Flight Safety Information February 18, 2011 - No. 037 In This Issue U.S. Senate Approves FAA Bill, Settles Airport Fight FAA Proposes $585,725 Civil Penalty Against Corporate Air Pilots go paperless with Denver developed FAA iPad app Boy, 14, charged with pointing lasers at aircrafts False alarm for flight at DCA LoBiondo says FAA cuts won't affect NextGen Colgan pilots approve new labor union contract Japan's Skymark signs for six Airbus A380s Colfax pilot's YouTube campaign: Was it worth it? U.S. Senate Approves FAA Bill, Settles Airport Fight The U.S. Senate approved $34.6 billion of funding for the Federal Aviation Administration after resolving a dispute over the number of new flights to a federally owned airport near Washington. Senators voted 87-8 today for the two years of funding. Yesterday, Representative John Mica, a Florida Republican, won approval from the House transportation committee for $59.7 billion for four years of FAA funding. Once that bill receives full House approval, the measure will go to a House-Senate conference committee for lawmakers from both bodies to reconcile and agree upon. The FAA funding bill was the Senate's first order of business this year. The disagreement over Washington flights was one of the issues that had delayed renewal of FAA funding for more than three years. The agency has operated on 17 temporary extensions, the most recent of which expires March 31. Lawmakers agreed to more than double the number of daily round-trip flights between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and the western U.S. to 28 from 12 now, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Texas Republican, said today in the Senate. "We do now have a breakthrough and a way forward," Hutchison said when announcing the airport agreement. Senate, House Versions To complete the deal, senators must agree on which cities in the western U.S. will get the new flights and reconcile their draft with that of the House. The version approved yesterday by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee allows five additional flights between Reagan and the western U.S. The number of long-distance flights to Reagan National has been limited since 1966 because of noise concerns, and to bolster growth at Washington Dulles International Airport. Cities with direct flights from Reagan include Denver, Phoenix, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. The carriers that operate them are US Airways Group Inc., Alaska Air Group Inc., Republic Airways Holdings Inc.'s Frontier Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Continental Holdings Inc. Before approving the FAA funding bill, senators rejected 61-38 an attempt by Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican, to end a $200 million federal program to subsidize airline flights to rural areas. Rural Airports The Senate did approve amendments by Senator Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican, that limit the subsidies to locations that average at least 10 passengers a day and are located at least 90 miles from the nearest airport. The Transportation Department would be allowed to waive the 90-mile requirement in certain cases, such as when geographic limits make the nearest airport difficult to reach. The Senate FAA legislation would help convert the nation's air-traffic system to satellite-based technology from ground- based radars by ensuring that the first $500 million in aviation taxes collected be reserved for modernization. The bill would require the FAA to implement satellite-based procedures, which let airlines fly more direct routes in and out of landing strips, at the busiest 35 airports by 2014 and for the national airspace system by 2018. It also directs the FAA to plan a system that would alert pilots to near- misses with other aircraft on runways. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/ Back to Top FAA Proposes $585,725 Civil Penalty Against Corporate Air Alleges Company Operated An Aircraft Without Proper Maintenance The FAA is proposing a $585,725 civil penalty against Corporate Air of Billings, MT, for allegedly operating a Shorts SD-3-30 twin-turboprop cargo aircraft when it was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. The FAA alleges Corporate Air failed to maintain the aircraft under the company's general maintenance manual, which requires daily post-flight inspections that include examining the exterior skin for corrosion. In addition, the maintenance manual requires structural inspections on the basis of flight hours or flights. The FAA alleges that Corporate Air operated the aircraft in violation of regulations on at least 81 revenue flights between Dec. 21, 2009 and Feb. 4, 2010 with corrosion that had not been detected during the post- flight inspections. The FAA also alleges that structural inspections were not conducted at the required intervals, between March 16, 2006 and February 3, 2010, in violation of federal regulations. Corporate Air operates charter and air taxi service under Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations and makes daily feeder cargo flights under contract to a major next-day air package airline. "Keeping aircraft well-maintained and in good condition must be a top priority for any operator," said FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. "All operators must comply with maintenance requirements." Corporate Air has 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond to the agency. FMI: www.faa.gov Back to Top Pilots go paperless with Denver developed FAA iPad app. DENVER - With the invention of the iPad came the concept of a paperless world. Now the FAA has approved an application that replaces flight manuals in airplane cockpits with an iPad. But can we still feel safe in the Sky? The application called Jeppesen Mobile TC App was developed right here in Denver. This is the first time the Federal Aviation Administration has approved the use of the iPad as a replacement for paper charts. Englewood based Jeppesen, specializes in aeronautical charting. "They contain all of the aeronautical charts and operational procedures that a pilot will need to do his job," says Jeff Buhl, senior manager of Navigation Solutions. Since its FAA approval, Jeppesen's app now replaces paper charts in all Executive Jet Management flights. "This replaces up to 50 pounds of paperwork the pilots used to have to carry around with them." The critical flight information is downloaded to the iPad app and secured to the pilot's thigh with Velcro so the iPad is always within reach. "There is less time with their heads down looking at paper," Buhl ads. "Now they tap the screen and they`re good to go." The concept is raising a few eyebrows. "What if it doesn't work and the iPad loses power what does the pilot do?" David Radueg says. "There's always got to be a paper back up, something solid that will not fail." "Sometimes computers and all that technology can be tricky," says Ana Santana. "I wouldn't want to be stuck in the hair for hours waiting for the iPad to come around," adds Pamela Lapp. So, what is the back-up plan? "There are two pilots, two iPad. You do have a backup," says Buhl. "In the case where both iPads fail for some reason, then all of the operators have mitigating procedures like checklists and procedures that they go through." The FAA's approval of the Jeppesen Mobile TC app opens the door to the future of aviation. "Airlines around the world are investigating the iPad right now. This is one of the first major approvals," Buhl says. "Since that first one has been done it will pave the way for the rest of the operators to gain that approval. I think you're going to see many, many more pilots carrying iPads." http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-faaipadapp-txt,0,3172069.story Back to Top Boy, 14, charged with pointing lasers at aircrafts Los Angeles, CA (AP) -- A 14-year-old boy has been charged with pointing a green laser at a jetliner headed to Los Angeles International Airport and at a police helicopter. District attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said Thursday that the boy, whose name has not been released, faces two felony counts. The Daily Breeze of Torrance says he is scheduled to be arraigned April 8. Gibbons said the pilot of a Southwest Airlines flight from Salt Lake City reported being flashed by the laser about seven miles from the airport on Feb 8. An LAPD helicopter took to the sky to investigate the complaint, and the helicopter pilot also reported seeing the laser beam. The Federal Aviation Administration says lasers can blind or distract pilots and damage eyesight. Back to Top False alarm for flight at DCA A flight had an emergency landing at Reagan National Airport on Friday morning due to a false alarm. US Airways flight 3116 from Manchester was descending into the airport when a flight attendant reported to the captain "an electrical smell," said Michelle Mohr, spokeswoman for US Airways. Out of caution, they radioed for an emergency landing, but no passengers braced themselves or anything like that. There was no smoke on the plane, she said. The ERJ-175 jet landed at the airport without any problems. The airport fire department checked out the craft and found nothing amiss. There were 60 passengers and four crew members (two pilots, two flight attendants) on board the 86- seat craft. This shouldn't cause any delays for any other flights this morning, Mohr said. 8:07 A.M. UPDATE: There was a report of smoke on a plane landing at Reagan National Airport this morning that turned out to be a false alarm, said Rob Yingling, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. US Airways flight 3116, scheduled to arrive at Reagan National at 7:47 a.m., declared an emergency as a safety precaution, according to Yingling. The plane landed without incident and the airport fire department boarded the plane to check it out but found it to be a false alarm. ORIGINAL POST: An airplane landing at Reagan National Airport had some kind of problem earlier this morning. The plane landed without any issue, but it briefly seemed like it would require D.C. Fire and EMS boats to assist. We'll have more information as we get it. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ Back to Top LoBiondo says FAA cuts won't affect NextGen A proposed $192 million cut to the Federal Aviation Administration's 2011 budget will not affect the Next Generation Air Transportation System, U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd, was told Thursday by the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. From the House floor Thursday, LoBiondo questioned U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, about a proposed cut to the FAA's equipment and facilities account. That account funds NextGen, a plan to overhaul the nation's air traffic control system. Much of the research will be done at a technology park under construction in Egg Harbor Township. A House resolution proposes to cut the account in question from about $2.9 billion to $2.7 billion for 2011, LoBiondo aide Jason Galanes said. Because Congress never enacted a 2011 spending plan, federal programs are operating through a temporary budget resolution that keeps programs funded at 2010 levels. In 2010, NextGen was funded with $868 million of the $2.9 billion account. "While I strongly support the House's effort to reduce wasteful government spending, I am also very concerned about programs that could be affected," LoBiondo said from the House floor. "I believe the implementation of the next generation of air traffic control is a very necessary and critical step in bringing our aviation system into the 21st century." Latham said the Appropriations Committee consulted with the FAA about the cut. "We believe these modest savings will be beneficial to the taxpayers while providing the FAA with the funds necessary to continue to do the important work in bringing NextGen to fruition," Latham said. Which FAA projects would be affected by the proposed cut is unknown. The account also funds upgrades and construction of air traffic control towers, weather systems and navigational aides such as runway lights, LoBiondo's office said. On Monday, President Barack Obama unveiled his $3.73 trillion 2012 budget proposal. That proposal includes $1.24 billion specifically for the NextGen project. The proposed budget represents a 43 percent increase over NextGen's funding level in 2010. Congress cannot begin to negotiate the 2012 budget until it enacts a plan for the remainder of 2011. The current temporary budget resolution expires March 4. http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/ Back to Top Colgan pilots approve new labor union contract MEMPHIS - Pinnacle Airlines Corp.'s nearly 3,000 pilots, including the Colgan Air pilots who fly in and out of Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport, approved a new contract Thursday. The five-year agreement, approved by 90.5 percent of pilot votes, includes pay increases, improved retirement benefits and new work rules governing rest and duty cycles. Half of the pilot group receives raises averaging 15 percent, according to their union, the Air Line Pilots Association. http://www.newsleader.com/article/20110218/NEWS01/102180318 Back to Top Japan's Skymark signs for six Airbus A380s TOKYO (AFO) - Skymark Airlines said Friday it had signed a firm contract to buy up to six Airbus A380 jetliners, making it the first Japanese carrier to purchase the double-decker super-jumbo aircraft. Skymark is aiming to go head-to-head with Japan's two dominant carriers -- Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) -- and stunned the industry last year when it ordered the A380s at a cost of $2.8 billion. For Airbus, the deal gives the European firm a foothold in a market where US rival Boeing has long had a near-monopoly "Skymark Airlines Inc. signed a firm contract with Airbus SAS for purchase of Airbus A380s on Thursday" in Toulouse, France, where Airbus is headquartered, the Japanese carrier said in a statement. The airline ordered six A380s, including two on an optional basis, it said. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2014 and will be deployed on international routes. The Japanese discount airline operator will use the six jetliners to operate its international passenger services linking Tokyo's Narita airport and three destinations, New York, London and Frankfurt, scheduled around the fiscal year ending March 2015. If the services prove successful, Skymark plans to expand its service routes and will boost its A380 fleet. Skymark, based at Tokyo's Haneda International Airport, has been operating since 1998 and currently offers domestic routes, offering lower fares than the two major Japanese carriers. Skymark shares edged 0.07 percent lower in Tokyo morning trade Friday. Back to Top Colfax pilot's YouTube campaign: Was it worth it? COLFAX, CA - Airline pilot Chris Liu said he knew the risk to his career when he posted a series of videos on YouTube criticizing airport security. Liu, 50, was punished first by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and now he's being reprimanded by American Airlines. But so far, his campaign to improve airport security has not produced any tangible results. "It's obviously an issue that was important to me," Liu said in the kitchen of his Colfax home last week as his family ate takeout pizza. Last November, Liu posted a half-dozen clips shot with a cell phone camera at San Francisco International Airport, pointing out what he considered a ludicrous system that forces pilots to go through airport security while ground crew can access secure areas with the swipe of a card. Within days, a team of federal agents and Placer County sheriff's deputies arrived on Liu's driveway to confiscate his badge and cockpit gun that had been issued under the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. While on suspension during a formal TSA inquiry, Liu resigned his commission to avoid further retribution. The TSA's response to Liu's YouTube videos, which he also recorded, created national headlines after News10 broke the story on Dec. 22. The Placer County Sheriff's Department also revoked Liu's license to carry a concealed weapon, which he obtained after the family's rental home in Sacramento was destroyed by a suspected arsonist. A disgruntled neighbor is now on trial for the crime. At the time, Liu believed his employer was neutral on the subject as long as he kept the airline out of his discussions about airport security. Then Liu received a letter from American Airlines dated Jan. 26 formally reprimanding him for shooting video in the cockpit of a 767 and in a restricted area, both without authorization. The flight director who signed the letter characterized the event as a "momentary lapse of judgment," but warned Liu that future lapses would result in discipline "up to an including termination." Liu's union has filed a grievance with the airline because of the warning letter. He continues on active service. Liu's attorney, Don Werno, expressed disappointment that American Airlines didn't embrace a pilot who was looking out for the airline and its passengers. "I'm not sure the airline really knew what to do... I'm sure they received a lot of feedback from TSA and I'm sure that it was not particularly positive," Werno said. American Airlines said it does not comment on personnel matters involving individual employees. Liu said he was encouraged by the public's response to the story in late December. The Patriot Pilot website that he and Werno created received at least 300,000 hits in the first few days. In a Dec. 28 interview with News10, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, the incoming chairman of the Congressional subcommittee that oversees the TSA, promised an inquiry into the issues Liu pointed out. Seven weeks later, nothing has happened. In a text message, a spokeswoman for Chaffetz said "he is still looking into it." Liu's wife, Sandra, gets angry when she talks about how her husband's campaign appears to have lost traction. "It's just on the back burner or completely ignored," Sandra said. "This makes me very sad." http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=123325&catid=2 Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC