IATA members. MENA has also taken a leadership role on ISAGO. Lebanon will make it mandatory for ground handlers from June 2011 and 13 ground handlers in the region are already on the registry. Infrastructure: The MENA region is planning airport construction totaling $100 billion, which includes at least eight new runways in the Gulf region. "The industry and governments are investing in infrastructure to support the economic benefits of aviation's growth. But what is being built and planned on the ground is not being matched in the air. Military airspace covers 60% of the region, limiting capacity and forcing inefficient routings. We must cooperate to open more of the region's skies," said Bisignani. IATA is also working on projects to redesign airspace in the Gulf area, facilitate more traffic for East-West traffic across North Africa, support ultra-long haul operations with more efficient routings, and complete the implementation of reduced vertical separation minima (RVSM) across MENA by bringing Iraq on board. Technology for Simplifying the Business: MENA is on target to meet the December deadline for 100% implementation of bar coded boarding passes which promises global savings of $1.5 billion. Airlines are 92% complete while airports are at 90%. The region is home to seven airports that are already operating 100%: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain, Muscat, Doha, Kuwait and Sharjah. Two countries in MENA are participating in IATA e-freight-the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt. The UAE is a global top performer as the originating country for 21% of all e-freight shipments. "Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have all passed the high-level assessment and are expected to launch in 2011. The only hurdle is for governments to adapt their local regulations to facilitate modern business practices. E-freight is a great competitive advantage with the capability to save the industry $4.9 billion," said Bisignani. Government Involvement: Bisignani urged governments in the region to keep costs in check and create the regulatory framework to balance burgeoning long-haul opportunities with short-haul regional liberalization. Bisignani praised Tunisia's decision, following an IATA intervention, to eliminate its 10% import tax on jet fuel which conflicted with the Chicago Convention. Bisignani urged the region to set correct precedents with privatized infrastructure. "We are now working with Jordan to curb unilateral increases in taxes and charges that followed privatization of its airports. To keep competitive, governments much ensure meaningful consultation and agreed investments plans," said Bisignani, who also encouraged the region to take a more proactive approach to liberalization. "I see cutting-edge examples of liberalization as key markets such as Morocco, Jordan and Tunisia build open-sky agreements with Europe. The Damascus Convention of 2004 provides a framework for regional liberalization, but the number of countries ratifying it is disappointing." Environment: Bisignani noted the important outcomes of the 37th Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that placed aviation ahead of all other industries in dealing with climate change. "Governments confirmed ICAO's leadership role in managing aviation's emissions and agreed on a collective aspirational goal to improve fuel efficiency by 2% to 2050, while capping emissions from 2020 with carbon-neutral growth. They also agreed to develop a framework for economic measures that minimize market distortions, treat air transport in line with other sectors, ensure that emissions are accounted for only once and recognize past and future efforts," said Bisignani. Source: http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/IATA-calls-for-coordinated-efforts-to-deal-with- MENA/4967636520 Back to Top Pressure drop in Boeing 737 - landing in Leipzig Scare in Leipzig! A Lufthansa plane from Frankfurt / Main, reported a loss of pressure in the approach in the cabin. The pilot initiated a forced landing, but brought the machine to normal ground and on their stand. Five people were hospitalized as a precaution. Nevertheless, alarm at the airport when the Boeing 737 (flight LH-1104) came forward to clock 14.45. The pilot requested a landing so-called backup. The safe side, drove the airport fire and rescue services to the runway, monitored the touchdown. What was going on in the cabin? The pressure drop five people suffered circulation problems and ear pain, such as the Lufthansa in Frankfurt said. Lufthansa spokeswoman Claudia Lange BILD.de: "The oxygen masks broke but not because of the pressure drop was not as serious. Nevertheless, the aircraft is now being investigated thoroughly. " The 70 passengers and five crew members were able to disembark normally. Source: http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/2010/10/19/notlandung-lufthansa-flug-frankfurt- leipzig/boeing-737-fuenf-passagiere-verletzt.html Back to Top Curt Lewis & Associates, LLC