Flight Safety Information February 15, 2012 - No. 033 In This Issue Trainee lands Jet Airways plane; pilot suspended (India) Air Canada flight makes emergency Honolulu landing Dassault Offers Flight Data Monitoring for Falcon Operators ARGUS PROS Global Auditing Unpaid pilots of cash-strapped airlines move to greener pastures Newest Bell Helicopter Features Fly-by-Wire Calls for Application for...The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship The San Francisco ISASI Chapter Welcomes Mark Roekind, NTSB Board Member Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Training at ERAU CASE Trainee lands Jet Airways plane; pilot suspended (India) New Delhi: A Jet Airways pilot and a cockpit crew member have been suspended for two and a half months for allowing a trainee pilot to take over from the co-pilot and land the aircraft in Mumbai, endangering the lives of all on board. The suspension comes after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) asked the airlines to take action against the pilot and the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident that took place about four months ago on a Chennai-Mumbai flight. The DGCA has also asked Jet Airways to take action against the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident. A Jet Airways spokesperson said the action against the pilot and another member of the cockpit crew was taken based on "appropriate investigations and a confidential report". The commander, who directed the co-pilot to make way for the trainee pilot on board, was suspended for two and a half months. However, he resumed flying after serving out his suspension period. The DGCA had asked the Jet Airways to take action against the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident. The airlines spokesperson said "we have been in discussion with the DGCA. They are completely satisfied with the steps taken". "In line with international practises on enforcing safety, a voluntary and confidential reporting system exists in Jet Airways for all its employees", she said. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/trainee-pilot-lands-jet-plane-pilot-suspended/230294-3.html Back to Top Air Canada flight makes emergency Honolulu landing HONOLULU (AP) -- An Air Canada flight has landed in Vancouver - four hours later than scheduled because the plane returned to Honolulu for an emergency landing. The plane took off Monday night from Honolulu International Airport and had been in the air for two hours when the pilot saw an indicator about a valve. The pilot returned the plane carrying 158 passengers back to Honolulu. Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick says the decision to make an emergency landing was routine procedure. He says the plane was making a heavier landing than normal because it was fueled up for the flight to Vancouver. Maintenance crews made repairs and the plane took off again for Vancouver. Back to Top Dassault Offers Flight Data Monitoring for Falcon Operators SAINT-CLOUD, France, February 14, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- New Program Improves Safety of Flight and Reduces Operational Costs Dassault is now offering a Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) service designed and tailored specifically for Falcon operators. The system has been shown to improve safety of flight and has become standard for commercial airlines. Flight Data Monitoring is the collection and analysis of specific flight parameters such as acceleration, velocity, G-forces, path, and other flight data with the purpose of minimizing risk factors and improving operational performance. "Flight data monitoring and analysis should be a major component of any flight department's safety management system," said Jacques Chauvet, Senior Vice President, Customer Service for Dassault Falcon. "The new FDM service is custom-built for Falcon operators and demonstrates Dassault's clear commitment to safety and service, beyond design and manufacturing," he added. Operators will be able to identify events such as unstable approaches and deviations from standard operating procedure, among other parameters. As part of a safety management system, operators can then tailor training and apply corrective actions to help manage risk. Analysis of flight data can also reduce maintenance costs. Further, the tool will also help operators comply with regulatory requirements in Europe, which require a flight data monitoring system. FDM is available to all Falcon operators whose aircraft is equipped with a Quick Access Recorder (QAR). Operators download data from the QAR using a laptop and upload it to the dedicated website. Results can be available within minutes. Dassault's preferred partners in the project, CAE Flightscape and RUAG, validate the data and identify significant events that operators can use to further tailor training programs and optimize flight operations. Participating Dassault Falcon operators may also benchmark their flight operations against other operators in a secure and confidential manner. About Dassault Falcon Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets. The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total workforce of over 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, over 2,100 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets-the Falcon 900LX and the 7X-as well as the twin-engine Falcon 2000LX and the new 2000S. Back to Top Back to Top Unpaid pilots of cash-strapped airlines move to greener pastures Around 62 pliots have quit Kingfisher Airlines in the last few months. India's leading carriers, Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines (KFA) are witnessing massive exodus of pilots to low-cost domestic airlines like IndiGo as well as foreign carriers due to delayed salaries. Airline sources said that around 40 pilots of national carrier Air India have quit in past few months while 62 have quit KFA and approximately 50 from Jet Airways to join IndiGo as well as other foreign airlines like Etihad, Emirates, Silk Air among others. Recently, about 20 KFA pilots joined rival IndiGo. While in the case of Air India, the reason for the exodus has been due to delayed salaries for over a year, around 18,000 employees of Jet and KFA have not received salaries for two months-a sign of deepening crisis in the aviation sector. Jet Airways has close to 950 pilots while KFA and Air India have around 800 and 850 pilots respectively. Employees of Jet Airways have not been paid for January. Jet Airways has a debt of Rs.14,000 crore and has suffered losses quarter-on-quarter in the current financial year. For the third quarter, Jet posted a loss of over Rs.101 crore, which was followed by the worst-ever second quarter results. KFA delayed payment of December salaries citing again "large unanticipated payments". The airline, which is struggling to stay afloat after running up a huge debt of over Rs.7,000 crore, has paid employees only till November. The KFA management has offered employees posted at airports an emergency stipend of Rs.5,000. About 180 Kingfisher pilots (out of 700) wrote to the management in January warning that they may not report for duty if they not paid for December soon. Jet's management has not conveyed a payout date for January though it is believed to February 15, Wednesday. The delays have forced some Kingfisher pilots to raise the issue of air safety. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently conducted an audit of Kingfisher to check whether financial problems have affected safety observances. Meanwhile, it has been revealed that Jet Airways had suspended one of its commander- pilot for allowing a trainee pilot to take over from copilot to land the plane in Mumbai. The incident had occured a few months after DGCA's safety audit of all Indian airlines which among other things found that the financial crisis was leading them to ignore safety. The commander was suspended for two-and-a-half months. DGCA had asked the airline to take action against the pilot and the chief of its flight safety in connection with the incident that had taken place about four months ago. AI loses hold on international flights The government on Tuesday allowed domestic private carriers to expand their overseas operations offering them maximum permissible limits of bilateral flying rights. This would free up flying rights on the under-utilised routes reserved for the national carrier, Air India, which till now had the privilege to fly on international routes agreed between India and foreign countries through bilateral air service agreements. According to civil aviation ministry officials, Indian carriers have utilised just 20 percent of their overseas entitlement against 39 per cent into India by foreign airlines between January to November 2011. Indian airlines use less than 10 per cent of the allowed capacity in Europe and the rest is being utilised by foreign carriers. The government, however, said that it will not compromise with the AI's interests and will ensure that its operational plan is not affected due to allocation of traffic rights. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/unpaid-pilots-kingfisher-air-india-jet- airways/1/173634.html Back to Top Newest Bell Helicopter Features Fly-by-Wire Bell Helicopter unveiled its largest commercial helicopter ever, and the 16-passenger aircraft is getting as much attention for its fly-by-wire system as its ability to carry, say, a crew of oil workers to an offshore drilling rig. A pair of 1,800-horsepower General Electric turbine engines will allow the Bell 525 to carry a work crew (or a few VIPs) 400 miles at 140 knots (161 miles per hour). When it comes to quickly moving heavy loads, brute power remains key. But to control that power, Bell Helicopter will use fly-by-wire technology for the first time. Although such tech has been common in airplanes for many years, it remains rare in the rotary-wing world. Bell plans to join the small club of fly-by-wire helicopters, a move that will dramatically change the cockpit for the 525 pilot. The helicopter will be flown via two small joysticks rather than the large control stick and lever that has dominated helicopter cockpits since the early days of rotary-wing flight. The extra room will open up the view for the massive touchscreen displays. The new cockpit of the Bell 525 featuring joysticks (with armrests) for both the cyclic and collective controls. The seats have been left out of the image. Image: Bell Helicopter It's been more than 66 years since Bell first flew the Model 47, the bubble-canopy helicopter everyone knows from the opening sequence of M*A*S*H. (Yes, the Army actually flew the H-13 Sioux.) The company cemented its iconic status more than 55 years ago with the UH-1 "Huey." But in today's world, a growing part of the industry is focused on ever-bigger helicopters that can carry work crews long distances, often to oil rigs in the middle of an ocean or mining camps in the middle of nowhere. Bell has been late to the game of producing a model for the new class of "medium lift" helicopters. Civilian variants of its Huey were for decades a big player in the offshore industry, but it was left behind as Eurocopter, Sikorsky, AgustaWestland and others offered faster, more capable models. Bell's latest is aimed squarely at reclaiming lost ground. The fly-by-wire control system, and the paperless cockpit dominated by four large touchscreens, put it a step beyond the competition from a technological viewpoint. The fly-by-wire system on the 525 is similar to that of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, and a triple-redundant system ensures a measure of safety. Pilots will have to get used to flying through a computer rather than direct mechanical linkage. For the uninitiated, fly- by-wire essentially means the pilot tells the computer what to do, and the computer determines how best to fulfill the instruction. There are times when the computer can override the pilot if it determines the person at the controls is asking for something unsafe. Of course, the potential disconnect between pilot and computer has led to problems and occasional disasters like the crash of Air France Flight 447. Bell Helicopter's Larry Roberts told Vertical that the flight control computer on the 525 should not limit the pilot's capabilities and the helicopter "will provide an impressively wide range of maneuvering capability and not require the need, or, for that matter, the ability, to override." According to Vertical, the launch customer for the 525 is PHI Inc., one of the biggest players in the offshore oil transportation business. But the company also sees potential sales in search and rescue as well as other markets. The Bell 525 Relentless is expected to make its first flight in 2014. http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/02/electrons-dominate-new-sixteen-passenger- bell-helicopter/ Back to Top Calls for Application for The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship DEADLINE for filling application 15 April, 2012 The 2012 ISASI Seminar will be held at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Aug 28-30, 2012 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AIR SAFETY INVESTIGATORS 2012 The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship (In memorial to all ISASI members who have died) Purpose: To encourage and assist college-level students interested in the field of aviation safety and aircraft occurrence investigation. Funding: The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship fund will be established through donations and will provide an annual allocation of funds for the scholarship if funds are available. Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled as full time students in a recognized (note ISASI recognized) education program, which includes courses in aircraft engineering and/or operations, aviation psychology, aviation safety and/or aircraft occurrence investigation, etc., with major or minor subjects that focus on aviation safety/investigation are eligible for the scholarship. A student who has received the annual ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship will not be eligible to apply for it again. Administration of the Fund: The President of ISASI will appoint a two person committee to be executors and administrators of the fund. The ISASI Treasurer will oversee all expenditures. The Scholarship Fund Committee will check that the education program is at a recognized school and applicable to the aims of the Society, assess the applications and determine the most suitable candidate. Donors and recipients will be advised if donations are made in honor of a particular individual. Annual Scholarship: Funded attendance at ISASI Annual Seminar An award of $2000 will be made to each student who wins the competitive writing requirement, meets the application requirements and will register for the ISASI annual seminar. The award will be used to cover costs for the seminar registration fees, travel, and lodging/meals expenses. Any expenses above and beyond the amount of the award will be borne by the recipient. ISASI will assist with coordination and control the expenditure of funds. In addition, the following are offered to the winner(s) of the scholarship. 1. A one year membership to ISASI 2. The Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI) offers tuition-free attendance to ANY regularly scheduled SCSI course to the winner of the ISASI Scholarship. This includes the two-week Aircraft Accident Investigator course or any other investigation courses. Travel to/from the course and accommodations are not included. More information at http://www.scsi-inc.com/ 3. The Transportation Safety Institute offers a tuition free course for the winner of the Scholarship. Travel to/from the course and accommodations are not included. More information is available at http://www.tsi.dot.gov/ 4. The Cranfield University Safety and Accident Investigation Centre offers tuition-free attendance at its 5-day Accident Investigation course which runs as part of its Masters Degree program at the Cranfield campus, 50 miles north of London, UK. Travel to/from the course and accommodation are not included. Further information is available from www.csaic.net/ Application requirements: 1.A full time student who meets the Eligibility requirement stated above and has been enrolled for a duration of one year 2. The student is to submit a 1000 (+/- 10%) word paper in English addressing "the challenges for air safety investigators" 3. The paper is to be the students own work and must be countersigned by the student's tutor/academic supervisor as authentic, original work 4. The papers will be judged on their content, original thinking, logic and clarity of expression 5. The student must complete the application form with their paper by April 15, 2012 and submit it to ISASI by mail, fax, oremail to isasi@erols.com. ISASI contact information - Ann Schull, International Office Manager 107 E. Holly Avenue, Suite #11 Sterling, VA 20164 703 430 9668 (Main) 703 430-4970 (FAX) Some advice to those applying: 1. Late submissions are not advisable 2. Handwritten applications are not advisable 3. Make sure to include your email address as indicated in 5/ above 4. For email submissions the essay should be in MS Word format; however, the application form may be in pdf, in order to facilitate scanning the completed and signed application. ************** Application Form 2012 INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF AIR SAFETY INVESTIGATORS The ISASI Rudolf Kapustin Memorial Scholarship (In memorial to all ISASI members who have died) Name: Date: Address: Course enrolled for: Year /Subjects Studied: Academic Institute: Address: Email: Telephone number: Student Signature:_____________________________________________________________ Tutor/Academic Supervisor title and signature:________________________________________ 1000 Word Paper ""the challenges for air safety investigators" NOTE: Students who wish to apply for the scholarship should visit www.isasi.org or send email to isasi@erols.com. The ISASI office telephone number is 1-703-430-9668. Back to Top The San Francisco Chapter International Society of Air Safety Investigators welcomes Honorable Mark R. Rosekind, Board Member - NTSB Enhancing Aviation Safety NTSB Investigations and Recommendations Where: Oakland Aviation Museum, Oakland Airport When: Friday, February 24h, 2012 from 1400-1500 Recommended Donation: $5 (to offset the museum entrance fee) An NTSB Board member since 2010, Dr. Rosekind is also an internationally-recognized fatigue expert who has conducted research and implemented programs in diverse settings, including all modes of transportation. He has published 150 scientific, technical, and industry papers and provided hundreds of presentations to operational, general, and scientific audiences. His contributions have been acknowledged through numerous honors and awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, six other NASA Group/Team Awards, and two Flight Safety Foundation honors (Presidential Citation for Outstanding Safety Leadership, Business Aviation Meritorious Award. Important Notes: * Program begins at 1400, but you are free to visit the museum before or after the program. * Attendance is NOT limited to ISASI members. You are encouraged to bring friends and colleagues. * No need for donation from students and OAM members * Reduced tie-down fee if arriving by private aircraft. Please RSVP by email Susan.Rivers@RTIforensics.com or (510) 921 5357 Oakland Aviation Museum 8252 Earhart Road - Bldg. L-621 Historic North Field Oakland Intl. Airport (510) 638-7100 www.oaklandaviationmuseum.org Back to Top Advanced Aircraft Accident Investigation Training At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Training Overview: This 5-day course is designed for aviation professionals to be introduced to advanced aircraft accident investigation procedures involving design, materials and aircraft performance. Participants will analyze various mechanical and structural factors and loads on an airplane, as well as be introduced to advanced fire investigation. Extensive use will be made of the Prescott Campus - Robertson Crash Laboratory, one of the most complete facilities of its kind in the U.S.A. Participants will experience accident investigation simulated scenario exercises and learn how to identify, collect and analyze data in the process of determining probable cause/s. Training Outcomes: ? Appraise various mechanical and structural factors, which produce accidents including design, manufacturing and maintenance. ? Analyze typical air loads on an airplane to calculate external design loads. ? Analyze a particular in-flight break up to determine sequence of failure, primary, and secondary structural failure. ? Explain new structural concepts and materials ? Describe events and forces associated with an aircraft accident. ? Identify the crashworthiness and survivability factors of an aircraft accident ? Explain the basis of airworthiness and crashworthiness from both an investigation and a design standpoint. ? Complete a fire investigation and fire survival analysis. ? Describe the fundamentals of crash fire rescue techniques and apply those techniques to an aircraft crash scenario. Who should attend:This course is valuable for anyone who is responsible for mishap/accident investigation within his or her company. This includes accident investigators, management, pilots, safety directors, mechanics, and insurance representatives. Date & Time: May 7-11, 2012: 8am-5pm (1 hour lunch break) Location: Embry-Riddle Prescott Campus, Arizona Registration Information: www.erau.edu/case Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC