Flight Safety Information June 18, 2014 - No. 123 In This Issue Flight 370 "hotspot" yet to be searched Airbus developing laser-proof airplane cockpits Airbus developing laser-proof airplane cockpits Incident: China Eastern A320 at Nanning on Jun 17th 2014, landed on taxiway Preliminary GIV Crash Report Focuses on Flaps and Gust Lock FAA investigating after air controller sent jet away PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA NASA: Supersonic Passenger Jets Closer To Returning To Airports Thanks To Sonic Boom Research FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZES SEVENBAR AVIATION WITH LEVEL 2 SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STATUS THE ALPA 60TH AIR SAFETY FORUM Upcoming Events Flight 370 "hotspot" yet to be searched This photo illustration shows a journalist looking on the data communication logs from British satellite operator Inmarsat and released by Malaysia's Department of Civil Aviation in Kuala Lumpur on missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, May 27, 2014 GETTY LONDON -- The British satellite company Inmarsat, which has provided investigators the only satellite data available on the final hours of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, has told the BBC that it located a "hotspot" where the jet likely crashed more than 100 days ago, but the area has not yet been searched. Inmarsat's team of engineers determined through analysis of the final communications between the Boeing 777 and their satellite that the jet likely came down in an area to the southwest of a zone scanned carefully by Australia using a U.S. Navy robotic submarine. The Australian ship sent to investigate the region never made it to Inmarsat's "hotspot" because other vessels detected auditory "pings" which investigators believed could have come from Flight 370's black boxes. The search focused on the area where the pings were detected for two months, but nothing was found. "It was by no means an unrealistic location," Inmarsat's Chris Ashton told "Horizon," a BBC news magazine program. "But it was further to the north and east than our area of highest probability." Experts at Inmarsat mapped out a set of arcs over the southern Indian Ocean based on the last "handshakes" sent from the plane's communication equipment to the satellite. "We can identify a path that matches exactly with all those frequency measurements and with the timing measurements and lands on the final arc at a particular location, which then gives us a sort of a hotspot area on the final arc where we believe the most likely area is," Ashton told the BBC. The search for the missing plane is on hiatus while ships map the ocean floor across a vast swath of the ocean off Australia's west coast. Inmarsat told CBS News on Tuesday that the "hotspot" would be targeted when the hunt resumes, which is expected to happen in the next several months. Inmarsat representative Katie Potts stressed to CBS News on Tuesday that the company's "analysis is just one element of a collaborative effort," and there were still no guarantees. "Because there are many uncertainties due to the lack of aircraft performance and tracking data, a specific final location in the Southern Ocean cannot be identified," Potts said in a written statement. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-likely-hotspot-found- inmarsat-not-searched/ Back to Top Airbus developing laser-proof airplane cockpits Airbus is developing technology to protect pilots against high-powered handheld lasers aimed at the cockpit during the critical takeoff and landing stages. The company hopes to have a special laser-proof film available to be fitted onto the cockpit windows by the end of next year. Lasers deliberately pointed into the cockpit of a plane can temporarily blind a pilot or permanently damage their eyes, and are an increasing problem in many countries. Airbus is working with a Canadian company to develop the thin film, which uses an "optical metamaterial nano-composite" to selectively block the wavelengths of laser light from passing through the cockpit windows. "What we're looking at is a film which could be easily applied on the windscreen" explains Yann Barbaux, Airbus' Chief Innovation Officer, "and while the film is transparent is blocks the laser. It can be applied on new aircraft and existing aircraft." "It sounds simple, when you explain it that way, but there is a lot of physics behind it" Barbaux told Australian Business Traveller, adding that he expects the laser-proof film to be available "by the second half of next year if we are successful." Barbaux says he expects that Airbus "would go through partners" in rolling out the film to the industry, and would also make it available to its competitor Boeing. "Something which is relevant to safety is something which we cannot keep to ourselves. We have responsibilities as a leader. If it's a solution that works, it has to work for all aircraft because it's not just for us, it's for the industry." US crackdown on laser vandals The US Federal Aviation Authority reported 3,960 'aircraft 'laser strikes' in 2013 and the FBI is now offering rewards of up to US$10,000 for information leading to the arrest of people who intentionally point a laser at aircraft. In 2012, shining a laser at an aircraft became a US federal crime with a punishment of a maximum of five years in prison. The same act can also be considered interfering with an aircraft, which carries up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FAA also can impose up to $11,000 in civil penalties for each violation. Earlier this year a 26 year old Californian man received a 14 year prison sentence for repeatedly targetting the cockpit of a police helicopter with a high-powered green laser pointer. http://www.ausbt.com.au/airbus-developing-laser-proof-airplane-cockpits Back to Top Airbus developing laser-proof airplane cockpits Airbus is developing technology to protect pilots against high-powered handheld lasers aimed at the cockpit during the critical takeoff and landing stages. The company hopes to have a special laser-proof film available to be fitted onto the cockpit windows by the end of next year. Lasers deliberately pointed into the cockpit of a plane can temporarily blind a pilot or permanently damage their eyes, and are an increasing problem in many countries. Airbus is working with a Canadian company to develop the thin film, which uses an "optical metamaterial nano-composite" to selectively block the wavelengths of laser light from passing through the cockpit windows. "What we're looking at is a film which could be easily applied on the windscreen" explains Yann Barbaux, Airbus' Chief Innovation Officer, "and while the film is transparent is blocks the laser. It can be applied on new aircraft and existing aircraft." "It sounds simple, when you explain it that way, but there is a lot of physics behind it" Barbaux told Australian Business Traveller, adding that he expects the laser-proof film to be available "by the second half of next year if we are successful." Barbaux says he expects that Airbus "would go through partners" in rolling out the film to the industry, and would also make it available to its competitor Boeing. "Something which is relevant to safety is something which we cannot keep to ourselves. We have responsibilities as a leader. If it's a solution that works, it has to work for all aircraft because it's not just for us, it's for the industry." US crackdown on laser vandals The US Federal Aviation Authority reported 3,960 'aircraft 'laser strikes' in 2013 and the FBI is now offering rewards of up to US$10,000 for information leading to the arrest of people who intentionally point a laser at aircraft. In 2012, shining a laser at an aircraft became a US federal crime with a punishment of a maximum of five years in prison. The same act can also be considered interfering with an aircraft, which carries up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. The FAA also can impose up to $11,000 in civil penalties for each violation. Earlier this year a 26 year old Californian man received a 14 year prison sentence for repeatedly targetting the cockpit of a police helicopter with a high-powered green laser pointer. http://www.ausbt.com.au/airbus-developing-laser-proof-airplane-cockpits Back to Top Incident: China Eastern A320 at Nanning on Jun 17th 2014, landed on taxiway A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration B-6928 performing flight MU-2005 from Nanchang to Nanning (China), was on a VOR/DME approach to Nanning's runway 05 and cleared to land on runway 05 but touched down on the parallel taxiway A left of the actual runway at about 10:45L (02:45Z). The aircraft rolled out without incident and taxied to the apron. Aircraft and crew were grounded. A replacement Airbus A320-200 registration B-6829 was dispatched to Nanning as flight MU-9003 and continued the next sector to Singapore (Singapore) reaching Singapore with a delay of 7.5 hours. Nanning had built a new runway, which entered service in 2008, and converted the old 2400 meters long 45 meters wide runway into today's taxiway A. http://avherald.com/h?article=47600634 Back to Top Preliminary GIV Crash Report Focuses on Flaps and Gust Lock The NTSB's preliminary report into the crash of a Gulfstream IV during takeoff roll at Bedford Hanscom Field near Boston on May 31 revealed a number of inconsistencies. On June 13, investigators reported that while the flap handle on the jet was set to the "flaps 10" position, the flight data recorder indicated the flaps were set to the "flaps 20" position. Speculation also focused on the position of the aircraft's gust lock before takeoff. On that subject, the report said, "The flight data recorder (FDR) data revealed the elevator control surface position during the taxi and takeoff was consistent with its position if the gust lock was engaged." The GIV's control lock will not normally allow the thrust levers to be advanced beyond six-percent thrust with the lock engaged. "The gust lock handle, located on the right side of the control pedestal, was however found in the forward (OFF) position and the elevator gust lock latch was disengaged," concluded investigators. The Gulfstream's FDR did not record any movement of the flight controls by the crew before takeoff. AIN spoke with a GIV pilot based in the northeast U.S. who did not wish to be identified but offered some insights on the aircraft. "The position of the controls recorded by the FDR was pretty consistent with where the flight controls normally rest during taxiing," he said. On this basis, the gust lock theory would seem less plausible. "You normally don't even start the engines with the control lock in place," the pilot added. He explained that part of the Gulfstream takeoff procedure includes feeling the controls lighten as air moves across the tail surfaces early in the takeoff roll. "If we don't feel that by 60 knots or so, it's an automatic abort," he added, while also questioning the takeoff speeds mentioned in the report. "At a light [takeoff] weight, the V1 speed of the GIV should have been about 118 knots," he said, "with rotation at about 124." This prompted him to question why the aircraft reached a speed of 165 knots before the crew aborted the takeoff. http://www.ainonline.com/comment/10536 Back to Top FAA investigating after air controller sent jet away An Atlanta air traffic controller might have been joking when he told a 777 to cancel its landing. ATLANTA - An air traffic controller is on restricted duty following an incident that caused a Delta Air Lines jet to abandon a landing approach at the Atlanta airport. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the "go-around," which some media reports characterized as the result of a joke by the controller. Delta Air Lines flight 630 from Detroit was on final approach last week to Hartsfield- Jackson International Airport when, with the Boeing 777 about 1,000 feet off the ground, there was discussion of where the plane would park after landing. "We do not have a gate yet so you might want to figure out some place for us to park while we sort it out," the pilot told the controller, according to an audio clip on LiveATC.net. The controller replied, "Delta 630, go around," then after a short pause added, "I'm kidding, Delta 630," and told the pilot he would find a place where the plane could wait for an open gate. The controller then reiterated "Delta 630 ... you're cleared to land." The pilot responded that he had already initiated the missed approach procedure and said the big jet was "on the go." The pilot and controller then communicated routinely as the 777 climbed to 4,000 feet, where it circled once and then landed without incident about 15 minutes later. A Delta spokesman said no customer concerns were reported. The controller's use of the term "I'm kidding" prompted news reports to suggest he'd been joking when he first issued the go-around, and the story went viral on the Internet. But the FAA offered no theory as to whether the controller was being flippant, changed his mind about whether the go-around was needed, or simply misspoke. Go-arounds are safety procedures triggered by a variety of factors, ranging from weather to taxiing planes being too close to the runway being used. National Air Traffic Controllers Association president Paul Rinaldi said in a written statement that the incident "never should have happened." "The behavior of the individual involved was completely inappropriate and unacceptable. He has since apologized to the airline and his colleagues," Rinaldi said. "We are cooperating with the FAA on its investigation into this situation and will work internally to ensure this behavior is not repeated." http://www.pressherald.com/2014/06/18/faa-investigating-after-air-controller-sent-jet- away/ Back to Top Back to Top NASA: Supersonic Passenger Jets Closer To Returning To Airports Thanks To Sonic Boom Research MOFFETT FIELD (CBS SF) - San Francisco to New York in two hours? It's been possible for 40 years, as anyone who flew the Concorde from New York to London can tell you, but it's not allowed because of Federal Aviation Administration regulations about supersonic flights over land. Seems people don't like the sound of sonic booms every few hours over their homes, but new research from NASA Ames Research Center, and the facility at Edwards could make sonic booms more tolerable, and make hour-long cross- country flights a reality. Technology has now progressed to the point where a practical supersonic jet with a quieter, more tolerable sonic boom is not only possible, but feasible, according to NASA engineers. "Lessening sonic booms - shock waves caused by an aircraft flying faster than the speed of sound - is the most significant hurdle to reintroducing commercial supersonic flight," said Peter Coen, head of the High Speed Project in NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. "Other barriers include high altitude emissions, fuel efficiency and community noise around airports." Part of the research, besides testing designs, is to create a government standard for low sonic booms that would allow aerospace companies to build jets that fit the regulations. NASA is presenting the research this week in Atlanta. In one test, volunteers rated 140 different booms to see what was most tolerable, and least disruptive. Another research group is looking at designs that minimize the boom, including cylindrical bodies both with and without wings, in addition to full aircraft designs. NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley is testing designs in wind tunnels. Some of the better examples include the needle-like nose, similar to the retired Concorde, a delta-wing (also used by the Concorde), and highly swept-back wings that all have quieter booms. There have been two supersonic airliners, the Russian Tu-144, and the well-known Concorde flown by the UK and France. The original Concorde concept dates back to 1959, when the plans were made to create the aircraft, which first flew ten years later. The Concorde was retired, and the remaining aircraft sent to museums three years after a July 25th, 2000 crash that killed all 100 people on board and four on the ground. The cost of maintaining the aircraft and the demand for tickets couldn't sustain the prograam. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2014/06/17/supersonic-passenger-jets-closer-to-a- return-to-the-skies-concorde-new-york-san-francisco-nasa-ames-sonic-boom/ Back to Top FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION RECOGNIZES SEVENBAR AVIATION WITH LEVEL 2 SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM STATUS FAA recognized SevenBar's efforts by clearing the company to exit Level 1 in the 4 level Safety Management System Pilot Project On June 11, 2014, a team of FAA inspectors from the Safety Management System (SMS) Program Office and the North Texas Flight Standards District Office met with SevenBar's operational leadership team to evaluate progress in implementing the company's Safety Management System. SevenBar is pleased to announce that the FAA recognized their efforts by clearing the organization to exit Level 1 in the 4 level SMS Pilot Project progression toward full implementation. "This serves as recognition of our demonstrated and clearly stated Safety Commitment, providing sufficient resources to implement and manage the program, and training all employees on their role in our SMS. The evaluation team noted that SevenBar's SMS documentation is advanced for an operator at this stage of implementation. Many programs required for SMS are already in work or will shortly be launched. Our next goal is to seek a Level 2 exit sometime in the first quarter of 2015." said Sean Mullholland, SevenBar Aviation Director of Safety. SevenBar Aviation began operations over 65 years ago. The company was founded in New Mexico at Alameda Airport. SevenBar Aviation soon grew into a leading provider of aviation services throughout the Southwest. The company first offered medical flight services in the late 1970s, when it began flying for hospitals in Albuquerque and later moved its headquarters to Dallas in the mid-1990s. Since then, the company has developed ongoing professional relationships with leading health care organizations across the country. Today, SevenBar Aviation focuses exclusively on providing air medical flight operations using the most advanced technology, highly trained professionals and proven aircraft, and is in the early stages of offering rotor wing helicopter EMS operations. "SevenBar Aviation has built an outstanding team of professionals that are recognized as industry leaders and come from diverse professional backgrounds. The company is poised to embrace the future and the challenges the air medical industry faces by actively engaging in local, state, and national levels regarding safety. New processes, technology and aircraft are all incorporated with one goal in mind- safety. We continue to invest in safety as the hallmark of our organization and every single employee of SevenBar Aviation is committed to assuring that we deliver on that commitment daily" said Kim Montgomery, President of SevenBar Aviation. The SMS program, created and implemented by the FAA in 2010, provides an organizational framework to guide, track, and provide recognition to safety practices by commercial air operators. The effort offers companies the opportunity to work with the FAA to determine safety policies, procedures and practices that can be tailored for a company's individual needs. The SMS program is effectively a partnership with the FAA, designed to establish and maintain a fully integrated safety system. SevenBar's customers and employees can be assured the company meets the highest standards in aviation safety and operations as a participant in the SMS program. Warmest regards, Steven Lloyd Johnson SeniorVice President of Marketing & Business Development SevenBar Aviation 2101 Cedar Springs, Suite 1875 Dallas, TX 75201 www.7bar.com Email: sjohnson@7bar.com Mobile: 214-886-7027 Back to Top THE ALPA 60TH AIR SAFETY FORUM A Celebration of Pilots Helping Get the Job Done Safely & Securely August 4-7, 2014 | Washington Hilton | Washington, DC SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE Contact Tina Long at tina.long@alpa.org for more information or click here to download the sponsorship brochure. AGENDA AT A GLANCE Visit http://safetyforum.alpa.org for full agendas MONDAY - AUGUST 4, 2014 8:30-9:00 General Session-ALPA Air Safety Organization Update (Open to all ALPA Members Only) 9:30-6:00 ALPA ASO Group Workshops & Council Meetings - (invitation only) 9:30-4:30 Jumpseat Forum (invitation only) 12:00-5:00 Aviation Security Forum (invitation only) TUESDAY - AUGUST 5, 2014 8:00-6:00 ALPA ASO Group Workshops & Council Meetings - (invitation only) 9:00-5:00 Joint Aviation/Security Forum - (invitation only) WEDNESDAY - AUGUST 6, 2014 - 60TH AIR SAFETY FORUM 8:30-9:00 Opening Ceremony 9:00-10:30 Panel: Surviving a Main Deck Lithium Battery Fire: New Technological Solutions 10:30-11:00 Break with the Exhibitors 11:00-12:30 Panel: Smoke In the Cockpit-Where Seconds Matter 12:30-1:45 Keynote Luncheon-100 Years of Commercial Aviation Mr. Paul Rinaldi - President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association 1:45-3:15 Panel: Finding the Runway with a Smoke-Filled Cockpit-Using All the Tools 3:15-3:45 Break With the Exhibitors 3:45-5:15 Panel: Landing A Distressed Airliner-What's Waiting at the Airport? 5:15-5:25 Presentation of the ALPA Airport Safety Liaison and ALPA Airport Awards 5:25-5:30 Closing Remarks 5:30-6:30 Hospitality Reception (Sponsored by Boeing) THURSDAY - AUGUST 7, 2014 - 60TH AIR SAFETY FORUM 8:30- 10:00 Panel - Current Security Threats and Countermeasures 10:00-10:30 Break with the Exhibitors 10:30-11:30 Panel: A Discussion With Key Regulators 11:30-11:40 Presentation of the ALPA Presidential Citation Awards 11:40-1:00 Lunch (on your own) 1:00-2:30 Panel: Pilot Health & Occupational Safety 2:30-3:00 Break with the Exhibitors 3:00-4:30 Panel: Modernizing Our National Airspace System: The Flight Path, The Potholes and the Promise 4:30-5:00 Closing Ceremony 6:00-7:00 Awards Reception (Sponsored by Airbus) 7:00-10:00 Awards Dinner 10:00-11:00 Post Awards Reception Back to Top Upcoming Events: Gulf Flight Safety Council Doha, Qatar 22nd of June 2014 membership@gfsc.aero 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