Flight Safety Information November 26, 2013 - No. 244 In This Issue US FAA team to meet CAAP on PHL's Category 1 air safety rating Kuwait Airways chief suspended over Jet Airways plan Port Authority to study Long Island airplane noise Speaking out against cell service on planes Ex-United Airlines flight attendant sentenced in bomb hoaxes IATA calls for Africa to adopt global standards to improve aviation safety, connectivity ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Workshop: Register Now For Discount Think ARGUS PROS Announcing...The Annual "Moral Courage Safety Awards" US FAA team to meet CAAP on PHL's Category 1 air safety rating Officials from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will discuss this week the Philippines' return to air safety Category 1, which will allow local airlines to expanded in the United States, the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement Tuesday. In an e-mailed statement Tuesday, the US Embassy said US FAA officials are in Manila to meet with counterparts at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and discuss the Category 1 status under the FAA's International Aviation Safety Assessments (IASA) Program. In 2008, the Philippine safety rating was downgraded to Category 2 from Category 1 based non-compliance with aviation standards of the United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Eric Apolonio, CAAP media affairs consultant, told GMA News Online, the delegation arrived Monday and immediately started its two-day meeting with CAAP counterparts. "The meeting is ongoing. CAAP's expectation is the result of the meeting is upgrade before year-end," he said. Under Category 2 status, Philippine carriers were allowed to continue current operations to the US but under strict FAA surveillance. The delegation announced that the US FAA will send a team to the Philippines in January, 2014, which will perform an audit to determine CAAP compliance with ICAO standards. On November 20, CAAP deputy director general Capt. John Andrews said he was optimistic the Philippines will get an air safety rating upgrade from FAA this week. Andrews said the US FAA delegation - which include John Barbagallo, manager of Flight Service Department, and James Spillane, area manager of Asia Pacific Rim - will be in the Philippines "for the possible lifting of the ban of the Category 2 on the Philippine aviation." Over the past four months, teams from the US FAA have visited the Philippines to discuss and evaluate aviation safety standards and is engaged in ongoing technical work on aviation safety in the Philippines Last February, ICAO lifted the remaining aviation safety concerns on the Philippines which prompted the European Union to lift a 2010 ban on Philippine carriers in European skies. On July 12, flag carrier Philippine Airlines was able to fly back to European skies after the European Air Safety Committee in Brussels lifted the ban on the airline. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/337169/economy/business/us-faa-team-to-meet-caap-on-phl-s- category-1-air-safety-rating Back to Top Kuwait Airways chief suspended over Jet Airways plan Kuwait Airways decided to abandon plans to buy used aircraft from Jet. Kuwait has suspended the chairman of state-owned Kuwait Airways in a dispute over his plans to buy five used aircraft from India's Jet Airways, which the company has since abandoned. Kuwaiti newspaper al-Qabas quoted the Communications Minister Esa al-Kandari as saying he had suspended Sami al-Nisf after he announced plans to buy the used aircraft despite a government request to stop the deal. It said Nisf's deputy, Jassar al-Jassar, has been appointed as acting chairman. Nisf confirmed on Monday that he had been suspended. The plan to buy the used Airbus A330 planes was announced on Sunday, with the company adding that it would not affect a previous deal to buy new Airbus jets. Nisf had said that Airbus, owned by aerospace and defense group EADS, would act as a mediator in the deal with Jet Airways, even though the five-year-old planes are owned by the Indian carrier. In a meeting after Nisf's suspension, Kuwait Airways decided to abandon the plans to buy the used aircraft, it said in a statement on Monday, adding that it would discuss any deal to lease or buy aircraft at a later meeting. A company source said Kuwait Airways had been negotiating to lease the Jet Airways aircraft for eight years in a deal worth 134 million dinars ($473.7 million) but decided instead to buy the planes for 77 million dinars. In a statement to Reuters on Monday a Jet Airways spokesman said no deal had been reached. "No such decisions have been taken to sell planes to other carriers," the statement said. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/aviation-and-transport/2013/11/26/Kuwait-Airways-chief- suspended-over-Jet-Airways-plan.html Back to Top Port Authority to study Long Island airplane noise A plane flying over a neighborhood in London where airplane noise has become a problem for neighbors of Heathrow Airport. In Queens, increased air traffic has led quiet areas to be disrupted by constant airplane noise. The Port Authority will study the impact on the noise on residents. Queens and Nassau county residents lately have had their quiet neighborhoods disrupted by an increase in airplane noise from busy flight paths overhead. According to Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, D-Bayside, the Federal Aviation Administration in the last three years has doubled up on their flights over the area thanks to efficiency from a new satellite guided flight traffic system and a new flight path know as the "TNNIS Climb," which are FAA call letters named for the flight path over the U.S. Open tennis stadium. The guidance system also brings the planes over the same exact spots every day, adding to the headache for residents. Although a bill (A.07697/S.03841) requiring the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to conduct a noise and land use compatibility study was vetoed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo because the measure required permission from New Jersey lawmakers, the governor later directed the Port Authority to conduct the study. "It's one plane a minute from six o'clock in the morning until twelve at night on certain days," Braunstein said. "Three to four days a week I'll wake up in the morning and say 'oh, it's a bad plane day' that means you can't have a barbeque, that means you can't walk in the park. It's just unacceptable for a quiet residential neighborhood that never had it before." The Global Gateway Alliance, a group that advocates for New York airports, said in a statement that performing an Environmental Impact Statement for the TNNIS Climb, "would be unproductive and would delay much needed improvements to all New York Metropolitan airports." "Neighboring communities must be respected in this process, but any effort to derail or stop the implementation of the TNNIS Climb will take us backwards as we search for ways to decrease congestion and delays at our metropolitan airports," GGA Chairmen Joseph Sitt said. "The TNNIS Climb has shown extraordinary results in its test period and we must allow it to reach its full potential. Losing billions of dollars in lost wages and productivity due to air traffic delays is unacceptable. We should be looking for ways to reverse that trend, not contribute toward it." Braunstein takes offense at the lack of consideration toward the members of his community. "For [the FAA] to say that [the airplane noise] has no significant impact on the community and they don't have to do an environmental study is laughable," Braunstein said. Assemblyman Ed Ra, R-Franklin Square, a co-sponsor of the bill, sees this study as crucial to analyzing the detrimental effect the increase in air traffic over Long Island is having on our communities. "With the massive increase in air traffic over Long Island leading to an unacceptable rise in noise pollution, this study has to happen," Ra said. "I thank the governor for acknowledging this serious quality of life issue for Long Island residents and calling for a study to be conducted. By better determining the use of certain runways and flight paths and making available federal funding to remedy this issue, we can make Long Island an even better place to work and live." The Port Authority, which operates both LaGuardia and JFK airports, will not only be conducting noise studies, but also listening to what members of the local communities have to say on the matter. "At Governor Cuomo's direction, the Port Authority will conduct noise studies at John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports that meet the requirements of federal aviation Part 150 regulations and also create community roundtable meetings on airport noise and related issues in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders," a spokesman for the Port Authority said. "We're so happy the governor is asking for this environmental study just for the fact the FAA is required to do an environmental assessment when they make these changes," Braunstein said. "This is the number one issue in my district. It's not a Republican issue and it's not a Democratic issue, it's just a basic quality of life issue." http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2013-11-25-85978.113122-Port-Authority-to-study- Long-Island-airplane-noise.html Back to Top Speaking out against cell service on planes STORY HIGHLIGHTS The FCC is proposing lifting the ban on cell phone calls on airplanes during flights Flight attendants and many passengers are against the idea for noise and safety reasons Creating a quiet area is one possible way to appease both sides, but sound will still carry (CNN) -- Commercial air travel is already filled with annoyances like shrinking personal space, overpriced meals and frequent delays. For many people, there's one bright spot to flying: A forced break from making, receiving and hearing phone calls. That could change with the Federal Communication Commissions new proposal to drop the ban on cellular connections and allow phone calls once a plane reaches 10,000 feet. The FCC first pitched the idea in 2004, before the rise of the smartphone. The reaction from passengers and flight attendant unions at the time was loud and negative: phone calls on planes would be disruptive, annoying and a potential safety issue. The FCC decided against the proposal. Now people are more attached to their tablets and smartphones. So much so that they rebelled against the ban on using small electronic devices such as phones, tablets and e-readers during takeoff and landing. After reviewing safety issues, the FAA and airlines finally gave in this month and relaxed restrictions. Some planes allowing use of cell phones Why can't you use your phone on a plane? An unpopular idea Quietly playing games or reading e-books on a tablet or phone is one thing, but chatting away mid-flight doesn't seem to be as in demand. In a survey of 1,600 adults by an advisory group, the FAA found that 61% of people supported a ban on making calls while in the air. "I'm definitely against it," said Spud Hilton, travel editor at the San Francisco Chronicle. "People would be carrying on loud, full-voiced conversations right next to someone who doesn't want to hear it." The Association of Flight Attendants, the world's largest union of flight attendants, came out against the idea on Thursday, citing safety and security concerns. "In far too many operational scenarios, passengers making phone calls could extend beyond a mere nuisance, creating negative effects on aviation safety and security that are great and far too risky," the AFA said in a statement. Brett Snyder, who blogs about the airline industry on Crankyflier.com, agrees with lifting the restriction and thinks each airline should be allowed to set its own policy. "The public in the U.S. seems to be strongly against cell phones on airplanes, but let the airlines make the decision on whether or not they want to move forward and allow it," said Snyder. Keeping the peace Cell phones could cause friction between passengers who want to talk and passengers who would prefer peace and quiet. They would introduce yet another behavior flight attendants would have to police. "We're trained to de-escalate. Why would you put something in the environment that can escalate?" said Veda Shook, the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants. Shook has worked as a flight attendant for the past 22 years. "The idea potentially introduces yet another stress factor into an already stressful environment," said airline pilot Patrick Smith of AskThePilot.com. The stress is made worse by tight quarters. When taking a phone call in public, it's good etiquette to keep 10 feet away from other people, protocol expert Pamela Eyring told Reuters. It's not even possible to get 10 inches of space on an airplane, where economy class seats are typically 17 to 18 inches wide and each seat is butted up against the one next to it. One option is for the FCC and airlines to allow cell phone use and hope that passengers act responsibly and only make calls when necessary and speak in a quiet voice. Unfortunately, the firsthand experience of flight attendants, frequently fliers and people who take other forms of mass transit cast doubt on that dream scenario. "The real problem with travel, especially air travel, is not baggage fees, it's not long lines... the real problem with travel is other travelers," said Hilton. The "quiet car" option This is not the first time the issue has come up. Terrestrial mass transit systems, including subways, buses and trains, have already struggled with the invasion of cell phones and loud talkers. Some trains have addressed the problem of disruptive passengers on cellphones by adding quiet cars during certain hours. The Metro-North railroad has separate cars during rush hour where noise, loud chatting, and phone calls are prohibited. Some Amtrak trains also offer quiet cars, which forbid phone calls and any noise technology, and feature dimmed, soothing lighting. Greyhound bus lines doesn't have an official policy, but individual bus drivers have been known to crack down on loud talkers. Unfortunately, quiet sections aren't a practical solution for airplanes (though they would add yet another "premium" seating feature for which airlines could charge extra). "On an airplane, there's no such thing as a quiet car," said Shook. "In my opinion it's not that different from having a smoking section on a 747, it's absurd." Smoking sections, which separated smokers and nonsmokers with a row of seats, were banned in the United States along with smoking on airplanes in 1988. Before 1973, smokers could light up in any seat they liked. "Theoretically, you could have a talking section and a nontalking section, but you'd have to put up some serious plexiglass," said Hilton. Discount Malaysian airline AirAsia introduced a quiet zone in early 2013. Sandwiched between first class and economy, the zone is an adult-only section intended to give travelers a respite from screeching children. Like smoke from cigarettes and the sound of a crying baby, a loud phone conversation would likely ignore any invisible barriers and carry through an entire plane. Call waiting The FCC will present its proposal in December, but even if it passes, it will be a while before in-flight cell phone calls are a reality. Cell phone towers are on the ground and airplanes will need special equipment before passengers can dial out. "As it stands, cellular phones simply will not work at higher altitudes in an airplane cabin. Changing this will require investment in on-board technology," said Smith. Individual airlines will have to decide if allowing calls is something they want to allow. A more business- oriented airline might jump at the opportunity to lure working travelers. Others might side with the majority of passengers and flight attendants and stick with a policy of "silence is golden." "There's so much hustle and bustle out there already," said Shook. "Can people just have some peace and quiet for a few hours? It's not that retro of an idea." http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/22/tech/mobile/airplane-cell-etiquette/ Back to Top Ex-United Airlines flight attendant sentenced in bomb hoaxes Patrick Cau, a former United Airlines flight attendant, was sentenced Friday to 18 months in federal prison. A 40-year-old man who pleaded guilty to making false bomb threats against his former employer, United Airlines, has been sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors said Monday. United States District Judge Otis D. Wright II sentenced Patrick Cau, who also used the last name Kaiser, to 18 months in federal prison. Wright ordered Cau to pay $304,495 in restitution to United Airlines and reimburse $8,838 to the Los Angeles Police Department for the expenses incurred as a result of the bogus threats. Cau, a German citizen and former flight attendant for United, pleaded guilty in August to one count of giving false information and hoaxes. As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Cau admitted to making bogus bomb threats against United from October 2012 to January. Cau worked for the airline for 15 years, according to CNN and rose to the position of purser or flight attendant supervisor. He was fired in September 2011, before the threats began, prosecutors said. The first phone call to the carrier was made Oct. 4, 2012, from a pay phone near Cau's home in Los Angeles, where he lived at the time, according to prosecutors. The caller said a United Airlines flight from London to Los Angeles was going to be bombed. Cau then made subsequent calls to 911 from pay phones in Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas and Seattle, prosecutors said. Each time, he said a specific United flight would be bombed. Officials said Cau traveled to the cities, but was not working for any airlines. The hoaxes caused multiple law enforcement agencies to respond to evacuate and re-screen passengers, baggage and cargo. Police searched the planes with canines and other methods, prosecutors said. Cau was arrested in Texas in May, about a month before he was cut from an American Airlines' flight attendant training program in Forth Worth. Cau's last known address was in Dallas. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-united-airlines-attendant-prison- 20131125,0,4954306.story#ixzz2ll9ZUYWg Back to Top IATA calls for Africa to adopt global standards to improve aviation safety, connectivity IATA Director General and CEO Tony Tyler.The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on African governments to adopt and adhere to global standards in the interest of aviation safety and efficient air transport. IATA said that connectivity is critical for African growth and development, supporting some 6.7 million jobs and $68 billion in economic activity. "Aviation's economic and social benefits, however, can be undermined by the unintended consequences of government action which are not aligned with the established framework of global standards," the Association cautioned. "Global standards are the foundation upon which a safe, secure, and integrated global air transport system are built. The system is so reliable that we don't often think about the enormous coordination that makes it possible. That is why we need to remind governments of the value of global standards that support aviation and the vibrancy of their economies," said Tony Tyler, IATA's Director General and CEO. The remarks were made in an address to the African Airlines Association's 45th Annual General Assembly which is being held in Mombasa, Kenya. Safety "Improving safety is the biggest issue on the African agenda, and global standards play a crucial role in this area. Last year, nearly half of the fatalities on Western-built jets occurred in Africa. African governments recognized the need to improve safety in the Abuja Declaration's goal of reaching world-class safety levels by 2015. IATA is actively contributing its expertise and resources to all the Abuja Declaration's commitments," said Tyler. Key elements of the Abuja declaration include the completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) by all African carriers, the establishment of independent civil aviation authorities and the implementation of effective safety oversight systems. To broaden the base of IOSA carriers (outside of IATA's membership), IATA is working with the International Airlines Training Fund to provide in-house training for ten African airlines. "Governments must also up their game with more effective safety oversight. As of the end of 2012 only 11 African states had achieved 60% implementation of ICAO's safety-related standards and recommended practices (SARPS) according to the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP). There has been some significant progress. But, to be very frank, overall I have not yet seen sufficient urgency in dealing with this fundamental issue. Meeting the Abuja Declaration's 2015 commitment will require a major acceleration in the pace of implementation," said Tyler. Connectivity and Regulation "The overall profitability of the African industry is hovering around break-even, making $100 million in good years and losing $100 million when times are more difficult. Africa faces many unique challenges, but as Africa's economy takes-off, breaking even will not be enough to generate the investments needed for African aviation to seize the emerging opportunities and play the important role of stimulating development across the continent," said Tyler. Tyler said that for Africa to have a thriving aviation industry that benefits local economies, it needs to ensure globally aligned regulation, taxation and the provision of infrastructure. "Today - possibly without realizing it - governments are weakening the integrity of the air transport system by introducing different and sometimes conflicting passenger rights regulations, overly onerous taxes and charges." Tyler pointed out several areas where government policies breech ICAO principles, notably regarding fuel. He said that the competitiveness of African aviation is being compromised by the exceptionally high price of aviation fuel on the continent. On average jet fuel is about 21% more expensive in Africa than the global average. Kenya and Ethiopia are key players in African aviation and both have onerous levies on international fuel which do not comply with ICAO policies and standards. With regard to security, in several cases airport security charges recover more from users than is required to keep air transport secure. In Chad, for example, passengers pay $80 per round-trip. And similar situations exist in Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea. Among the causes are private sector security companies who lobby governments to develop national security regimes with funding from air transport. Recently, IATA engaged the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority over proposed steep increases in air navigation and safety oversight charges. "By engaging in a dialogue we agreed on a much more reasonable increase that provides value for money. Dialogue is critical to reach mutually beneficial outcomes," said Tyler. IATA was optimistic about the future of aviation in Africa, noting that Africa's 1 billion people are spread across a vast continent with a wealth of untapped resources. The African economy is rapidly developing, its people are growing wealthier and governance is more stable. "Africa is the continent of opportunity for aviation. The future is still being created. By keeping global standards at the heart of our efforts, I am convinced that the future will be bright," said Tyler. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32823:iata-calls-for-africa- to-adopt-global-standards-to-improve-aviation-safety-connectivity&catid=114:civil-aviation&Itemid=247 Back to Top ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Workshop: Register Now For Discount Unmanned Aircraft Workshop The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) course is designed to identify the key concepts, attributes, and challenges of UAS operations. The UAS sector is one of the fastest growing and most dynamic segments within aviation industry. Currently the majority of UAS growth has been in support of military and security operations however, recent congressional mandates have unlocked a bourgeoning civilian market with interest in a broad range of uses such as aerial photography, precision agriculture, mapping, monitoring climate and environmental conditions, and public safety. Attendees will gain knowledge of: * UAS System Components and Classification * UAS Design and limitations * Regulatory Environment for UAS * Issues Associated with UAS Airspace Integration * Future and Current Trends affecting the UAS Industry Course Topics: * The UAS Market * UAS Systems Design and Development * UAS Sensors Packages * UAS Navigation Systems * National Airspace System Integration Who Should Attend: This Course is designed for UAS Engineers, Transitioning Military UAS Operators, Mission Coordinators, Entrepreneurs, Field Service Representatives, UAS Technicians, UAS Program Managers or others wishing to obtain further knowledge of UAS operations. Course Dates: Course Location: Course Fee: April 1-3, 2014 ERAU Daytona Beach Campus, FL Standard Course Fee: US $1,450 Early Bird Fee (prior to January 31, 2014): US $1,300 For more information, Please contact Sarah Ochs, Director of Professional Programs Tel: 386.226.6928 * email: case@erau.edu daytonabeach.erau.edu/uas Back to Top Back to Top Announcing The Annual "Moral Courage Safety Awards" Presented at Heli-Expo 2014 Presented by the US DOT - Transportation Safety Institute Call For Nominations The purpose of the award is to promote and foster positive safety culture in the rotorcraft industry by recognizing those individuals and organizations that make sometimes difficult operational decisions based on continued safe operations. Example of a deserving individual and organization - I learned of a HEMS pilot who aborted a critical neonatal transport because of unforecast bad weather. It was a tough call and one that haunted him, but he knew it was the right decision to ensure a safe outcome. His organization supported the decision and went so far as to recognize him for making the tough call. Both the individual and the organization should be recognized. Let's face it; it's always easy after the accident to second guess the decisions that put a crew in trouble. What our industry needs is to reward those who make the tough decisions that keep them out of trouble. That's walking the talk of positive safety culture! Sometimes choosing the safest course of action can be difficult, especially if it means modifying the mission. Bottom line, it takes moral courage to do the right thing. You can help - nominate someone today! Who is eligible? Any Crew, Crew Member, Maintainer, Supervisor, Manager, employee and or their organization who demonstrates commitment to a positive safety culture. Email Mr. D Smith for a nomination form. D.smith@dot.gov Or call US 405.694.1644 Curt Lewis