Flight Safety Information November 27, 2013 - No. 245 In This Issue American Airlines Unveils New System for Pilots to Avoid Turbulence Smoke reported in jet cockpit at Bush Airport Vietnam aircraft skids off runway on landing gear malfunction Airline face looming shortage of pilots, warns CTC Aviation Honeywell Touchscreen Research Guides FAA Regulation ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Workshop: Register Now For Discount Think ARGUS PROS Announcing...The Annual "Moral Courage Safety Awards" PhD Graduate Study Watch for: AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE American Airlines Unveils New System for Pilots to Avoid Turbulence NBC 5 got a first-hand look at a turbulence avoidance system called TAPS inside American Airlines' integrated operations center in Fort Worth. American Airlines is using a new turbulence detection software to help their pilots avoid bumpy patches of air. The airline has installed TAPS (Turbulence Automated PIREP System) on 364 of its planes. The system provides real-time data on conditions in the air and in flight, and sends the information to crews on the ground. Currently, AA's 757s, 767-300s, and 737s are equipped with the system. The planes fly domestic and international routes. A spokeswoman for the airline declined to say how much the software cost the carrier. Jim Eastin, the manager at AA's Integrated Operations Center, said the new software allows real-time collection of data that can be sent to other planes in the air. The software on the planes collects data that tracks just how little or how violent a plane shakes during turbulence. That data can be used to warn other planes about choppy air and give pilots enough time to choose a new flight path. "If a dispatcher is working a particular area, maybe he has numerous flights on the same route, the first flight that starts to show any kind of blips on the TAPS screen, then they can immediately pass that down the line to 29 other flights and keep them in the clear air," Eastin said. "If we start to see something of moderate level turbulence, then we can immediately broadcast out to all of our airplanes, like text messaging." Captain David Clark, a senior manager in the AA Flight Operations division, said the information can reach pilots in less than a minute and allow flight crews to make a more informed decision on choosing a flight path in stormy weather. Clark said the old method of collecting data was subjective. "For a long time, we have been gauging turbulence by the seat of our pants," Clark said. "As we unexpectedly fly through turbulence, we make an assessment based on experience." But with TAPS, turbulence levels are assigned measurements. That helps pilots and crews make decisions for other planes. It also helps decide if turbulence was violent enough to inspect the plane. TAPS maps can show ground crews weather events as a plane passes through them. Icons pop up on a map, which describe the weather event in detail. The software can read the altitude, wind speed, time of report, degree of turbulence, as well as what type of plane. Clark said next to GPS, the TAPS system is one of the most significant tools in the cockpit. We would like to give our passengers the most comfortable ride possible. The magic carpet ride if we can. So having this information gives us that much more detailed knowledge of the environment we fly in," Clark said. American officials say the next step in using the TAPS system could happen as early as next year. If the FAA allows wifi in the cockpit, pilots would be able to use their iPads to track TAPS incidents and make a decision in seconds on a flight path to avoid turbulence. http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/American-Airlines-Unveils-New-Systems-for-Pilots-to-Avoid-Turbulence- 233568731.html Back to Top Smoke reported in jet cockpit at Bush Airport HOUSTON -- The Houston Fire Department was called to Bush Intercontinental Airport on Tuesday morning after a pilot reported seeing smoke in his cockpit. The incident was reported shortly after 10 a.m. HFD said the plane, a regional jet for SkyWest Airlines, was safely evacuated. Firefighters said no damage was reported to the aircraft, and the incident is under investigation. The flight was about to take off for Palm Springs, California when the incident occurred. The 62 passengers were put on a later flight. http://www.khou.com/news/local/Smoke-reported-in-jet-cockpit-at-Bush-Airport-233470661.html Back to Top Vietnam aircraft skids off runway on landing gear malfunction A Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) turboprop aircraft on a technical mission skidded off the runway after its landing gear did not work in the Central Highlands Province of Dak Lak Monday, but there were no casualties. The emergency landing by the King Air aircraft shut down Buon Ma Thuot Airport for nearly three hours. Vietnam Airlines, which owns VASCO, said the aircraft with three pilots and six flight management experts left Da Lat and was about to land at around 4:20 p.m. when its landing gear failed to extend. The crew asked for permission to make an emergency landing. Buon Ma Thuot airport authorities ordered a shutdown and dispatched firefighters and rescue workers to the landing spot. Speaking to Thanh Nien, the aircraft's captain, Nguyen Ngoc Chan, said they were "lucky" because a fire could have broken out when the plane slid on the runway. According to Vietnam Airlines, the 24-year-old aircraft was on a mission to check transmission signals from ground control stations at several airports. Its last regular maintenance was done in August. Aviation agencies are investigating the cause. Last month a Vietnam Airlines ATR-72 lost its front tire while taking off in the northern city of Hai Phong. The loss was not noticed until after it landed safely in the central city of Da Nang. The tire was found four days later in a field near Hai Phong airport. http://www.thanhniennews.com/index/pages/20131126-vietnam-aircraft-skids-off-runway-as-landing-gear- malfunctions.aspx Back to Top Airline face looming shortage of pilots, warns CTC Aviation Top training company CTC Aviation says problem due to growing demand for air travel and a generation of retiring pilots Airline face looming shortage of pilots, warns CTC Aviation There just under 150,000 commericla jet pilots but another 235,000 are needed over the next seven years It may cost £89,800 for the two years training but few qualifications promise the same heady cocktail of glamour, job security and potential £50,000 starting salary as that of a trained pilot. Moreover, according to one of the world's top training companies, "there has never been a better time to be a pilot". CTC Aviation, which has placed pilots with the likes of British Airways, easyJet and Qatar Airways, said the airline industry is facing a looming skills shortage - in the cockpit. The company, bought a year ago by private equity group Inflexion in a deal that valued the business at about £60m, forecasts that 235,000 more pilots will be needed worldwide over the next seven years. That is to meet the growing demand for air travel and fill the gap caused by a generation of retiring pilots. CTC is now embarking on its biggest ever recruitment drive in the UK, where the mix of English being the official language of the skies and youth unemployment of about 20pc makes Britain a particularly attractive market for new trainees. Martin Hunt, managing director of CTC Aviation Training, said: "Globally there are currently around 22,000 commercial jets and this is forecast to grow to 40,000 by 2030. Similarly, there are just under 150,000 pilots but over the next seven years, the aviation industry needs to find a further 235,000 not only to meet the demands for more airline travel but also replace those who retire." He acknowledged that "£90,000 is a very significant investment but, because we place 99pc of the cadets we train with airlines, the return on investment is also very high. It's a message that can be hard to get across but if you join an airline from us on a starting salary of £30,000-£50,000, in five to six years you can be a captain earning £100,000." He admitted the initial funding can be difficult to find, though "most people borrow the money", with Spanish bank BBVA carving out a niche in the market. The bank does require a loan guarantor, however, which Mr Hunt said often means "mum and dad or gran and grandad" standing behind the sum borrowed. Such are CTC's stringent selection criteria, however, that it is willing to refund £78,800 to recruits that fail or drop out before the final stage of training. Mr Hunt said the failure rate is "only 1pc-2pc". Over the past 10 years, CTC has received 64,800 pilot training applications, with 25,118 coming from Britain and 45,800 from continental Europe. The Southampton-based company is currently taking on 200 to 300 applicants a year out of around 8,000 applicants, with numeracy one of the key attributes required. Mr Hunt said: "The reputation of British pilots abroad is very good and the fact that they can get jobs anywhere in the world means that once you've qualified you have a very secure job." Strong demand for pilots helped the company to increase sales 46pc to £41m in the most recent year to June 30. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/10471124/Airline-face-looming-shortage-of- pilots-warns-CTC-Aviation.html Back to Top Honeywell Touchscreen Research Guides FAA Regulation Phoenix-based aerospace manufacturer Honeywell is under an ongoing contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to study the usability of various forms of touch technology, such as cockpit displays, that will help to determine what factors would cause pilots to make more input errors or take longer to perform tasks as compared to traditional manually controlled cockpit interfaces. The Crew Interface Motion Simulator (CIMS) where Honeywell performs touchscreen avionics human factors research. Honeywell is targeting business aviation and regional air transport aircraft for a new line of touchscreen avionics that it is currently developing, with the FAA-contracted research. The company has not announced any specific aircraft that will receive touchscreen-enabled flight displays, but according to Jeff Merdich, director of product marketing for Honeywell's commercial avionics division, business jets and regional aircraft are the target market. As part of its research, Honeywell recreates the turbulent flight deck environment where touchscreen avionics will be deployed with a "six degrees of freedom flight deck simulation platform," according to Merdich. This allows test pilots to interact with touchscreen-enabled avionics displays mounted at forward, outboard and overhead cockpit positions. "This allows the collection of accurate, repeatable data relating to pilot workload, accuracy and fatigue to ensure that we understand the efficiency of these devices in a flight deck environment," said Merdich. "We also utilize Honeywell's fleet of flight test aircraft to extend this research to the actual flight environment." Central to Honeywell's research are human factors engineering principles, which involve studying the interaction of the pilot's mind with proposed avionics systems, rather than focusing on the avionics alone. "We have a heavy focus on human factors, including the appropriate intended function and functional allocation for touch technology on the flight deck," said Merdich. "Our research, has shown that there are key attributes - technology, location, button size, spacing, menu navigation, etc. - to the implementation of touch that are instrumental toward insuring a satisfying user experience with touch in this unique environment." Focusing on human factors should help to relieve fears expressed by operators and pilots in reaction to previous reports on touchscreen technology regarding inadvertent touchscreen swipes. To address inadvertent touchscreen interactions, Honeywell's researchers and engineers are evaluating the usability of differing touch technologies, such as digital resistive technology, which requires more pressure to change the function of the interface than would a typical swipe on a touchscreen smartphone or tablet. So how long until the industry sees the widespread deployment of cockpit touchscreen technology? That depends on the intended function and usability for intended function, according to Merdich. "With the continued growth of touch in the commercial technology space, we do see a transition to this technology over time," said Merdich. "Intended function and usability for intended function will be a key driver behind adoption of this or other interface modalities." In July 2014 Honeywell will present the results of its touchscreen research to the FAA for the agency to take into consideration for regulatory guidelines, and the conclusions will also help to guide their future product designs. http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/commercial/Honeywell-Touchscreen-Research-Guides-FAA- Regulation_80749.html#.UpXqsNJDuSo 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 Back to Top PhD Graduate Study I am an air safety investigator for the US government and a PhD student at Capella University. I am working on a doctoral dissertation, entitled, "A generic qualitative exploration of the process and experience of helicopter emergency medical services pilots assessing risk prior to flight." My research examines the process and experience of a helicopter emergency medical services pilot (HEMS) assessing risk prior to an emergency medical services flight. I would like to recruit 10 to 15 HEMS pilots to participate in my study. If you are a HEMS pilot currently flying in the United States, I would like to speak with you. The study entails an interview with each pilot over the telephone. The interview should last approximately one hour and pilots who complete the interview will be paid a $10 gift card. If you are interested in the study and would like to 303-857-4832 participate or have additional questions, I can be reached on the telephone at or via email at jrodi@capellauniversity.edu Jennifer Rodi PhD Student Industrial and Organizational Psychology Capella University Back to Top AVIATION MAINTENANCE & ENGINEERING EXCHANGE Published weekly on Wednesday. Curt Lewis