Flight Safety Information August 25, 2014 - No. 174 In This Issue Airbus Tests Jet's Ability to Fly Farther From Emergency Landing Sites Accident: Doren L410 over Congo on Aug 23rd 2014, aircraft missing IndiGo losing senior pilots; 40 commanders quit in 1 year CASA has global respect: McCormick Security Threat Diverts AA Jet From DFW To Land In Phoenix Airlines on alert as volcano erupts in Iceland LUBBOCK MAN INDICTED IN LASER SHINING AT AIRCRAFT Qantas, Virgin get green light for in-flight gadgets PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA U.S. Regulator Approves GE-Powered 787-9 Jet NTSB Course -...Managing Communications Following an Aircraft Accident or Incident Helicopter Safety Effort. Small UAS Challenge The 11th International Symposium of the Australian Aviation Psychology Association ISASI 2014 - Annual Seminar, October 13-16, 2014 Upcoming Events Airbus Tests Jet's Ability to Fly Farther From Emergency Landing Sites Widebody A350 Would Be Able to Take More Direct Flight Routes By ANDY PASZTOR and ROBERT WALL An Airbus A350 flight-test aircraft on the tarmac at Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, earlier this month. Reuters Airbus Group EADSY -0.37% NV intends to ramp up flight tests this week to demonstrate that its newest jet model eventually should be allowed to fly routes taking it as many as seven hours from an emergency landing strip. Slated to be delivered to lead customer Qatar Airways Ltd. by the end of the year, the A350 would have unprecedented regulatory leeway compared with other twin-engine jets on ultralong polar or over-water routes. If European regulators grant approval in coming years, the widebody jets would be able to take more direct routes to slash flight times, save fuel and give Airbus a potential marketing advantage connecting a limited number of destinations. Industry officials said Airbus would win bragging rights for the A350 to fly virtually any nonstop route in the world without having to make adjustments to stay closer to potential diversion airports. More broadly, the issue also highlights the remarkable reliability of the latest generation of engines, along with electrical, fuel and fire- suppression systems. Many U.S. commercial pilots can fly for an entire career without ever having to shut down a damaged or malfunctioning engine. "Engine failure long ago stopped being a common cause of major airline accidents," said industry consultant Bob Matthews, a former senior safety analyst in the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Accident Investigations. "The latest safety issues aren't substantially greater than the thresholds we've already passed." By some measures, according to Mr. Matthews, U.S. carriers on average experience one extreme jet-engine failure every 16 million flights. Some engine-plane combinations currently avoid in-flight engine shutdowns for years. As recently as the 1990s, the FAA's safety yardstick focused on one engine shutdown per 100,000 flight hours. Rival Boeing Co. BA -0.03% and some airlines currently have approval to fly certain Boeing aircraft as far as 5 1/2 hours from the nearest suitable airport in case of an emergency. When plans for the A350 were unveiled, Boeing said it didn't intend to match Airbus's goal. On its A330-300 widebody, Airbus already has approval to fly as far as four hours from the nearest airport under so called Extended-range Twin Operations, or ETOPS, rules. "This is the first time we are targeting such an aggressive ETOPS certification," said Fernando Alonso, senior vice president for flight testing at Airbus. Airbus initially needs to persuade European regulators the A350 can safely fly seven hours using a single engine and that other safety equipment, such as fire-suppression devices, also can last that long. Later, the FAA will be asked to give its stamp of approval. A seven-hour diversion amounts to a trans-Atlantic trip from New York to London on a single engine. When the A350 goes into service, Airbus expects to have approval for diversions of more than three hours. To combat fire, one batch of extinguishers is designed to put out the flames. A second group would release chemicals in a controlled way to assure the fire doesn't rekindle. Before extended twin-engine routes became widespread, many pilots and leaders of pilots' unions were skeptical. Regulators moved slowly to expand from 120 minutes to 180 minutes to 207 minutes the maximum flight time from the nearest strip. Four-engine jets such as Boeing's jumbo 747s, along with Airbus A340s and double-decker A380s, operate under different rules. In the beginning, "Boeing had to handle the perceptions," according to Bill Yantiss, a senior official at a unit of consultant Argus International Inc. who previously was the top safety official at United Airlines. But today, he added, "technology to look into that airplane" from the ground "and anticipate future failures is pretty phenomenal." Some of the new, nonstop routes that would be open to twin-engine jets include trips from Australia to Brazil or New Zealand to South Africa. At this point, Mr. Yantiss said, "it's partly a case of one-upsmanship." The residual risk, he added, is relatively small because "we're clearly building on a history of success." Sometimes, though, it isn't cutting-edge technology that can make a difference. Under some circumstances, he said, malfunctioning lavatories "can be a limiting factor" when captains consider diverting. Mr. Alonso said an initial validation flight has already taken place, with an A350 test plane flying seven hours on one engine. Airbus plans to complete at least four more such flights. Regulators also will scrutinize reliability data of all the plane's systems, gathered during previous flight tests that spanned 14 months and 2,500 hours in the air. The earlier tests didn't focus on extended one-engine operations. During the coming tests, Airbus will land the A350 in the Azores in the mid-Atlantic, more than two hours' flight time from Portugal, and on Cape Verde off the coast of West Africa. Both are common diversion airports for trans-Atlantic travel. http://online.wsj.com/articles/airbus-tests-jets-ability-to-fly-farther-from-emergency-landing-sites-1408923373 Back to Top Accident: Doren L410 over Congo on Aug 23rd 2014, aircraft missing A Doren Air Congo Let L-410, flight from Bukavu to Pangi (Democratic Republic Congo) with 2 passengers, 2 crew and 1500kg of cargo, had normally departed from Kavumu at 13:42L (and left the frequency of Kavumu about 10 minutes after departure. There was no further radio transmission and the aircraft did not arrive in Pangi, estimated to land about one hour after departure (approximate flying distance 140nm), nor on any airport reachable. A search for the aircraft is underway. Doren Air Congo operates three L-410s, actively flying are 9Q-CZA and 9Q-CQZ (both 29 years in service), in storage is 9L-LBL (built 1981). http://avherald.com/h?article=4794ab7d **************** Date: Saturday 23 August 2014 Type: Let L-410 Operator: Doren Air Cargo Registration: registration unknown C/n / msn: First flight: Crew: Fatalities: / Occupants: 2 Passengers: Fatalities: / Occupants: 2 Total: Fatalities: / Occupants: 4 Airplane damage: Missing Airplane fate: Presumed damaged beyond repair Location: between Bukavu and Kama ( Congo (Democratic Republic)) Phase: En route (ENR) Nature: Cargo Departure airport: Bukavu-Kavumu Airport (BKY/FZMA), Congo (Democratic Republic) Destination airport: Kama, Congo (Democratic Republic) Narrative: A Let L-410 turboprop aircraft was reported missing during a flight between Bukavu and Kama in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The airplane departed Bukavu at 13:42 hours carrying a crew of two, two passengers and nearly 1,500 kgs of goods. Last radio contact was at 13:52. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top IndiGo losing senior pilots; 40 commanders quit in 1 year MUMBAI: Low-cost carrier IndiGo, which lost its market share by a per cent in July to 30.7 per cent, has also lost as many as 40 commanders or senior pilots mainly to Gulf carriers in the last one year. While most of these commanders quit the airline for better prospects, some of them also parted ways due to the work culture, sources in the Gurgaon-based airline told PTI. "Around 40 commanders have parted ways with the airline over the past one year as most of them got lucrati .. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/40857696.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst Back to Top CASA has global respect: McCormick John McCormick will leave CASA on August 31, 2014. Outgoing director of aviation safety John McCormick says the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has the respect of its global counterparts and is in better shape now than when he took up the post a little over five years ago. McCormick is in his last week in the job after announcing in February he would not seek an extension of his contract when it expires on August 31. The former Cathay Pacific, Qantas Airways and Royal Australian Air Force pilot says the past five and a half years has been "challenging, satisfying and at times difficult". However, he believes CASA is a "better and more effective air safety regulator" and one "respected by leading regulators around the world". "In 2014 I look at CASA and see a clearer focus on priorities, documented processes and procedures that are followed as required, better training and support for staff and an understanding that decision making must be transparent and fair," McCormick said in his final monthly CASA Briefing note. McCormick's departure comes at a time when the safety regulator has faced heavy criticism. The Aviation Safety Regulation Review (ASRR), also known as the Forsyth Report, called for substantial cultural and structural changes at CASA and for better leadership of and coordination between Australia's aviation safety agencies. Moreover, it said the relationship between CASA and the aviation industry was "in many cases, adversarial". The report, commissioned by the federal government in 2013, said the appointment of a new director of aviation safety was a chance to reform the culture of the organisation. CASA came under fire in federal parliament for its response to the ditching of a Pel-Air aircraft near Norfolk Island in 2009. While acknowledging CASA had its detractors, McCormick said he had encouraged and facilitated consultation with stakeholders during his time at the helm and welcomed constructive criticism. Moreover, he said CASA made its decisions based on evidence, solid data and following sound processes and procedures that ensured fairness and transparency. McCormick hit out against those that resorted to personal attacks when CASA ruled against them. "I have had no problem with people putting their point of view and arguing their case as that is their right if they disagree with CASA," McCormick said. "But just because some people may disagree it does not mean CASA is necessarily wrong or should step away from its position. "Sadly when some of CASA's critics have not got their own way the debate has degenerated and become personal, which is not constructive and does nothing for aviation safety. "It is a fact of human nature that some people will personally attack others as a way of diverting too close an examination of themselves." Deputy Prime Minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss is yet to name a successor to McCormick. The minister was also yet to respond to the Forsyth report, although one was expected before the end of 2014. The Australian Aviation Associations' Forum said on August 20 the appointment of a new director of aviation safety was a chance for a fresh start for the aviation sector. Industry "stands ready and enthusiastic to bring in a new era of enlightened regulation for aviation safety in Australia to repair the damage of recent years", the forum's honorary chair Chris Manning said in a statement. http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/08/casa-has-global-respect-mccormick/ Back to Top Security Threat Diverts AA Jet From DFW To Land In Phoenix Passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 362 from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport to San Diego had to make an emergency landing in Phoenix, Arizona Sunday. Passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 362 from Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport to San Diego had to make an emergency landing in Phoenix, Arizona Sunday. "We were flying along and all of a sudden they came across the intercom and said, 'We are making an emergency landing," said passenger Ashley Cain. The airline confirms a security threat forced pilots to land the plane just before 1:00 p.m. central Texas time. There were 179 passengers and six crew members aboard to the plane. AA Flight From DFW Diverted To Phoenix[DFW] AA Flight From DFW Diverted To Phoenix An American Airlines flight from DFW Airport to San Diego made an emergency landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Sunday. "We just wanted to know what's going on and they said there has been some sort of a bomb threat called in," said Cain. A comment on Twitter was posted by a user named 'Lizard Squad' several minutes before the plane landed safely in Phoenix. The tweet reads '@AmericanAir We have been receiving reports that @j_smedley's plane #362 from DFW to San Diego has explosives on board, please look into this.' The Twitter handle @j_smedley is John Smedley's account, who is the president of Sony Online Entertainment, according to spokesperson for Sony Online Entertainment. Smedley sent out a tweet saying ' Awesome, flight diverted to Phoenix for security reasons.' "Two marshals escorted a gentleman off the plane," said Cain. "About 20 minutes later have everybody else de-boarded the plane." The FBI has not confirmed if any arrests were made or who was escorted off the plane. The K9 unit searched through bags on the tarmac and passengers had to wait several hours, before they were allowed back on the plane to continue their flight to San Diego. The FBI is leading the investigation and has not confirmed if any weapons or explosive devices where found on the plane. Nobody was injured and there were no additional incidents. http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Security-Threat-Diverts-AA-Jet-From-DFW-To-Land-In-Phonenix-272494291.html Back to Top Airlines on alert as volcano erupts in Iceland Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano is seen Aug. 23, 2014, in this aerial picture provided by the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service. ICELANDIC NATIONAL BROADCASTING SERVICE REYKJAVIK, Iceland -- Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano burst forth with a small eruption Saturday under the ice of Europe's largest glacier, scientists said, prompting the country to close airspace over the area. Thousands of small earthquakes have rattled the volcano, located deep beneath the Vatnajokull glacier, in the last week. Icelandic Meteorological Office vulcanologist Melissa Pfeffer said Saturday that seismic data indicated that an eruption had begun, with magma from the volcano melting ice within the glacier's Dyngjujokull icecap. Iceland volcano eruption could threaten Europe's airspace The remote area, 200 miles east of the capital of Reykjavik, is uninhabited. The Civil Protection Department said scientists flew over the ice cap Saturday afternoon but saw no visible signs of the eruption on the surface. Late Saturday the Met Office said there were "no signs of ongoing volcanic activity." Still, authorities raised the country's aviation alert to red - the highest level on a five-point scale - indicating the threat of "significant emission of ash into the atmosphere." Icelandic authorities declared a no-fly zone of 100 nautical miles by 140 nautical miles around the eruption as a precaution, but did not shut down air space over most of the island nation in the North Atlantic. "All airports are open and flights are on schedule," said spokeswoman Olof Baldursdottir. A 2010 eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajokul volcano produced an ash cloud that caused a week of international aviation chaos, with more than 100,000 flights cancelled. Pfeffer said it was not clear when, or if, the eruption would melt through the ice - which is between 330 to 1,300 feet thick - and fling steam and ash into the air. She said it could take up to a day for the ice to melt - or the eruption might remain contained beneath Europe's largest glacier. Scientists were monitoring a hydrological station downstream from the volcano for flooding, a common result of volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Pfeffer said the amount of ash produced by the new eruption would depend on the thickness of the ice. "The thicker the ice, the more water there is, the more explosive it will be and the more ash-rich the eruption will be," she said. Iceland sits on a volcanic hot spot in the Atlantic's mid-oceanic ridge and eruptions occur frequently, triggered when the Earth's plates move and when magma from deep underground pushes its way to the surface. Well-practiced emergency procedures mean eruptions in Iceland usually do not cause deaths. Authorities evacuated several hundred people, mostly hikers, earlier this week from the highlands north of the Vatnajokull glacier as a precaution. But the impact of the tiny island's volcanoes has been felt around the world. Millions of people were stranded in April 2010, when aviation officials closed Europe's air space for five days out of fear that ash from Eyjafjallajokul could harm jet engines. European aviation authorities later changed their policy, giving airlines detailed information about the location and density of ash clouds but leaving decisions to airlines and national regulators. A 2011 eruption of Iceland's Grimsvotn volcano was far more powerful than Eyjafjallajokul but caused much less disruption to aviation. The budget airline EasyJet, which flies between Britain and Iceland, said it was operating as usual. It said it would use ash-detection technology, satellite data and other information "to determine what, if any, changes it should make to its flying program" in the event of an ash cloud. The chunk of closed airspace over the volcano extends over the North Atlantic, and Virgin Atlantic said a London-do-San Francisco flight took a detour to avoid it. Nicholas Wyke, a spokesman for continental air traffic controller Eurocontrol, told The Associated Press in an e-mail that it was difficult to estimate how many flights typically crossed that airspace, noting that trans-Atlantic flights vary their routes based on wind conditions. "It is unlikely that this danger area will have any significant effect on north Atlantic traffic," he said. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bardarbunga-volcano-in-iceland-erupts-putting-airlines-on-alert/ Back to Top LUBBOCK MAN INDICTED IN LASER SHINING AT AIRCRAFT DALLAS, TX -- A 23-year-old former suburban Dallas man has been indicted on a federal count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft in the laser shining on a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter. A U.S. attorney's statement says FBI agents arrested Steven Alexander Chavez on Friday in Lubbock, to where he had moved recently from Garland. According to the indictment returned earlier this week in Dallas, Chavez knowingly aimed the laser pointer at a DPS helicopter on Aug. 24, 2013. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison and fined up to $250,000. Federal records list no attorney for Chavez, whose personal telephone number is not listed. http://abc13.com/news/lubbock-man-indicted-in-laser-shining-at-aircraft/278115/ Back to Top Qantas, Virgin get green light for in-flight gadgets Passengers on Qantas and Virgin flights will now be able to use their electronic devices during the entire flight. Travellers on Qantas and Virgin will be able to keep their electronic devices powered on during all phases of flight from Tuesday. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority on Monday approved applications from both airlines that will allow passengers to keep their phones, tablets and e-readers on even during take-off or landing. The devices will need to remain in "flight mode" throughout the flight. Devices weighing more than 1 kilogram, such as laptops, will still need to be stored for take off and landing. Smaller devices will need to be held by a passenger or secured in the pocket of a garment or the magazine pocket on the back of the seat. Similar privileges are already in place in the United States, Europe and New Zealand. Before the changes, devices could be powered on for as little as 15 minutes of the flight on short sectors like Sydney to Canberra due to the duration taken up by take-off and landing. The move will allow Virgin Australia customers using the airline's in flight entertainment system, which streams via Wi-Fi, to watch a film or television show during the flight. Virgin Australia chief customer officer Mark Hassell said the company was pleased to be introducing the initiative without delay. "Today's announcement means that our customers will be able to use their personal devices throughout their entire journey with us, maximising their work or leisure time," he said. Virgin Australia will allow customers to do so from the first flight on Tuesday. However, passengers will still need to pay attention to the on-board safety briefings and other instructions from crew members. Qantas Domestic chief executive Lyell Strambi said the new changes, to take effect on his airline's flights from Tuesday afternoon, would be positive for customers. "Whether customers choose to listen to music, read their e-books or review work documents, the introduction of gate-to-gate electronic access on Qantas flights is an exciting development to an already exceptional inflight entertainment service," he said. Jetstar and QantasLink are in the final stages of preparing their applications for the extended use of personal electronic devices. A Tigerair Australia spokeswoman said her airline would be applying for approvals "imminently". http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/qantas-virgin-get-green-light-for-inflight-gadgets-20140825-108aev.html#ixzz3BOnHF7Vt Back to Top Back to Top U.S. Regulator Approves GE-Powered 787-9 Jet First Delivery Expected As Early As Next Week U.S. air-safety officials have approved the new version of the Boeing Co. BA -0.03% 787 Dreamliner equipped with General Electric Co. GE -1.06% engines for commercial flights, with the first delivery of the jet expected as early as next week. The Federal Aviation Administration certified the jet on Thursday, a Boeing spokesman confirmed. United Continental Holdings Inc. UAL +0.94% is the launch customer for the version of the 787-9 jet powered by GEnx engines. It plans to use the jet initially on domestic routes to familiarize staff, and then on service between Los Angeles and Melbourne. The aircraft was initially certified in June for use with Rolls-Royce Holdings RR.LN -1.45% PLC engines, enabling deliveries to launch customers Air New Zealand Ltd. AIR.NZ +1.41% and All Nippon Holdings Co. Boeing sells the 787 with a choice of engines from Rolls- Royce and GE. The stretched Dreamliner is 20 feet longer than the 787-8 and seats about 30 more passengers-between 270 and 290-for flights as far as 8,300 nautical miles, or up to 17 hours. Boeing has orders for 435 of the larger jets. The 787-8 was first certified by the FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency in August 2011, entering regularly scheduled revenue service about 2½ months later. http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-regulator-approves-ge-powered-787-9-jet-1408740970 Back to Top NTSB Course - Managing Communications Following an Aircraft Accident or Incident Title Managing Communications Following an Aircraft Accident or Incident Co-sponsor Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) Description The course will teach participants what to expect in the days immediately following an aviation accident or incident and how they can prepare for their role with the media. ID Code PA302 Dates, Tuition and Fee October 23-24, 2014 $1034 early registration, by September 20, 2014 $1084 late registration,between September 21 and October 20, 2014 $100 processing fee will be added to tuitions for all offline applications. A tuition invoice can be ordered for a $25 processing fee. Note: payment must be made at time of registration. Times 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Location NTSB Training Center * 45065 Riverside Parkway * Ashburn, Virginia 20147 Status OPEN. Applications are now being accepted. Apply to Attend SIGN UP HERE CEUs 1.3 Overview * How the National Transportation Safety Board organizes an accident site and what can be expected in the days after an aviation disaster from the NTSB, FAA, other federal agencies, airline, airport, media and local community * Strategies for airline and airport staff to proactively manage the communication process throughout the on-scene phase of the investigation * How the NTSB public affairs officers coordinate press conferences and release of accident information and what information the spokespersons from the airport and airline will be responsible to provide to the media * Making provisions for and communicating with family members of those involved in the accident * Questions and requests likely encountered from the airlines, airport staff, family members, disaster relief agencies, local officials and others > Comments from course participants > See the 235 organizations from more than 30 countries that have sent staff to attend this course Performance Results Upon completion of this course the participant will be able to: * Be better prepared to respond to a major aviation disaster involving a flight departing from or destined for participant's airport * Demonstrate greater confidence in fielding on-scene questions about the many aspects of the investigation and its participants, including what types of specific information may be requested * Identify the appropriate Public Affairs roles for the various organizations involved in an accident investigation. * Be more productive in the first few hours after an aviation disaster by understanding which tasks are most important and why * Perform job responsibilities more professionally and with greater confidence given the knowledge and tools to manage the airport communications aspect of a major aviation disaster Who May Attend This course is targeted to who, in the event of an aviation disaster, will need to provide a steady flow of accurate information to media outlets and/or other airport, federal or local authorities. Accommodations Area hotels and restaurants Airports Washington Dulles International (IAD): 10 miles Washington Ronald Reagan National (DCA): 30 miles Baltimore/Washington International (BWI): 60 miles More Information Email StudentServices@ntsb.gov or call (571) 223-3900 Courses, forums and symposia are added to the schedule throughout the year. Subscribe to the e-newsletter to learn about upcoming events and new programs: http://www.ntsb.gov/trainingcenter/list/list_mw020207.htm www.ntsb.gov/trainingcenter/list/list_mw020207 Back to Top Helicopter Safety Effort The Federal Aviation Administration's Rotorcraft Directorate is seeking comments from helicopter pilots, mechanics, flight safety officers and others associated with personal/private, instructional/training and aerial application industries about what you would like to see in a safety forum. The Rotorcraft Directorate will host a three-day safety forum April 21-23, 2015, in Hurst, Texas, a Fort Worth suburb. The forum's purpose is to discuss ways to improve flight safety particularly among personal/private, instructional/training and aerial application industries. These three industries have consistently high accident numbers. Before we begin planning the forum, we want to know what lectures, displays, events and programs would encourage you to attend and what topics you think would be of the most value. Also, what forums have you attended that you particularly liked and why? Please contact me directly at eugene.trainor@faa.gov or at the FAA Rotorcraft Directorate, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137. F or information about our safety conference visit, www.faahelisafety.org . Back to Top NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AIR RACES EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO Small UAS CHALLENGE OVERVIEW: The objective of the sUAS ERAU Challenge held in conjunction with the National Championship Air Races is to educate the public on UAS opportunities and operations, highlight the rapidly expanding business opportunities of UAS, highlight Nevada's and ERAU's leadership in the field, and showcase the innovative developments in multiple areas of UAS design (e.g., system, subsystem, and element development and configuration, verification and validation testing, application, and integrated system demonstration). Participants of this inaugural event will benefit by displaying their sUAS and its capabilities to a broad range of aviation enthusiast, businesses, governmental and media organizations. Two major issues surrounding the use of sUAS in national airspace system (NAS) are safety and liability;concerns that are also paramount to the Reno Air Races. To mitigate these concerns (i.e., Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations governing the use of UAS are in the development phase), an indoor facility (hangar) and/or an outdoor facility with safety nets and other safety precautions will be used. Since no flying will occur outside a controlled area, the FAA rules would not apply and competitors can participate in the challenge knowing their safety and legal concerns are mitigated. However, participants are required to sign an acknowledgement of liability and that they are entering the challenge at their own risk. The race course will be challenging and damage to participant's sUAS is possible. PARTICIPANTS: The Challenge is open to any private, academic or commercial participant, limited to one vehicle per entity and a maximum field of 20 entries or as determined by the event staff. The sUAS must be able to take off and land vertically (VTOL), be less than approximately 36 inches in major axis, less than 18 inches in elevation, and weigh less than 10 pounds. The sUAS will be required to use an electric propulsion, actuation, and powersystem, controlled by remote transmission using the FCC unlicensed bands (operators for all entries will be required to hold at least a Technician Class Amateur Radio license, show documentation or demonstrate that transmission power levels of their design conform to unlicensed requirement levels). To ensure control reliability, a spectrum analyzer will be employed to ensure deconfliction. CHALLENGE: The Challenge will be composed of three separate events combining for an overall and individual event champion. The events will be (subject to change): - Obstacle Course (emphasizing agility and maneuverability, time measured) - Dead Lift (lifting ability, weight measured both maximum and specific weight) - Time Trial (speed over a closed course, time measured) Initial inspection of each sUAS will occur prior to the competition start from 9:00am to 10:00am each morning to ensure compliance with size and modification rules. A full list of rules will be available upon request. The Challenge will take place over three days with check in at 9:00am and the competition from 10:00am to 1:00pm daily. The course will be open for practice on Thursday of race week. Thursday, Sep 11: Registration and practice Friday, Sep 12: Qualifications Saturday, Sep 13: Eliminations Sunday, Sep 14: Finals There will be no charge for entry in the ERAU sUAS Challenge and each entry will receive complementary general admission tickets to the National Championship Air Races for Thursday through Sunday. Back to Top The 11th International Symposium of the Australian Aviation Psychology Association. The theme for AAvPA 2014 is Consolidation, Complacency or Innovation: Our Challenge for the Future and features keynote presentations from Professor Neville Stanton, Dr Barbara Burian, Dr Key Dismukes and Professor Don Harris. The symposium is being held from 10-13 November 2014 in Melbourne. The web link is: http://conferenceworks.net.au/aavpa/ Back to Top Back to Top Upcoming Events: ACI-NA Annual Conference and Exhibition Atlanta, GA September 7 - 10, 2014 http://annual.aci-na.org/ Small UAS CHALLENGE September 11-14, 2014 Reno, NV 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 ISASI 2014 - Annual Seminar October 13-16, 2014 Adelaide, Australia www.isasi.org IASS 2014 Abu Dhabi, UAE November 11-13, 2014 http://flightsafety.org/meeting/iass-2014 ERAU UAS FUNDAMENTALS COURSE December 9 - 11, 2014 ERAU Daytona Beach Campus, FL www.daytonabeach.erau.edu/uas FAA Helicopter Safety Effort three-day safety forum April 21-23, 2015 Hurst, Texas eugene.trainor@faa.gov www.faahelisafety.org Curt Lewis