Flight Safety Information June 27, 2014 - No. 130 In This Issue Malaysia Airlines flight lost oxygen, says report Boeing's 1,500th 747: 'Not your mother's jumbo jet' Boeing Advancing on Successor to 757 Jet, Air Astana Says FAA reasserts enforcement authority over model aircraft Virgin Australia aircraft faults discovery prompts global alert PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA Charges: Seattle man grounded Southwest Airlines flight to ruin ex's Vegas vacation First Citation X-Plus delivered as aircraft earns FAA type certification Upcoming Events Malaysia Airlines flight lost oxygen, says report Flight MH370 appeared to be on autopilot across Indian Ocean SYDNEY- Australian authorities said they believe that someone onboard Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 switched on the autopilot system deliberately after the plane turned toward the southern Indian Ocean. They also theorized that all 239 passengers and crew had become unresponsive, possibly after being deprived of oxygen, before the plane ran out of fuel and crashed. Those were the main reasons the Australian Transport Safety Bureau gave in a report Thursday for setting a massive new search area - the third in as many months for the airliner, which disappeared March 8. The new hunt is slated to restart in August as much as 600 miles south of the previous underwater focus. That is more definitive than investigators have been about human intervention setting up the flight path toward one of the most remote sections of the globe. The ATSB stressed, however, that its conclusions weren't backed up by hard evidence, and that Malaysian authorities heading the overall probe may not share their view. Left unanswered are why Flight 370 deviated sharply from its planned route, or what might have caused the oxygen depletion, known as hypoxia, if that is what occurred. The Malaysian government and Malaysia Airlines didn't comment on the report. The Australians said they justified their assumptions in part because the plane appeared to travel for a long period-about five hours-without any radio communication or dramatic turns or deviations, and presumably without significant altitude changes. They also looked at aircraft maneuvers in previous commercial-plane crashes related to hypoxia. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/malaysia-airlines-flight-lost-oxygen-says-report-2014-06-27 Back to Top Boeing's 1,500th 747: 'Not your mother's jumbo jet' This Boeing 747-8 -- the 1,500th of the jet to be made by Boeing -- is seen near Boeing's assembly line near Everett, Wash., on June 17, 2014. The jet is bound for German carrier Lufthansa, which was set to celebrate the jet's milestone delivery on June 28, 2014.This Boeing 747-8 -- the 1,500th of the jet to be made by Boeing -- is seen near Boeing's assembly line near Everett, Wash., on June 17, 2014. The jet is bound for German carrier Lufthansa, which was set to celebrate the jet's milestone delivery on June 28, 2014. EVERETT, Wash. - Boeing's iconic 747 hits a major milestone this weekend when German carrier Lufthansa flies away with the 1,500th 747 ever produced. The delivery continues a remarkable run for the airplane, which has been in production since 1968. It was the world's first jumbo jet and the new ultra-long routes it could fly helped reshape global air travel. "It's the most recognizable aircraft produced today," says Eric Lindblad, vice president and general manager of Boeing's 747 program. "Fifteen-hundred 747s is a huge number, especially for an airplane this size. To partner with Lufthansa, to send them this airplane, is really something special." But the milestone comes as some industry observers suggest that the aircraft is near the end of its run as demand for four-engine jumbo jets wanes. Indeed, the number of 747s coming off Boeing's production line north of Seattle is just 1.5 per month - down from about 6 per month in 1990. And airlines that have older 747s in their fleets are phasing out the planes at an increasingly brisk clip. Airlines show an increasing preference for two-engine widebody jets - like the Airbus A330 and Boeing's own 777 - that seat fewer people, but burn less fuel and can fly comparable distances. Richard Aboulafia, an aviation analyst at the Virginia-based Teal Group, says the 747 "has two more turbines to carry around," making its higher capacity an "expensive block of seats to carry around." In terms of future demand, only three other passenger airlines beside Lufthansa - Korean Air, Air China and Russian carrier Transaero - currently have orders in for new 747s. And while cargo has historically been a strength for the 747, orders for Boeing's freighter versions also have slowed amid a global slump in cargo demand. Milestone: The 1,500th Boeing 747 Boeing's Lindblad pushes back against any pessimism regarding the 747's long-term outlook. He notes the company is fresh off a major redesign of the 747 that resulted in the current iteration of the jet - a thoroughly modern 747 that's also the biggest passenger jet ever made by Boeing. "This is not your mother's 747," Lindblad says about Boeing's update to the 747-400 - the company's previous variant. The first cargo version of the modernized 747 - the 747-8F - was delivered to launch customer Cargolux in 2011. The first new passenger version - dubbed the 747-8 Intercontinental - began flying for Lufthansa in 2012. The "dash-8" is about 18 feet longer than the 747-400, and the passenger version comes with about 50 more seats in a typical layout. More importantly, Lindblad says, are the jet's technology upgrades - many borrowed from Boeing's new- age 787 Dreamliner. Those updates, he says, have made the 747-8 a state-of-the art aircraft with improved reliability and lower operating costs for airlines that buy it. "The 747 is advanced technology when it comes to the wing, the engine, the flight deck - and it has the new interior in it as well," Lindblad says. "The 747 is the most-reliable four-engine aircraft made today," he adds. But those four engines are one reason industry analysts are concerned. Boeing, however, says the 747's numbers work. Lindblad suggests airline customers are willing to pay more to fly on the 747, a "flagship" aircraft product perfect for "making a premium experience for high-yield customers." He says, "It's not entirely about seat count. I think you have to look at the overall yields." Lindblad points to the 747's signature hump, and the opportunity it provides for airlines to create an upper-deck first- or business-class cabin that feels exclusive because of its location relative to the rest of the plane. "People relish the opportunity to be there," he says. "It's a space all by itself. .... And the same thing goes for forward of the entry door," an area most airlines use for first- or business-class cabins. But can Boeing turn all of that into more orders for the jet? "There is still a fair amount of interest" from airlines, Lindblad says. "Enough that we're going to sit here today and say we expect we're going to be building the 747-8 for quite a bit longer." Aboulafia doesn't see it that way. He says he thinks "it's highly unlikely" that the 747 stays in production beyond the next decade. "If we get back to the cargo numbers we've seen for several decades, it is possible," he adds. However, Aboulafia says he's pulling for the 747, even admitting he's "part of the club" that "loves the upper deck of the 747." He says, "I would love to be proven wrong about the 747. It's a beautiful plane and it's an icon. It's the only word for it. Iconic." http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/2014/06/27/boeings-1500th-747-not-your-mothers-jumbo- jet/11397925/ Back to Top Boeing Advancing on Successor to 757 Jet, Air Astana Says A Delta Air Lines Inc. Boeing Co. 757-212 planes taxis down the runway past an Air... Read More Boeing Co. (BA) is close to announcing a new aircraft to succeed the 757 jetliner that ceased production almost a decade ago, according to central Asian carrier Air Astana, which is keen to purchase the plane. The airline's talks with Boeing at the International Air Transport Association annual meeting in Doha earlier this month suggest the model will be built, Air Astana President Peter Foster said yesterday in an interview in London. Boeing is gauging the appetite of airlines for a new medium-size jet for transcontinental travel within the U.S., executives said at the Singapore Air Show in February. A plane seating 180 people in two classes able to fly as many as 9 hours also would meet requirements from Almaty, Kazakhstan-based Air Astana on so-called long, thin routes, Foster said. "They made absolutely clear that this is now firming up and that they'll be making an announcement soon," Foster said of the Doha discussions. "That for us is very interesting." The new aircraft would help fill the gap in Chicago-based Boeing's roster of new jets between the largest 737 Max, set to debut late this decade, and the smallest 787 Dreamliner. Airbus (AIR) Group NV has been gaining sales in the transcontinental segment with its long-range A321, and could make further headway if executives move forward with plans to outfit its medium-range A330 with more fuel-efficient engines. Market Trends "We continue to watch trends and speak to our customers to determine what the market will require in the years to come," Doug Alder, a Boeing spokesman, said today in an e-mail. "Today, we're very focused on our current development programs: the 777X, the 737 Max and the 787-10." Air Astana, which is 49 percent owned by U.K. defense company BAE Systems Plc (BA/), has issued a request for proposals for 11 stopgap jets to replace five 757s and a handful of other aging planes, with Airbus's re-engined A321neo emerging as the best prospect for the niche, Foster said. Air Astana is seeking deliveries starting in 2017, with the planes on eight-year leases expiring from about the time that a 757 successor would become available in 2024 or 2025, the executive said. Discussions are under way with lessors including AerCap Holdings NV (AER) and Air Lease Corp. (AL), and an A321 order probably will be announced as soon as October, he said. Final 757 While Boeing delivered the last single-aisle 757 in 2005, the jet remains popular with carriers such as Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. (DAL) for a range that's unmatched by any narrow-body jet currently manufactured. Chief Executive Officer Jim McNerney said in May that Boeing was contemplating a new aircraft with comparable capabilities, though saw no immediate need to produce the plane. Boeing's design would meld features from the single-aisle 737 Max, which seats as many as 192 people, and the twin-aisle 787-8, with a capacity for 242 travelers, McNerney said. The planemaker used a similar approach when it developed the 757 jointly with the larger 767 in the 1980s. Air Astana has just taken delivery of a third Boeing 767 that may be the last passenger variant off the assembly line, according to Foster, a former CEO of Royal Brunei Airlines and senior executive at Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (293) The Kazakhstan airline also has orders for three 787 Dreamliners for delivery in 2017 and 2019 that will be used on U.S. routes, Foster said. Founded in 2002 as part of a planned BAE deal to sell radar equipment to the Kazakh government, Air Astana has expanded to offer 60 services, 38 of them international. European Expansion While the carrier is strongest on routes to Russia and former Soviet capitals in central Asia, it has added destinations in China, South Korea and Thailand and also serves Frankfurt, London and Amsterdam. Flights to Paris and Prague will commence in March after the European Union lifted curbs imposed after Kazakh civil aviation authorities failed to pass a safety audit. Air Astana had already won a partial exemption. Foster said the carrier also needs to replace a fleet of Embraer SA (EMBR3) E-190 regional jets, and that while Bombardier Inc. (BBD/B)'s new CSeries plane is an option the new generation Embraer E2 family may be more attractive. Air Astana -- which is 51 percent owned by Kazakhstan's sovereign wealth fund -- plans to hold further talks with the Brazilian company at the Farnborough Air Show in July, he said. To contact the reporters on this story: Christopher Jasper in London at cjasper@bloom http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-06-26/boeing-advancing-on-successor-to-757-jet-air-astana- says.html Back to Top FAA reasserts enforcement authority over model aircraft Agency outlines 'dos and don'ts' of model aircraft The FAA is warning model aircraft operators not to fly with first-person-view goggles or for hire in new guidance prompted by an uptick in reports of reckless model aircraft use. The FAA's interpretation of special rules for the operation of model aircraft gives the agency "clear" authority to take enforcement action against unsafe operators, said top Transportation Department officials. Pilots' reports of close encounters with unmanned aircraft have increased 300 percent since an NTSB judge's ruling that many interpreted as a challenge to the FAA's authority to regulate unmanned aircraft, Jim Williams, manager of the FAA Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, told attendees at the UAS Action Summit in Grand Forks, N.D., June 25. The guidance, released for comment June 23 along with a list of "dos and don'ts" for model aircraft use, lays out what qualifies as a model aircraft and requirements for operating one. "We want people who fly model aircraft for recreation to enjoy their hobby-but to enjoy it safely," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "At DOT, we often say that safety is a shared responsibility, so to help, we are providing additional information today to make sure model aircraft operators know exactly what's expected of them." Hobby or recreational flying of a model aircraft doesn't require FAA approval, the agency affirmed, but operators must follow safety guidelines and may not endanger the National Airspace System. The "dos" of flying a model aircraft comprise "fly a model aircraft/UAS at the local model aircraft club," "take lessons and learn to fly safely," "contact the airport or control tower when flying within 5 miles of the airport," and "fly a model aircraft for personal enjoyment." AOPA has long urged the FAA to develop regulations to keep pace with advancements in unmanned aircraft technology and protect manned aircraft in the National Airspace System. The association has served on government-industry committees to develop recommendations for safe integration and joined 32 other organizations in April to call on the FAA to step up its efforts for safe integration of small UAS. The FAA expects to release proposed rulemaking on unmanned aircraft of 55 pounds or less for comment by the end of 2014. What shouldn't you do? Don't "fly near manned aircraft," "fly beyond line of sight of the operator," "fly an aircraft weighing more than 55 lbs unless it's certified by an aeromodeling community-based organization," "fly contrary to your aeromodeling community-based safety guidelines," or "fly model aircraft for payment or commercial purposes," the FAA said. Flying within line of site precludes "the use of vision-enhancing devices, such as binoculars, night vision goggles, powered vision magnifying devices, and goggles designed to provide a 'first-person view' from the model," according to the interpretation. "This notice does not prohibit model aircraft operations and it does not materially change the current advisory guidance that model aircraft have flown under for 30 years," said Melissa Rudinger, AOPA vice president for government affairs."What it does is give the FAA 'teeth' for enforcement if a model aircraft operator is not adhering to the special rule requirements." The FAA reauthorization law of 2012 exempts model aircraft from FAA regulations, but pilots of unmanned aircraft flying commercially can't be exempt by claiming they're operating under model aircraft rules, the FAA maintains. "There's a lot of folks that want to stretch that definition" of model aircraft, said Williams. However, the FAA's interpretation of the reauthorization law draws a crisp line between commercial and hobby use. It lists examples of activities that are not considered recreational, including "receiving money for demonstrating aerobatics with a model aircraft," "a realtor using a model aircraft to photograph a property that he is trying to sell and using the photos in the property's real estate listing," "a person photographing a property or event and selling the photos to someone else," "delivering packages to people for a fee," and "determining whether crops need to be watered that are grown as part of commercial farming operation." The new statement of interpretation says the law "is clear that the FAA may take enforcement action against model aircraft operators who operate their aircraft in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system." "We have a mandate to protect the American people in the air and on the ground, and the public expects us to carry out that mission," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. Model aircraft enthusiasts have long flown safely with guidance from a 1981 FAA advisory circular and the Academy of Model Aeronautics, but the proliferation of affordable off-the-shelf units has led to more widespread use-often without the training and support offered by an organization like the Academy of Model Aeronautics. Williams said the FAA is focused on education. "Most people want to follow the rules," he said. "... They just don't understand. They don't know what the rules are." Confusion over the rules for unmanned aircraft deepened this year after an NTSB appeals judge dismissed a $10,000 fine the FAA had levied on an operator for flying an unmanned aircraft for hire in 2011. The FAA appealed that decision, which stays the decision until the full board rules, and Williams underscored that the outcome of the case will not affect current operators; the special rules laid out in the 2012 FAA reauthorization now take precedence. The FAA said it will follow up by working with its inspectors and model aircraft operators to distribute standard information to the public on the law's requirements, and by working to help law enforcement agencies understand the rules. An agency Aviation Safety Hotline website will help the public learn how and when to contact the agency about unmanned aircraft operations. A public comment period will be open for 30 days after publication of the notice; however, the rule takes immediate effect. Williams said he expects comments and criticism from the Academy of Model Aeronautics, and the agency may make changes based on industry input. Comments may be submitted online under Docket No. FAA-2014-0396. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/June/24/FAA-reasserts-enforcement-authority-over- model-aircraft.aspx \ Back to Top Virgin Australia aircraft faults discovery prompts global alert Virgin has returned nine of its Embraer 190 aircraft to service after they were grounded on the discovery of a fault with bolts that hold the plane's engine in place, which in turn prompted a worldwide alert. The fault, which was discovered during heavy maintenance carried out on Wednesday night and Thursday, prompted the Brazilian manufacturer to issue an "alert service bulletin" to all airlines operating the Embraer 190 after being informed of the problem by Virgin. The issue relates to bolts that hold the engine onto the engine pylon, which is attached to the plane's wing. A full inspection of its fleet of 17 Embraer 190 aircraft found faults with nine of them, which were grounded while repairs were carried out. "We identified the initial issue with the bolt...we advised the manufacturer and the manufacturer has sent out a notification," a Virgin spokesman told AAP on Friday. "These aircraft have since undergone the necessary precautionary repairs and have since returned to service," the airline said in an additional statement. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority was also informed. "At Virgin Australia, the safety of our aircraft is our highest priority and we have been in regular dialogue with Embraer regarding this alert," the airline said. The Embraer 190 is slightly smaller than a Boeing 737 and is used by Virgin to service regional and metro routes across the country, including Brisbane to Sydney, as well flights to Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. http://www.afr.com/p/business/companies/virgin_australia_aircraft_faults_8II5KsZE3BFEHHIBmPY3tL Back to Top Back to Top Charges: Seattle man grounded Southwest Airlines flight to ruin ex's Vegas vacation Prosecutors describe bomb threat as part of domestic violence campaign against ex-girlfriend A Southwest Airlines plane pictured at Sea-Tac Airport. Photo: Joshua Trujillo, Seattlepi.com A Seattle man grounded a Southwest Airlines flight by calling in a phony bomb threat to ruin his ex-girlfriend's vacation, King County prosecutors say. Filing felony charges, prosecutors describe the June 18 bomb threat as one piece of a campaign of threats and intimidation by Zachary Milliren. Milliren, 26, is alleged to have threatened to kill the young woman who'd left him days before. In the weeks before Milliren managed to ground the plane at Sea-Tac International Airport, he'd threatened to stalk and beat the woman, Deputy Prosecutor Mari Isaacson said in charging papers. The harassment hit a fever pitch when Milliren made the bomb threat, Isaacson told the court, which also saw him promise to kill his ex. "Every day you will be unsafe," Milliren said in one text message to the young woman, according to charging papers. "Just because you're in another state doesn't mean I can't get you." http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Charges-Seattle-man-grounded-Southwest-Airlines-5579790.php Back to Top First Citation X-Plus delivered as aircraft earns FAA type certification Cessna's Citation X-Plus has won FAA type certification, the company said Thursday. Deliveries of the midsize business jet began immediately, according to a news release, which said the first delivery was to Gerry Buchheit, who owns and operates road construction and commercial real estate development companies based in Orchard Park, N.Y. Cessna Aircraft, a subsidiary of Textron Aviation Inc., said the Citation X-Plus can seat up to 12 passengers, has a maximum altitude of 51,000 feet, a range of 3,408 nautical miles and a maximum speed of 617 mph. "When selecting an aircraft that would best fit the needs of my businesses, the Citation X-Plus was a clear winner," Buchheit said in a statement issued by Cessna. "We have clients located across the country and having the fastest civil aircraft in my fleet provides me with something that is priceless to my operations - time." The most distinct outward difference between the Citation X and the X-Plus is the addition of winglets, allowing the aircraft to cruise efficiently at higher altitudes and to consume less fuel. New Citation products coming to market within the coming year include the Citation CJ3-Plus and Citation Latitude, according to the release. http://www.kansas.com/2014/06/26/3527174/first-citation-x-delivered-as.html#storylink=cpy Back to Top Upcoming Events: 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 Managing Safety for High Performance Jul 14-15, 2014 London-Stansted Airport, UK http://www.universalweather.com/aviation-sms/education/managing-safety-for-high- performance/?utm_source=externalemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DBTKP007 International System Safety Society Annual Symposium 04-08AUG2014 - St. Louis, MO http://issc2014.system-safety.org ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition Atlanta, GA September 7 - 10, 2014 http://annual.aci-na.org/ IFA - Maintaining Airworthiness Standards and Investing in the Most Important Asset 'The Human Element' 17 - 18 September, 2014 Emirates Eng Facility, Dubai www.ifairworthy.com Public Safety and Security Fall Conference Arlington, VA October 6 - 9, 2014 http://aci-na.org/event/4309 Curt Lewis