Flight Safety Information October 29, 2014 - No. 220 In This Issue FAA investigating laser light aimed into cockpit of airliner landing at Denver China to Deploy First Fixed-Wing Aircraft for Antarctic Research China's new regional jet starts domestic test flights FAA Will Bust Pilots for Model Airplane Infractions PRISM TO HELP PREPARE FOR E-IOSA Embry-Riddle selects four Hoover scholars Embry-Riddle UAS Challenge Upcoming Events FAA investigating laser light aimed into cockpit of airliner landing at Denver International Airport DENVER - The Federal Aviation Administration confirms to 7NEWS that it is investigating a case of laser light being aimed into the cockpit of an airliner as it was landing at Denver International Airport. The incident occurred Monday evening at around 9 p.m. The airline, aircraft and its origination point are not being released. "It can throw your thinking off, your coordination at the same time," said James Simmons, a pilot and aviation professor at Metropolitan State University of Denver. "They can be very bright, in your eyes. So not only do you not see the instruments well, but you can't see outside either and both of those cause a danger." Monday night's case represents an on-going issue for flight crews. According to the FAA, 27 cases of laser light incidents have been reported at DIA through July so far this year, 59 cases were reported in 2013 and 32 in 2012. A Denver police chopper crew also knows the danger of the bright light. In July, a man was indicted for allegedly shining a laser at the "Air One" helicopter. "There's a great potential at some time to have a crash or an incident or an accident, directly related to having a laser shown in a pilot's eyes," said Simmons. Simmons adds in 2012, the federal government made shining a laser light into an aircraft a federal crime. Penalties include hefty fines and prison time. http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/faa-investigating-laser-light-aimed-into-cockpit-of- airliner-landing-at-denver-international-airport10282014 Back to Top China to Deploy First Fixed-Wing Aircraft for Antarctic Research: Reports China will deploy its first fixed-wing aircraft to carry out research in Antarctica in 2015, also planning to send the 31st scientific expedition to choose a site for the Antarctic airfield. MOSCOW, October 28 (RIA Novosti) - China will deploy its first fixed-wing aircraft to carry out research in Antarctica in 2015, also planning to send the 31st scientific expedition to choose a site for the Antarctic airfield, Xinhua reported Tuesday. From the United States, China purchased the Basler BT-67 aircraft capable of flying on research, rescue and transportation missions at low temperatures, the agency reported citing Qu Tanzhou, head of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration. China is also sending its 31st scientific expedition to choose a site for the planned airfield in proximity to China's Zhongshan Station in eastern Antarctica, according to Tanzahou. Tanzahou also noted the possibility of sharing a Russian airfield near the station. Several members of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty operate research bases in Antarctica. The treaty froze the territorial claims on all sections of land located 60 degrees south latitude. However, several countries are continuing to press their (sometimes overlapping) claims for territorial rights to various parts of Antarctica. Australia has the largest claim. Other signatories of the Treaty include Argentina, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom. http://en.ria.ru/world/20141028/194748949/China-to-Deploy-First-Fixed-Wing-Aircraft-for-Antarctic- Research.html Back to Top China's new regional jet starts domestic test flights SHANGHAI, Oct. 29 -- A regional airliner built by Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd. (COMAC) started domestic test flights on Wednesday, a key step for its expected commercial debut at the end of this year. A twin-engine ARJ21-700 completed a round trip at 10 a.m. between airports in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, and Guiyang, capital of neighboring Guizhou Province. Take-off and landing were smooth and stable, according to a Xinhua reporter aboard the plane. It has eight seats for first-class passengers and 70 seats for economy class. The jet, China's first homegrown commercial regional aircraft, completed a 30,000-km flight test around the world in April. The jet will complete 300 hours of test flights in 10 domestic airports in the next month to simulate long- distance, medium-distance and short-distance routes, said Zhao Peng, the chief test pilot. The test flights will test operations in rainy and dark conditions as well as system functions for air conditioning, auto pilot, communications, power, navigation and undercarriage, he said. The jet, which has a maximum flight range of 3,700 kilometers and maximum altitude of 11,900 meters, is expected to be delivered to Chengdu Airlines by the end of this year after obtaining an operation certificate from authorities. "We do not expect the ARJ21-700 to be a star," said a staff member who participated in the test flight on condition of anonymity. "We would rather the jet be a plain passenger airplane that is safe, stable and reliable to be the best company for passengers." COMAC has so far received orders for more than 250 ARJ21-700 jets from customers at home and abroad. But it is facing fierce competition from its foreign rivals, including Brazil-based Embraer's ERJ190 and Canada-based Bombardier's C Series. So far, four ARJ21-700 jets have completed more than 4,500 hours of tests since a maiden flight in November 2008. COMAC is also working toward gaining certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to make the ARJ21 the first Chinese commercial aircraft to receive U.S. approval. This could help sell the aircraft overseas. The FAA has agreed to launch a shadow certification, which involves ensuring the certification process by the Civil Aviation Administration of China is in line with FAA standards. http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/n/2014/1029/c90882-8801836.html Back to Top FAA Will Bust Pilots for Model Airplane Infractions Earlier this month, the FAA released a National Policy Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin containing language that takes a harsh stance against pilots who operate unmanned aircraft. As a result of this new policy, pilots who operate UAS against FAA regulations or model aircraft in a manner that endangers aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS) risk their ability to fly manned aircraft. According to the bulletin, a civil penalty will be warranted for cases in which the FAA determines the violation imposed a medium or high risk to other aircraft in the NAS. However, the FAA takes disciplinary action further for pilot certificate holders who fly drones. UAS operators who the FAA finds conducted a "deliberate and egregious violation" risk certificate action in addition to the civil penalty "regardless of whether the certificate holder is exercising the privileges of the certificate in connection with the violations associated with the UAS operation." This means pilots could lose their ability to fly manned airplanes for a period of time or have their certificates revoked. Not only do pilot certificate holders risk their flying privileges if they fly UAS or model aircraft; they may also receive a greater penalty than individuals who are not pilots would. The FAA bulletin states that certificate holders are more likely to be slapped with a civil penalty "above the moderate range for a single, first-time, inadvertent violation" because they "should appreciate the potential for endangerment that operating a UAS contrary to the FAA's safety regulations may cause." http://www.flyingmag.com/news/faa-will-bust-pilots-model-airplane-infractions#Btgl1qbJzz1l5uuJ.99 Back to Top Back to Top Embry-Riddle selects four Hoover scholars Four students studying to become professional pilots at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University have been named recipients of $25,000 scholarships that honor aviation luminary Bob Hoover. The Oct. 23 reception to present the awards at the university's Daytona Beach, Florida, campus also featured a display of the design of a future Bob Hoover Hall of Honor, to be located in the campus's flight operations building. Hoover, the renowned World War II fighter pilot, test pilot, and airshow performer, attended the event. The Citation Jet Pilots Association funded two Bob Hoover Presidential Scholarships. The Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation funded two Bob Hoover Foundation Presidential Scholarships, Embry-Riddle said in a news release. Scholarship recipients were selected for "academic excellence, leadership skills, service to others, work ethic, financial need and a written essay demonstrating their passion for, and commitment to, the aviation industry." Scholarship recipient Dakota Foster is a sophomore, on track toward an airline pilot career. The aeronautical science major at the Daytona beach campus also carries a minor in aviation safety, and is a member of Embry-Riddle's Women's Ambassador Program, meeting with middle-school girls to encourage them to pursue aviation education and careers. Robert Morgan, a senior and aeronautical science major at Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Arizona, campus, was selected as a scholarship recipient. After graduation, Morgan plans to attend Officer Training School and become an Air Force pilot. He credited his leadership skills to the Boy Scouts of America. In 2010 he was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars from more than 60,000 applicants as the National Scout of the Year, Embry-Riddle said. Achyut Nair, a junior at the Daytona Beach campus, who is taking two majors, in aeronautical science and aerospace engineering, also was a scholarship recipient. He plans to work at his alma mater as a flight instructor after graduation, and then as an airline pilot. His ultimate career goal is "starting his own airline," Embry-Riddle said. Nair also mentors new Embry-Riddle flight students as a participant in the university's Flight Line Assimilation Program. Aeronautical science major Anna Robinson, a junior at the Daytona Beach campus, received a scholarship in recognition of her academic accomplishments and her service as a student assistant at Embry-Riddle's Flight Dispatch Center and FAA Testing Center. Robinson also serves as an Embry-Riddle Orientation Ambassador, helping new students adjust to the campus environment. "We're very grateful to CJP and the Bob Hoover Foundation for these generous scholarships," said Embry- Riddle President John P. Johnson. "All of these bright young people are high achievers who possess the talent, enthusiasm and determination to excel in their future careers." Giants of aviation already inducted into the future Bob Hoover Hall of Honor include astronaut Neil Armstrong, military aviator Jimmy Doolittle, and aviation pioneer Jackie Cochran, said the announcement. http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2014/October/28/Embry-Riddle-selects-four-Hoover- scholars Back to Top Embry-Riddle UAS Challenge We're holding another Challenge at the Wings Over Houston Airshow, 1-2 Nov 14 and would appreciate any publicity you would offer. Below is our official press release and the registration/rule info is located at: http://worldwide.erau.edu/Assets/worldwide/data/Houston%20UAS%20Challenge.pdf Back to Top Upcoming Events: ERAU UAS Challenge November 1-2, 2014 Houston, TX http://worldwide.erau.edu/Assets/worldwide/data/Houston%20UAS%20Challenge.pdf IASS 2014 Abu Dhabi, UAE November 11-13, 2014 http://flightsafety.org/meeting/iass-2014 ERAU SMS Seminars Daytona Beach, FL Nov. 17-18 & 19-21, 2014 www.erau.edu/sms ICAEA-ANAC-CIPE Aviation English Workshop. Buenos Aires, Argentina. International Civil Aviation English Association Workshop, hosted by Argentina ANAC and CIPE. "Skills and competencies needed in aviation communications: The Latin American Challenge." Open to anyone interested in aviation English. Nov. 20-21, 2014. www.icaea.aero 2014 Global FOD Prevention Conference Birds, Bolts, Budgets - Tracking the Dangers of Foreign Objects and What We Can Do About It Reagan National Airport 2 December 2014 www.stopfod.com ERAU UAS FUNDAMENTALS COURSE December 9 - 11, 2014 ERAU Daytona Beach Campus, FL www.daytonabeach.erau.edu/uas A3IR CON 2015 January 16-17, 2015 Phoenix, AZ http://commons.erau.edu/aircon/2015/ Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) NTSB Training Center, Ashburn, VA March 10-11, 2015 www.acsf.aero/symposium FAA Helicopter Safety Effort three-day safety forum April 21-23, 2015 Hurst, Texas eugene.trainor@faa.gov www.faahelisafety.org IS-BAO Workshop Information and Registration 12 - 13 Nov. 2014 Omaha, Nebraska USA 18 - 19 Nov. 2014 Houston, TX USA 2 - 3 Dec. 2014 Orlando, FL USA 6 - 7 Dec. 2014 Dubai, UAE 13 - 14 Jan. 2015 Baltimore, MD USA https://www.regonline.com/CalendarNET/EventCalendar.aspx?EventID=1592658&view=Month Curt Lewis