Flight Safety Information March 2, 2012 - No. 044 In This Issue FAA To Change Enforcement Approach, Allen Says Business jet crashes near airport in Germany, at least 3 dead Philadelphia Airport Closed After 'Rogue Vehicle' Drives on Runway ARGUS PROS Global Auditing This weekend, United Airlines makes changes that mean most of Continental fades away Two dead as experimental plane crashes in Valencia County Piper Navajo Accident (Chile) POSITION AVAILABLE:...Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Accident Investigation POSITION AVAILABLE:...RESEARCH MEDICAL OFFICER FAA To Change Enforcement Approach, Allen Says FAA is working with its inspector base to ward off minor compliance issues that could be addressed directly with companies before enforcement actions are taken, says FAA Flight Standards Service Director John Allen. Speaking Feb. 29 before the Aircraft Charter Safety Foundation's annual Air Charter Safety Symposium, Allen says he is "trying to change a culture within the Flight Standards Service." This includes changing the enforcement policy to encourage inspectors to first work out minor issues with operators when possible rather than immediately jumping to an enforcement action, he says, adding this can instead become a "nurturing" exercise. The change comes as the number of enforcements has been mounting. "We got so many enforcements out there," Allen says, that it becomes more difficult to focus on the serious issues. By reducing the number of minor enforcements, it will free up FAA resources to concentrate on areas of higher risk. Allen stresses that this change is not an attempt by the agency to befriend the industry. "We are not friends," he concedes. But he also says that the Flight Standards mission has changed to "assure the safety, while enabling the adventure, commerce and service of aviation." He believes that the mission of enabling aviation is critical, he says, because if the agency doesn't foster growth of the industry, then it could whither. "Then what do we got? Nothing," he says. The change in approach to enforcement is one of a number of actions the agency is undertaking to better target its resources. The agency is continuing to increase its reliance upon and improve its management of the designee program. Allen notes this effort has raised some concerns among inspectors who are worried that this keeps them from "going out and touching metal." But he says more oversight of designees will leverage their capabilities - and they will still be able to perform hands-on inspections where most needed. FAA is also eyeing the growth of safety management systems (SMS) as another means to balance resources. Companies with SMS can demonstrate that they are doing the best they can to implement best safety practices. Agency officials can then focus on operations that have higher risk, he says. "We just can't be everywhere all of the time. We recognize that," Allen says. Staffing already is tight, and FAA has to prepare for more possible cuts in 2013. "There are cracks showing already," he notes. http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=mro&id=news/awx/2012/02/29/awx_02_29_2012_p0- 431139.xml&headline=FAA%20To%20Change%20Enforcement%20Approach,%20Allen%20Says Back to Top Business jet crashes near airport in Germany, at least 3 dead EGELSBACH, Germany (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were killed on early Thursday evening when a business jet crashed near an airport in western Germany, police said. Two others are still missing. The accident happened just before 7 p.m. local time when the Cessna Citation X aircraft was preparing to land at Frankfurt Egelsbach Airport, a busy general aviation airport southeast of Frankfurt Airport. The plane was carrying a pilot, co-pilot and three passengers on a flight from the Austrian city of Linz. Police spokesman Josef Michael Rösch said the aircraft crashed and burst into flames in woodland near Autobahn 661, about 4 kilometers (2.4 miles) from the airport. "Police have cordoned off a wide area with the support of other forces," he said. "So far, three people have been found dead. The rescue trams are now looking for the other missing passengers." Rösch said it was not immediately known what caused the deadly accident. "The German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Investigation (BFU) has taken over the investigation into the cause of the accident," the spokesman said. http://wireupdate.com/business-jet-crashes-near-airport-in-germany-at-least-3-dead.html ************ Status: Preliminary Date: 01 MAR 2012 Time: ca 19:00 Type: Cessna 750 Citation X Operator: Asia Today Ltd. Registration: N288CX C/n / msn: 750-0219 First flight: 2003 Engines: 2 Rolls Royce AE 3007C1 Crew: Fatalities: / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: Airplane damage: Destroyed Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: ca 4 km E of Egelsbach Airport (Germany) Phase: Approach (APR) Nature: Executive Departure airport: Linz-Blue Danube Airport (LNZ) (LNZ/LOWL), Austria Destination airport: Egelsbach Airport (EDFE), Germany Narrative: A Cessna 750 Citation X corporate jet was destroyed in an accident near Egelsbach Airport, Germany. Three occupants were reported killed. The flight departed Linz Airport (LNZ), Austria on a flight to Egelsbach. The airplane was approaching runway 27 when it came down in a wooded area and broke up. A fire erupted. A police spokesman said there were probably six persons on board the flight. Weather about the time of the accident was reported being: EDFE 011820Z AUTO 06002KT //// R27/P2000N // /// 08/08 Q1025 [18:20 UTC / 19:20 LT: Automated weather report: Wind 060 degrees at 2 knots; Runway 27, touchdown zone visual range is more than 2000 meters; temperature 8°C, dew point 8°C; QNH 1025 mb] EDFE 011720Z 03003KT 4000 BR FEW008 09/08 Q1025 [17:20 UTC / 18:20 LT: Wind 030 degrees at 3 knots; Visibility: 4000 m; Mist; few clouds, at 800 feet above aerodrome level; temperature 9°C, dew point 8°C; QNH 1025 mb] www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top Philadelphia Airport Closed After 'Rogue Vehicle' Drives on Runway; Police Chase Ensues Philadelphia International Airport was closed briefly today after a drunken man drove his SUV through a fence and onto two runways, leading police on a high speed chase, sparking a terrorism scare and forcing an air traffic controller to order a passenger plane to abort its landing, authorities said. The suspect, Kenneth Richard Mazik, 24, of Chadds Ford, Pa., has been arrested and charged with driving under the influence, simple and aggravated assault, and several counts of reckless endangerment, defiant trespass and criminal mischief. Witnesses say Mazik drove his Jeep Cherokee through an airport construction gate only a few yards from the runway at about 10 a.m. The man headed directly for the landing area just as U.S. Airways Flight 3137, a commuter jet, was about to land, they added. At the last minute, a controller ordered the pilot to pull up. "We've got a rogue vehicle driving around on the airport," one controller said, advising other aircraft of the incident and a likely delay. "We got to catch him. We're not moving anybody until we find this guy." All runways were re-opened by 4 p.m. Witnesses say it seemed as though Mazik attempted to time it so that the Jeep would meet the plane as it landed, according to a report from ABC affiliate WPVI-TV in Philadelphia. Police say Mazik never made it to the runway; officers were able to stop him first. "The ground radar kicked in; the tower was alerted immediately and they made sure to divert flights coming in and then quickly shut the airport down," Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Joseph Sullivan said, according to WPVI. Mazik appeared to be intoxicated when he was finally apprehended, police said. The incident has raised questions about security at the airport, but the facility's deputy director, Keith Prune, said security was good. "We do have security perimeter checks on a regular basis, multiple times, every shift throughout the entire day, so we're fairly confident with our security," Prune said. Police checked the Jeep for explosives or other suspect material. The reported they did not find anything. http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/philadelphia-airport-closed-after-rogue-vehicle-drives-on-runway-police- chase-ensues/ Back to Top Back to Top This weekend, United Airlines makes changes that mean most of Continental fades away (AP) The last Continental flight takes off on Friday, and the airline that was once one of the nation's biggest will all but disappear into United Airlines. United and Continental merged in 2010, but until this Saturday, passengers almost could have missed it. The big change occurs early Saturday when United combines passenger reservation data from both airlines into one massive computer system. That means one frequent-flier program and one website. Tickets will be issued under United's name only. The switch is a huge undertaking that has its risks. Any hiccups could mean delays throughout the airline's system. That's why United conducted four dress rehearsals with executives staying overnight at headquarters to make sure things went well. Here are the changes: CONTINENTAL'S LAST FLIGHT Continental flight 1267 is scheduled to depart from Phoenix at 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday. It's set to arrive in Cleveland as United 1267 Saturday morning. The airline will stop using Continental's "CO" code. That means no more Continental Airlines tickets, or flights - even though the Continental name is still painted on some planes. AT THE AIRPORT The names of both airlines have been on signs at gates at its 10 hubs. By Saturday, it's aiming to take down the "Continental" signs at all 372 airports it serves. Until now, each airline issued its own tickets, and passengers had to use separate ticket counters. Now, it will no longer matter which ticket counter travelers go to. Gate agents should be able to book travelers on flights across the combined airline, which will be a big improvement any time a blizzard or thunderstorm snarls travel. The change will also mean that airline workers can send planes from either airline to any of their gates. Previously, gate computers had been connected to separate reservation systems and they couldn't handle planes from the other airline. FREQUENT FLIERS The systems are combining under the name of United's MileagePlus frequent-flier program. Travelers who have accounts at both airlines will essentially be credited for their Continental OnePass miles in their combined MileagePlus account. But their MileagePlus account numbers will be those from OnePass. As for passwords, PIN numbers and addresses - some of those will transfer and some won't. United has emailed frequent fliers about the details. WEBSITE United.com becomes the website for the combined airline. But its look and feel is the old Continental.com. Passengers will be able to use it to check in, regardless of which airline issued their ticket. The websites are set to go dark at 2 a.m. EST Saturday. United is aiming to have the switch done in time for travelers to check in for 6 a.m. EST flights. The airline says travelers who check in on the old United.com for Saturday flights should see their check-in transfer over to the new system. WHAT CAN GO WRONG Plenty. There's a reason United held those dress rehearsals. Five years ago, US Airways Group's reservations system merger with America West went haywire. Hundreds of check-in kiosks didn't work, forcing passengers to use ticket counters. The snafu delayed flights around the US Airways system for days. Virgin America's switch to a new reservation system in October caused problems that lingered for months. "This transition is extremely complex and there is a strong likelihood for significant flight delays and cancellations," the head of the Air Line Pilots Association's United unit in San Francisco warned pilots in an email. Jay Pierce, the head of the ALPA unit at Continental, said in an interview that the airline "actually has done a fairly decent job of advising all the employees that there's a potential for disruptions and possible problems." The company has asked employees not to use their discounted travel benefit over the weekend, to help keep volume low, he said. The airline moves an average of 264,000 passengers per day. It picked a Saturday for the switch because traffic is as much as 15 percent lighter than on weekdays. It further reduced the number of United flights because those are the flights that are switching to Continental computers. "We have tested an incredible amount of scenarios across the enterprise and I feel very, very comfortable we will be able to service customers better starting this weekend," said Martin Hand, United's senior vice president for passenger experience. BEHIND THE SCENES United must still schedule flight crews from each airline separately because it doesn't yet have union contracts to cover the combined groups. US Airways has been operating that way since its 2005 America West merger. Pilots from both United and Continental have already been using the "United" radio handle with air traffic controllers, and flight attendants have been announcing flights onboard as United flights, even if passengers walked past a "Continental" sign to get on the plane. The parent company's name, United Continental Holdings Inc., stays the same. Back to Top Two dead as experimental plane crashes in Valencia County The Federal Aviation Administration says two people died in the crash of a small plane Wednesday night as it was attempting to land at the Belen Airport. The single-engine plane, an experimental Legacy 2000, is registered to an owner in Albuquerque. The plane clipped power lines as it was attempting to land. Our overhead video of the scene shows widely-scattered wreckage in a remote area. Two bodies were found in the wreckage and authorities are working on notifiying next of kin. http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s2519376.shtml Back to Top Piper Navajo Accident (Chile) Date: 01-MAR-2012 Time: ca 12:00 Type: Piper PA-31-325 Navajo Operator: Aerohein Registration: CC-CYM ? C/n / msn: 31-8012016 Fatalities: Fatalities: / Occupants: 8 Airplane damage: mis Location: 10 mls S of Quellón - Chile Phase: En route Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Melinka Airport (SCMK) Destination airport: Quellón Airport (SCON) Narrative: An Aerohein Piper Navajo went missing during a flight from Melinka to Quellón, Chile. The flight took off at 11:50 on a flight that would take 15-20 minutes. Last radio contact was at 11:56. Navy and Air Force crews are searching for the airplane The aircraft may have crashed into the water. Weather conditions in the area at the time of the crash were difficult. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Accident Investigation Cranfield University, UK The Safety and Accident Investigation Centre is looking for a Lecturer / Senior Lecturer to join our rapidly expanding team. In 2011, the Centre led the University's successful bid for a Queen's Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education for its contribution to aviation safety through research and teaching in accident investigation. Having established the world's first MSc programme for Aircraft Accident Investigators, the Centre is now developing parallel streams for the rail and marine industries. These part-time programmes sit alongside an extensive range of Continuing Professional Development courses from one to thirty days in length which are run both at Cranfield and at clients' premises around the world. This is an exciting opportunity for you to join a vibrant team to teach and supervise Masters / PhD students, as well as making a significant contribution to the wide-ranging research and consulting activities of the Centre. Holding a relevant degree in a field related to accident investigation (preferably at Masters of Doctorate level) or equivalent relevant industrial experience, you must be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently and within a dynamic team, and to deliver high quality presentations and papers / reports. The appointment will either be at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level depending upon expertise and capabilities, and as such, previous teaching experience is essential. We are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience within the rail or marine sectors, but will consider applications from other relevant sectors. The post is a full-time, permanent position based at the Cranfield campus, 50 miles north of London, UK. Apply online now at http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/hr or contact us for further details on E: hr@cranfield.ac.uk or T: +44 (0)1234 750111 ext 2346. For any enquiries, please quote reference number 1162. Closing date for receipt of applications: 12 March 2012 Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: RESEARCH MEDICAL OFFICER Apply Here: http://jobs.faa.gov/AnnouncementDetails/Modules/JobAnnouncement/JobDescription.aspx?case_id=24399 Job OpportunityU.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Position: Research Medical Officer Announcement Number: AAC-EXT-12-AAM630-24399 Opening Date: Feb 16, 2012 Close Date: Mar 19, 2012 Series: 602 Business Component: FAA Aeronautical Center Region, Office of Aerospace Medicine, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, Aerospace Medical Research Division, Aeromedical Protection and Survival Research Lab, AAM-630 Duty Location(s): Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Vacancies: 1 Salary Range: $120,096 - $179,700 Additional Salary Info: Salary shown includes locality payment of 14.16%. Grade(s): FV-L Job Status: Full Time Appointment Duration: PermanentPrint this page About the Application Process: * About the FAA... * Employment Information... * Citizenship Requirements... * Veterans Preference... * Locality Pay... * Cost of Living Adjustment(COLA)... * Financial Disclosures... * What to Expect Next...Permanent Change of Station (PCS) - U.S. Citizens: A fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid to new hires to Federal service and student trainees; and a fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid to employees with status.Who May Apply: U.S. Citizens - This announcement is open to U.S. Citizens We are not accepting applications from non-U.S. citizens.How We Will Evaluate You: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the on-line process must be substantiated.Key Requirements: *U.S. Citizen *Successful completion of a security investigation will be required. *A one year probationary period may be required. *This position has a positive education requirement, transcripts required. *Occasional travel may be required. The Next Generation of Flight is Underway - and you can be part of it! We need you and your fresh ideas to shape the air transportation system of tomorrow, and the way America flies. Come be a part of the new generation in aviation, an industry that is absolutely critical to this nation's economy and security. The Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) is a fundamental transformation of our nation's airspace system. It uses 21st century technologies to meet future demands, avoid gridlock in the sky and on the runways, further improve safety, and protect the environment. For more information on NextGen, watch this brief introduction : NextGen Introduction Job Duties: As a Research Medical Officer, you will provide aeromedical research expertise for the solution of problems affecting aviation safety under the review of the Medical Research Team Coordinator and the Protection and Survival Research Laboratory Manager. Research Medical Officer designs and conducts independent research to collect and analyze aerospace medical data that affects aviation safety, security and health. Provides direct assistance and consultation to FAA management including the Federal Air Surgeon regarding medical policy. In conjunction with accident investigators, reviews pilot medical records, toxicology reports, autopsy information and other accident data to determine potential medical causal factors, mechanism of injury or related factors. Work may involve on-site investigation at the request of investigating agencies. Provides written communication of findings and other relevant data to appropriate authorities. Develops and coordinates new aerospace medical safety research based on findings. Consults on aviation and space related medical issues, including occupant life support equipment and aircraft cabin environment. Author's aeromedical research reports for publication in peer-reviewed journals and Office of Aviation Medicine reports. Presents results at scientific meetings. Provides instruction on aircraft accident investigation and aerospace medical research in classroom setting to various audiences (i.e. FAA pilots, Cabin Safety Workshops, Aerospace Medical Examiners, Air Safety Instructors, aeromedical and aviation professionals).Minimum Qualifications: OPM Individual Qualification Standard for Medical Officer Series, 0602. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: DEGREE: Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy from a school in the United States or Canada approved by a recognized accrediting body in the year of the applicant's graduation [A Doctor of Medicine or equivalent degree from a foreign medical school that provided education and medical knowledge substantially equivalent to accredited schools in the United States may be demonstrated by permanent certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) (or a fifth pathway certificate for Americans who completed premedical education in the United States and graduate education in a foreign country).] ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have earned a doctorate, e.g., Ph.D. OR Sc.D. (in addition to the Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree) from an accredited college or university in a field of science directly related to medicine and closely allied to the position to be filled; OR 2 years of graduate training or medical research experience that demonstrated ability to do independent major medical research. COPIES OF TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSES, AND CERTIFICATES MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA FAX TO (405)954-3003 PRIOR TO CLOSING DATE, IN ORDER TO VERIFY QUALIFICATIONS. FAILURE TO DO SO WILL ELIMINATE YOU FROM CONSIDERATION. SCHOOLS MUST BE ACCREDITED BY AN ACCREDITING INSTITUTION RECOGNIZED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.Other Job Requirements: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) 1. Knowledge in aerospace medical and/or other medical research programs including experimental design and statistical analysis. 2. Skill in the use of appropriate statistical methods, preparation of written technical reports and manuscripts. 3. Ability to make clear and convincing presentations at management/scientific meetings as demonstrated by documented publications in referred scientific journals. Other Factors 1. QUALITY RANKING FACTORS(QRF): Well Qualified candidate MUST have experience in medical research as evidenced by publications as first or principal author in peer reviewed journals, text books or other professional media and experience and/or training in aerospace medicine and aviation safety including familiarity with the medical aircraft accident investigation process and aircraft accident analysis as demonstrated by work history. IMPORTANT: Ensure that your work experience supports your Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and Other Factors answers. Your answers and associated work experience will be evaluated further to validate whether the answers that you selected are appropriate. Answers may be adjusted by a Human Resource Specialist as appropriate. Benefits: FAA offers an excellent comprehensive benefits programs. To learn more about the federal government benefits, please click here.More Information About This Job: We may use this vacancy to fill other similar vacant positions. Travel may be required. Position may be subject to a background investigation. A one-year probationary period may be required. As a condition of employment, male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must certify that they have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. Direct deposit of pay is required. Candidates may also apply and be considered for this vacancy based on eligibility under a Special Appointing Authority (e.g.: Disabled Veteran with 30% or more disability, Veterans Recruitment Appointment - VRA, Persons with Targeted Disabilities - PWTD, etc.). To be considered, you must submit: a separate application package referencing the Special Appointing Authority and the vacancy announcement number and documentation that provides evidence of eligibility for the special appointing authority. The application package must be faxed to 405-954-3003 and submitted by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Notes: 1) As a part of the Federal-Wide Hiring Reform Initiative (streamlining the hiring process), the FAA is committed to eliminating the use of the Knowledge, Skills and Ability (KSA) narratives from the initial application in the hiring process for all external announcements. Therefore, as an applicant for this external announcement, you are NOT required to provide a narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA. In lieu of providing a KSA narrative response in the text box listed below each KSA and Quality Ranking Factor, in your work history, please include work history that describes how you meet the answer you chose for each KSA and Quality Ranking Factor. Your work history examples should be specific and clearly reflect the highest level of ability. Your KSA and Quality Ranking Factor answers will be evaluated further to validate whether the level that you selected is appropriate. Your answers may be adjusted as appropriate. 2) Eligible applicants meeting the minimum qualification requirements and selective factor(s), if applicable, may be further evaluated on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) and Quality Ranking Factor listed in the announcement. Based on this evaluation, applicants will be placed in one of the following categories: score order, category grouping, or priority grouping and referred to the selecting official for consideration. 3) Applicants must apply online. Faxed, mailed or emailed applications cannot be accepted. 4) Some, none, or all applicants may be interviewed. 5) Veterans' Preference: If you have completed your active military service and are claiming veterans' preference, a DD Form 214 MUST BE SUBMITTED prior to closing date. If claiming 10-pt veterans' preference, both a DD Form 214 and a SF-15 MUST BE SUBMITTED. If you are claiming 10-pt preference on the basis of a disability, you MUST also include appropriate documentation from the service or the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Please fax documentation to (405)954-3003 prior to closing date and reference announcement number. 6) If you are still on active duty and are claiming veterans' preference, you will be granted a 5-pt tentative preference if your application shows that you have the required service (i.e. served in a war, campaign or expedition). At the time of appointment, you must produce a DD Form 214 documenting that your service was honorable. 7) Position is covered by the FAA Core Compensation plan. Additional information about core compensation is available on the following website: http://jobs.faa.gov/FAACoreCompensation.htm 8) Qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of this vacancy announcement. 9) Applicants may be asked to verify information on their application for employment with the FAA. 10) Applicants should include examples of Specialized Experience in their Work History. 11) A fixed relocation payment of $10,000 will be paid. 12) To check receipt of faxed documents, please contact Danny Bolding at daniel.bolding@faa.gov or 405-954-7949. This is not a bargaining unit position. Required Documents: You must submit proof of veterans preference (DD-214, and, if claiming 10-point preference, SF-15 plus proof required by that form) as requested by the Human Resource Office. Veterans Preference will only be considered based on what is supported. If you fail to provide the required documents within the stated time period, the Human Resource office may withdraw a job offer and/or remove you from further consideration. Copies of Official college or university transcripts, licenses and certificates MUST be submitted by date announcement closes.Forms: *SF-15 : Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference For more information on this job: Call Wanda Witten at 405-954-3969 or email to wanda.witten@Faa.Gov. Servicing HR office: Federal Aviation Administration DOT/FAA/MMAC/AMH-140 6500 S. MacArthur Blvd HQ ROOM 155 Oklahoma City, OK 73169 Phone: (405) 954-7903 Fax Number: (405) 954-3003 You must apply on-line to receive consideration. Your application must have a status of "Submitted" by 11:59 PM Central Time on the Close Date for it to be accepted. If you are applying for positions associated with FAA registers, your application must have a status of "Submitted" each time a referral list is created in order to receive consideration for positions associated with register. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FAA is an Equal Opportunity Employer All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on www.faa.gov/acr or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office. The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. In addition to base salary, a COLA percentage is authorized depending on where the job is located. COLA is currently tax-free for Federal income purposes. For more information about COLA, see the "More Information about this Job" section of this announcement. Citizens in the United States include those who were: born in the United States (the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam [since 1950], or the U.S. Virgin Islands); born outside the United States to parents who are citizens of the United States, one of which was physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for a continuous period of one year at any time prior to the birth of the person (in some situations only one parent has to be a citizen); naturalized as a United States citizen; or otherwise granted citizenship under authorities described in law, beginning at 8 U.S.C. 1401. For more information about citizenship and FAA employment, click Here In addition to base salary, Federal salaries may include a Locality Pay adjustment which varies depending on where the job is located. To see Locality Pay adjustment percentages,click Here Candidates for FAA positions are evaluated using our Automated Vacancy Information Access Tool for Online Referral (AVIATOR) system. AVIATOR compares your skills and experience as described in your application with the requirements of the position. If you are found to be an eligible, highly-qualified candidate, you will be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. (In some cases, individuals with priority for special consideration must be considered and selected before other candidates.) Whether or not you are contacted for an interview depends upon the location of the position and the judgment of the selecting official. You can check the status of your application by accessing AVIATOR and selecting the "My Applications" tab. Simply click on the "Status" link in the "Status" column to see whether a list has been sent to the selecting official and if you were included on the list. You can return to your application at any time to review your answers, and until the announcement closes you can change your application. Important - If you make any change to your application, you must resubmit it. If you change your application and do not resubmit it, your changes will not be considered part of your application package, and your previous application will be considered. Why Preference is Given Veterans' preference in its present form comes from the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, as amended, and is now codified in various provisions of title 5, United States Code. By law, veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over others in competitive external hiring.When Preference Applies Preference in hiring applies to permanent and temporary positions when external competitive hiring procedures are used. To receive preference, a veteran must have been separated from active duty in the Armed Forces with an honorable or general discharge. As defined in 5 U.S.C. 2101(2), "Armed Forces" means the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The veteran must also be eligible under one of the preference categories below. Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference in appointment unless they are disabled veterans. (This does not apply to Reservists who will not begin drawing military retired pay until age 60). For non-disabled users, active duty for training by National Guard or Reserve soldiers does not qualify as ""active duty"" for preference. For disabled veterans, active duty includes training service in the Reserves or National Guard, per the Merit Systems Protection Board decision in Hesse v. Department of the Army, 104 M.S.P.R. 647(2007). For purposes of these guidelines and 5 U.S.C. 2108, "war" means only those armed conflicts declared by congress as war. Eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF-15), Application for 10-point Veteran Preference, and submit the requested documentation.Preference Categories The following preference categories and points are based on 5 U.S.C. 2108 and 3309 as modified by a length of service requirement in 38 U.S.C. 5303A(d). (The letters following each category, e.g., "CPS", "CP", "XP","TP" are a short reference which will be used by the FAA in competitive external hiring procedures.) 5-point Preference (TP) Five points are added to the rating score of a veteran who served: During a war; or During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge,including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, Haiti,and Bosnia qualifies for preference. A Campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 11 71 or 1173.10- Point Compensable Disability Preference (CP) Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10 percent but less than 30 percent. 10-Point 30 Percent Compensable Disability Preference (CPS) Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% percent. 10-Point Disability Preference (XP) Ten points are added to the ranked numerical score of a veteran who at any time has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the department of Veterans Affairs but does not qualify as a CP or CPS; or a veteran who received a Purple Heart.10-Point Derived Preference (XP) Ten points are added to the numerical score of spouses, widows, widowers, or mothers of veterans. This type of preference is usually referred to a "Derived preference" because it is based on service of a veteran who is not able to use the preference. To receive 10-point preference (XP) the applicant must submit a SF-15 form and provide the required supporting documentation stipulated on the SF-15. Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC