Flight Safety Information July 8, 2014 - No. 136 In This Issue American Airlines to name ops center after Bob Baker NYPD Helicopter Nearly Struck by Drone Near George Washington Bridge Bulgarian Airplane Nearly Crashed at Leipzig Airport Half a million new pilots on the horizon for China Over half of Brazilian pilots admit nodding off in mid flight Aviation Technology Giving Alaskan Pilots More Tools Rahm to FAA: Speed Up Study of Jet Noise U.S air safety reinforces after new threat from Al Qaeda Screeners finding guns at Tulsa International Airport PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA Cast Develops New Safety Data Collection System Air France rolls out private jet service Jet Engine Noise Research Takes Off WestJet eyes international expansion with plane purchase Philippine Airlines Says Foreign Carrier to Take a Stake THE ALPA 60TH AIR SAFETY FORUM Upcoming Events Employment American Airlines to name ops center after Bob Baker In this 1989 photo, Bob Baker shows off a model of the Saab 2000. Those knew and worked with Bob Baker have to be very pleased that American Airlines Group will name its new integrated operations center after the former AA executive. Baker died more than 11 years ago, on April 20, 2003. But he is still remembered fondly from his 34 years at American. He rose to executive vice president of operations before lung cancer - first diagnosed in 1992 - sidetracked his career and eventually caused his death at age 58. American breaks ground on the new operations center Tuesday, in ceremonies that begin at 9 a.m. The site is near its training center, C.R. Smith Museum and Southern Reservations Center clustered southwest of the intersection of SH 360 and SH 183. We understand his family will be there to help mark the occasion. I've just reread the obituary we ran after Bob's death. Among those quoted were Southwest Airlines chairman Herb Kelleher, Southwest president Colleen Barrett, AMR and American chairman and CEO Donald J. Carty, Continental Airlines chairman and CEO Gordon Bethune and FAA administrator Marion Blakey. That's how respected he was. We had this quote from Cecil Ewell, who had come up through the pilot ranks to become chief pilot and vice president of flight in the 1990s: "He was just a pretty good guy," Ewell said. "And he was a very honest man. You might not like what he said, but you knew it was the truth. That's what I liked about him." Baker began at American in 1968 as a marketing management associate in New York. He worked his way up through cargo, ramp services and marketing jobs. In 1977, he was named vice president of American's southern division based in Dallas- Fort Worth. Robert W. Baker (American Airlines) After going through a few other jobs, Baker was named senior vice president of information systems in 1985. In 1989, AMR/American chairman and CEO named Baker and Carty as executive vice presidents. Carty, who succeeded Robert L. Crandall as chairman and CEO in 1998, made Baker vice chairman in 2000. After American acquired TWA in 2001, Baker took over its operations while American and TWA continued to operate separately. He officially retired at the end of 2002, although his last day at work was March 31, 2002. An interesting historical footnote: Carty and Baker were Crandall's heirs apparent, but Baker's illness apparently moved Carty to the fore. Carty's stay at the top was short-circuited by a controversy over executive retention bonuses after unions had agreed to deep contract concessions, and Don resigned April 24, 2003 - four days after Bob's death. Here is a section from American's announcement of Tuesday's event: American Airlines tomorrow will break ground on the Robert W. Baker Integrated Operations Center in Fort Worth. Earlier this year, American announced plans to consolidate the current American Airlines operations center in Fort Worth and the current US Airways operations center in Pittsburgh. The new facility will be located near American's headquarters and Flight Academy south of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The state-of-the-art Integrated Operations Center will serve as the nerve center of American's global network and will house more than 1,400 employees who plan, oversee and dispatch the airline's more than 1 million annual mainline flights serving more than 140 million customers. "Tomorrow will be an exciting day for American Airlines as we take another step forward in our integration," said Doug Parker, American's chairman and CEO. "It is most fitting that this new, state-of-the-art facility will bear the name of one of the most respected leaders in American's history. Bob Baker was widely regarded for his commitment to safety, reliability and operational integrity. He is a great example for all of us at American and we are honored to have his name on this extremely important facility." http://aviationblog.dallasnews.com/2014/07/american-airlines-to-name-ops-center-after-bob-baker.html/ Back to Top NYPD Helicopter Nearly Struck by Drone Near George Washington Bridge: Police Two men are accused of nearly striking an NYPD helicopter with a drone they were flying near the George Washington Bridge, police say. The mid-air close call came after the NYPD chopper spotted the drone flying high near the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge early Tuesday. As the unmanned craft made its way back to the George Washington Bridge it came close to the helicopter, and the pilot had to veer off course to avoid being struck, police say. After the miss, the helicopter followed the drone until it touched down at Fairview Avenue and Fort George Hill in Manhattan's Inwood area. That's when police say they found the two men, 23 and 34, along with a second drone. The two men were both arrested in the landing zone. Both are charged with reckless endangerment. The drones were confiscated. http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/NYPD-Helicopter-Nearly-Struck-By-Drone-Police-266181581.html Back to Top Bulgarian Airplane Nearly Crashed at Leipzig Airport An airplane of the Bulgarian airline AirVia performing a flight between Varna and Leipzig landed short while approaching the runway at Leipzig, reports the Aeroinside.com website. According to eyewitnesses, quoted by the site, on July 4 the Airbus A320-200 touched down short of the runway, briefly lifted off again and touched down a second time in a very nose high attitude, the tail impacted the runway surface just at the runway threshold with a loud noise before the aircraft settled on the runway. The aircraft rolled out without further incident but sustained substantial damage to the tail and the return flight to Varna was cancelled. http://www.novinite.com/articles/161868/Bulgarian+Airplane+Nearly+Crashed+at+Leipzig+Airport#sthash.wwFH2qVt.dpuf Back to Top Half a million new pilots on the horizon for China An aircraft taking off from an airport in Hengyang, Hunan province. Thin and bespectacled, Xiao Zixuan, 17, dreams of flying a helicopter. This weekend, the boy from China's southern metropolis of Shenzhen, visited an international flight training exhibition and is convinced that his dream is near at hand. He foresees a successful career as a general aviation pilot. General aviation refers to more or less all civil aviation operations other than scheduled passenger services and charters. General aviation includes flight schools, agricultural use, manufacture and maintenance of aircraft, stunt flying and airshows. The majority of the world's air traffic falls into this category, but it is seriously underdeveloped in China. Lack of human resources is widely considered the biggest problem for general aviation development. The shortage of pilots is the most obvious and urgent of many such problems. The exhibition, hosted by China's Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), was attended by over half of China's 40- odd flight schools exhibitors, optimistic about prospects of China's flight training industry, an optimism shared by overseas counterparts such as the Sierra Academy of Aeronautics from the US and Antipodean Aviation of Australia. China had around 35,000 certificated pilots at the end of 2013, the majority of whom work for airlines. The US has nearly 600,000 pilots in service and only a quarter of them are airline pilots. The others are student pilots, sports pilots, recreational pilots, private pilots or other commercial pilots. There are less that 2,000 private flying license holders in China, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The figure for the US is 200,000. "People keep asking me how many pilots China needs." Chen Guangcheng, head of pilot certification with the CAAC, was talking with Xinhua at the exhibition. "Our projection is that 20 years from now, aviation in China will be much the same as that in the US today. If that's the case, we'll need 80,000 more airline pilots, and 400,000 to 500,000 general aviation pilots." Martin Robinson, a senior vice president of the International Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, thinks the number could be even bigger. These half a million new pilots, Chen believes, should include both professionals and people who simply fly for fun and interest rather than occupational reasons. The CAAC supports and encourages ordinary people pursuing their flying dreams. "New administrative rules for pilots are expected soon," Chen said. "We will bring in a new category of sports licenses and make it easier than ever for amateurs to fly." "It's like 20 years ago when Chinese people started to learn to drive. They did not drive for a living but for their own convenience or interest," Chen explained. "Their current demands for flying need to be answered quickly by flight schools." AVIClub under China's state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) received many inquiries about its private license program at the exhibition, according to Gao Qiang, its vice general manager. "The club was founded 6 months ago in Zhuhai and we have more than 40 registered members," said Gao. "AVIClub plans 50 branches across China, providing services such as private license training, flying activities, aircraft sales and hangars." International agencies are showing plenty of interest in China's flight training industry. Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, with 48 years of flight training experience, is looking for more Chinese students. "I've seen a jump of 50% in the number of Chinese students in the past few years. Now we have 241 students and 80% of them are from China." Scott McCormick, a senior operating officer with the school, told Xinhua. "China's general aviation has come a long way in just two years. There's a high social class emerging in China. These people want to have their own aircraft, and they want to fly and enjoy themselves. And we want to accommodate that," McCormick added. Antipodean Aviation of Australia has teamed up with America's Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to provide a full range of courses. "Our training programs cover the whole industry chain of general aviation," said Gordon Huang, the company's representative in China. The CAAC will encourage foreign agencies to provide courses in China and help Chinese people to learn to fly abroad. But Martin Robinson thinks China would be better served by importing expertise to develop its own flight training industry, rather than sending students and money to the US, Australia or New Zealand. "Besides flight training, you need people to look after the planes, to manage the airport...there'll be an economic multiplier effect. It'll create many jobs and benefit the local community," Robinson said. "Before a sales market can be developed you need a flight training industry producing private pilots. Those private pilots have got to want to become aircraft owners," he said. "The flying dream is not so far off as most people imagine," Gao Qiang believes. "A private license now costs about US$32,000, and a US-made Cirrus SR20 plane costs maybe no more than a Ferrari." At the center of the exhibition hall is a TEAM mini-max plane for as little as US$20,000, almost the same price as a Volkswagen Golf in China. Zhang Feng, secretary-general of AOPA China, sees the cost of a private pilot's license falling as low as US$8,000 in the near future. "When this will happen really depends on the opening of China's low altitude airspace." A State Council guideline on low altitude airspace was issued in 2010, but very limited progress has been made. One step forward was the opening last month of the first low altitude route, between Zhuhai, Yangjiang and Luoding in Guangdong, intended mainly for training and recreation. "We're so happy with the progress but it is still just a point-to-point route and has made no substantial difference," said Zhang, adding that the core of general aviation is to fly freely. "After the problem of personnel, access to airspace is the major stumbling block for China's general aviation," Robinson said. "People would like to see the process sped up." "Many powerful Chinese companies are buying up western (aircraft) manufacturers. They don't want to wait a long time to see a return on their investment. The Chinese government needs to act more quickly," Robinson added. http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news-subclass-cnt.aspx?id=20140708000064&cid=1103 Back to Top Over half of Brazilian pilots admit nodding off in mid flight RIO DE JANEIRO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- More than half of Brazil's commercial airline pilots have nodded off during a national or international flight, the Brazilian Association of Civil Aviation Pilots (Abrapac) said Monday. Some 57 percent of pilots said they fell asleep during a national flight, and that number rose to 70 percent during longer international flights, according to a report compiled by Abrapac. The agency interviewed 1,235 pilots for its study, which also reported that 20 percent of pilots who said they had never slept on a flight nevertheless admitted knowing a colleague who had slept during a national flight; 15 percent said they knew a pilot who had slept during an international flight. "An unintentional siesta can be extremely dangerous ... on both routes, failing to remain alert when it is needed is dangerous, because in an emergency or unexpected situation, a rapid reaction time is essential so mistakes don't happen," the agency said. The study appears to show that the major problem for Brazil's pilots is irregular shifts, including night shifts, which can aggravate existing fatigue. The pilots interviewed identified the factors that caused the most fatigue -- work hours, long work days, night shifts and insufficient rest time between shifts. "Another factor that deserves to be underscored is the number of consecutive nights of work, which on average is four nights," the study said. Studies in the field show the risk of an accident occurring due to four consecutive night shifts is around 36 percent greater compared to having worked one night shift, the agency said. http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=228564 Back to Top Aviation Technology Giving Alaskan Pilots More Tools New Advancements Can Make Flying Safer Pilots have been taking to the sky in Alaska for more than one hundred years. In the last fifteen years the advancement in aviation technology has made a dramatic leap forward beginning with the Capstone program. "The premise behind capstone was to accelerate off the shelf technology and get it into the cockpits" Gary Bennett owner of Northern lights Avionics exclaims"Because up until that time we had been dealing with navigation and communication equipment from the 40's and 50's " According to Bennett the Capstone program set out to upgrade infrastructure with airports, weather products communications and GPS driven systems,now pilots are seeing further advancements. "We're getting i-pads in the cockpit, you know we're seeing all kinds of you know neat toys, you know we have synthetic vision, you know how cool is that" The innovations are providing an affordable alternative when it comes to getting much needed information to the v-f-r pilot "We're even getting to see traffic on the i-pad, we're even getting to see our weather on the I-pad even here in Alaska" Bennett says It is all about giving the pilot as many tools to stay safe as possible. "We're also working with things like angle of attack systems that where we're able to now put in a general aviation aircraft so the pilot has somebody looking over his shoulder, has equipment looking over his shoulder based on the ability of the airplane to fly based on its lift that's available" As computer speeds get faster and new apps arrive, the ability to stay in touch brings some peace of mind. "Having a satellite track your position real time on the internet so that friends loved ones, dispatchers can see where you're at all the time in real time is a very powerful tool that is something that up until now has really kind of been out of reach for general aviation" said Bennett. Bennett stresses no matter what new gizmos you have in your plane some things remain the same."Flying in Alaska is a beautiful endeavor and sometimes it can be unforgiving though and you have to respect it and respect the weather and if you don't have to get there you don't have to get there" http://www.youralaskalink.com/news/Aviation-Technology-Giving-Alaskan-Pilots-More-Tools-266067661.html Back to Top Rahm to FAA: Speed Up Study of Jet Noise Planes on the tarmac at O'Hare Airport. Planes on the tarmac at O'Hare Airport. O'HARE - In his first comments since a new runway opened at O'Hare International Airport and inundated the Far Northwest Side with jet noise, Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged federal aviation officials to speed up a study that could turn down the racket. In a letter released just before the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Emanuel urged Federal Aviation Administrator Michael Huerta to "expedite ... with the utmost care and haste" a study that could allow more homes to qualify for subsidized soundproofing, such as new attic insulation, air conditioning, exterior doors, storm doors and windows that block all noise. Heather Cherone details the mayor's first response to NW-side complaints about noise around O'Hare's new runway: That study, which could lower the noise threshold that has to be met before federal and local officials will foot the bill for soundproofing, is scheduled to be complete in December 2015, according to Emanuel's letter. But Emanuel's letter "misses the mark," said Jac Charlier, a member of the leadership team of the Fair Allocation in Runways Coalition, which has been protesting the changes at O'Hare since the new east-west runway opened in October 2013. "After 15 months, it is good to hear the first words from the mayor," Charlier said. "But this is just a small piece of a much larger issue." A spokesman for Emanuel did not respond Monday to questions about the letter or to questions about why the mayor has not responded to the coalition's seven requests to meet with him. "Thousands of his constituents have been impacted, but the mayor has been completely and totally non-responsive," Charlier said. Two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Chicago, called for the FAA to hold a new round of public meetings on the impact of O'Hare noise on neighborhoods, saying studies 10 years ago did not make it clear that the new runway would send hundreds of flights over homes in neighborhoods that had little to no jet noise for decades. Charlier said he had little hope that the sound-level study Emanuel wants to be sped up would be any more accurate or complete than the studies completed a decade ago when the $6.6 billion O'Hare Modernization Plan was under consideration. "The voice of impacted residents still has not been heard," Charlier said. The new runway allows planes to take off and land without crossing paths with other jets while on the ground, which aviation officials say will reduce delays. Most planes now take off toward the west, while arrivals approach from the east. The flight patterns at O'Hare are designed to ensure the airport operates as efficiently and as safely as possible, according to federal aviation officials. The number of complaints to the city-run toll-free noise hotline rose 645 percent from March 2013 - before the new runway opened- to March 2014, according to the most recent data released by the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission. Residents say the new flight patterns have destroyed their quality of life, made it impossible for them to sleep or enjoy their yards and lowered their property values. In his letter to the FAA, Emanuel said O'Hare Airport "drives the economic engine of the Chicago area." The modernization plan - which Ald. Mary O'Connor (41st) said should be put on hold until new studies are completed - is "necessary" and will add 195,000 jobs and contribute $18 billion to the region's economy, Emanuel wrote. Emanuel's letter acknowledges that as the modernization plan progresses, "some of our residents in Chicago and our surrounding communities are struggling with aircraft noise. "We are working with our federal partners to understand the extent and magnitude of the problem," Emanuel wrote, without mentioning specifics. "The Department of Aviation works hard to be a good neighbor and balance the quality of life issues of residents with O'Hare's economic vitality in the Chicago region." http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140708/ohare/rahm-faa-speed-up-study-of-jet-noise Back to Top U.S air safety reinforces after new threat from Al Qaeda United States has announced strengthening of security measures at some foreign airports with direct flights to the United States after a credible threat that Al Qaeda is working on undetectable explosive system. Jeh Johnson, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), stressed in a statement that the security control measures "will increase in the coming days "which have been taken following reports of intelligence that Al Qaeda in Syria and Yemen have developed new ways to disguise explosive devices to place in aircraft. Some of the details of the data that led to this decision have already been communicated to several U.S. allied governments. In addition, they have conducted consultations with the aviation industry to collate the information. DHS did not provide information on exact airports where the flight safety will increase, however, a number of airports in Europe and Middle East with direct flight to the United States will be among those where security measures will be beefed up. DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are concerned about possible new skills obtained by collaboration between operating in Syria as Al Nusrah Front and members of Al Qaeda in Yemen. Johnson said, "We will continue to adjust security measures to promote aviation security without unnecessary disruptions to the traveling public." http://www.newspakistan.pk/2014/07/04/u-s-air-safety-reinforces-threat-al-qaeda/#sthash.q00Q0ER7.dpuf Back to Top Screeners finding guns at Tulsa International Airport Tulsa international: eight confiscated in 2014 A traveler tried to get this .40-caliber pistol through security at Tulsa International Airport on June 27. While the open-carry gun debate involving businesses rages across the nation, there's one place people continue to bring their weapons that's a clear no-no: the airport. In Tulsa alone so far this year, eight people have had their firearms confiscated by Transportation Security Administration officials. That comes after 17 weapons were taken from travelers in 2013. The latest came on June 27, when a passenger tried to bring a .40-caliber pistol through security. The gun was loaded, with a round in the chamber, authorities said. The same thing happened at 32 other airports across the country that week. Travelers also tried to bring aboard other banned items, such as high-powered M-1000 fireworks, a samurai sword, a dagger disguised as a hair brush and a cane that doubles as a stun gun. "Credit card knives" are another popular concealed weapon. Even though the faux-cards fit in a wallet, TSA caught 38 people carrying those last week. Firearms and other weapons are easily identifiable in the X-ray and advanced imaging machines used at all major airports, whether on a person or in carry-on luggage. The 17 weapons confiscated at Tulsa International Airport pale in comparison to the 1.3 million passengers who boarded planes there in 2013, but it's enough for the TSA to continue to warn travelers to remove their firearms before going to the airport. Officials of Tulsa International Airport were not available to comment Monday. Airport officials previously said that most people simply forget their concealed weapons on their person when they check through security. In Tulsa, the offender usually has his or her gun confiscated and is issued a citation. Despite ample warning, travelers at Tulsa International don't seem to be getting the hint. They brought 14 firearms through security in 2012, followed by the 17 weapons last year and the eight so far this year. Nationwide in 2014, some 1,020 people had firearms confiscated by TSA through July 3, according to TSA spokeswoman Carrie Harmon. That follows 1,813 weapons that were taken away in 2013. Penalties for people who have guns confiscated differ by jurisdiction. Fines usually run an offender about $250, plus legal and court fees. Airline passengers can simply check their weapons, as long as they let the ticketing agent know they have a firearm in their bag. Weapons must also be unloaded to be allowed to be checked with baggage, as to prevent accidental discharge during the often-bumpy ride from the ticketing counter to a final destination. In 2013 the TSA considered a proposal to start allowing small knives, baseball bats and hockey sticks on flights, but that idea was squashed after complaints from groups of flight attendants, pilots and airline customers. http://www.tulsaworld.com/businesshomepage1/screeners-finding-guns-at-tulsa-international-airport/article_f1fe8866- 319f-568a-9679-d2b066e5d0a5.html Back to Top Back to Top Cast Develops New Safety Data Collection System The FAA last month released Safety Info for Operators document 14009 to explain a new data-gathering system on implementation of safety enhancements to Part 121 air carriers. The informational notice says all data gathered is only for the evaluation of industry-wide safety-related issues and is not intended to reflect regulatory compliance. The FAA published the document as part of its support for the Commercial Aviation Safety Team (Cast), of which the agency is a participant along with air carriers, manufacturers and aviation labor organizations. After analyzing accident data, Cast believes it has identified a number of voluntary safety enhancements that should prevent accidents. But because the implementation of these enhancements is voluntary and may vary from airline to airline, or between manufacturers, Cast wants to gather data on the implementation process itself to better measure the effectiveness of those safety enhancements. For example, the group is interested in learning about particular safety enhancements that have not been implemented by an air carrier because an alternative means of compliance was created in the field. Responding to the Cast request is voluntary, as is all participation in the group's activities. The team says it is dedicated to reducing the commercial aviation accident rate, as well as the number of fatalities associated with those accidents. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/ainsafety/2014-07-07/cast-develops-new-safety-data-collection-system Back to Top Air France rolls out private jet service Air France has launched a new private jet service for its La Première premium customers to connect onward from its Paris Charles de Gaulle hub. The SkyTeam carrier has teamed up with French business jet operator Wijet on the service, mirroring earlier moves by some of its European rivals, including Lufthansa. However, Air France said its product will be considerably cheaper than its competitors. "This new service is on offer at particularly competitive fares, 40% cheaper than the fares offered on the market," the carrier said in a statement. The service will use four-seat Cessna Citation Mustang-type aircraft and will only be available for Air France's premium passengers connecting to long-haul flights. Earlier this year, Air France unveiled its revamped La Première suite, a curtained-off private cabin that will debut on its 19 Boeing 777-300s from September. http://atwonline.com/finance-data/air-france-rolls-out-private-jet- service?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AtwDailyNews+(ATW+Daily+News) Back to Top Jet Engine Noise Research Takes Off For people living near large international airports, loud aircraft noise is a never-ending nuisance. The noise pollution has even been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Some airports are helping pay for the sound-proofing of area homes, but the makers of these engines so necessary to 21st century travel and commerce are approaching the problem from the other end by designing quieter engines. Engineers are making strides to increase engine efficiency and decrease noise with the help of the country's most powerful supercomputers. The problem doesn't just affect jet engines, either, the low-frequency noise is an environmental aggravation that also threatens the wind-energy industry. One of the companies most associated with jet engines and wind turbines is General Electric, which has been building turbo-machines for over a century. In partnership with Argonne National Laboratory, GE Global Research is using the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility's (ALCF's) high-performance computers to study the air as it passes through jet exhaust nozzles and over wind turbine blades. Using an approach called large eddy simulations (LES), the researchers are working to understand and predict turbulent flow features. By examining variables such as velocity, temperature and pressure, they can characterize some of the key flow physics of this multi-scale turbulent mixing phenomenon. The information revealed by this study will lay the groundwork for more efficient wind turbines and jet engines. An article on the ALCF website explains that with the demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient structures, understanding the physics of advanced blade design becomes increasingly important - and computation-based insight is the key. Resolving the wall bounded turbulent flow around a wind turbine airfoil takes a lot more computing power than simulations involving jet mixing as in jet engine exhaust. The ALCF's 10-petaflops Mira supercomputer has proven to be up to the challenge. These complex simulations used to take two to three months, but running on the IBM Blue Gene/Q, they can be computed in just two weeks. "These are what we call high-fidelity LES, which are very accurate. You are directly predicting the jet engine noise, without any modeling," says team leader Umesh Paliath, a GE Global Research scientist. Working together, the researchers from ALCF and GE are using the new data to improve noise prediction models. The project holds the promise for a new breed of quieter, more efficient engines and could also breath new life into wind power efforts. http://www.hpcwire.com/2014/07/07/jet-engine-noise-reduction-takes/ Back to Top WestJet eyes international expansion with plane purchase WestJet Airlines Ltd. plans to buy four wide-bodied airplanes, marking the first step in what is likely to become an assault on Air Canada's domination of international air traffic. The carrier said Monday it will buy used aircraft to replace leased Boeing 757s on Alberta to Hawaii flights starting as early as the fall of 2015 and then use them on other routes in the summer of 2016 as the airline looks to expand overseas. "There is room and there is a need for an operator with our type of value proposition and approach to market [to serve] markets in Europe and frankly other markets in the world," Bob Cummings, WestJet's executive vice-president of sales, marketing and guest experience, said in an interview from Calgary. That doesn't mean full-blown competition yet with Air Canada on flights to Europe, Asia and South America, but analysts believe WestJet plans to follow up the used plane purchase with an order for new wide-bodied jets that will arrive later this decade and allow the airline to expand internationally. Air Canada has responded to competition from WestJet and other airlines by starting its own low-cost carrier called Rouge, which is aimed mainly at leisure travellers. It has also increased its marketing to business travellers and boosted its international offerings. "We've already seen WestJet get very competitive and create some problems for Air Canada in the domestic market ... and the next phase is going to be the overseas market," said industry analyst Ben Cherniavsky of Raymond James Ltd. WestJet's first transatlantic flights began last month with Boeing 737 service between St. John's and Dublin. That experience has shown WestJet that is has opportunities in Europe and elsewhere, Mr. Cummings said. "We wouldn't be entering this line of business if we didn't think it would succeed over the longer term," he said. The Dublin experience has helped WestJet develop marketing expertise and build relationships with other carriers, he added. He would not identify what planes WestJet will purchase, but analysts expect the airline to buy used Boeing 767s, in keeping with its existing fleet, which consists of 737s and Bombardier Inc. turboprop Q400 planes. He also would not say what kind of seating configuration would be offered on the used planes WestJet will buy, such as whether it will offer business class for the first time. "What we don't want is for people to get on the plane and for it to feel old and for it to be an inferior in-cabin experience," he said. An expansion of WestJet's international offerings beyond its Calgary and Edmonton to Hawaii flights and St. John's-Dublin offerings would require a larger wide-bodied fleet. "If they're going to go big in the international game, at some point they're going to have to place an order for [new] aircraft," said Ernest Arvai, a partner with aviation consulting firm AirInsight. Because WestJet operates Boeing jets now, it likely would lean toward buying Boeing 787s if it were to place an order for new planes, Mr. Arvai said. WestJet has eaten into Air Canada's domestic market share in part by using lower costs to offer cheaper fares. That will be more difficult on international flights, Mr. Cummings acknowledged, because fuel represents about 50 per cent of costs, versus about 30 per cent of the costs on domestic flights. But if WestJet can translate its lower costs into lower fares it will have an advantage, especially in leisure travel, Mr. Cherniavsky noted. A fare that is $500 cheaper than existing fares will save a family of four $2,000, which is significant for leisure passengers, he said. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/westjet-may-take-on-air-canada-with-move-to-wide-body- aircraft/article19490225/ Back to Top Philippine Airlines Says Foreign Carrier to Take a Stake Ramon Ang, president of Philippine Airlines, in Manila in January. MANILA-The president of Philippine Airlines Inc. says a foreign airline is poised to acquire a stake in the Philippine flag carrier, as majority-owner LT Group continues its exit from aviation. Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon Ang declined to identify the foreign airline or say whether it would buy all or part of LT Group's 51% share. Mr. Ang, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, said the deal would be completed by the end of the year. "A foreign company is about to come in and buy a stake," Mr. Ang said. Mr. Ang is also president of conglomerate San Miguel Corp. SMC.PH +0.06% , which owns 49% of Philippine Airlines. LT Group didn't respond to requests for comment. The Philippine government expects the number foreign visitors to the country will rise to 10 million by 2016; last year, the figure was 4.7 million. Philippine Airlines also stands to benefit from growth in the Philippine economy, as increasing numbers of Filipinos travel. Manila also has untapped potential as a regional layover hub for long-distance flights, which Mr. Ang said would also drive passenger growth. San Miguel paid $500 million for its share of Philippine Airlines in 2012 from LT Group, which was the sole owner. At the time, the conglomerate, which is owned by Lucio C. Tan, signaled that it intended to exit the aviation sector and focus on its other businesses, including tobacco, liquor, banking and real estate. As part of the deal, LT Group ceded management control of the airline to San Miguel. Mr. Tan remains the airline's chief executive and chairman. Mr. Ang declined to say whether San Miguel would retain operational control if the new partner were to buy the full LT Group holding. Mr. Ang said the new partner is capable of expanding the airline's network. Japan's All Nippon Airways has repeatedly been linked with Philippine Airlines over the last two years as it seeks to expand overseas. ANA General Manager Hideaki Izumi confirmed to reporters in March that discussions about a tie-up with Philippine Airlines were taking place. ANA declined to comment Monday on whether it was buying LT Group's stake in Philippine Airlines. Since assuming control of Philippine Airlines, San Miguel has overseen an upgrade of the carrier's fleet, added new long- haul routes to Europe and the U.S., and reduced losses. Mr. Ang said all of the airline's long-haul routes, with the exception of recently added flights to London, are now profitable. The airline started turning a profit in April, Mr. Ang told an annual shareholders' meeting in June. Last month, the company said it would cut service between Manila and the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Osaka. Meanwhile, San Miguel is pushing for the construction of a new airport in Manila. The Philippine capital's existing airport is stretched far beyond its intended capacity. In May, Mr. Ang unveiled a $10 billion proposal for a new four-runway facility that would be built, in part, on land that would be reclaimed from Manila Bay. http://online.wsj.com/articles/philippine-airlines-says-foreign-carrier-to-take-a-stake-1404725309 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: 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 Back to Top Employment: Position Available: Assistant Chief Flight Instructor LeTourneau University www.letu.edu/jobs Position Available: Human Performance Investigator NTSB https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/373245800 Curt Lewis Forward email This email was sent to fgae@club-internet.fr by curt@curt-lewis.com | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. 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