Flight Safety Information September 24, 2013 - No. 197 In This Issue FAA to discuss easing up on in-flight electronic devices EU Commission pushing for new flight rules GE Aviation joins NASA partnership for composites research Parkland to take on University's Institute of Aviation Boeing launches airplane maintenance iPad apps FAA ends direct-to-consumer paper chart sales Think ARGUS PROS Airbus Sees $4.4 Trillion Commercial Jet Market Over 20 Years NTSB Communications Course Watch for: AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE FAA to discuss easing up on in-flight electronic devices A federal advisory panel will meet this week to come up with recommendations for the use of electronic devices on airplanes during take-offs and landings. The Federal Aviation Administration committee, which has been meeting since January, will gather behind closed doors tomorrow and Wednesday to discuss whether or not restrictions should be eased, an FAA spokesperson said. The panel of industry and labor representatives had been scheduled to make recommendations in July, but the FAA extended the deadline to this month. "The FAA recognizes consumers are intensely interested in the use of personal electronics aboard aircraft," the FAA said in a written statement. "That is why we tasked a government-industry group to examine the safety issues and the feasibility of changing the current restrictions. The group is meeting again this week and is expected to complete a report to the FAA by the end of the month. We will wait for the group to finish its work before we determine next steps." FAA restrictions on electronics go back decades, before smartphones and computer tablets became ubiquitous. They were put in place because of concerns that devices could interfere with a plane's communications systems. But there's been no definitive proof that the electronics tamper with a plane's systems. Currently, the use of electronic devices is allowed above 10,000 feet. Any FAA recommendation would not apply to the use of cell phones on planes, which is prohibited by the Federal Communications Commission. http://www.usatoday.com/story/todayinthesky/2013/09/23/faa-electronic-devices-ease-restrictions/2854521/ Back to Top EU Commission pushing for new flight rules The new rules, proposed by the EU Commission, have been widely criticized as "unsafe" and not scientifically-based. Pilots and cabin crew, who in January staged 'walkouts' across Europe to warn about the dangers of aircrew fatigue, consider this proposal unacceptable and call for its rejection by the European Parliament. BRUSSELS - The safety of millions of European air passengers will be subject to a decisive vote in the European Parliament (EP), in one week's time (30 Sept.). At stake are new rules for EU-wide Flight Time Limitations (FTL) for pilots and cabin crew, which the EP Transport Committee will decide upon. The new rules, proposed by the EU Commission, have been widely criticized as "unsafe" and not scientifically-based. Pilots and cabin crew, who in January staged 'walkouts' across Europe to warn about the dangers of aircrew fatigue, consider this proposal unacceptable and call for its rejection by the European Parliament. "The Commission seems to be imposing its political decisions while tossing away the justified concerns of pilots, cabin crews and fatigue safety experts," says Nico Voorbach, President of the European Cockpit Association, and a pilot himself. "The new rules will only worsen the situation of air crews flying while dangerously fatigued. Would you get onboard a plane if you knew that the pilot will have been awake for 22 hours when landing? In the future, you wouldn't have a choice." "The proposed rules contain a large number of provisions that are counter to what scientific experts consider safe," says Philip von Schoppenthau, ECA Secretary General, "and several provisions constitute an outright risk to flight safety." Among the most striking examples are the proposed standby provisions and night flights. Whilst the Commission allows 11-12hrs30 flight time at night, scientific experts consistently recommended a maximum of 10hrs as being the safe limit. "Beyond that, air crews experience critically high levels of fatigue, which impairs our ability to operate the aircraft safely," explains Voorbach. "The proposal also allows crews to be on standby for 8hrs and to consequently take a flight duty of up to 14hrs, landing after 22+hrs on duty/awake. "This is simply not safe," says Elisabetta Chicca, ETF Cabin Crew Chair. "The Commission proposal is a blunt example of the democratic deficit in the EU. While Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will only have the right to say "yes" or "no" to the new rules, they won't be able to put under scrutiny many substantive provisions," says Francois Ballestero, ETF Political Secretary for Aviation. "MEPs have a democratic mandate and it is time for them to say 'stop'. The only thing they need is 5 minutes of political courage to dare to reject the Commission proposal, so it can be improved in line with what Europe's citizens expect. Not doing so would be irresponsible." http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/56796/eu-commission-pushing-for-new#sthash.kL9cHHb8.dpuf Back to Top GE Aviation joins NASA partnership for composites research Evendale-based GE Aviation is among six firms NASA has selected to participate in a government-industry partnership on advanced composite materials research. GE Aviation is among companies that submitted proposals as part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Advanced Composites Project. The project sought proposals to reduce the time for developing, verifying and gaining regulatory acceptance of new composite materials and structures. NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory reviewed and assessed the submissions. Participants were selected for "their technical expertise, willingness and ability to share in costs, certification experience with government agencies, focused technology areas and partnership histories," according to NASA. Bell Helicopter Textron, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, Boeing Research & Technology and United Technologies and its subsidiary Pratt & Whitney are the other companies involved. The companies' first task is to develop articles of collaboration and figure out how they will work together. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130923/BIZ/309230101/GE-Aviation-joins-NASA-partnership- composites-research Back to Top Parkland to take on University's Institute of Aviation The University's Institute of Aviation will be taken over by Parkland College for the low price of $1 a year, as finalized in an intergovernmental agreement signed Wednesday. The 2013-2014 school year is the last year that the Institute of Aviation will be open to University students. In September 2010, President Robert Easter called the institute's economic viability into question after 65 years on campus, putting forth a recommendation that the institute be closed to save the University between $500,000 and $750,000 annually. In July 2011, the Board of Trustees voted 6-2 to close the institute, despite protests by members of both the institute and the Urbana-Champaign Senate. However, there is still hope for aspiring aviation students in the Champaign-Urbana community. Parkland College will open an aviation program that will allow students to obtain a two-year aviation-related Associate of Science degree. Students can take courses and complete pilot training at the University-owned Willard Airport in Savoy. As part of the agreement, the University will lease Willard's aircraft and facilities to Parkland for just $1 a year, said campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler. Additionally, $250,000 of the institute's funds will be given to Parkland for marketing purposes, and another $3 million will be given to the college over the course of the transition. Tom Ramage, president of Parkland College, said the University's generous actions to help start the Parkland aviation program speaks of its willingness to provide a source of education for potential aviators. "(The University) could have decided to perhaps make a profit on the (facilities) as opposed to leasing it," Ramage said. "That cooperation was spectacular." He also noted that the University is starting a pathway program where students can complete flight training at Parkland while obtaining a bachelor's degree at the University. The University is not the only organization helping to get Parkland's program on its feet. Riverside Research, a not-for-profit engineering company with a division in Champaign, is providing support to Parkland College in terms of operating and maintaining the aircraft. "One of the reasons we're doing this is to provide a service to the students," said Randy Sandone, who oversees Riverside Research's collaboration with Parkland. Sandone explained that there is an "impending shortage of pilots" in the nation due to the retirement of the baby boomer age and an increase in air travel outside of the United States. While educating private and commercial pilots is a new endeavor for Riverside Research, the company hopes to prepare a new generation of aviation specialists, even training them on more modern aircraft with computerized navigation systems. Although the closing of the University's Institute of Aviation was a disappointment for many students and faculty alike, the joint partnership between Parkland College, the University and Riverside Research may act as a substitute for students pursuing aviation. Ryan Yochum, senior in the Institute of Aviation, said the program is a great opportunity for future generations. "I think it's a way better alternative because aviation is booming right now," he said. "Every other Big Ten school has flight programs. It would (have been) a shame for U of I to get rid of that completely and to not realize that this is a golden age for aviation." http://www.dailyillini.com/news/campus/article_08bfaf42-24b5-11e3-a1b0-001a4bcf6878.html Back to Top Boeing launches airplane maintenance iPad apps The new apps, which Boeing will demonstrate this week in Europe, should help airline mechanics get quick access to crucial information about parts, maintenance records, and more. Boeing announced this morning that it has launched a suite of iPad apps that gives airline mechanics quick access to a wide range of essential maintenance information. The aviation giant, which makes planes like the 747, 787 Dreamliner, 777, and 737, said that maintenance technicians will be able to use the apps for instant access to airplane manuals, part numbers and inventory, maintenance history, and more. The company said that will help the airlines resolve mechanical issues faster, leading to reduced flight delays and lower costs. It plans on demonstrating the apps at an aviation industry event in London this week. Boeing said it developed the app with the cooperation of several airlines for more than a year, seeking an ideal user interface and maximum ease of use for technicians. Airlines are increasingly using iPads in the cockpit to give easy access to flight manuals, saving them money and flying weight. Apple's tablet has become popular with airlines, including aboard aircraft, where pilots can access voluminous flight manuals with a few taps. Airlines like American, United, and Alaska have said the ability to use iPads for this purpose have cut down on the use of large amounts of paper, saving money, and reducing planes' flying weight. http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-57604308-235/boeing-launches-airplane-maintenance-ipad-apps/ Back to Top FAA ends direct-to-consumer paper chart sales AOPA is reminding pilots who purchase paper navigation charts direct from the FAA that they will have to find a new authorized supplier by Oct. 1. The FAA announced the end of direct-to-consumer paper chart sales in August, after discontinuing chart subscription services in July. Digital chart products are not affected by the operating changes initiated under cost-cutting at the FAA's Aeronautical Navigation Products Division. AOPA urged the FAA to preserve the continued widespread availability of paper navigation charts in light of strong demand. The FAA agreed that many pilots still want paper navigation charts, and the agency said it has no intention to discontinue their production. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/September/23/FAA-ends-direct-to-consumer-paper- chart-sales.aspx Back to Top Back to Top Airbus Sees $4.4 Trillion Commercial Jet Market Over 20 Years Airbus SAS (EAD), the European maker of commercial aircraft, predicted airlines will buy planes valued at $4.4 trillion in the next two decades, driven by demand in India and China and global growth among low-fare airlines. Airlines will buy 29,220 planes to satisfy 4.7 percent in annual traffic growth, Airbus said in its annual industry-wide forecast today. The prediction, which includes 28,350 passenger jets, is 3.6 percent higher than a year earlier. Airbus, based in Toulouse in southern France, fell behind Boeing Co. (BA) last year in deliveries after leading the industry every year since 2003. Both manufacturers are headed for record shipments this year, with output for several aircraft types at a peak as airlines from Asia to North America seek newer, more fuel- efficient jets to cut costs. "By 2032, Asia-Pacific will lead the world in traffic, overtaking Europe and North America," John Leahy, Airbus's chief salesman, said in a statement. "Today on average, a fifth of the population of the emerging markets take a flight annually and by 2032 this will swell to two thirds." The global fleet will grow to 36,560 aircraft from 17,740 by 2032, Airbus said. The total, which includes replacement of 10,400 existing passenger jets, compares with competitor Boeing's forecast for 35,280 planes valued at $4.8 trillion, including 2,020 regional jets that Airbus does not count. Some 36 percent of new passenger planes will go to the Asia-Pacific region, with Europe taking 20 percent of planes ahead of North America, which will be home to 19 percent of forecast deliveries. Indian Growth The highest growth rate will be in India where domestic air travel is set to advance almost 10 percent, with China and Brazil due to see increases of about 7 percent, Airbus said. Airbus raised its single-aisle forecast 3.8 percent to 20,242 planes. Those jets will make up 71 percent of deliveries, as low-fare carriers increase their share of traffic to 21 percent from 17 percent over the period. Twin-aisle models, excluding the largest four-engine versions, will constitute 23 percent of passenger jet handovers, Airbus predicted. The European aircraftmaker sees more expensive wide-body aircraft equaling the size of the single-aisle market by value, with both at $1.8 trillion. Airbus, which flew its new A350 in June as it continues to sell A330s, raised its wide-body forecast 4.3 percent where it competes with Boeing's popular 777 and the 787 Dreamliner. One area where the two dominant planemakers continue to differ is in the forecast for very large aircraft. Airbus predicted that passenger aircraft demand in the segment will top 1,334 units, four aircraft more than last forecast year, or $519 billion in value, whereas Boeing estimates less than half that amount, at 760 units, including dedicated freighters. Airbus, which offers the A380 double-decker in competition to Boeing's 747-8, still has to book its first sale this year after securing agreements from Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA) and leasing company Doric to buy the plane. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-24/airbus-sees-4-4-trillion-commercial-jet-market-over-20- years.html Back to Top NTSB Communications Course Title Managing Communications Following an Aircraft Accident or Incident Co-sponsor Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Description The course will teach participants what to expect in the days immediately following an aviation accident or incident and how they can prepare for their role with the media. ID Code PA302 Dates, Tuition and Fee October 24-25, 2013 $1034 early registration, by September 24, 2013 $1084 late registration, between September 25 and 12:00 pm (noon) ET on October 23, 2013 $100 processing fee will be added to tuitions for all offline applications. A tuition invoice can be ordered for a $25 processing fee. Note: payment must be made at time of registration. Times Oct. 24: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Oct. 25: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Location NTSB Training Center * 45065 Riverside Parkway * Ashburn, Virginia 20147 Status OPEN. Applications are now being accepted. Apply to Attend October 24-25, 2013 CEUs 1.3 Overview * How the National Transportation Safety Board organizes an accident site and what can be expected in the days after an aviation disaster from the NTSB, FAA, other federal agencies, airline, airport, media and local community * Strategies for airline and airport staff to proactively manage the communication process throughout the on-scene phase of the investigation * How the NTSB public affairs officers coordinate press conferences and release of accident information and what information the spokespersons from the airport and airline will be responsible to provide to the media * Making provisions for and communicating with family members of those involved in the accident * Questions and requests likely encountered from the airlines, airport staff, family members, disaster relief agencies, local officials and others * Course Agenda > Comments from course participants > See the 219 organizations from 28 countries that have sent staff to attend this course Performance Results Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to: * Be better prepared to respond to a major aviation disaster involving a flight departing from or destined for participant's airport * Demonstrate greater confidence in fielding on-scene questions about the many aspects of the investigation and its participants, including what types of specific information may be requested * Identify the appropriate Public Affairs roles for the various organizations involved in an accident investigation. * Be more productive in the first few hours after an aviation disaster by understanding which tasks are most important and why * Perform job responsibilities more professionally and with greater confidence given the knowledge and tools to manage the airport communications aspect of a major aviation disaster Who May Attend This course is targeted to who, in the event of an aviation disaster, will need to provide a steady flow of accurate information to media outlets and/or other airport, federal or local authorities. Accommodations Area hotels and restaurants Airports Washington Dulles International (IAD): 10 miles Washington Ronald Reagan National (DCA): 30 miles Baltimore/Washington International (BWI): 60 miles More Information Email TrainingCenter@ntsb.gov or call (571) 223-3900 Courses, forums and symposia are added to the schedule throughout the year. Subscribe to the e-newsletter to learn about upcoming events and new programs: http://www.ntsb.gov/trainingcenter/list/list_mw020207.htm Back to Top AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE Published weekly on Wednesday. Curt Lewis