Flight Safety Information September 20, 2012 - No. 191 In This Issue No FAA emergency directive on Boeing jets, GE engines Russia Admits Guilt of SSJ Crew for Indonesia Crash Is No-Frills Carrier Ryanair Skimping on Fuel? ALPA TARGETS SAFETY THREAT FROM LASER ATTACKS ON AIRCRAFT System could smooth out airplane trips. PRISM Certification Support Flying an airplane: There's an app for that Pilots fight for historic hangar's preservation GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY No FAA emergency directive on Boeing jets, GE engines The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said o n W ednesday it would stop short of issuing an emergency directive on recently identified problems in General Electric engines on a pair of Boeing Co jet models, sticking instead to more routine safety notices. An emergency directive could have meant temporary groundings of the GE-powered Boeing 787 and 747-8 jets, for instance, or other significant caps on fleet operations that now may be less likely. The issue emerged July 28 when a GEnx engine on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner failed during a pre-flight taxi test at Charleston International Airport in South Carolina, sparking a small fire by the runway. On Sept. 11, a GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 wide-body freighter was forced to abort a take-off from Shanghai, China, after it lost thrust. "The FAA will soon issue an airworthiness directive and will take appropriate action," the FAA said in a statement that dropped its previous reference to its preparing to release an emergency directive to deal with the matter. "It is NOT an emergency AD," an FAA spokeswoman said in an e-mail. AD is short for airworthiness directive, a notice to aircraft operators of a known safety defect. GE had no immediate comment on the FAA's decision to forego an emergency directive. Jim Proulx, a spokesman for Boeing, said the company could not comment nor speculate on any action the FAA might take in the matter. The FAA is expected to issue its directive on Friday or next Monday. Separately, Boeing said it plans to deliver the first 787 made in South Carolina next week, a jet equipped with GEnx engines, noting the engines have undergone special inspection. "We have done the checks on all our GE engines," Jack Jones, Boeing vice president and general manager, said Wednesday at an international trade conference near Charleston, South Carolina. "GE has done a great job of figuring out quickly what we have to do to ensure the integrity of the engine. We know that and we've implemented it." Jones said the engine issue had not affected Boeing's schedule of delivering planes. "It obviously didn't stop deliveries. That is absolutely critical," he said. Analysts said it now appears the FAA would call for repetitive, short-interval inspections of the GE engines, possibly because the root cause and a solution have been found. "As long as the upcoming directive does not materially restrict the affected aircraft from flying their intended flight profiles, we think it safe to say that Boeing has dodged the bullet on this one," said Carter Leake, an aerospace analyst with BB&T Capital Markets in Richmond, Virginia. Leake had said in recent a note to investors that "we would not be surprised if Air India opted not to close on aircraft due for immediate delivery this month" due to concerns about he GE engines. GE has introduced a new coating process to affected parts of new engines, Rick Kennedy, a company spokesman, said in an e-mail. "The change to different coatings, which has already been certified on other GE engines like the GE90, is FAA-approved for GEnx production," he said. On Friday, the National Transportation Safety Board had issued two "urgent" safety recommendations to the FAA after it had found cracks or crack indications in a GEnx engine part called the fan midshaft. The recommendations were, first, to issue an airworthiness directive to require, before further flight, the immediate ultrasonic inspection of the fan midshaft in all GEnx-1B and -2B engines that had not undergone inspection. The second was to require repetitive inspections of the fan midshaft at a "sufficiently short interval" that would permit multiple inspections and detection of a crack before it could reach critical length. The FAA, in its statement, said inspections already have been completed on all passenger airplanes, none of which are with U.S. airlines. Atlas Cargo Airlines is the only operator with two U.S. registered aircraft, it said. "We understand both inspections were completed with no findings" of cracks, the statement added. Hans Weber of TECOP International Inc, a San Diego, California, consultant on aerospace technology, said it appeared that the root cause of the fracture problem had been determined to the satisfaction of GE, Boeing and the FAA. The intervals between repeat inspections is in the process of being determined by GE and the FAA, he said. Other recent examples of airplanes operating with known defects under controlled inspection regimens are the RR Trent 900 engine for the Airbus A380 and the wing cracks of the A380, Weber added. http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/19/boeing-ge-faa-idINL1E8KJCMO20120919 Back to Top Russia Admits Guilt of SSJ Crew for Indonesia Crash On Wednesday, representatives of the Russian Trade and Industry Ministry in Indonesia signed a protocol accepting the findings of local experts, who concluded that the crash of the Russian SSJ-100 on May 9 was caused by human error: the pilots did not react to the terrain and traffic collision avoidance system's warning. Indonesia's National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC) has completed the investigation of the crash and is coordinating its results with the interested parties, primarily with Russia, which owned the plane. The Russian delegation went to Indonesia on September 12 and signed the acceptance protocol on September 19. It was a mere formality, since the Russian ministry already signed an identical protocol four months ago, 12 days after the crash. That document says that all of the aircraft's systems and units were in full working order, including the Terrain Warning Awareness System which issued a terrain hazard warning. On May 9, a Sukhoi SuperJet-100 piloted by Alexander Yablontsev was making a demonstration flight in Indonesia, which was planning to purchase the aircraft. Trying to show off the plane at its best, the pilot took it to a dangerously low altitude and circled instead of turning back as planned. The experienced pilot flew the plane very well but made a fatal mistake at the end of the maneuver: he turned south into the mountains instead of north toward the airport. He further ignored the TWAS warning, believing that he was flying over a plain. As a result, the SSJ crashed into a mountainside at Mount Salak, killing all 45 people on board, including the crew. This reconstruction, which clearly points to mistakes made by the SSJ-100 crew, was approved by the experts of both countries in summer. The point on which they could not agree was not the reason for the crash, but the so-called contributing factors. The Russian delegation has forwarded its dissenting opinion to the NTSC and asked its Indonesian colleagues to evaluate the performance of the flight controller. The Russian experts believe that permission for the SSJ-100 to descend to the dangerous altitude of 6,000 feet was incorrectly given, and that the flight controller was too busy monitoring other flights to realize in time that the SSJ was flying toward the mountains. The Russian experts, who did not officially take part in the investigation, admit that in accordance with the international procedure the NTSC can include their reasons in their report or leave them out, without explaining their reasoning. This is in fact the main intrigue of the investigation, which is not officially over yet. The NTSC report is to be coordinated with the French producers of engines and the U.S. manufacturers of navigation systems for the SSJ- 100. Experts say this could take several weeks, and so the conclusions will not be made public before October. http://en.ria.ru/papers/20120920/176084875.html Back to Top Is No-Frills Carrier Ryanair Skimping on Fuel? A series of recent low-fuel incidents for Ryanair, the Ireland-based carrier known for its no-frills planes and low fares, has prompted a safety investigation. In three cases, the airline was forced to make emergency landings because aircraft were drawing close to the minimum legal level of fuel. Another two incidents were due to engine fault and a technical issue, according to The Telegraph. Each incident took place in Spanish airspace. An investigation is being conducted jointly by Ireland's Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Spanish Ministry of Development. The Telegraph reported that the Irish pilots union claims that flight crews are under pressure from Ryanair to carry the minimum amount of fuel required under European regulations and that the European Cockpit Association said that pilots were being encouraged to make decisions based on "factors other than safety." Ryanair has rejected both of those claims. The less fuel an airplane carries, the greater the savings for the carrier. Ryanair in the past has suggested such innovations as pay toilets and stand-up seating. "The Irish authorities gave an assurance of the Irish Aviation Authority's rigorous oversight of Ryanair's operations and of their satisfaction with Ryanair's safety standards which are on a par with the safest airlines in Europe," said the Irish department of transport in a statement. However, Spain's minister overseeing aviation safety has called for tighter safety rules at low- cost airlines. A spokesman for Ryanair told the paper it had "invited the Spanish Ministry to send a team of inspectors to Dublin to correct any (misplaced) concerns about Ryanair's compliance with Europe's highest operating and maintenance standards by providing them with unfettered access to Ryanair operating, maintenance and flight training facilities and unlimited access to Ryanair's safety, flight management, engineering and maintenance personnel." http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/09/is-no-frills-carrier-ryanair-skimping-on-fuel/ Back to Top ALPA TARGETS SAFETY THREAT FROM LASER ATTACKS ON AIRCRAFT The Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA) joined regulatory, federal, state, and local law enforcement representatives at a Trenton, New Jersey, news conference today to underscore the safety threat posed by laser attacks on aircraft and highlight the public's need to be aware of the danger and the legal consequences of deliberately or unintentionally shining a laser at an aircraft. "Attacking an aircraft with a laser can create a major distraction in the cockpit, injure the pilots operating the flight, and put both passengers aboard and the public on the ground below at risk," said Capt. Lee Moak, ALPA's president, regarding the news conference. "Today's event is just one example of the enhanced cooperation among the Federal Aviation Administration, federal, state, and local law enforcement, and airline pilots to combat this dangerous aviation security threat." In January 2010, ALPA released a regulatory, legislative, and public awareness action plan to safeguard the skies from laser attacks. In, February 2012, President Obama signed into law language that expressly made shining a laser at an aircraft or its flight path a federal crime, which is a key component of ALPA's action plan. In 2011, ALPA, in partnership with Airlines for America, held an international conference titled "Laser Illumination of Aircraft: A Growing Threat," to help raise awareness among key government and industry decision makers. "The public needs to know that individuals who shine lasers at aircraft are jeopardizing the safety of air transportation and will be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law," said Capt. Robert Hamilton, who currently chairs ALPA's Security Council and who has been lased while flying an aircraft. "Intentional or not, these laser strikes are no joke and have serious consequences." Founded in 1931, ALPA is the world's largest pilot union, representing more than 52,000 pilots at 36 airlines in the United States and Canada. http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/news/2012/09/20/alpa-targets-safety-threat-from-laser- attacks-on-aircraft.html Back to Top System could smooth out airplane trips A new turbulence avoidance system, the first at a U.S. airport, promises relief for passengers who dread bumpy rides to mountainous destinations, officials say. The Federal Aviation Administration formally commissioned the system, developed by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, in July for Alaska's Juneau International Airport. The system -- using a network of wind measuring instruments and computational formulas to interpret rapidly changing atmospheric conditions -- gives pilots data they can use to steer away from patches of potentially dangerous turbulence, an NCAR release reported Wednesday. "By alerting pilots to areas of moderate and severe turbulence, this system enables them to fly more frequently and safely in and out of the Juneau airport in poor weather," Alan Yates, NCAR program manager, said. "It allows pilots to plan better routes, helping to reduce the bumpy rides that passengers have come to associate with airports in these mountainous settings." NCAR researchers say the system could help at other airports that often have notoriously severe turbulence, in areas ranging from Southern California and the U.S. Mountain West to Norway and New Zealand. http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2012/09/19/System-could-smooth-out-airplane-trips/UPI- 77281348082864/ Back to Top Back to Top Flying an airplane: There's an app for that Mobile apps for pilots are replacing flight bags full of maps and related navigational material in the Western Michigan University College of Aviation. Using the Foreflight app, pilots can access weather maps, instrument procedures and other navigation and flight-planning information on an iPad. The flight bag full of information often weigh up to 40 pounds. "The iPad can hold a library of reference material used in the process of learning how to fly, but the ForeFlight app is arguably the cornerstone of iPad utility as an electronic flight bag, or EFB," says Capt. Steve Jones, WMU executive director of flight operations. "The app presents all the approach plates, departure procedures and route maps in a way that is extremely powerful." The ForeFlight App can gather preflight weather information, plan flights, conduct preflight research, file flight plans, keep charts and terminal procedures up-to-date, and manage iPad deployments. The Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of approving the use of tablet computers as flight bags in an increasingly large number of corporate and commercial flight organizations, and they are quickly gaining acceptance in the industry. The use of the new app is in keeping with the college of aviation's push to provide the latest in avionic systems on which to train its students. College officials say that their technical equipment is four to five years more advanced than that used by any other collegiate flight program in the world. "The ForeFlight Mobile product provides a very wide variety of flight publications electronically that a pilot can reference for information and navigation purposes," says Capt. Steve Jones, WMU executive director of flight operations. http://swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com/innovationnews/wmucollegeofaviationapp0920.aspx Back to Top Pilots fight for historic hangar's preservation The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport Commission will seek bids on work to stabilize a historic World War II hangar and improve its appearance while more long-range plans are developed. The hangar is located along the eastern tip of the airport. It was damaged during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A group of pilots, veterans and local officials hope preserve the hangar, built in 1941, and eventually turn it into a museum. Officials say the hangar was part of the military installation known as Gulfport Army Air Field. Airport officials say there could be $3.2 million in federal disaster assistance money available for work at the hangar, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Airport officials say the estimates they've received for restoration are near $10 million. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/20/4837265/pilots-fight-for-historic-hangars.html Back to Top GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY Hello, My name is Christopher Hubacek and I am a Master's student in Aviation Human Factors at Florida Institute of Technology. For my thesis, I am developing a low-level prototype for a data communication interface that will be incorporated into GA glass cockpits, to follow with design and implementation goals for FAA's NextGen system. However, before I develop the display, I need input from intended users about display preferences and when they would plan on using it the most. Transport category aircraft already have the ability to send and receive data communication from the cockpit with ATC, commonly through a system called ACARS. My concept is taking that technology and incorporating it with GA. Also, going beyond simple display design, receiving input on the intended use can be helpful for creating procedures revolving around when is best to use data or voice communications. The survey can be accessed through the following link: http://GADatacommfinal.questionpro.com. It is primarily multiple-choice with a few questions that involve typing comments, and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Thank you for your participation. Christopher Hubacek Curt Lewis