Flight Safety Information April 18, 2014 - No. 080 In This Issue Korean Air Jet Hits 2 Light Poles at LAX FAA prevents ag drones from taking off GAO to Air Force: Improve morale for drone pilots NTSB: Fatal plane crash near Bethel preceded by 'altitude deviations' FAA: Air ambulances must improve safety Inmarsat to Offer Airlines Free Tracking Service Nominations sought for aviation safety award PRISM SMS Mysterious American Private Jet Spotted in Tehran The world's fastest private jet burns up the charter market Air India to sell three Boeing 777 aircraft: report Embry-Riddle Worldwide to offer UAS workshop in San Diego April 24, 25 International System Safety Annual Symposium Upcoming Events Korean Air Jet Hits 2 Light Poles at LAX A Korean Air A380 superjumbo jet filled with hundreds of passengers hit two light poles while taxiing to its gate at Los Angeles International Airport Wednesday. An airline spokeswoman told the Associated Press that airport operations directed the plane to a taxiway that was too narrow. The airplane's right wing was scratched and two, 30-foot light poles were scratched, but none of the 384 people aboard were injured during the incident. http://time.com/67408/korean-air-jet-hits-2-light-poles-at-lax/ Back to Top FAA prevents ag drones from taking off Federal regulatory inertia on the commerical use of unmanned aerial vehicles could stiffle innovation as farmers and entrepreneurs find ways to use drones in agriculture. The Wright Brothers became the first to fly a fixed-wing, powered aircraft on Dec. 17, 1903. Their short flight on the sand dunes of Kitty Hawk, N.C., changed the world, and inspired a generation of innovators and entrepreneurs who improved the machine and invented uses Orville and Wilbur had not dreamed. Lucky for the Wrights and other aviation pioneers, federal regulation of the industry didn't come until 1926, long after viable aircraft had been developed and their commercial applications had been established. Sadly, those trying to realize the commercial potential of unmanned aerial vehicles - drones - in agriculture and other industries aren't as lucky. Developers had long been working on non-lethal applications for UAVs when Americans generally became aware of drones through their use in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Armed with the proper instrumentation, drones can complete any number of objectives. They have been used in search-and-rescue missions, to film movies, to follow migrating whales and monitor forest fires. Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos told "60 Minutes" that his company is working on delivering products with UAVs, and a lakeside tavern in Wisconsin recently used a drone to deliver beer to nearby ice fishing shacks. UAVs have tremendous potential in agriculture. Among other things, they can be used to monitor crops, take soil samples and other measurements, and help growers make decisions about seeding, chemical applications and irrigation. Simple drones equipped with cameras and other unsophisticated instruments are available at hobby shops for a few hundred dollars. Commercial models adapted for more sophisticated uses are in production and can costs hundreds of thousands of dollars. But the innovators and entrepreneurs quickly flew afoul of the Federal Aviation Administration. It says any commercial use - liberally defined as any use intended to further a for-profit goal - is illegal because it hasn't yet formulated the controlling regulations. In 2012, the agency fined a drone operator $10,000 for making a paid promotional video and flying the UAV in an unsafe manner. In March, an administrative judge threw out the fine because FAA's jurisdiction doesn't apply to model aircraft and the agency hasn't established regulations for UAVs. The FAA has appealed the decision. Some drone advocates say it's unlikely the FAA would fine a grower operating in his own field. At best, commercial operators are in a gray regulatory area. No one would argue that some level of oversight is needed to keep the airways and public safe. We, along with UAV advocates, legitimately question the pace. The administration is under mandate from Congress to finish rules regulating UAVs, and promises to have drones "fully integrated" into its regulation of U.S. airspace by the end of next year. The FAA says it's "moving steadily." So are glaciers. But as is nearly always the case, the technology advances in leaps and bounds. Despite bureaucratic inertia, dreams still take flight. http://www.capitalpress.com/20140417/faa-prevents-ag-drones-from-taking-off#sthash.kmuXPhUm.dpuf Back to Top GAO to Air Force: Improve morale for drone pilots An Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle. A new study found drone pilots believe there is a negative perception attached to their jobs. The Air Force's drone pilots believe there is a negative perception attached to their jobs, report low morale and receive insufficient training, a new government study found. "Without developing an approach to recruiting and retaining [remotely piloted aircraft] pilots and evaluating the viability of using alternative personnel populations for the RPA pilot career, the Air Force may continue to face challenges, further exacerbating existing shortfalls of RPA pilots," according to the Government Accountability Office's report. In response, the Air Force said it is reshaping how it recruits and retains its remotely piloted aircraft crews and is working to update its crew ratios. The service, however, rejected the suggestion that enlisted personnel fly drones. "The Air Force, on multiple occasions, examined the use of enlisted RPA operators and repeatedly decided an officer was necessary to ensure rank is commensurate with responsibility," the Air Force said. "The Chief of Staff of the Air Force concluded that the use of alternative personnel populations was not necessary based on a (plan) to fix accessions which is now proving successful." Senate leaders in Sept. 2012 asked the GAO to study the Air Force's approach to managing the remotely piloted aircraft crews, which has tripled since 2008. The office formed focus groups at three bases: Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.; and Creech Air Force Base, Nev., and found that the Air Force needs to listen to its RPA crews on how to improve the career field, evaluate alternative personnel populations to be pilots, analyze the effects of being deployed-on-station and analyze the effect of being a drone pilot on promotions. "These individuals sacrifice so much to conduct missions vital to U.S. national security interests in a fast-paced, high stress environment every day," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Wednesday in a statement on the GAO report. "Given their mission's importance, it is critical that the Air Force take necessary steps to ensure their success. The GAO interviewed 10 focus groups at the three bases, which included active-duty pilots. Beale was included because it has crews that fly the RQ-4 Global Hawk, and Cannon includes airmen assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command. The focus groups' input includes: ? All groups said being an RPA pilot does not negatively impact promotions, though promotion is difficult to achieve as an RPA pilot. Additionally, all said pilots have low morale, face challenging working conditions and are limited in pursuing developmental opportunities. ? Nine of the 10 said working conditions are improving, although the long hours and work supporting war efforts from afarputs stress on family and social lives. The focus groups also said the quality and quantity of training is insufficient, and pilots face uncertainty in their careers. ? Eight groups said RPA units have manning shortages and the RPA career field does not have a fully developed career path. ? Seven groups said rates of promotion are getting better. However, they said RPA pilots and leadership lack experience and retaining crews will be difficult. ? Six groups said pilots experience a lack of feedback from their supervisors. ? Five groups said RPA pilots are lower quality performers compared with other pilots, and that the broader Air Force lacks knowledge of the RPA mission. ? Four groups said the perception of drone pilots is improving, and that the Air Force is taking steps to address stress. ? All groups said there is a broad negative perception of drone pilots. In response to the GAO's findings, the Air Force said it is studying how to update the RPA crew ratio and find a minimum crew ration. Currently, the deploy-to-dwell redline is 1:2, and crews are deployed-on-station with no accounting for when the redline is crossed. This year, the Air Force is developing and measuring its accessions process to help recruiting and using the annual aviation retention pay program to retain pilots. Despite a GAO recommendation that the Air Force evaluate the possibility of using enlisted personnel to fly drones, the Air Force reiterated its position that an officer is necessary "to ensure rank is commensurate with responsibility." Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said in late November that drawing "other personnel populations" to fly drones was not necessary. But that might not always be the case, the Air Force said in its response. "The Air Force has, however, initiated a holistic review of Air Force missions and rank requirements to execute those missions," the service said. "This review may eventually include an examination of the use of enlisted airmen in rated positions." http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140416/NEWS/304160065/GAO-Air-Force-Improve-morale-drone-pilots Back to Top NTSB: Fatal plane crash near Bethel preceded by 'altitude deviations' In a preliminary report released Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board said the fatal April 8 plane crash near Bethel was preceded by several altitude changes before a "rapid, steep descent" to the ground. Investigators say data transmitted by the Cessna 208 Caravan, operated by Hageland Aviation, shows the plane was flying at 3,400 feet when its altitude changed. "There were a couple of altitude deviations, followed by a rapid, steep descent," said NTSB spokesman Clint Johnson. The two pilots on board were killed in the crash -- Derrick Cedars, 42, and Greggory McGee, 46. Officials said that Cedars and McGee were Hageland Aviation employees on a training flight. According to the report, the crash occurred about 30 minutes after takeoff. The plane left the Bethel Airport at 3:22 p.m. and crashed about 22 miles southeast of Kwethluk at 3:56 p.m., the report said. Weather data shows the skies were clear and calm at the time of the crash, the report said. Johnson said investigators are continuing to analyze raw data transmitted by the plane and are looking at factors such as the degree of the altitude fluctuations that took place before the plane's descent. He said the plane wreckage is expected to arrive in Anchorage by the start of next week, and the investigation team will be conducting a detailed examination. http://www.adn.com/2014/04/17/3430254/ntsb-fatal-plane-crash-near-bethel.html?sp=/99/188/#storylink=cpy Back to Top FAA: Air ambulances must improve safety Air ambulances must take more safety precautions before taking off in bad weather and upgrade their flight equipment under improved safety rules issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The federal agency issued the rules in the wake of numerous air ambulance crashes in recent years, including two in Tennessee and one in Kentucky. A Memphis-based air ambulance crashed in March 2010, killing the pilot and two nurses, when the pilot tried to outrun a storm. The cause of the crash of another Memphis-based air ambulance that killed three people in October 2013 is still under investigation. The Kentucky crash occurred in June 2013 during foggy weather in the parking lot of an elementary school outside Manchester, killing three crew members. Within a year, all pilots will have to use enhanced safety procedures for flying in bad weather, at night and when landing in remote areas. Within three years, all air ambulances must upgrade their equipment. The bad weather rule was originally scheduled to take effect this month, but on Thursday the FAA issued a notice that those safety procedures would be delayed until April 22, 2015, according to the Association of Air Medical Services, which had requested the extension. "This is a landmark rule for helicopter safety," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a press release. "These improvements will better prepare pilots and better equip helicopters, ensuring a higher level of safety for passengers and crew." The federal agency said the new rules "could have mitigated" 62 accidents that killed 125 people between 1991 and 2010. Officials with Vanderbilt LifeFlight welcomed the rules. The air ambulance service has made more than 40,000 flights over 30 years without an accident. It went on record in support of the new rules. "LifeFlight applauds the move toward stronger federal regulatory oversight," said Jeanne Yeatman, administrative director of emergency services for Vanderbilt. "We strongly support anything that will enhance and promote safety." http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2014/04/17/faa-air-ambulances-must-improve-safety/7819699/ Back to Top Inmarsat to Offer Airlines Free Tracking Service Company Helped Narrow Search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Staff at Inmarsat observe data at the company's London headquarters. LONDON-Satellite communications company Inmarsat plans to offer basic tracking services free of charge to airlines, its chairman said, in the strongest sign yet of the aerospace industry's intentions to enhance monitoring abilities for commercial jets after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. Airlines have long resisted making satellite tracking routine, in part because of the costs. But since Flight 370's disappearance on March 8, airlines and international safety organizations have shown new interest in such efforts. For Inmarsat's offer to become a reality, any ultimate industry standards for satellite tracking would have to encompass its communications satellites. Andrew Sukawaty, Inmarsat's executive chairman, said in an interview that he has told regulatory authorities that if the company is part of a global tracking service, it would offer its tracking free to ease the cost of acceptance. Inmarsat estimates that offering the service free would mean forgoing $10 million to $15 million in revenue annually, but "This is such small potatoes against what we're providing" commercially, Mr. Sukawaty said. Inmarsat collected $1.25 billion in revenue in 2013. If its system is used, Inmarsat would cover any required costs to upgrade its network to support the service, Mr. Sukawaty said. But airlines would still have to cover the cost of additional hardware-and its installation-to periodically transmit their aircrafts' position, speed and altitude, he said. Inmarsat doesn't sell that equipment. Inmarsat has been central to the hunt for Flight 370 after the company developed and refined a method for analyzing digital transmissions from the plane that has allowed international searchers to focus their hunt in an area of the southern Indian Ocean. No physical trace of the missing Boeing BA +1.49% 777-200ER has yet been found. Commercial jets currently are tracked mainly using ground-based radar. Calls to use additional systems intensified after the crash of Air France 447 in the Atlantic Ocean in 2009, in which searchers quickly recovered some aircraft debris but needed nearly two years to locate the jet's so-called black boxes. Despite recommendations from aviation authorities, however, no changes were made to how jetliners are monitored. It is unclear how exactly a global system of satellite tracking of jetliners would be developed and implemented. The International Air Transport Association has convened a task force to produce conclusions by the end of 2014 for implementing a tracking system. Mr. Sukawaty said mandatory tracking for maritime operations offers a guide. Today, dedicated transmitters onboard ships, sold by third-party companies, operate safety services at no charge on Inmarsat's satellite network as part of the Global Maritime Distress and Signal System. One thorny issue for airlines is potential disagreement between carriers that already pay to track their fleets and those potentially unwilling to adopt a global mandate. Airlines such as Air France and Deutsche Lufthansa AG already pay to embed position data in other data transmissions that report the status of the airplane for maintenance and operational purposes. And Mr. Sukawaty said some state-owned airlines are considered extensions of air forces and may be reluctant to incorporate global tracking for national-security reasons. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304626304579507443629283118?mg=reno64- wsj&url=http%3A%2F%2Fonline.wsj.com%2Farticle%2FSB10001424052702304626304579507443629283118.html Back to Top Nominations sought for aviation safety award The memory of a passenger who perished in an April 1945 airline accident continues to drive an effort to recognize notable achievements in aviation safety. Nominations are being sought for the 2014 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award, conferred by the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Flight Safety Foundation for achievement in "method, design, invention, study or other improvement" in aviation safety. The 2014 award will be presented Nov. 11 at the sixty-seventh annual International Air Safety Summit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the foundations said in an announcement. The recipient will be selected "for a significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities," the organizations said. They urged special consideration for nomination of "mechanics, engineers and others outside of top administrative or research positions." The contribution to safety "need not be recent, especially if the nominee has not received adequate recognition." The award board will meet in June to review the nominations and select the 2014 recipient. Nominations may be submitted until the June 15 deadline by completing this online nomination form. On April 14, 1945, Laura Taber Barbour was aboard a Pennsylvania Central Airlines DC-3 after visiting family in Pittsburgh when the aircraft struck Cheat Mountain near Morgantown, W. Va., killing all aboard. In 1956, Laura Taber Barbour's husband, Dr. Clifford E. Barbour, and son, Cliff, established the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award in her memory. The 2013 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award was presented to Robert Key Dismukes, recently retired chief scientist in the Human Systems Integration Division of NASA's Ames Research Center. In 2013, the Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation was formed from members of the Award Board, the aviation community and the Barbour family. With airline flights predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years, "continued advancements in flight safety will be imperative for assuring future years of air safety," the awarding organizations said. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/April/14/Nominations-sought-for-aviation-safety-award.aspx Back to Top Back to Top Mysterious American Private Jet Spotted in Tehran Spotted on a Tehran runway this week was a private jet with an American flag on its tail carrying an unknown passenger who seems very determined to remain anonymous. The New York Times asks, conspiracy or totally normal? On the one hand, as the Times points out, Obama "has warned that Iran is not open for business." Due to complicated trade rules, the Commerce Department would have to grant clearance for the private jet's General Electric engine to touch Iranian ground. But then again, there are still "a few United States and European business activities" currently permitted. Even some former federal officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the very presence of an American-flagged aircraft parked in broad daylight suggested its flight had been approved as part of a legitimate business trip. What is more, they said, the easily identifiable plane was not likely to be part of a covert diplomatic mission. Then there's the question of was in the plane. Airport officials said only that the passenger was a VIP, and the Iran UN Mission referred reporters to the plane's owner. Which turns out to be a bank, since the plane is held in a trust by anonymous investors. Still, the tail number was recorded in Zurich around the time of the World Economic Forum and spotted in Ghana last October (pictured above). A Bank of Utah executive said his bank, the trustee for the plane's investors, had no idea the aircraft was in Iran. The Bank of Utah, which is listed as a trustee for more than 1,000 planes, plans to resign should evidence of illegal activity arise. http://gawker.com/mysterious-american-private-jet-spotted-in-tehran-1564566554 Back to Top The world's fastest private jet burns up the charter market There's a three-year waiting list for the money-can't-buy Gulfstream G650 private jet, so expect demand to be high now it's available for charter There's bad news for would-be frequent fliers eager to get their hands on the world's fastest and longest-range private jet, even if they're willing to pay the asking price of $65 million (about £39 million). With only around 40 Gulfstream G650 private jets in existence, the 160 or so buyers currently on the waiting list for their own model of the aircraft face a wait of up to three years before they'll be able to step on board. The G650's desirability is largely down to its unsurpassed performance. Last month it broke the city pair speed record for New York to Mumbai, making the 6,754-nautical mile trip in 13 hours and 49 minutes. The 18-passenger aircraft is capable of flying 7,000 nautical miles nonstop at speeds of up to Mach 0.925. In the face of such demand, the private jet charter company PrivateFly has done well to secure the use of one of the aircraft. Available through a Switzerland-based operator in the firm's network, the much-coveted aircraft is being priced at a level significantly higher than other jets in the same category. It would cost €120,000 (£100,000) to charter the G650 for a two-day trip between London and Dubai, compared to €87,000 flying in a Gulfstream G550 or a Bombardier Global Express, and it seems travellers are willing to pay that premium to experience the product. PrivateFly CEO Adam Twidell reports that individuals on the waiting list who manage to eventually purchase one of the jets have been able to sell it on immediately to other would-be buyers for up to $10 million above asking price. Alternative chartering options are limited, with just four other G650s available for hire worldwide (including one owned by director Peter Jackson and based in Wellington, New Zealand). Demand for the aircraft could plummet in the next decade, however, with a number of firms unveiling But the market could change significantly within the next decade, should rival firms' plans to reintroduce supersonic jets to the commercial market come to pass. Boston-based firm Spike Aersopace has unveiled plans for the development of a supersonic jet that would reach speeds of Mach 1.6-1.8 (1,060-1,200mph) and be launched as early as 2018. HyperMach Aerospace Ltd, meanwhile, has shown plans for the production of SonicStar, a jet that would reach Mach 4 (about twice the speed of Concorde) and be capable of flying from London to New York in about one hour. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/31194/the-worlds-fastest-private-jet-burns-up-the-charter-market.html Back to Top Air India to sell three Boeing 777 aircraft: report Air India plans to sell three of its Boeing 777s for mopping up resources to stem its liabilities, according to sources, barely four months after selling five of these planes to Gulf carrier Etihad Airways. The airline offered three Boeing 777-200 Long Range airplanes, powered with GE 90-110 engines, for outright sale through competitive global bidding, Air India sources said a day after a meeting of its board in New Delhi. The long-haul global routes flown by these aircraft would now be gradually replaced by Boeing 787 Dreamliners, which Air India is inducting at a steady pace. 13 of the 27 Dreamliners the airline has ordered have already joined the fleet. The sale of five B-777s to Etihad in December last year was estimated to fetch over $335 million (Rs. 2,070 crore at 1 dollar = 61.8 rupees), which Air India plans to use to pay off its outstanding debt. The three B-777s being sold now have a seat capacity of 238, including eight First Class and 35 Business Class seats. While the commercial bids for these three five-year-old planes would be opened on May 13, the technical bids would be opened at a later date, the sources said. As part of its turnaround plan, Air India is inducting the Dreamliners and going for a sale and leaseback arrangement to affect major savings. Under such an arrangement, the seller of an asset leases it back from the purchaser for a long-term and continues to use it. The airline estimates it could raise about $840 million by selling seven Dreamliners and leasing them back. The money earned through the leaseback arrangement would be used to pay off the bridge loans taken against these aircraft. http://profit.ndtv.com/news/corporates/article-air-india-to-sell-three-boeing-777-aircraft-report-385838 Back to Top Embry-Riddle Worldwide to offer UAS workshop in San Diego April 24, 25 Daytona Beach, Fla., - Professionals looking to gain a better understanding of the emerging unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry can take advantage of a two-day course being offered in San Diego April 24 to 25 by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide. Topics to be discussed include: introduction and impact of UAS; UAS designs; legislation, certification and regulation; industry concerns; applications; operational profiles; business opportunities; and the future of UAS. The course is developed and taught by Embry-Riddle Worldwide faculty with UAS operations and research experience. The cost of the course is $550, and continuing education units are available. For more information, click here or email training@erau.edu. About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 60 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and through the Worldwide Campus with more than 150 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real- world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.worldwide.erau.edu , follow us on Twitter (@ERAUworldwide) and www.facebook.com/EmbryRiddleWorldwide , and find expert videos at http://www.YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv. Back to Top http://issc2014.system-safety.org Back to Top Upcoming Events: Embry-Riddle Worldwide to offer UAS workshop San Diego April 24, 25, 2014 www.erau.edu Airport Show Dubai May 11-13, 2014 Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) www.theairportshow.com/portal/home.aspx International Humanitarian Aviation Summit 12-14MAY Toledo, Spain wfp.org National Safety Council Aviation Safety Committee Annual Conference Savanah, GA - May 14-15, 2014 Contact: tammy.washington@nsc.org http://cwp.marriott.com/savdt/artexmeeting/ Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 21-22 May 2014, Bangkok, Thailand http://bit.ly/APASS2014 International System Safety Society Annual Symposium 04-08AUG2014 - St. Louis, MO http://issc2014.system-safety.org Curt Lewis