Flight Safety Information June 30, 2015 - No. 127 In This Issue At least 43 dead after military plane crashes in Indonesian city TSB wants mandatory child restraints in commercial aircraft (Canada) Crashes in Alaska brought safety steps for tourism flights Canso Optimistic about African Air Safety Two pilots injured after Coast Guard helicopter crash-lands at SFO Pilots fired for letting Playboy model fly plane Jet Blue flight from Cayman Islands waiting to depart after emergency landing at Charleston Airport How the FAA and airline industry hope to protect planes from hackers Woman arrested for stealing bags from airport Germanwings crash: how to improve aviation safety in the EU GUN DISCHARGES AT TICKET COUNTER AT BUSH IAH FAA Launches Investigation after Someone Accidentally Turns On Air Show Helicopter PROS 2015 TRAINING Farm Waste and Animal Fats Will Help Power a United Jet Updated Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet unveiled Cirrus Aircraft Selected By St. Louis University Remote-controlled passenger flights 5 years away, CEO says Amid regional rivalry, two new Saudi airlines set to take off this year TEEX - Infrastructure And Safety Summits...McAllen, Texas...July 20 - 24, 2015 Embry-Riddle Research Survey Request Upcoming Events JOBS AVAILABLE (New Positions) At least 43 dead after military plane crashes in Indonesian city Indonesian air force plane crashes in Northern Sumatra 02:02 An Indonesian Red Cross official says he expects the death toll to rise above 50 The C-130 Hercules aircraft had 12 military personnel on board, an Indonesian military spokesman says Jakarta, Indonesia (CNN)Smoke rose among scorched buildings in the Indonesian city of Medan on Tuesday after a military transport plane crashed near a residential neighborhood, killing at least 43 people. The C-130 Hercules aircraft went down with 12 military personnel on board shortly after taking off from a base in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province, said Indonesian military spokesman Maj. Gen. Fuad Basya. Local television broadcast images of crowds gathering around the plane's smoldering wreckage amid damaged buildings and a charred car. At least 43 bodies have been recovered from the crash site, said Zulkifli, an official from the Indonesian Red Cross who goes by only one name. But he said there are more bodies at the crash site. "There are definitely more than 50 victims," he said. It was unclear what caused the disaster. Basya said the aircraft, built in the United States in the 1960s, had been inspected and cleared to fly before it took off from Soewondo Air Force Base. It was carrying logistical supplies for bases on other Indonesian islands. The crash site is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the air base, he said. Indonesia's national news agency Antara reported that the plane hit a busy road that connects Medan with the highland tourist resort of Brastagi. http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/30/asia/indonesia-military-plane-crash/ ***************** Status: Preliminary Date: Tuesday 30 June 2015 Type: Lockheed KC-130B Hercules Operator: Tentara Nasional Indonesia-AU (Air Force) Registration: A-1310 C/n / msn: 3616 First flight: Engines: 4 Allison T56-A-15 Crew: Fatalities: / Occupants: 11 Passengers: Fatalities: / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 35 / Occupants: Airplane damage: Damaged beyond repair Location: near Medan ( Indonesia) Phase: Initial Climb (ICL) Nature: Military Departure airport: Medan-Polonia Airport (MES/WIMM), Indonesia Destination airport: Tanjung Pinang-Kidjang Airport (TNJ/WIDN), Indonesia Narrative: The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, operated by the Indonesian Air Force was destroyed when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Medan-Polonia Airport. On board were a crew of 11. The aircraft took off at 04:48 UTC from runway 23 at Medan-Polonia Airport and crashed about two minutes later. A fire erupted. According to a hospital official quoted by Indonesian media, 35 bodies have been found so far. www.aviation-safety.net Back to Top TSB wants mandatory child restraints in commercial aircraft (Canada) WINNIPEG -- The Transportation Safety Board wants specially designed seatbelts to be mandatory for babies and children on commercial flights to prevent them from "becoming projectiles" or dying in otherwise "survivable" accidents. The recommendation to Transport Canada stems from an investigation into a 2012 plane crash in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, which claimed the life of six-month-old Isaac Appaqaq, who was not restrained by any device or seatbelt. Kathy Fox, chairwoman of the transportation board, said a parent's arms aren't enough to protect a child during severe turbulence or a crash. "Adults are not strong enough to adequately restrain an infant just by holding on," she said at a news conference Monday. "Research has proven it. It's time to do right by our children. They deserve the same level of safety." The investigation found the Fairchild Metro twin-engine aircraft -- which was attempting to land for the second time -- was flying "too high, too steep and too fast." Eight other people on board the Perimeter Aviation charter, including the pilot and co- pilot, survived. It doesn't make sense that babies and children are required to be harnessed into vehicles in specially designed seats while nothing is required when they board a plane, Fox said. She also noted that passengers aren't allowed to have purses, backpacks or computers on their lap during takeoff or landing. "And yet, it's OK to carry a 20-pound baby on your lap," Fox said. "This is the disconnect that needs to be corrected." The idea may be controversial partly because it would require a baby to occupy a separate seat, Fox said. Currently, children under the age of two fly for free if they are seated on an adult's lap. Requiring a car seat or a restraint also takes time to install, which could hold up a flight's departure, she added. "Those are some of the issues that need to be addressed, but they certainly should not be obstacles to making sure children have the same level of safety as adults," Fox said. Transport Canada has 90 days to respond to the recommendation. Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said in a statement that she expects "Transport Canada to review these recommendations on an expedited basis." In the meantime, Fox said parents can use some car seats on most commercial flights instead of checking them as baggage. Missy Rudin-Brown, the board's senior human factors investigator, said many can remember a time when children travelled in cars without a seatbelt. "Attitudes towards safety are always evolving," she said. "It's time for a change." The safety board is also recommending that airlines keep better track of underage travellers. Currently, commercial airlines don't track how many children fly each year or how many infants are held in an adult's arms, Fox said. Investigators found a number of factors contributed to the Nunavut crash. The flight, which left from Winnipeg, was already four hours late because of last-minute repairs and additional freight. Weather on the ground was poor and the crew had trouble seeing the runway when they attempted to land the first time, investigators said. The plane circled around a second time but had trouble once again. "At this point, the crew began feeling a growing pressure to land," said chief investigator Gayle Conners. "Stress, workload, frustration and fatigue combined to narrow their attention and they shifted away from well-practised procedures. "By the time the captain decided to reject the landing, it was too late." The plane hit the ground well past the runway, bouncing and skidding 335 metres before coming to a stop. "This accident saw an infant ripped from his mother's arms and killed in the subsequent impact," Fox said. "What's needed is a proper child-restraint system -- one that stops the youngest on board from becoming projectiles." http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/tsb-wants-mandatory-child-restraints-in-commercial- aircraft-1.2446009 Back to Top Crashes in Alaska brought safety steps for tourism flights This photo, posted Sunday, June 28, 2015, on the Twitter page of the National Transportation Safety Board, shows NTSB investigator Brice Banning examining the sightseeing plane that crashed in remote, mountainous terrain about 25 miles from Ketchikan in southeast Alaska on Thursday, June 25. All eight passengers and the pilot were killed. The plane was on its way back from the Misty Fjords National Monument when it crashed. The passengers were on the floatplane side trip from a cruise ship, sold through the cruise company Holland America. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP) Photo: AP / National Transportation Safety Board This photo, posted Sunday, June 28, 2015, on the Twitter page of the National Transportation Safety Board, shows NTSB investigator Brice Banning examining the sightseeing plane that crashed in remote, mountainous terrain about 25 miles from Ketchikan in southeast Alaska on Thursday, June 25. All eight passengers and the pilot were killed. The plane was on its way back from the Misty Fjords National Monument when it crashed. The passengers were on the floatplane side trip from a cruise ship, sold through the cruise company Holland America. JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - A federal agency installed weather cameras and took other steps in Alaska in recent years to aid the safety of sightseeing planes like the one that crashed last week and killed all nine people aboard, officials said. The locations of the webcams include Misty Fjords National Monument in southeast Alaska, where the plane operated by Promech Air crashed on a cliff above a lake. The cause of the crash has not been determined and an investigation was continuing. The safety measures were implemented after two sightseeing planes crashed within a month in 2007, killing 10 people and raising concerns about Federal Aviation Administration oversight of the Alaska air tour industry and pilot training to deal with weather conditions. In the eight years prior to 2007, there were five fatal air tour crashes in Alaska, FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said by email. "A lot of people down south think we're just a bunch of reckless cowboys up here who don't care about safety, which couldn't be further from the facts," said Kevin Roof of Taquan Air, which operated a Misty Fjords flightseeing plane that crashed in 2007. He welcomed the steps that have been taken to make aviation in Alaska safer. The weather cameras have "made a huge difference in making a go or no-go decision," Roof said about flights, noting the company no longer has to send a scout to check the weather on questionable days. The webcams provide glimpses of near-current conditions, with images updated every 10 minutes, according to the FAA. The images can be compared with the view on a clear day. Officials with Alaska aviation safety groups say strides have been made to improve flight safety in general in a state notoriously treacherous for pilots - many times because of weather. All air tour operators with more than one pilot must now put their pilots through the training program, Gregor said. Among other things, the FAA created a computer program that gives pilots a visual display of the route to and from Misty Fjords, and air tour companies can program in different weather scenarios so pilots can see what they might encounter and know when they should turn around for safety reasons, he said. Every region of the nation's largest state has its own unique weather systems and patterns. Ketchikan, like most of southeast Alaska is in a rainforest, where subtle temperature changes in the high-moisture content can make clouds suddenly appear or disappear. Weather continuously shifts in mountainous southeast Alaska, making for different conditions in a small geographic area. It can be beautiful in Misty Fjords National Monument but horrible just a few miles away in Ketchikan. Officials have not released any details about the weather at the site of the crash last week. The eight passengers on the plane were on an excursion offered through Holland America Line. The pilot also was killed. Holland America has suspended flightseeing tours operated by Promech, cruise line spokeswoman Sally Andrews said by email. No decision has been made on the length of the suspension, she wrote. Andrews said Holland America will continue offering flightseeing excursions in Ketchikan and other Alaska ports but has offered guests a chance to cancel any currently booked flightseeing excursion this week with a full refund. http://www.seattlepi.com/news/us/article/Crashes-in-Alaska-brought-safety-steps-for- 6357321.php Back to Top Canso Optimistic about African Air Safety Although African air safety is a continuous concern, the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization (Canso) remains cautiously optimistic the continent is experiencing a greater willingness on a state-by-state and an industry basis to make real progress on air traffic management (ATM) and industry challenges. At a recent conference in Durban, South Africa, Canso director general Jeff Poole said, "The recent decision by transport ministers to back the African Union proposal to set up a single African air transport market by 2017 is a sign of a shift...I can only hope that this time states will actually follow through with their commitments." Poole said the challenge is how ATM will manage growth, safety, efficiency and cost- effectiveness measured against safety, capacity, operational, technical, infrastructure and financial challenges. The heart of the needed strategy, according to Poole, is the Vision 2020 plan to create harmonized airspace, under which aircraft will use the most efficient routings to seamlessly navigate across the entire region of national borders and flight information regions. Canso identified and agreed to a number of ATM priorities that include performance- based navigation, continuous climb and descent operations and safety-management system implementation, as well as improvements to runway safety. Canso is providing training and best practice guidance to states and ANSPs in the African region. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2015-06-21/canso-optimistic-about- african-air-safety Back to Top Two pilots injured after Coast Guard helicopter crash-lands at SFO Two pilots suffered minor injuries after a helicopter at San Francisco International Airport's U.S. Coast Guard facility crashed and overturned during a routine training assignment today. SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Calif. (KGO) -- A Coast Guard helicopter conducting a test flight crash-landed on an airfield at the San Francisco International Airport, according to Coast Guard officials. Two pilots suffered minor injuries. The rescue helicopter, a MH-65 Dolphin, made a hard landing around 2:50 p.m. Monday as a pilot and a flight mechanic were engaged in a routine maintenance test flight, officials said. The helicopter crashed when pilots lost control as they went to hover to land. The helicopter landed on its side. The pilot and flight mechanic were being treated for minor injuries and were taken to San Francisco General Hospital. "When they attempted to land a malfunction occurred and the aircraft landed on its side," said U.S. Coast Guard public information officer Bill Colclough. "Fortunately, both crew members were able to exit the aircraft." The incident accident occurred on a tarmac at a Coast Guard facility at the north end of the airport, said SFO spokesman Doug Yakel said. The incident is not affecting commercial operations at the airport. An investigation into the crash is underway. http://abc7news.com/traffic/two-pilots-injured-after-coast-guard-helicopter-crash-lands- at-sfo/816243/ Back to Top Pilots fired for letting Playboy model fly plane ARGENTINA - A pair of Argentinian pilots have been fired after videos of a Playboy model in the cockpit were leaked. Model Victoria Xipolitakis, who has posed for the Greek edition of Playboy magazine, recorded six videos of herself and the pilots in the cockpit, according to Mashable. In one of the videos, one of the pilots tells Xipolitakis she will control the plane for part of the takeoff. "You sure?" she asks. "Nothing could happen?" There were reportedly 36 passengers on the flight when the model took over. Not only were the pilots fired, but Xipolitakis has been banned from the Austral Líneas Aéreas airline for five years. "The company confirms its continuing commitment to safety and the respect for operational and safety policies and protocols," the airline said. "The behavior of the pilots, also rejected by their professional association, is totally opposed to the operational safety culture of Austral Líneas Aéreas." In addition to firing the pilots and banning the model, Austral announced forthcoming criminal proceedings against the three "for putting the flight's safety at risk." Xipolitakis apologized, via a tweet in Spanish, for the pain she had caused, and said that it was not an example of her character. http://kfor.com/2015/06/29/pilots-fired-for-letting-playboy-model-fly-plane/ Back to Top Jet Blue flight from Cayman Islands waiting to depart after emergency landing at Charleston Airport A Jet Blue plane is pictured in this file photo. A Jet Blue flight that made an emergency landing Monday evening at Charleston International Airport was scheduled to depart nearly five hours later. The plane was travelling from the Cayman Islands to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, according to Charleston airport spokeswoman Charlene Gunnells. She said the pilot requested to land at the local airport after reporting a smell in the cockpit. The plane had just pulled up to the gate around 5 p.m., she said. It is unknown what the smell was or what might have been wrong with the plane, but Jet Blue sent a different aircraft that passengers were expected to depart in at 9:45 p.m. The airline served pizza to the passengers while they waited, Gunnells said. http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20150629/PC16/150629293/1177/jet-blue- flight-from-cayman-islands-makes-emergency-landing-at-charleston-airport Back to Top How the FAA and airline industry hope to protect planes from hackers Federal officials and the airline industry are holding private meetings to deal with this potentially huge problem. It's not just the public that's terrified about hackers attacking airplanes. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration along with members of the airline industry are holding private meetings to discuss how to better protect airplanes-whether they be big Boeings BA -2.63% or corporate jets-from hackers, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. The meetings are supposed to help the aviation industry come up with design and testing standards that will help reduce aircraft cybersecurity risks. Airline security has been a hot topic over the past few months amid a series of hacking attacks on retailers, banks, and the government agencies. Last week, a group of hackers were able to break into the computers of Poland's busiest international airport, resulting in the grounding of ten airplanes. Meanwhile, in April, a security researcher Chris Roberts claimed via Twitter that he could hack into the engine monitoring system of a United Airlines UAL -3.07% aircraft. Because Roberts tweeted while on board a United flight, the airline blocked the researcher from boarding a connecting flight on another one of its planes and the FBI pulled him aside for questioning. While being interrogated, Roberts reportedly admitted that he once hacked an airplane and caused it to fly in a sideways manner. But authorities didn't immediately arrest Roberts, which suggests they had no immediate proof that he actually carried out the hacking. Shortly after, United Airlines unveiled a program designed to award free frequent flier miles to potential hackers who could break into the company's mobile applications and websites. The company said that the program would not be open to hackers wanting to crack into an airplane's Wi-Fi or on-board entertainment or control systems like Roberts did. According to the Wall Street Journal report, Boeing has also turned to outside security experts to uncover security bugs. As part of a security program, the airline maker is paying friendly hackers to break into the onboard software of its 787 Dreamliner. At the latest meetings, a central topic among aviation experts is safeguarding the air- traffic control system that communicates with the aircraft, according to the report. Security and aviation experts say that the on-board systems are generally tough to break into, but that maintenance and air-traffic control systems are more vulnerable to bugs. https://fortune.com/2015/06/29/faa-airlines-planes-hacked/ Back to Top Woman arrested for stealing bags from airport A woman was charged with theft after stealing bags from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on Saturday, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. Natalie Abrams, 37, was seen taking bags from the airport baggage claim by an airport employee, according to the affidavit. The employee told police that she saw Abrams take a black bag from the baggage claim, then run into a nearby restroom with it. Minutes later, she returned and took a pink bag, then ran into the restroom again, the affidavit says. Abrams told police she found the pink bag outside the terminal at a bus stop. Police also found a Garmin navigation system in one of Abrams's bags. When they asked her where she got it, she told them, "I got it from the pink bag I stole," according to the affidavit. Abrams was arrested and was being held at Travis County Jail on Monday evening. Her bail is set at $5,000. http://www.statesman.com/news/news/crime-law/woman-arrested-for-stealing-bags- from-airport/nmn2j/ Back to Top Germanwings crash: how to improve aviation safety in the EU Transport Committee MEPs discusses aviation safety with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Executive Director Patrick Ky and the European Commission on Monday afternoon, after the Germanwings air crash in the French Alps in March. Patrick Ky (right), executive director of the European Aviation Safety Agency, during the meeting with the transport committee. The Germanwings disaster in the French Alps on 24 March raised important questions about air safety after investigators discovered the co-pilot has intentionally crashed the plane, killing 150 people. The transport committee discussed on 29 June how to prevent this from happening again with the European Commission and Patrick Ky, executive director of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). They also discussed the recommendations of an EASA task force dedicated to the crash. Task force Transport commissioner Violeta Bulc asked EASA to establish a task force to assess the preliminary investigation report on the causes of the crash by the French Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authority . In addition to people from EASA, the task force consists of several experts, including reprsentatives from national authorities, airlines, pilot associations, medical doctors, airlines' health services and training organisations. The task force is expected to produce a report with recommendations at the end of July, after which the European Commission will have to decide whether to update aviation safety rules. Recommendations EASA head Patrick Ky presented the work of the task force at the meeting of the transport committee on 29 June, which was opened by chair Michael Cramer, a German member of the Greens/EFA group. "Reinforced cockpit doors were implemented in the aftermath of September 11," Ky said. "We are [also] having a thorough look at medical checks, the initial and continuous assessment of pilots, psychological tests, drugs and alcohol testing and also a system for better sharing of medical data. We also want to have a look at the work environment of pilots." MEPs questioned EASA's executive director on what the next steps would be. Romanian EPP member Marian-Jean Marinescu asked how these recommendations could be made mandatory, while Latvian ECR member Roberts Z?le wanted to know how we can ensure that these recommendations would not lead to other dangerous situations. On 27 March, when it had already become clear that the crash had been intentional, EASA published a recommendation to have at least two people in the cockpit at all times, known as the four eyes principle. German S&D member Ismail Ertug welcomed the idea and wondered if it would not make sense to make this mandatory by law. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news- room/content/20150629STO71844/html/Germanwings-crash-how-to-improve-aviation- safety-in-the-EU Back to Top GUN DISCHARGES AT TICKET COUNTER AT BUSH IAH, AIRPORT OFFICIALS CONFIRM Gun discharges at Bush IAH ticket counter According to airport officials, the gun was in the passenger's carry-on bag HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A gun was accidentally fired at the ticket counter inside Bush Airport today. According to airport officials, a passenger at the Delta ticket counter in Terminal A had a gun in his carry-on baggage and was taking it out to check it in. That's when it reportedly fired inside the bag. The man was detained and questioned at the airport. He's facing a deadly conduct charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor. We're told there are no reports of injuries and no disruption of service. http://abc13.com/news/gun-discharges-at-ticket-counter-at-bush-iah/815795/ Back to Top FAA Launches Investigation after Someone Accidentally Turns On Air Show Helicopter There are four specific switches that need to be hit in a certain sequence before pilot Ken Melchior can start the Chopper 5 engine. However, not all choppers are that tricky to operate. Cell phone video recorded during Mankato's Minnesota Air Spectacular captured the aftermath of someone accidentally turning on the Mayo One helicopter while it was on display. Two people suffered minor injuries when a sun shade toppled over in the wind generated by the moving blades. The FAA confirmed it is investigating what happened but added these investigations can take weeks to complete, so 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS went to our own aircraft expert to learn more. Chopper 5 pilot Ken Melchior, knows the type of helicopter involved well and explained how this can happen accidentally. "There's two required switches that turned that helicopter on," he said. That's the power switch and the engine 1 switch. "The levers are typically marked pretty well. They'll say 'power' right on it." Meanwhile, Mayo One is now out of commission until the investigation ends. Mayo Clinic does have a second helicopter in the Mankato area so medical lifts will continue. Mayo Clinic's released the following statement Monday: "Saturday, June 27, 2015, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a Mayo One helicopter was inadvertently powered up by a member of the public while the aircraft was parked on static display at the Minnesota Air Spectacular in Mankato. The Mayo One team quickly initiated shutdown procedures. Two individuals suffered minor injuries when a nearby sun shade tipped over. The Mayo One aircraft involved in the incident has been removed from service for inspection and maintenance, which is standard procedure. The safety of our patients, our team members and the general public is Mayo Clinic's highest priority. Mayo Clinic is conducting a thorough review and has proactively reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration." http://kstp.com/news/stories/S3838589.shtml Back to Top Back to Top Farm Waste and Animal Fats Will Help Power a United Jet Sometime this summer, a United Airlines flight will take off from Los Angeles International Airport bound for San Francisco using fuel generated from farm waste and oils derived from animal fats. For passengers, little will be different - the engines will still roar, the seats in economy will still be cramped - but for the airlines and the biofuels industry, the flight will represent a long-awaited milestone: the first time a domestic airline operates regular passenger flights using an alternative jet fuel. For years, biofuels have been seen as an important part of the solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And airlines, with their concentration around airports and use of the same kind of fuel, have been seen as a promising customer in a biofuels industry that has struggled to gain traction. Now that relationship is showing signs of taking off. On Tuesday, United plans to announce a $30 million investment in one of the largest producers of aviation biofuels, Fulcrum BioEnergy, the biggest investment so far by a domestic airline in the small but growing field of alternative fuels. (Cathay Pacific, based in Hong Kong, last year announced a smaller investment in Fulcrum.) The quantities that United is planning to buy from Fulcrum constitute a small drop in its voluminous fuel consumption. Last year, United's fleet consumed 3.9 billion gallons of fuel, at a cost of $11.6 billion. But airlines are increasingly under pressure to reduce carbon emissions. The Obama administration proposed this month that new limits on aviation emissions be developed, and the International Civil Aviation Organization, a United Nations agency, is expected to complete its own negotiations on limiting carbon pollution by February 2016. "There is a significant role for biofuels within the aviation sector, specifically for reducing carbon emissions," said Debbie Hammel, a senior resource specialist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, who focuses on biofuel. Airlines, in turn, say they have every reason to adapt, not only to reduce pollution but also to lower what is usually their biggest cost: jet fuel. Fulcrum, a California-based company, has developed and certified a technology that turns municipal waste - household trash - into sustainable aviation fuel, a kind that can be blended directly with traditional jet fuels. It is currently building a biofuel refinery in Nevada to open in 2017, and has plans for five more plants around the country. Fulcrum said its technology can cut an airline's carbon emissions by 80 percent compared with traditional jet fuel. "There is definitely a huge interest from airlines in this market," said Angela Foster-Rice, United's managing director for environmental affairs and sustainability. United's deal with Fulcrum is one of many that airlines have made in recent years. Alaska Airlines aims to use biofuels at least at one of its airports by 2020. Southwest Airlines announced last year that it would purchase about three million gallons a year of jet fuel made from wood residues from Red Rock Biofuels. The first blend of this new fuel product, however, won't be available until 2016. Last year, British Airways joined with Solena Fuels to build a biofuel refinery near London's Heathrow Airport, which will be completed by 2017. United's deal is the airline's second major push toward alternative fuels. In 2013, the airline agreed to buy 15 million gallons of biofuels over three years from a California- based producer called AltAir Fuels, which makes biofuels out of nonedible natural oils and agricultural waste. United expects that the first five million gallons from AltAir will be delivered this summer at its Los Angeles International Airport hub to help power the flights to San Francisco. For the first two weeks, four to five flights a day will carry a fuel mixture that is 30 percent biofuel and 70 percent traditional jet fuel; after that, the fuel will be blended into the overall supply, United said. "The AltAir project serves as a catalyst intended to pave the way for the industry," Ms. Foster-Rice said. By burning biofuel products like farm waste that have already absorbed carbon during their lifetime, jet engines avoid introducing into the atmosphere new carbon from a fossil fuel that has been locked away, underground, for millions of years. And the airlines seem to have little choice. For example, airlines, unlike automakers, cannot turn to other options like electrification, said Ms. Hammel of the Natural Resources Defense Council, which is why it is important, she added, that the fuels be sustainably produced. But despite the airlines' interest, there are still substantial hurdles to the large-scale development of biofuels - most notably reasonable cost and reliable supplies. "It remains quite difficult to get biofuels for aviation that is cost-effective, and to make sure the fuels will be available," Ms. Foster-Rice said. The airline conducted its first test flight in 2009, with biofuels from algae. Then there is the issue of where the biofuels companies get their raw material. E. James Macias, Fulcrum's chief executive, said that the company had secured 20-year agreements from municipal waste management companies, including Waste Management, to provide stable supplies for the company's projects. He said Fulcrum could produce its biofuel for "a lot less than" $1 a gallon. (United bought its jet fuel for $2.11 a gallon, on average, in the first quarter, and said its deal with Fulcrum was competitive with the price of traditional jet fuel.) "We are producing very large volumes at a very good price," Mr. Macias said. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, and neither company disclosed the size of United's equity stake in Fulcrum. Behind the deals is pressure on airlines to reduce carbon pollution. Although they account for about 2 percent of global carbon emissions, airlines are one of the fastest- growing sources of carbon pollution around the world. Separately from the Obama administration's recent push, commercial airlines have already voluntarily committed to limit the growth of their carbon emissions to 2 percent a year through 2020, then cap emission growth after that. By 2050, the industry hopes to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to half of their 2005 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association. But getting there will not be easy. "That is why it is important to actually invest, and be willing to take on some of the risk," Ms. Foster-Rice said, "and encourage the companies to really focus on jet fuel at a cost- competitive price." http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/30/business/energy-environment/farm-waste-and- animal-fats-will-help-power-a-united-jet.html?_r=0 Back to Top Updated Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet unveiled BOSTON, MA - Spike Aerospace is very excited to unveil the latest update to the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet, a stunningly elegant, sleek and innovative business jet that will sweep passengers to their destinations at supersonic speeds. Flying 450 mph faster than any other civilian jet, the Spike S-512 will enable customers to do more and enjoy more out of life. A flight from NYC to London taking just 3 hours - makes day trips for business possible. Or Paris to Dubai for shopping and entertainment and back home in time for dinner. The Spike S-512 interior features the luxurious Multiplex Digital cabin where passengers can enjoy beautiful panoramic views outside the aircraft, a movie, maps, images or a presentation. With room for up to 18 passengers, customers can work or relax in comfort and style with amazing views of the world. "Flying supersonic is clearly the future of aviation" said Spike CEO & President Vik Kachoria. "It makes the world smaller and more accessible. For any competitive global business, cutting flight times in half will have significant value. But for people who have busy global lives and want to spend time with the people they love, the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet will be a necessity." Spike S-512 Design Updates The new Spike S-512 features significant improvements in the design and specifications. Since the original conceptual design, developed in 2013, Spike engineers have been focused on aerodynamic analysis and design optimization to make the Spike S-512 a high-performing, safe and cost-effective jet. The past 18 months have resulted in significant improvements in all three factors and in also reducing sonic boom, increasing range and enhancing comfort. The most noticeable change to the aircraft design is that the wings are now a modified delta wing. According to Senior Engineer Dr. Anutosh Moitra "the new delta wing of the S-512 delivers high aerodynamic efficiency and improved flight performance in both low- speed flight and supersonic cruise. The highly swept leading-edge reduces wave drag and consequently reduces fuel burn and increases range." The Spike engineering team has also modified the tail to reduce drag and improve aircraft control in supersonic conditions. "Improved stability characteristics of the new S- 512 design allowed us to eliminate the horizontal tail resulting in further reduction of drag and weight," adds Dr. Moitra. Every aircraft has to be designed to meet specific mission requirements including range, number of passengers, speed, payload, high performance (fighter jets), fuel efficiency and cost. Unfortunately, there are always trade-offs. If you have high performance, you typically don't have fuel efficiency. If you have carry a high number of passengers you lose out on speed or range. These trade-offs have to be juggled to design an aircraft that can be engineered, manufactured and sold at a price customers will pay for. The engineers spend a lot of time coming up with solutions and then seeing how that impacts the other flight characteristics. The sales team then explores the trade-offs with customers to gauge market requirements and potential. That is exactly the process that the Spike S-512 Supersonic Jet has gone through. As we continue our engineering efforts, there will likely be additional changes to the aircraft that optimize flight and performance characteristics. The latest design meets at the intersection of engineering, business requirements and market demand for an incredible supersonic business jet. http://www.eturbonews.com/60824/updated-spike-s-512-supersonic-jet-unveiled Back to Top Cirrus Aircraft Selected By St. Louis University Cirrus Aircraft announced a partnership with the Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology to add SR20 trainer aircraft to its flight training fleet. DULUTH, Minn., June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cirrus Aircraft announced today a partnership with the Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology to add SR20 trainer aircraft to its flight training fleet. The delivery of these new airplanes marks the latest selection of SR-series Cirrus aircraft by a premier pilot training program to provide a technologically advanced, easy-to-fly modern training platform that will prepare students to fly tomorrow's commercial airliners, military and general aviation aircraft. "This partnership with Saint Louis University demonstrates real forward-thinking at Parks College regarding the future of their flight training," remarked Todd Simmons, Cirrus Aircraft's Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. "Selecting SR20s as the foundation of its teaching and learning programs places Parks among a rapidly growing list of flight schools and academies that recognize the importance of training in the safest and most advanced aircraft available today." The Cirrus SR20 series selected by Parks College is a welcome addition to the college's flight school. Designed to be the most technologically advanced training aircraft on the market, the SR20 boasts an impressive list of features and capabilities. The integrated Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® flight deck includes two large 10" flight displays, a Flight Management System (FMS) keypad controller, plus integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems - all features found on advanced airliners today. In addition, the Cirrus Perspective flight deck includes an all-digital automatic flight control system and flight director, as well as ADS-B NextGen capabilities, giving students early experience with important aircraft systems they will be using for the rest of their careers. The SR20 also includes a state-of-the-art electronic stability system, akin to the envelope protection systems that are becoming standard features on all new airliners and military aircraft. To top it all off, the airplane's durable all-composite structure and signature Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®) make the aircraft one of the safest and most versatile training airplanes available today. "Teaming with a collegiate flight program that has such a rich aviation history and recognized record of success in the global aviation community is an honor for us," commented David Moser, Cirrus Aircraft's Vice President of Fleet and Special Mission Aircraft. "It's a privilege for the entire Cirrus team to help continue the Parks College tradition of excellence in flight training." Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology is world renowned for its pioneering history. The school is the oldest and first federally licensed flight school in the United States. Originally named Parks Air College in 1927 by its founder Oliver Parks, the school offered training for those seeking commercial pilot certification. In the late 1930's it helped prepare military pilots for combat missions, and in 1938 was one of three schools to form the Civilian Pilot Training Program. It ultimately trained more than 37,000 cadets by the end of WWII before Mr. Parks gifted his college to Saint Louis University in 1946. Today, the school offers degree programs in aviation and flight science, aviation management, global aviation, and more than 100 other disciplines. Stephen Belt, Department Chair of Aviation Science at Saint Louis University's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation, and Technology, is enthusiastic about the new additions to the fleet: "Our goal is to provide a world-class flight training experience and set students up for success in their future careers. Integrating Cirrus SR20s into our training fleet is another sign of our commitment to offer the best training environment to our pilots." Adding Saint Louis University to the Cirrus Aircraft fleet portfolio continues to broaden the company's global training presence. With airplanes already in use by the US Air Force Academy, the Royal Saudi Air Force, the French Air Force and Navy, the Civil Aviation Flight University of China, and other prestigious flight training institutions, Cirrus Aircraft continues to be the training aircraft of choice for premier flight training programs. A Saint Louis University's Parks College SR20 aircraft will be on display at this year's EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI from July 20-26th at the Cirrus Aircraft exhibit (#183). For more information about Cirrus Aircraft Fleet, Flight Training and Special Mission aircraft, visit cirrusaircraft.com. About Cirrus Aircraft Cirrus Aircraft is a recognized leader in general aviation. Its all-composite line of personal aircraft - the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T - incorporate innovative and advanced performance, electronic and safety technologies, including Cirrus Perspective™ by Garmin® avionics and the unique Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). To date, total time on the worldwide Cirrus Aircraft SR-series fleet surpassed seven million flight hours with 105 people returned to their families as a direct result of CAPS being a standard safety feature on all Cirrus aircraft. The Cirrus Vision SF50®, with over 550 production positions reserved, will provide a new personal and regional business transportation solution: the personal jet. The Vision Center in Knoxville, TN will be the flagship location for all Cirrus Aircraft Customer Experience activities including sales, delivery, training, maintenance, support, personalization, fixed base operations and more. All Cirrus aircraft are made in the U.S. with a direct sales force in North America and authorized sales centers covering export markets in 60 countries around the world. Cirrus Aircraft is wholly owned by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft Co., Ltd (CAIGA). For additional information on Cirrus and its products please visit cirrusaircraft.com. SOURCE Cirrus Aircraft http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cirrus-aircraft-selected-by-st-louis- university-300105712.html Back to Top Remote-controlled passenger flights 5 years away, CEO says FAA allows first large, remote-controlled plane to fly at drone test site The four-seater Centaur will be tested to study collision avoidance technology Event marks a step toward a future when small, remote-controlled passenger planes could share the skies (CNN)Little drones flying overhead are one thing. A much larger, unmanned, four-seater airplane is another. You may not have heard about it, but a 4,100-pound twin-propeller experimental airplane called the Centaur was flight-tested this month at a Federal Aviation Administration-designated site in Rome, New York. The Centaur flew with no pilot in the cockpit, becoming the first large-scale fixed wing unmanned aircraft to fly at an FAA-approved test site, according to Aurora Flight Sciences Corp., which makes the Centaur. It represents an important new step toward airplanes without pilots in the cockpit being able to fly in the nation's commercial airspace. Currently, the FAA limits large unmanned planes to special military or civilian test zones. But the popularity of drones and other remote-controlled aircraft is prompting officials to write new regulations for this kind of emerging technology. Aurora calls Centaur an "optionally piloted aircraft" because it can be piloted in the cockpit or by remote control. When a pilot is operating it inside the cockpit, the aircraft is perfectly legal to fly around the U.S. like any other small passenger plane. It's marketed as a cheaper way for pipeline operators or mining companies to survey their property. But if CEO John Langford has his way, people will be riding in them too. "I'm a huge believer that the unmanned airplane revolution will make aviation safer for everybody," he told CNN. "That isn't to say there won't be accidents, but the overall level of safety will go up as the robotic stuff is introduced." For many Americans, the idea of 30-foot-long remote-controlled airplanes flying overhead might take some getting used to. Best-case scenario, in five to seven years, Langford guesses we'll see planes like the Centaur operate under the same U.S. certification levels that manned airplanes currently do. Between now and then the FAA will have to develop new regulations for these remote- controlled planes. Engineers will have to perfect collision avoidance technology that will prevent crashes. "There's kind of a race to do that now," he said. FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker told a House committee this month that "very robust" technologies are being tested which "will allow the vehicles to stay clear from humans and other vehicles. We just need to make sure that technology is robust enough to incorporate into our air system." The Centaur looks a lot like any other general aviation plane, with two propellers, three wheels, two passenger seats and two cockpit seats for pilots to sit in. It can fly as high as 27,500 feet and as far as 2,300 miles when it has a 200-pound payload. Top speed: about 200 mph. In just four hours, it can be converted from remote-control mode into a more traditional plane that will only fly if there's a pilot in the cockpit. But unlike typical private planes at your local executive airport, the Centaur is outfitted with gear that allows a pilot to fly it from the ground, using not much more than a laptop computer and a satellite or radio link. In company video showing the June 12-15 test in Rome, you can see equipment in the cockpit controlling the yoke, which normally would be handled by a pilot. The Centaur Weight: 4,100 pounds Length: 28 feet Wingspan: 44 feet Top speed: 200 mph Maximum range: 2,300 miles Engines: Twin propeller Capacity: Four people Source: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation Aurora Flight Sciences is no stranger to drone technology. The company had a big hand in developing the U.S. military's Global Hawk high-altitude unmanned spy plane. Earlier in his career, Langford, an MIT grad, interned at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and worked as a Lockheed engineer helping to develop the F-117 Nighthawk stealth fighter jet. And as scary as it is to think about, you have to ask: How hard would it be for bad guys to get hold of a Centaur and do God-knows-what? "Secure networks are made by humans, so they're not totally 100% perfect," Langford acknowledged. "You deal with it the same way you deal with all secure networks, which is, they have to be protected and there's a high degree of encryption." He predicts authorities will develop a super-secure version of the Internet that would be used exclusively for aviation security, much as the U.S. Department of Defense has its own secure and more protected version of the Internet. The Centaur comes from the same company that helped build the Global Hawk surveillance drone. Will remote-controlled small passenger planes lead to jetliners with no pilots in the cockpit? "I don't think we'll ever see that in our lifetime," Langford said. "I think the big commercial operations will continue to be done by professionals." However, he said we may see something like Uber in the sky for short-distance travelers trained as "operators" -- but not as highly skilled as today's licensed pilots. "If we want to go someplace, you'll have an app like Uber," he said. "The plane can come to you. Nobody's on board. It doesn't need a pilot. You're a trained operator." If we want to go someplace, you'll have an app like Uber. The plane can come to you. John Langford, CEO, Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation This scenario would lead to a huge increase in commercial flying, he said. Clearly it would fundamentally change many things about the way we travel and how we view the aviation industry. Final commercial regulations for small unmanned aircraft systems will be in place "hopefully before June 17" of next year, the FAA's Whitaker said. But those rules will only apply to aircraft under 55 pounds -- what are commonly called "drones." For larger unmanned aircraft, he said the FAA has only recently started the rule-making process. Whitaker hinted that a pilot on the ground would not be allowed to control multiple large unmanned aircraft simultaneously. "If it's a large aircraft, certainly there will be one [pilot] per aircraft," he said. Merging large unmanned aircraft into commercial airspace will be a complicated bureaucratic journey with lots of moving parts including aircraft and operator certification, air traffic controllers and the FAA's ambitious air traffic system overhaul called NextGen. With so many variables and stakeholders, routinely flying large commercial unmanned airplanes in the nation's airspace within five to seven years seems very optimistic. For now, the focus will remain on testing, Langford said. Aurora Flight Sciences continues to use the FAA-designated site to gather data on Centaur that might be used to develop collision avoidance rules and systems. The Swiss Air Force, Langford said, has also been testing Centaur to learn more about how to merge unmanned airplanes into its own national airspace system. It's all part of a deliberate process, he said. "Baby steps, so that the safety level stays at least as high as it is today. But the goal is to make the whole aviation system even safer." http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/travel/remote-controlled-passenger-airplane/ Back to Top Amid regional rivalry, two new Saudi airlines set to take off this year A mockup of a Bombardier CS300 jet flying the Saudi Gulf Airlines' livery (Photo courtesy of Bombardier) Saudi Arabia's airline industry is set for a shakeup with the launch of two new carriers this year following a loosening of aviation regulations, although poor business strategies and lack of attractiveness for investors could pose a threat, analysts say. With a young and fast-growing population of 27 million, more Saudis are flying today than in the last two decades. However, that "demand pool may not expand or be a mirror-image of what we see in the UAE," said Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at site Strategicaeroresearch.com, referring to what industry experts see as the smaller Gulf state's case-study success story in civil aviation. Saudi Arabia is currently only served by the state-owned Saudi Arabian Airlines (also known as Saudia) - which just last week announced it would nearly double its fleet after inking a multi-billion dollar leasing deal - and private budget carrier Flynas. And until a loosening of regulations last year, foreign airlines were only allowed to fly in and out of the country, not within it. Flyers and shakers Now, two newcomers are set to enter the market later this year, with one, the locally- owned Saudi Gulf Airlines, targeting the premium and internally-based market segment and the other, Qatar Airways subsidiary al-Maha Airways attempting to replicate the success of UAE-based low-cost carriers Flydubai and Air Arabia. A still from a al-Maha Airways promotional video showing an Airbus jet in flight with al- Maha's livery (Video grab) The budget carrier Al-Maha - which is still seeking the final go-ahead from the kingdoms' regulatory authorities - is also expected to focus on international flights - and feeding Qatar's Doha hub. Despite the kingdom's large domestic market, - which Will Horton, a Hong Kong-based analyst at the Centre for Aviation consultancy describes as "untapped" - not all attempts succeed. Sama, a previous budget carrier which began operations in 2007, shut down three years later failing to receive investment. Yet will the two new entrants succeed? According to Ahmad, newcomers to the market may find success - but only if they can adopt and maintain a sturdy business model. "The Saudi market is indeed big enough to support new entrants, but as we know, not all participants are equal," he said. "Al-Maha Airways will succeed in Saudi if only because Flynas is a weak, fringe market player that hasn't really grown like a low cost airline should," he added. 'Flop' jet But questionable strategic business decisions already made by Saudi Gulf Airlines may clip its wings, the analyst said, notably its orders of the "flop-selling" Bombardier CSeries, a narrow-body jet that is trumped by Airbus and Boeing's more popular alternatives in terms of range and passenger capacity. "I honestly cannot see this entity surviving for long," Ahmad told Al Arabiya News. Additional woes for Saudi Gulf Airlines could also lie in its lack of financial muscle that the Qatar Airways-funded al-Maha and Saudia, and access rights up till now enjoyed exclusively by the state-backed Saudia. Some, however, are more optimistic. Horton said that while the kingdom doubling its main carriers from two to four in the space of a year might seem daunting, opportunities will stem from the longer-term market. "Growth remains in the Saudi market," he said. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/business/aviation-and-transport/2015/06/29/Amid- regional-rivalry-two-new-Saudi-airlines-set-to-take-off-this-year.html Back to Top Infrastructure And Safety Summits McAllen, Texas July 20 - 24, 2015 Summits offer you a variety of training opportunities across multiple disciplines. To save you time and money, we offer nearly 400 hours of training during approximately 20 classes, all offered at one location. We understand today's economic challenges and know that continuing education is essential for field experts, managers, supervisors, and technicians. We continuously work to ensure our training and curriculum are current and relevant to meet your training needs. We are able to provide these training summits across the state at a reduced cost per class through general revenue received through the state of Texas. McAllen Infrastructure and Safety Summit Brochure Register at TEEX.org/itsi Back to Top Colleagues: As part of a study conducted for the FAA, the Department of Doctoral Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is requesting assistance from aviation safety professionals engaged in safety management systems (SMS). If you are actively engaged, we are requesting your completion of a survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/H5K39KZ , expected to take approximately 10- 15 minutes. It will be of great assistance in helping us refine a technique for effectively evaluating SMS. All responses will remain anonymous. Thank you for your help! Alan J. Stolzer, Ph.D. Dept. Chair, Department of Doctoral Studies Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University College of Aviation | Room 137 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd. Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Back to Top Upcoming Events: Fundamentals of IS-BAO July 7, 2015 Alexandria, VA USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659131 IS-BAO Auditing July 8, 2015 Alexandria, VA USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659136 EAA AirVenture Schedule July 19-26, 2015 Oshkosh, WI http://www.eaa.org/en/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events Infrastructure and Safety Summit Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service July 20-24, 2015 McAllen, Texas http://TEEX.org/itsi Fundamentals of IS-BAO July 21, 2015 Orlando, FL USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659145 IS-BAO Auditing July 22, 2015 Orlando, FL USA https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659149 Fundamentals of IS-BAO August 19, 2015 Madrid, Spain https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659089 IS-BAO Auditing August 20, 2015 Madrid, Spain https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=1659096 Safety Management Systems Training & Workshop Course offered by ATC Vantage Inc. Tampa, FL August 6-7, 2015 www.atcvantage.com/training Aircraft Fire Hazards, Protection & Investigation Course 9-11 Sept. 2015 Hotel Ibis Nanterre La Defense (near Paris) France http://blazetech.com/resources/pro_services/FireCourse-France_2015.pdf Regulatory Affairs Training Course September 15 & 16 Fort Worth, TX http://jdasolutions.aero/services/regulatory-affairs.php Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUPS) Training Course September 15 & 16 Fort Worth, TX http://jdasolutions.aero/ Back to Top JOBS AVAILABLE: Internal Evaluations Program Auditor Allegiant Airlines http://www.allegiantair.com/careers Air Safety Investigator Textron Systems http://www.textron.com/careers/ Curt Lewis