Flight Safety Information May 14, 2014 - No. 098 In This Issue HORIZON AIR NAMES LACEY PITTMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SAFETY Plane damaged when jet bridge fails at Sea-Tac Airport Jet flying from Tampa to Cincinnati diverted Malaysia's Lessons From the Vanished Airplane PRISM SMS Washington pilots support AOPA third class medical bill Interpol Allows Airlines to Check for Stolen Passports ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Short Course, Seattle Campus Upcoming Events HORIZON AIR NAMES LACEY PITTMAN MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SAFETY PORTLAND, Ore., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Air has named Lacey Pittman to the newly created position of managing director of safety. In her new role, Pittman will spearhead Horizon's cross-divisional efforts toward safety and work closely with the Federal Aviation Administration in its regulatory oversight role. She previously served as director of safety for the airline. Pittman joined Horizon Air in 2003 as a first officer piloting the airline's Bombardier Q200 aircraft. She was later named one of the company's assistant chief pilots, and in April 2012 Pittman was promoted to director of safety. She maintains her qualifications as a Q400 captain and routinely flies trips, in addition to serving in the airline's safety leadership. "Lacey's position is critical to ensuring the safe operation of all of our flights and operations, which is the most important element of Horizon's mission," Horizon Air President Glenn Johnson said. "Her role has expanded and evolved, and as managing director she'll help us take safety to an even higher level at Horizon." Before joining Horizon, Pittman was a pilot and safety officer for the aviation branch of the United Nations, flying aid and support into refugee camps in the Republic of Guinea. Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group and flies to 42 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK), together with its partner regional airlines, serves nearly 100 cities through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico. For reservations, visit www.alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the Alaska Airlines Newsroom at www.alaskaair.com/newsroom. SOURCE Alaska Air Group http://www.twst.com/update/59340-alaska-air-group-inc-horizon-air-names-lacey- pittman-managing-director-of-safety Back to Top Plane damaged when jet bridge fails at Sea-Tac Airport SEATAC, Wash. - A jetway damaged a Southwest Airlines plane at Sea-Tac Airport when it dropped six feet after a mechanical failure. Flight 570 had just arrived from Phoenix and the passengers were leaving the plane when the device that connects the terminal to the plane began sagging Tuesday morning. An airport spokesman said the Port of Seattle Fire Department responded to gate B-14 but no one was hurt. The remaining passengers exited the plane by its stairway. Video from Chopper 7 showed that the jet bridge appeared to have dropped to the ground. The plane was damaged by the jetway and a crane or another piece of equipment will be needed to lift the bridge up high enough to get it off the door. The jetway is owned by Southwest Airlines. http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/jetway-collapses-sea-tac-airport/nfwFL/ Back to Top Jet flying from Tampa to Cincinnati diverted A twin-engine Delta jet flying from Tampa to Cincinnati, Ohio, was diverted to Tallahassee Regional Airport this morning after experiencing engine trouble. The MD-88 jet landed safely about 9:25 a.m. with one engine shut down, said Jim Durwin, superintendent of airport operations. Seventy-eight people were on board, including the flight crew, Durwin said. Delta is sending another flight into Tallahassee to pick up the passengers and take them to Cincinnati, Durwin said. The flight is expected about 10:50 a.m. http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/local/2014/05/13/jet-flying-from-tampa-to-cincinnati- diverted/9036955/ Back to Top Malaysia's Lessons From the Vanished Airplane My government didn't get everything right. Yet other parties, too, must learn from MH370-and make changes. By NAJIB RAZAK Nobody saw this coming, nobody knows why it happened, and nobody knows precisely where it is. That, essentially, is the story of Flight MH370-at least for now. The disappearance of the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 on March 8 has been one of the most extraordinary events ever to befall Malaysia-and one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. On a routine flight between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing, moments after air-traffic controllers in Kuala Lumpur handed the flight over to their counterparts in Ho Chi Minh City, the plane's communications systems were disabled. MH370 went dark. Instead of heading to Beijing, the plane made a sharp turn across peninsular Malaysia, traveled north up the Straits of Malacca, made a U-turn south over the coast of Sumatra and ended in the southern Indian Ocean, half way to Antarctica. Little wonder that words commonly used to describe MH370 include "bizarre" and "unprecedented." Also unprecedented are the techniques used to search for the plane. In the absence of contact via normal aircraft communications, the international investigation team-which includes the world's best aviation experts-was forced to turn to satellite "handshakes," mathematics and sophisticated techniques never before used to find a missing aircraft. The team managed to identify where flight MH370 ended, and it has narrowed down a search area off Western Australia. Yet, despite the efforts of the world's brightest minds and best militaries, the search area remains huge. Finding the plane will be neither quick nor easy. A Malaysian air force team searches for MH370 over the Strait of Malacca. AFP/Getty Images This tragedy has caused terrible anguish for the families of those on the plane. The lack of definitive proof-such as wreckage from the aircraft-has made the disappearance all the more difficult to bear. Without physical evidence, or a clear explanation for why this happened, peoples' attention has naturally focused on the authorities-and Malaysia has borne the brunt of the criticism. In the passage of time, I believe Malaysia will be credited for doing its best under near- impossible circumstances. It is no small feat for a country the size of ours to overcome diplomatic and military sensitivities and bring 26 different countries together to conduct one of the world's largest peacetime search operations. But we didn't get everything right. In the first few days after the plane disappeared, we were so focused on trying to find the aircraft that we did not prioritize our communications. Also, it took air-traffic controllers four hours to launch the search-and-rescue operation. But the plane vanished at a moment-between two countries' air-traffic controls-that caused maximum confusion. Despite this, the search began about a third quicker than during the Air France AF.FR -0.14% Flight 447 tragedy in 2009. Nevertheless, the response time should and will be investigated. None of this could have altered MH370's fate. And I pledge that Malaysia will keep searching for the plane for as long as it takes. We will also continue facilitating the independent investigation so we can learn from any mistakes. We have already tightened airport security, and investigators are looking for other measures to improve safety. Yet Malaysia is not the only party that must learn from MH370. There are also important lessons for the global aviation industry. One of the most astonishing things about this tragedy is the revelation that an airliner the size of a Boeing 777 can vanish, almost without a trace. In an age of smartphones and mobile Internet, real-time tracking of commercial airplanes is long overdue. After Air France 447 crashed into the Atlantic, investigators recommended that the airline industry introduce improvements that would help search teams quickly locate a crash site and reach any survivors. But no action was taken. Malaysia's preliminary report into MH370 includes a recommendation for the real-time tracking of commercial aircraft. This week, the International Civil Aviation Organization has been meeting in Montreal. One of the issues discussed was real-time tracking of airliners. I strongly encourage the members of ICAO to push this recommendation forward. We should also consider changing communications systems-namely transponders and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting Systems (ACARS)-so they can't be disabled mid-air. Policy makers need to reconsider the capabilities of airliners' black boxes. At the moment, the location pingers-which are activated if a plane crashes-last only for 30 days. This should be increased to at least 90 days, as the European Union has proposed. If MH370's black-box pinger had lasted for 90 days instead of 30, search teams may have been able to locate the plane by now. Today's black boxes can only record the last two hours of cockpit conversation. This seems wholly inadequate. When MH370's black box is finally recovered, the most important portion of the cockpit conversation-the minutes and hours after the plane first vanished-won't be available. Given that a standard iPhone can record 24 hours of audio, surely the black box should have sufficient memory to record cockpit conversation for the full duration of any flight. Airliners' emergency locator transmitters-which emit a distress signal when the plane is in trouble-could also be improved. Currently they don't work very well underwater, and their mandated battery life is just 24 hours. These changes may not have prevented the MH370 or Air France 447 tragedies. But they would make it harder for an aircraft to simply disappear, and easier to find any aircraft that did. Which would help reassure the traveling public and reduce the chances of such a drawn-out disaster reoccurring. The global aviation industry must not only learn the lessons of MH370 but implement them. The world learned from Air France but didn't act. The same mistake must not be made again. Mr. Najib is prime minister of Malaysia. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303627504579559170123401220 Back to Top Back to Top Washington pilots support AOPA third class medical bill AOPA CEO Mark Baker receives a donation from WPA. The Washington Pilots Association presented AOPA President Mark Baker with a $1,000 contribution to go toward AOPA's advocacy efforts on the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act. Washington Pilots Association President Les Smith and Director Jim Posner presented Baker with the check in Seattle on May 6. Under the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act, pilots who make noncommercial VFR flights in aircraft weighing up to 6,000 pounds with no more than six seats would be exempt from the third class medical certification process. Pilots would be allowed to carry up to five passengers, fly at altitudes below 14,000 feet msl, and fly no faster than 250 knots. The FAA would be required to report on the safety consequences of the new rule after five years. Posner and Washington Pilots Association Legislative Director Dr. Blake McKinley spearheaded their organization's contribution, noting that many in their organization feel that third class medical reform is one of the most significant steps that could be taken to protect and expand GA. The Washington Pilots Association's contribution is a recognition of how important this initiative is to Washington state's pilots, and how appreciative the association is of AOPA's efforts to protect and grow GA. State organizations like the Washington Pilots Association are smaller than national organizations, so it wanted to leverage national advocacy efforts like the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act and get the biggest bang for the buck, said Posner. "We want to make sure that this helps not only pilots in our state but for GA in general, which is a win-win for everyone," he said. "The third class medical bill has the potential effect of getting a ton of people back in the air and it's good for everyone, including flight schools, manufacturers, and airports." The Washington Pilots Association's donation is a great example of local pilots engaging on critical issues, and working with AOPA to support initiatives that are beneficial to general aviation, said AOPA Northwest Mountain Regional Manager David Ulane. "AOPA and the Washington Pilots Association have an excellent collaborative relationship on local, state, and federal GA issues, and all members should continue to reach out to their federal elected officials, and encourage them to support the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act." http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/May/13/Wash-pilots-donation- supports-AOPA-third-class-medical-bill.aspx Back to Top Interpol Allows Airlines to Check for Stolen Passports Malaysian Budget Carrier AirAsia to Start Verifying Passports Against Interpol Database KUALA LUMPUR-Interpol will allow individual airlines to check passenger passports against its data on lost or stolen passports as it seeks to enhance aviation security. Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia 5099.KU +0.88% Bhd. will start verifying passport details of its international passengers against the Interpol database, the airline and the International Criminal Police Organization, or Interpol, said in a joint statement on Tuesday. The pilot program will start later this month. Some Asian governments, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, verify passengers against the Interpol data, but Malaysia doesn't. Currently, less than 10 countries systematically screen passenger passports against Interpol data, with approximately four out of every 10 passports on international flights not screened against the database, according to the statement. The gap was highlighted when it was found that two passengers used stolen passports to board Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 that disappeared mysteriously on March 8 while on its way to Beijing. Though the two passengers, both Iranian, haven't been implicated in the disappearance of the flight, security experts called for closer scrutiny of passengers before they board flights. Interpol wanted to prove to all airlines that integrating the system, called I-Checkit, into the passport screening system of airlines could be an innovative and cost effective way to enhance passenger safety and security and that it could be done fast, the international body for police cooperation said in comments emailed to The Wall Street Journal. "It's a positive step, but I still believe it's the responsibility of immigration authorities to check the passports," said Martin Eran-Tasker, technical director at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, a body that represents the region's airlines. Mr. Eran-Tasker said immigration authorities should take the lead in checking the passports against the Interpol database, adding, "I don't think it's the job of airlines to do so." AirAsia will become the first airline to integrate Interpol's I-Checkit with its own check-in systems across its entire international network and will allow passenger passport numbers to be compared against Interpol's database, which contains more than 40 million records from 167 countries, according to the statement. The airline won't be allowed direct access to the Interpol database. No personal data will be transmitted to Interpol either, according to the statement. If a passport number matches one on the list of stolen or lost passports, the passenger will be referred to local authorities and Interpol will be informed, it said. AirAsia will deploy the system across its entire international operations, covering 100 airports across Asia and 600 international flights a day to more than 20 countries world- wide, it said. A company spokeswoman said AirAsia will absorb the "small" cost of adding the checks to its system but didn't give details of the additional expense for the airline. "This will raise the bar across the industry for passenger safety and security by preventing individuals using stolen or lost passports from boarding international flights," Interpol Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said in Kuala Lumpur, according to the statement. Interpol will offer the facility to other carriers, too. It said talks are progressing with more carriers but didn't name any companies. Airlines will no longer need to depend on government agencies to screen passports to keep passengers safe from terrorists and other criminals who use stolen passports to board flights, Mr. Noble said in the statement. http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303851804579559684131444114 Back to Top View this email in a web page TWO-DAY CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT (CEU) COURSE UAS Applications, Operations and Support: Key Topics of Industry This two-day, continuing education unit (CEU) course is specifically designed for professionals and specialists seeking to expand their understanding of the application, operation and support of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Discussions will focus on the considerations, regulations, policies, business opportunities and challenges of the industry. This course is developed and taught by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide faculty with UAS operations and research experience. Who Should Attend: ? Business Developers ? Executive Leadership ? Small Business Owner/Entrepreneur ? Engineers (including aerospace, communications, electrical, GNC, hardware, logistics, software, systems, quality assurance and test) ? UAS Operators, Pilots, Sensor Operators ? Analysts (system, data management, manufacturing, operations, procurement, research and quality) ? Managers (account, contracts, program, project and operations) ? Training Developers/Coordinators ? Administrators (government, contracts, IT and property) ? Planners (mission, facilities, schedule and strategic) ? Technicians (avionics, electronics, manufacturing and radio frequency) ? Writers (technical, grant and proposal) Key Topics: ? Introduction and Impact of UAS ? UAS Designs ? Legislation, Certification and Regulation ? Industry Concerns ? Applications ? Operational Profiles ? Business Opportunities ? Future of UAS When: Where: Course Fee: Thursday, June 5 to Friday, June 6 Embry-Riddle Worldwide Seattle Campus 1000 Oakesdale Avenue SW Suite 110 Renton, WA 98057 USD $700 Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with an hour lunch For more information: Al Astbury, Office of Professional Programs Tel: (866) 574-9125 * email: training@erau.edu CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND REGISTRATION Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 600 S Clyde Morris Boulevard Daytona Beach, FL 32114 USA If you wish to be removed from this group's mailing list, click here Upcoming Events: 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/ Embry-Riddle to offer Aviation SMS Workshop Daytona Beach, FL May 20-22, 2014 www.erau.edu/case ICAO Loss of Control In-Flight Symposium 20-22 May 2014 - Montreal www.icao.int/meetings/loci Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar 21-22 May 2014, Bangkok, Thailand http://bit.ly/APASS2014 SMS & Risk Management Training Tampa, FL June 4-5, 2014 http://atcvantage.com ERAU Unmanned Aircraft Systems Short Course Seattle, WA June 5-6, 2014 http://proed.erau.edu/programs/specialized-industry-training/unmanned-aircraft-systems- workshop-nv/index.html 6th Annual Aviation Human Factors & SMS Seminar June 24th & 25th 2014 Dallas, TX www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1384474 21st Century Pilot Reliability Certification Workshop June 30th and July 1st, 2014 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07605 Please contact Kacy Schwartz kacy@convergentperformance.com 719-481-0530 International System Safety Society Annual Symposium 04-08AUG2014 - St. Louis, MO http://issc2014.system-safety.org Curt Lewis