Flight Safety Information March 6, 2012 - No. 046 In This Issue American jet makes emergency landing in Little Rock Ornge helicopters have safety issues, Opposition says (Canada) EASA floats cockpit automation policy FAA Confirms Shift to 90-Day Underwater Locating Devices ARGUS PROS Global Auditing Pemco World Air Services Files for Bankruptcy to Sell Assets Airplane overhead bins get bigger Aviation business provides strong tailwind for John Menzies Airbus A-319...Emergency...Landing (Indonesia) European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP)...International Courses on...Human Factors POSITION AVAILABLE:...THERMAL METHODS & TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEER POSITION AVAILABLE:...MECHANICAL TOOLING DESIGN ENGINEER POSITION AVAILABLE:...SENIOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER American jet makes emergency landing in Little Rock LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - An American Airlines flight that originated at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport made an unexpected landing in Little Rock Monday evening. Officials at Little Rock National Airport told KARK that Flight 1366 landed around 5:30 after being diverted from its original destination of Memphis, Tennessee and 47 minutes after taking off from D/FW. Pilots made the decision to change the flight plan after a cockpit instrument indicated a problem with the oil level in one of the aircraft's two engines. Airport officials said all 129 passengers and five crew members on board the MD-80 jet were safe. American dispatched a second plane to take the passengers on to Memphis after a two- hour delay. The airline sent mechanics from Tulsa to inspect the plane that landed in Little Rock. http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/American-jet-makes-emergency-landing-in-Little- Rock-141519433.html Back to Top Ornge helicopters have safety issues, Opposition says (Canada) Ontario's Opposition says pilots, paramedics and patients should all be worried about the safety of helicopters used by Ornge, the province's air ambulance system. Progressive Conservative transport critic Frank Klees says the 12 Augusta Westland helicopters Ontario purchased for $144 million have problems with tail rotors falling off. The European Aviation Safety Agency issued an air worthiness directive for the AW139 helicopters last month, advising owners to greatly increase inspections and rotor replacements. Klees, a former transport minister, says he wouldn't ride in an Ornge helicopter, even in an emergency, and would find another way to get to hospital. Health Minister Deb Matthews was unaware of the air worthiness directive concerning the Ornge air ambulance helicopters, but said patient safety was a top priority for the new board of directors. The government has called in police to investigate various for-profit companies set up by Ornge and fired the previous board of directors and founder Dr. Chris Mazza, who was making $1.4 million a year. The New Democrats say the government has nothing but excuses for the problems with the helicopters and financial irregularities at Ornge, and call the situation very disturbing. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/03/05/ornge-helicopter-safety.html Back to Top EASA floats cockpit automation policy Pilot performance in highly automated aircraft needs to be improved, according to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). A draft report from the agency's ongoing study aimed at developing an EASA automation policy has revealed some potential "paths for improvement". EASA safety action coordinator Michel Masson presented the initial findings to the Flight Safety Foundation's European Aviation Safety Seminar in Dublin on 29 February. The essential components of the problem have been divided into 17 detailed issues, said Masson, including the division of priorities between "flying the aircraft and managing the automation the transformation of the pilot's role", and "complacency, over-reliance on automation, and decision-making". Crews, says the study, should be provided with more guidance on what the appropriate levels of automation are for different tasks and situations, which implies that airlines should have a published policy on this. EASA's draft "paths for improvement" at this stage include revising multi-crew pilot licence and computer-based training requirements on automation management, and adopting a more evidence-based approach to the way automation management is taught in recurrent training and testing. There are also suggested demands on manufacturers and operators to publish type- specific (rather than generic) automation policies. EASA also raises questions about "the certification of assumptions with regard to flight crew competencies" where automation is concerned. The agency also suggests it should approve or harmonise "flight deck software customisation" - for example, electronic checklists and procedures, warning systems, and electronic flight bags. http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/easa-floats-cockpit-automation-policy- 369065/ Back to Top FAA Confirms Shift to 90-Day Underwater Locating Devices They are likely to have a lithium battery large enough that it will be considered hazardous material and shipped accordingly, the agency acknowledged. It granted more time to phase in the new requirement. A notice published by the Federal Aviation Administration confirms that its existing Technical Standard Order authorizations for the production of acoustic underwater locating devices (ULDs) are being revoked to make way for a new authorization that will increase the devices' minimum battery operating life from 30 days to 90 days. The agency proposed this in August 2011 and received comments asking for a longer phase-in period, which FAA granted, and noting a ULD that can meet the 90-day performance criteria will have a lithium battery large enough that it will be considered hazardous material, which means the manufacturer will have to ship them according to DOT Hazardous Material Class 9 regulations. The commenter, L-3 Communications Aviation Recorders, said this burden would place considerable constraints on available carriers and the destinations to which they will ship, and thus would negatively affect its customers. FAA simply acknowledged that hazmat shipping regulations for lithium batteries will need to be obeyed. Boeing Commercial Airplanes filed the comment seeking more time to come into compliance. There are multiple flight data recorder suppliers with varying procurement methods and contractual details that must be addressed, and the new SAE AS8045A performance standards referenced in the proposed FAA authorization include new testing requirements; Boeing said one ULD manufacturer has indicated its existing 90-day ULD will not meet the SAE standards, so a complete redesign of the unit will be necessary. Agreeing, FAA changed the date for withdrawing the existing authorizations to March 1, 2015. All manufacturers of Underwater Locating Devices (Acoustic) (Self-Powered) seeking TSO authorization will then need to obtain a new authorization to manufacture in accordance with the new authorization. L-3 Communications said it may take up to six years to replace a locator beacon battery, so there will be years of both 30-day and 90-day beacons in service once the new authorization is in effect. L-3 said following a crash, time would be unnecessarily spent determining whether a 90-day beacon was aboard before deciding to undertake an extended search effort. But FAA disagreed, although it acknowledged this change will result in a mixture of ULD equipment across the fleet. Manufacturers currently produce both 30-day and 90-day ULDs, and the agency said it believes no additional burden is imposed to identify whether a 30-day or a 90-day ULD is installed on an aircraft for an operator during an over-water accident investigation. http://ohsonline.com/articles/2012/03/06/faa-confirms-shift-to-90-day-underwater- locating-devices.aspx?admgarea=news Back to Top Back to Top Pemco World Air Services Files for Bankruptcy to Sell Assets (Bloomberg) Pemco World Air Services Inc., which provides aircraft maintenance and repair services, sought bankruptcy protection with plans to sell the company at auction. The company, based in Tampa, Florida, listed assets and debt of $50 million to $100 million each in Chapter 11 documents filed today in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware. Two affiliates also sought court protection. Pemco, an indirect unit of Boca Raton, Florida-based private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners, filed for bankruptcy "to sell their viable aircraft maintenance and conversion business," Chief Financial Officer Benjamin B. Ward said in court papers. The sale would be conducted as a bankruptcy auction subject to competing bids and court approval. The company will also "complete a prompt and orderly liquidation of substantially all of their remaining U.S.-based assets," Ward said. Pemco will seek court approval to borrow as much as $37.8 million from Avion Services Holdings LLC to help fund operations while in bankruptcy, according to court documents. Avion, a Sun Capital affiliate holding $31.8 million in Pemco debt, has been chosen to act as the initial bidder at the auction. The company claims to be the world leader in narrow-body aircraft cargo conversions with more than 300 completed, court papers show. Founded in 2007, Pemco has about 877 employees at three service facilities in Tampa, Dothan, Alabama, and Erlanger, Kentucky. The case is In re Pemco World Air Services Inc., 12-10799, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington). Back to Top Airplane overhead bins get bigger MINNEAPOLIS - Fliers can stop sharpening their elbows. Overhead bins are getting bigger. Packed planes and a high volume of carry-ons are forcing airlines to expand the space above passenger's heads. United and Delta are the latest airlines to replace or upgrade bins so they hold more luggage. And engineers at Boeing are designing jet interiors with today's bulkier luggage in mind. It's a chance to placate passengers who feel like they're thrown into a roller derby every time they board a plane. Because of fees on checked bags, more passengers are bringing carry-ons, which are growing in size. And with planes more crowded than ever, bins fill up before everyone has reached their seat. Travelers fight physics and one another to shove one more bag overhead. Or they're forced to check luggage at the gate. The result is upset travelers, harried flight attendants and delays. The percentage of passengers bringing bags on board has hovered around 87 percent in recent years, United Continental says. And "the size of the carry-on has increased ... They are stretching the limits of their bags," says Scott O'Leary, managing director of customer solutions at United Continental Holdings Inc. Expanding bins is a smart way for airlines to set themselves apart, says Henry Harteveldt, who leads airline and travel analysis at Atmosphere Research Group, a market research firm. "Especially if they cater to the business traveler, they're hoping it will give them a small but noticeable competitive advantage." Business travelers, for example, avoid an airline that doesn't have room for their carry- ons. At first blush, it might seem like airlines risk giving away fees if more people can fit carry-ons on board. But they're not risking much as it turns out. Airlines often waive bag fees when luggage can't fit overhead and must be checked at the gate. And business travelers, who generate most of the industry's revenue, are often exempt from baggage fees anyway. But will bigger bins encourage fliers to bring larger bags? Airlines hope not, and are trying to crack down before luggage makes it into the cabin. Airlines expanding their bins include: - United: The airline is replacing bin doors on 152 planes starting in April. The new doors curve out more than the old ones. That allows passengers to slide bags into the compartment wheels-first instead of sideways. The renovated bins will be on all of United's Airbus A320s, one of the main jets the airline uses for domestic flying. The planes will hold 106 typical roll-on bags, up from 64. The bins are also getting more rugged latches because latches on overstuffed bins are more likely to break. Passengers on United's A320s have had to check their bags at a higher rate than travelers on other planes because there wasn't enough room. "That's a real sore point," O'Leary says. - American Airlines: The airline's new 737s will hold 48 more bags than the planes they are replacing, although they have 24 more seats, too. That means more people and luggage. American's older 737s are also getting new baggage-bin doors that curve out more. The work is finished on about half of the 76 planes. - Delta Air Lines: Passengers on international routes like Atlanta-Paris or Minneapolis- Amsterdam are starting to see new bins on the airline's 767 jets. The compartments hold 26 more bags than the bins they are replacing. It's an increase of 23 percent. - US Airways Group Inc.: In 2008, it enlarged bins on its 757s, a mid-sized plane flown on routes including Phoenix to Hawaii and Charlotte, N.C., to Dublin. Like United, the change allowed fliers to slide bags in wheels-first instead of sideways. "We know it's a customer enhancement, and yeah, they like it," says US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr. Tim Kirkwood, a flight attendant for 35 years, remembers overhead bins that were basically open shelves for coats and hats. Now, leisure travelers trying to avoid a bag fee will bring as much as they can into the cabin. "A bigger bin is good because at least more stuff will fit up there," says Kirkwood, who asked that his airline not be identified. "But it just seems to encourage them to bring more stuff." Boeing wants its new planes to have the right bins for all that stuff. The company is engineering its bins to be a better fit for a standard 9 x 14 x 22-inch roll-aboard bag. That's a change from the past. Designers used to focus on maximizing cubic inches. That produced impressive-sounding space that would be quoted in Boeing's sales materials. But it wasn't necessarily a good fit for actual carry-on luggage, says Kent Craver, Boeing's cabin expert. "We never used to talk about how many bags would fit. We talked about volume," he says. In designing bins on its new 787, Boeing dispatched workers to Costco and other stores to buy roll-aboard bags to make sure they would fit. The 787-8 holds 10 percent more carry-on bags than the larger 777, even though the volume inside the bins is about the same. For passengers, "volume doesn't really matter. It's whether or not my bag fits," Craver says. And that's the number Boeing now shows in its sales materials. The extra space also makes it more likely that bags will end up close to the passenger who brought them. "They don't want it 20 rows behind them or 20 rows in front of them, because that causes a lot of anxiety," Craver says. Bigger bins help. So would passengers who follow the rules about carry-on sizes. Passengers with bigger-than-allowed bags might take bin space from others. It can be tough for airlines to enforce the rules with passengers who print their own boarding pass at home. That's because the first time an airline worker sees them is at the gate. United is trying to be stricter about carry-on sizes. It has been running an experiment at a few airports, where agents are told to look out for bags that are too big or passengers who bring too many. Oversized bags are checked at the gate. As a result, there's more room to stow carry-ons. United declined to identify the airports. American is also trying to be tougher about carry-on sizes. At every gate, it has installed new size-checking boxes with three hard sides. Bags either slide in or they don't. The old checkers had no walls, so it was easier to fudge. Airline spokesman Tim Smith says the new boxes act as an arbiter when customers deny that their carry-on is too bulky. American will check a bag for free at the gate if it's too big. Emily Quinnell, who studies social work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, had to check some small bags at the gate on a recent flight between Minneapolis and Denver. There was no room in the bins. She says airlines should have known that charging for luggage would cause passengers to push the limits of what they can bring on board. "I'm not going to pay for it," she says. "I'm a student." http://tucsoncitizen.com/arizona-news/2012/03/05/airplane-overhead-bins-get-bigger/ Back to Top Aviation business provides strong tailwind for John Menzies (Reuters) - John Menzies Plc (MNZS.L) posted a full-year pretax profit that topped expectations, boosted by contract wins in its airline ground handling business. John Menzies, which also distributes The Financial Times and The Independent in the UK, said it made a positive start to the year and was trading in line with its expectations. Its Menzies Aviation unit reported a 31 percent jump in operating profit, making it the top profit contributor for the year. The company also said it was looking to identify new markets for this unit, which counts Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), Emirates, and EasyJet (EZJ.L) as its customers. January-December underlying pretax profit rose 25 percent to 56.4 million pounds. Turnover rose marginally to 2.01 billion pounds. The company last year bought Media on the Move, which provides marketing and distribution services to airports and airlines, from Journey Group (JNYJ.L) to expand in the travel industry. The Edinburgh, Scotland-based company started as a chain of newsagent shops but sold its retail operations in 1998 to focus on its distribution business. The company raised its final dividend by 21 percent to 17 pence a share. John Menzies' shares, which have gained 21 percent since the company forecast a 20 percent jump in full-year pretax profit in November, closed at 587 pence on Monday on the London Stock Exchange. Back to Top Airbus A-319 Emergency Landing (Indonesia) Date: 06-MAR-2012 Time: 08:55 a.m. Type: Airbus A319 Operator: Silk air Registration: C/n / msn: Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 124 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Minor Location: Adisumarmo Airport in Solo - Indonesia Phase: Landing Nature: International Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Singapore Destination airport: Adisumarmo Airport in Solo Narrative: The landing gear of a Silk Air plane briefly caught fire during an emergency landing at Adisumarmo Airport in Solo on Tuesday morning 6 March 2012. None of the Airbus A319's 124 passengers were injured as the plane touched down safely. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top European Association for Aviation Psychology (EAAP) International Courses on Human Factors in Flight Safety, Safety Management Systems, Risk Management and Safety Investigation, 2012. Dr Rob Lee, Kristina Pollack and Brent Hayward will be conducting two of their popular EAAP-recognized "Human Factors in Flight Safety, Safety Management Systems, Risk Management and Safety Investigation" courses in 2012. The first of these courses was conducted at the European Commission Joint Research Centre at Ispra, Italy in 1999. Since then, these EAAP courses have been continually updated to reflect the many changes in the aviation industry. They have been held regularly, in locations including Eurocontrol, Luxembourg; the SAS Flight Academy, Stockholm; Iberia Airlines, Madrid; NAV Portugal, Lisbon; the Swiss Air Force, Interlaken; Aer Lingus, Dublin; and, Emirates, Dubai. A total of more than 270 participants, both civil and military, have attended these highly regarded courses. This year, the 15th of these courses will be held in Dubai, UAE, from 13-17 May 2012, kindly hosted by Emirates Airline. The 16th course will be held the following week, between 21-26 May, in Dublin, Ireland, kindly hosted by Aer Lingus. Both courses will be open to all interested parties. Both courses will offer reduced registration fees for EAAP members, as well as a significant additional "Early Bird" discount for those who register and pay by 30 April 2012. Detailed information on the course content and its instructors, together with Registration Brochures for both the Dublin and Dubai courses can now be downloaded from the EAAP website: www.eaap.net/courses.html Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: THERMAL METHODS & TECHNOLOGIES ENGINEER - CDI, Aerospace Division We have an immediate need for Thermal Methods and Technologies Engineers. Job Description: We are seeking Thermal Methods and Technologies Engineers responsible for integrating and developing Thermal Methods & Technologies to enhance the Thermal/Fluid analysis capabilities of aircraft engine components and systems. This includes the development and validation of processes related to Fluid Systems, Heat Transfer and Computational Fluid Dynamics for the purpose of supporting the design of aircraft engines. Preferred location for this position is either Cincinnati, OH or Lynn, MA, however alternative locations will be considered. Responsibilities: Thermal Methods and Technologies Engineers will perform in the following task areas: * Develop new methods and technologies or enhance current methods and technologies for the purpose of pushing the technology in aircraft engines forward for lower Specific Fuel Consumption, higher thermodynamic efficiencies and increased hardware life. * Specific components or regions of investigation are: Rotor/Stator Heat Transfer; Fluid System Design; Rotor Thrust; Combustor Heat Transfer; Turbine Flow Path Heat Transfer. * Plan and execute component and engine test programs and utilize the results to validate engine designs, systems and analytical models. * Provide technical guidance to other personnel and teams; mentor others in the organization. * Formulate and implement plans to achieve technical requirements, schedules and contract commitments; develop action plans to anticipate and respond to challenges. * Monitor and communicate project status, business issues and significant developments; participate as a presenter or reviewer in technical and program reviews. * Work with a variety of engineering organizations and contribute to the development of the engine systems and designs Capable of managing multiple priorities under tight timelines. Required Skills and Experience include: * Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in an engineering position. * Engineering experience in aviation turbomachinery design. * Experience in calculating flows and temperatures in support of product design and analysis. INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND RESUME TO: Zoe.Fuentes@cdicorp.com Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: MECHANICAL TOOLING DESIGN ENGINEER - CDI, Aeropsace Division Must have UGNX (Unigraphics)experience US Citizen or Green Card Holder POSITION TITLE: Engineer I LOCATION: Cincinnati, Ohio or MA Develops solutions to a variety of problems. Fully applies standard engineering principles, theories, concepts and techniques. Familiar with manufacturing processes. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES: * No formal supervisory responsibilities. May provide direction to drafters and designers. * Performs engineering assignments in support of a broad range of activities. * Creates design concepts and develops solutions to customer specific problems. * Develops quotations of time and material required to concept and coordinates with Technical Leader. * Performs simple engineering design and analysis. * Creates database models and design layouts as required. * May plan and schedule the work of self and others. * Reports results of own work and that of other professionals. * Functions within defined customer procedures and guidelines. * Completes simple internal documents and other related duties. * Maintains knowledge of the CDI organization and works as a team member to accomplish all tasks. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: * Works under only very general supervision. * Independently determines and develops approaches to solutions. * Work is reviewed upon completion for adequacy in meeting objectives. * Failure to achieve results, erroneous decisions or recommendations could cause delays in program schedules and result in the allocation of additional resources. * Refers to Technical Leader for guidance in areas where standard procedures do not apply or have not been developed. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: * Requires Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology or equivalent experience. * Requires at least three years of directly related experience. Education beyond a Bachelors degree may substitute for some experience. * Must have demonstrated ability to develop design concepts. * Must have demonstrated ability to develop detailed quotations * Must have demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills ensuring positive customer relations. * Must have knowledge of the principles of engineering and a demonstrated ability to apply these principles and to evaluate the technical work of others. * Must have demonstrated skills in project management to meet cost and schedule commitments. CONTACTS: * Primary contact with Technical Leader to coordinate project tasks. * Regular contact with other departments furnishing or obtaining information. * Regular contact outside the organization where concurrent engineering in an integrated product development team environment is essential. * Regular contact with customers and suppliers to gather information and ensure designs meet customer specific needs. * Regular contact with engineers, purchasing, sales and manufacturing to coordinate project activities. The above is intended to be a summary of key elements to the position; it is not intended to be a complete list of all the duties and responsibilities. ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND RESUME TO: Zoe.Fuentes@cdicorp.com Back to Top POSITION AVAILABLE: SENIOR MECHANICAL DESIGN ENGINEER - CDI, Aerospace Division Position Summary: Perform mechanical design activities on gas turbine engine components. Position requires the ability to succeed in multiple disciplines such as dynamics, structural analysis, manufacturing, instrumentation, and assembly. Provide design support for hardware assembly and test. Prepare, report, and present technical information in external and internal reviews. Responsibilities: * Responsible for design type team projects with regard to scheduling, quality and standards. * Responsible for all the aspects of the high-speed rotating equipment design for aerospace projects from conception to production transition involving significant scope and complexity with emphasis on performing analyses. * Maintain open and consistent communication with other team members, direct and indirect supervisors to assure quality in customer service. * Keeps current with customer software, standards & procedure. * Utilize drafting resources to execute assigned tasks working closely with manufacturing and sourcing when necessary. * Review and lead appropriate engineering analysis to ensure robust designs that meet all requirements. * Maintain a positive attitude when interfacing with customers, other team members, & supervisors. Look for solutions when identifying problems. Contribute to a positive work environment. Qualifications & Skills Preferred: Solid Modeling Design Structures and Machine Design GDT per ASME Y14.5 & Design Drafting Microsoft Office Tools Strong interpersonal communication skills Education / Degree Requirements: BS degree in Mechanical Engineering or Aeronautical Engineering Experience Required: Minimum of 10 years of mechanical design and turbo machinery design experience is required INTERESTED APPLICANTS SHOULD SEND RESUME TO: Zoe.Fuentes@cdicorp.com Curt Lewis, P.E., CSP, FRAeS, FISASI CURT LEWIS & ASSOCIATES, LLC