Flight Safety Information January 13, 2017 - No. 011 In This Issue Singapore B744 at Amsterdam on Jan 11th 2017, engine shut down in flight ASL Belgium B734 at Liege on Jan 12th 2017, unsafe gear Etihad A332 at Hong Kong on Jan 11th 2017, flaps control problem Remains of at least three of six aboard jet recovered in Lake Erie FAA proposes $91,000 fine for Amazon over hazardous materials Airlines commit to area company's technology for lithium-ion battery fires The Airlines With the Best Wi-Fi, According to Routehappy. Alaska Airlines flight from Sea-Tac Airport triggers hazmat scare Turkey on schedule to land world's busiest airport Tail smoke from aircraft raises alarm at Hong Kong airport Eclipse confirms layoffs at aircraft plant Airlines urged to conduct more frequent medical checkups on pilots (Indoneasia) Jet Blue to Begin Offering Free WiFi to Passengers Officials Crashed a Jet into Nuclear Reactor Facility to Test its Walls SpiceJet plots expansion with order for 100 new Boeing planes Learn About New FAA Regulations for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems with Free Online Course Call for Abstracts of Technical Papers...ISASI 2017, San Diego CA ESASI SEMINAR 2017 - LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA RESEARCH STUDY SURVEY Najeeb E. Halaby Graduate Student Fellowship Singapore B744 at Amsterdam on Jan 11th 2017, engine shut down in flight A Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter, registration 9V-SFP performing flight SQ-7359 from Amsterdam (Netherlands) to Sharjah (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Amsterdam's runway 24 when the crew stopped the climb at FL150 reporting they had shut their #1 engine (PW4056, outboard left) down as a precaution and were preparing to return to Amsterdam. The aircraft dumped fuel and landed safely back on Amsterdam's runway 27 about 70 minutes after departure. The airline reported the #1 engine showed problem with the engine oil pressure and needs to be replaced. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a359b9f&opt=0 Back to Top ASL Belgium B734 at Liege on Jan 12th 2017, unsafe gear An ASL Airlines Belgium Boeing 737-400, registration OE-IAG performing flight 3V-76B from Bologna (Italy) to Liege (Belgium), was on approach to Liege's runway 23L when the crew went around from about 1000 feet due to an unsafe gear indication. The crew worked the related checklists and landed safely on their second approach about 15 minutes after the aborted approach. The airport reported there was an indication problem. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Liege 21 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a364e02&opt=0 Back to Top Etihad A332 at Hong Kong on Jan 11th 2017, flaps control problem An Etihad Airbus A330-200, registration A6-EYR performing flight EY-833 from Hong Kong (China) to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), was climbing out of Hong Kong's runway 07R when the crew stopped the climb at 7000 feet reporting they had a flaps control issue but requested to continue along the standard instrument departure route. The aircraft subsequently entered a hold at 9000 feet, the crew ultimately decided to return to Hong Kong. The aircraft burned off fuel and landed safely back on Hong Kong's runway 07R about 4:45 hours after departure. The airline confirmed a technical issue. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a364926&opt=0 Back to Top Remains of at least three of six aboard jet recovered in Lake Erie The remains of at least three people have been recovered from a plane carrying six from two central Ohio families that crashed into Lake Erie, a medical official said. "At a minimum we're looking at three people, maybe more," Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner Thomas P. Gilson said during a news conference Thursday in Cleveland. Gilson said DNA testing might match the remains with some who were aboard the plane as soon as Friday. Gilson said that as of Thursday, the only information available was that remains recovered Jan. 6 belonged to a male. All six people aboard the plane are presumed dead. They were John T. and Sue Fleming; their teenage sons, Jack and Andrew; their neighbor Brian Casey and his teenage daughter, Megan. The families lived near each other in Delaware County north of Dublin. Divers recovered a device on Wednesday that records mechanical data on the aircraft. However, the device is not crash-proof and officials couldn't say what information it might provide. That device was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., as was the voice-cockpit recorder, which officials said was operating during the entire flight. Divers were confident they have found the main debris fields of the crashed Cessna CitationJet, which disappeared off radar soon after taking off from Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland about 11 p.m. Dec. 29. The two families were returning to Columbus after watching the Cleveland Cavaliers game that night. On Wednesday, divers recovered the large rear pressure bulkhead of the plane, its left wing and an engine cowling, among other debris. Recovered earlier this week were a 20- foot-long piece of the twin-engine jet's tail section, a piece of its canopy and windows over the passenger section, seats, an engine and a wheel. About 250 pieces of the plane have been recovered. Officials didn't know whether Mr. Fleming, the pilot, had the aircraft de-iced before taking off. Weather conditions were cold with snow and gusting winds at the time. "It's a decision made by the pilot whether to de-ice," airport Director Khalid Bahhur said. Divers will continue today searching the approximately 600-foot-by-300-foot debris field at the bottom of the lake. How long the recovery operation will last is a "day-by-day" decision dependent in part on the weather, Bahhur said. He said officials would consult with the Fleming and Casey families before deciding to halt the operation. http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2017/01/12/missing-plane-located- remains.html Back to Top FAA proposes $91,000 fine for Amazon over hazardous materials The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is proposing fining Amazon $91,000 for potentially violating hazardous material regulations. Amazon allegedly attempted to ship undeclared hazardous materials on FedEx air transportation in May of last year, the FAA said in a Thursday release. The chemicals in question were more than two gallons of toxic clear diesel fuel and tank cleaner. Workers at a FedEx facility in Sioux Falls, S.D., found the shipment leaking. The FAA is accusing Amazon of failing to declare the chemicals as hazardous and not packaging them properly, as well as not providing the necessary emergency response and not making sure that its employees had proper hazardous material training. Amazon has been in contact with the agency regarding the case. The fine would not be Amazon's first wrist slap by the agency. The FAA has levied 22 civil penalties totaling over $1.4 million against the company since 2013. http://thehill.com/policy/technology/314077-faa-proposes-91000-fine-for-amazon-over- hazardous-materials Back to Top Airlines commit to area company's technology for lithium-ion battery fires Delta and three other airlines pick Viking Packing Specialist's AvSax to handle lithium batteries Fire containment product from Viking The AvSax fire containment product from Viking Packing Specialist will be carried by four airlines. Four major airlines have committed to using a Tulsa-based company's technology aimed at containing lithium-ion battery fires, the head of the firm said. Delta Air Lines is among the carriers that has signed on with using AvSax, which was developed by Viking Packing Specialist, headquartered at the Tulsa Port of Catoosa, Viking President David Weilert said. He said he couldn't name the other three airlines because they have requested anonymity. As of Dec. 22, a total of 138 air/airport incidents involving lithium batteries carried as cargo or baggage have been recorded since March 20, 1991, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. "When a lithium-ion battery goes into thermal runaway, the issue to deal with is an explosion," Weiliert said in a telephone interview. "The second issue to deal with is a fire." Thermal runaway is a repeating cycle in which excessive heat causes more heat until the operation ceases or an explosion occurs. "AvSax not only is a blast mitigator," Weilert said. "It also is a fire suppressor. It deals with both of the immediate concerns." Most of the attention on the batteries has been focused on problems with Samsung's Galaxy Note 7, the sales of which have been halted. According to Associated Press coverage of Samsung Electronics' investors meeting in 2016, the South Korean company reported that there have been more than 140 confirmed cases of the smartphone overheating or catching fire. On Oct. 13, Samsung issued a voluntary recall on all of the 2.5 million phones that were manufactured. The next day the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration announced an emergency order banning the devices from all flights. Another Tulsa-based company that attacks this problem is SpectrumFX, whose LIFE Kit - short for Lithium Fire Extinguishing - uses the patented biodegradable extinguishing agent Firebane to extinguish and cool lithium battery fires quickly and safely. Weilert said the carriers that use AvSax will stock two to three of the fire containment bags on each aircraft, depending on its size. "The airline industry as a whole is not entirely certain what they want the public to know and how they want the public to perceive this particular safety measure because lithium- ion battery fires have been such a hot topic in the news," Weilert said. An industrial packaging manufacturer, Viking was founded as a crating company in 1979. Purchased in 2005 by Weilert Enterprises, Inc., it has offices in the Tulsa area, Dallas and Memphis, Tenn., and manufactures packaging for all kinds of industrial goods, mainly oilfield, defense weapons and aviation parts. Several years ago, Viking became involved with U.S. Department of Transportation dangerous goods packaging, which led the company to the development of AvSax, Weilert said. "The AvSax product, to us, is simply a package that instead of riding in the belly of a plane, it rides where all the people are," he said. http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/smallbusiness/airlines-commit-to-area-company-s- technology-for-lithium-ion/article_924eb3ad-1535-53c1-b377-7c8606394561.html Back to Top The Airlines With the Best Wi-Fi, According to Routehappy Picture of a young smiling woman wearing a checkered shirt using her smartphone during a trip with airplane. She has white ear plugs in her ears listening to music while she is writing something on her phone. In the blurred background are seats with other passengers. When will free Wi-Fi at 30,000 feet become ubiquitous? Our guess is 2030. In general, passengers around the world have a 39 percent chance of stepping aboard a Wi-Fi-equipped flight. As Wi-Fi at 30,000 feet becomes more common, especially on those long-distance hauls where you really crave distraction, the ability to log on is becoming a critical factor in choosing an airline. So which carriers offer the best odds overall of getting that signal-and have the best connections? The top three airlines with the highest percentage of seats with Wi-Fi connectivity are Delta, Emirates, and United, according to a new survey just out from Routehappy, a content platform that compares flights on customer service factors like seating and amenities. For long international flights, Emirates and Lufthansa, along with United, "lead the pack" in offering Wi-Fi , the study reports. (This is largely due to Emirates operating the largest fleet of Airbus A380s, aircraft with the highest passenger capacity.) And in other findings, the report notes that for overall availability systemwide, U.S. airlines are leading the way, with a much higher percentage of their fleets equipped with the technology versus the rest of the world: Virgin America last year had the distinction of being the only airline with 100 percent of its seats offering Wi-Fi. JetBlue has also reached a similar milestone, offering free Wi-Fi on all flights within the contiguous U.S. The study says that U.S. airlines offer at least a chance of Wi-Fi on 83 percent of their total seating capacity, while on non-U.S. airlines, that falls to just 28 percent of seats. In the next few years, that gap should narrow; Routehappy noted that 2016 saw a "dramatic" increase in the number of global airlines that have committed to high quality Wi-Fi, although the roll-out process can sometimes take several years, depending on the size of an airline's fleet. More than 70 airlines around the world now offer Wi-Fi, 11 more than last year, a development Routehappy CEO Robert Albert called "quite extraordinary, considering less than a decade ago it wasn't even possible." Other international champs include Etihad, Iberia, Singapore's Scoot, and Icelandair, all of which now have Wi-Fi on 100 percent of their flights. In general, airline passengers around the world have a 39 percent chance of stepping aboard a Wi-Fi-equipped flight. Even better news? The report shows that carriers are shifting away from basic Wi-Fi systems to faster ones: Delta, for example, is on its third Wi-Fi system in a few years, and even though the number of planes with the "best" Wi-Fi available is low, it did increase by 20 percent in 2016. ("Best" Wi-Fi at present can be found on JetBlue and some United flights, the report notes.) The quality of Wi-Fi on long overwater flights is also improving; the report noted that Virgin America recently launched the hybrid Ku/Ka satellite on flights to Hawaii. How long until every airline around the world has free in- flight Wi-Fi? Our guess is on 2030. http://www.cntraveler.com/story/the-airlines-with-the-best-wi-fi-according-to-routehappy Back to Top Alaska Airlines flight from Sea-Tac Airport triggers hazmat scare SAN JOSE, Calif. - An Alaska Airlines flight from Seattle to San Jose was met on the tarmac by a hazmat team, after landing in California Thursday night. The Boeing 737-900 jet departed Seattle just before 5:00 p.m., but while in the air, the captain announced a problem in the vents. "The deicing fluid they put on in Seattle created some kind of powder that got in the air system," said one passenger who was on board the plane. The flight attendants apparently discovered a white, powdery substance coming out of one of the ceiling vents. Alaska officials said one of flight attendants then said they didn't feel well. "One of them was talking about, he felt, his chest, something was wrong with him for like ten minutes, he felt woozy or something like that," said Bettis. But, passengers said the pilot downplayed its significance, so they were surprised when they were greeted by several fire trucks and ambulances, once they landed at San Jose International Airport. "When we landed I saw all the emergency people come," said passenger Dean Bettis. "It was quite alarming," said passenger Michael Schreiber. "There was a full emergency crew waiting for us which was kind of alarming." The flight crew had requested medics meet the aircraft once they landed. The pilot ordered passengers back in their seats, while hazmat crews came in to test the substances and medics checked the flight attendants. "They were doing some testing on the substance, so I think a lot of people were thinking about terrorism, about something being really wrong," said Schreiber. Firefighters said three flight attendants were exposed to the substance. Two were treated at the scene, the third was taken to a nearby hospital. Alaska Airlines said the substance was non-toxic deicer, but crews on the ground in San Jose are still investigating. "At this moment we still don't know what the material was that the flight crew was exposed to," said Mitch Matlow with the San Jose Fire Department. Alaska said all 181 passengers aboard the flight are safe and none of them had any symptoms from the deicer. The pilots were also no affected. They were detained for about 20 minutes then allowed to exit the plane. http://komonews.com/news/local/suspicious-powder-sparks-hazmat-response-on-alaska- airlines-flight Back to Top Turkey on schedule to land world's busiest airport Turkey is building what it claims will be the world's largest airport by passenger numbers. The 'Istanbul New Airport' plans to accommodate 150 million passengers a year on its eventual completion, outstripping Atlanta International Airport which handled 101 million in 2015 according to the Airport Council International. The same dataset shows in 2015 Dubai International Airport handled 78 million passengers while Heathrow pushed through 75 million travelers. 'Istanbul New' will be the city's third international airport; however Ataturk airport will be closed upon the scheduled opening of the new facility's first stage in February 2018. A need for a more air capacity serving Istanbul was identified with both Ataturk and Sabiha Gökçen Airports unable to grow to meet demand. A full 6-runway operation of the airport is not expected until 2028. In 2013 a consortium of Turkish construction firms made the winning 22 billion euro ($29 billion) bid to build and then operate the facility for 25 years. Limak Holding who lead the consortium estimated that around 10.3 billion euros will account for the build cost. In December 2016 the full airport was estimated to be 40 percent complete by Istanbul Grand Airport Construction, the team in charge of the project. Located on the Black Sea coast on the European side of Turkey, the airport will be 22 miles outside Istanbul and serve the city with rail, metro and bus links. Designs released in January 2016 showed an air traffic control tower in the shape of a tulip, a traditional Turkish symbol. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/13/turkey-on-schedule-to-land-worlds-busiest- airport.html Back to Top Tail smoke from aircraft raises alarm at Hong Kong airport No flames were detected but firefighters were put on standby for 'minor incident' Firemen were deployed to a Thai Airways flight at Hong Kong International Airport on Sunday when smoke was seen coming from the tail of an aircraft after it landed. No injuries were reported in the incident. The TG629 flight from Seoul landed at the airport at about 2pm when a substantial amount of smoke was seen emerging from its tail as it was docked in the parking bay. Witnesses reported seeing a fire engine approaching the affected Airbus A330 shortly. The smoke disappeared soon after. Firemen did not apply a water jet or deploy the breathing apparatus team. Firefighting devices and an ambulance were put on standby during the incident. A spokesman from the Fire Services Department said it received a call at 2.04pm over a suspected engine fire. The Airport Authority said the Fire Services Department did not detect fire on the plane however, and the incident did not affect the operation of the airport. Pilot-turned-lawmaker Jeremy Tam Man-ho said the case might have involved the auxiliary power unit at the back of the aircraft. He said the unit might have overheated or there might have been a malfunction of the temperature detector, triggering the automated fire extinguisher. The unit provides electricity and pressure for both the engine and cabin after an aircraft lands. Tam said: "If the plane is on the ground and encounters any issues from the unit, it will be much safer and controllable than when it is flying. If the system has problems in the air, the situation will be much more complex." He said that in the worst scenario caused by an overheated auxiliary power unit on the ground, passengers would simply be evacuated, but if the problem happened in the air, some other systems could have been affected too. He added that the unit would actually not be activated in the air unless the plane encountered some other major problems, such as engine failure. A ground service representative for Thai Airways said the incident was minor and not uncommon for a plane, adding that the aircraft later left the city as scheduled. http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/2060362/tail- smoke-aircraft-raises-alarm-hong-kong Back to Top Eclipse confirms layoffs at aircraft plant The Albuquerque manufacturing plant for Eclipse Aerospace, now known as One Aviation. (Albuquerque Journal File) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Albuquerque's Eclipse Aerospace confirmed Thursday that it has laid off an unspecified number of employees at its New Mexico aircraft factory. The company, a maker of twin-engine light jets, did not disclose whether workers might be called back or whether more employees would be laid off but emphasized that it was still operating its manufacturing facility at Albuquerque International Sunport. The layoffs come nearly two years after Eclipse merged with Superior, Wis.-based Kestrel Aviation to form a new company called One Aviation Corp. "We are undergoing a corporate restructuring, including a personnel reduction, to align production output with our current and anticipated orders over the coming months and to prepare for the future Project Canada development and launch," read a prepared statement. One Aviation officials were unavailable for further comment but a check of its website revealed that Project Canada is a company code name for the next iteration in the Eclipse aircraft line. To say Eclipse has experienced its share of ups and downs would be an understatement. Launched in 2009 from the ashes of its predecessor, the bankrupt Eclipse Aviation, Eclipse Aerospace's signature 550 jet was a core product for One Aviation. The company acknowledged layoffs in August 2014 due to a stagnant business jet market. Eclipse Aerospace was credited with 12 aircraft sales in 2014 by the Washington, D.C.-based General Aviation Manufacturers Association in its annual report. https://www.abqjournal.com/926856/eclipse-confirms-layoffs-at-aircraft-plant.html Back to Top Airlines urged to conduct more frequent medical checkups on pilots (Indoneasia) To ensure pilots are drug-free, an aviation expert has suggested airlines invest more in conducting medical checkups on their pilots. Gajah Mada University (UGM) aviation expert Arista Atmadjati said nearly all airlines adhered to a prevailing government regulation that only required them to conduct checkups on pilots every six months. The regulation, he added, had provided an opportunity for pilots to use drugs within the time interval. "Airline companies should take an initiative to hold more internal urine tests. It will give fewer opportunities to pilots to use drugs," he told The Jakarta Post on Friday. Although the move would be costly, Arista said it was still a better solution than to lose credibility. Flight safety concerns have emerged following recent incidents involving pilots. Preliminary drug tests carried out by the National Narcotics Agency (BNN) on two foreign pilots of Susi Air, an airline owned by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti, indicated they had used drugs. BNN spokesperson Sr. Comr. Slamet Pribadi told the Post the laboratory results of the test could be obtained next Monday. The Transportation Ministry previously revoked the license of budget carrier Citilink pilot Capt. Tekad Purna for being deemed unfit and violating air regulations, after passengers accused him of being drunk while on duty on Dec. 28. http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/01/13/airlines-urged-to-conduct-more- frequent-medical-checkups-on-pilots.html Back to Top Indonesia Narcotics Chief Blames Pilots on Drugs for Crashes Most of Indonesia's airline accidents have involved pilots who tested positive for drugs, including a Lion Air jet that slammed into the sea four years ago while trying to land on the tourist island of Bali, the chief of the national narcotics agency said. Budi Waseso made the comments Thursday at a ceremony on Bali to inaugurate traditional village security guards as anti-drug volunteers. The comments are another blow to the image of the country's airline industry after a video circulated online last month showing an apparently intoxicated pilot in the cockpit of a Citilink passenger plane. News reports this week said two pilots of another airline, Susi Air, owned by the country's fisheries minister had recently tested positive for drugs. "Almost all air accidents in Indonesia, whether it was just a skid or whatever, the pilots are indicated to be positive for drugs," Waseso told reporters. Earlier in the day he told the event attended by Bali's governor that a Lion Air pilot in the spectacular 2013 crash had "hallucinated" that the sea was part of the runway. His comments are at odds with other official accounts. After the crash, which miraculously caused no fatalities among the 108 people on board, the transport ministry said the pilots had not tested positive for drugs. The final report blamed the accident, which occurred in rain, on poor communication between the pilots and inadequate trading. Lion Air, the National Transport Safety Committee and the Ministry of Transport declined to comment. Indonesian airlines were previously barred from flying to Europe and the United States but foreign air safety regulators have upgraded the country, allowing some airlines to resume flights. The U.S. aviation regulator upgraded Indonesia's safety rating in August. However, the International Air Transport Association's former chief executive, Tony Tyler, who stepped down in June, said in 2015 he was very concerned about airline safety in Indonesia. His comments reflected worries about rapid growth in the number of planes in the skies and the need to upgrade air traffic management systems. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/indonesia-narcotics-chief-blames-pilots- drugs-crashes-44755163 Back to Top Jet Blue to Begin Offering Free WiFi to Passengers Jetblue To Start Offering Free Wifi Discount airliner Jet Blue has announced plans to soon begin offering passengers "gate to gate" WiFi at no charge. Jet Blue says this WiFi service will be available on its full fleet of planes that are on a domestic route. Jet Blue asserts it will be the first carrier to online passengers to stay connected the entire time they are on board. Meaning you won't have to disconnect prior to the aircraft reaching a certain altitude, nor will the WiFi automatically disconnect once the plane drops below its cruising altitude. The airline went on to say the WiFi will be capable of allowing passengers access to stream video. Free WiFi should come as a welcomed addition for consumers who are constantly hit with fees when traveling. Most airlines impose fees to for WiFi connectivity as well as, to upgrade to seats that have added benefits such as extra legroom. Fees also are set in place to check a bag, early boarding, and flight change fees. http://www.wfmynews2.com/news/local/2-wants-to-know/jet-blue-to-begin-offering-free- wifi-to-passengers/385590419 Back to Top Officials Crashed a Jet into Nuclear Reactor Facility to Test its Walls In 1988 the US government wanted to know just how strong reinforced concrete is, the very same stuff used in construction of nuclear reactor facilities. Clearly, the best way to execute the experiment is to launch an F4 Phantom jet at 500 MPH and slam it head-on directly into a slab of concrete. One would imagine having a 9/11 style attack carried out on a nuclear reactor would be nothing short of detrimental. Fortunately, scientists and engineers have considered the unlikely event and have already taken excessive preemptive precautionaries to prevent a nuclear meltdown. Ever since the first nuclear power plant became live back on June 26, 1954, in Obninsk, Russia, the world has been in fear that a devastating accident or terrorist attack would ensue, leading to the end of the world. While there have been a couple of incidents which caused nuclear reactors to leak radiation, the accidents were never a result of terrorist activity. The lack of human imposed damage is largely due to the fact that many government agencies have developed impeccably tough walls to keep radiation in and keep terrorists out. Can reinforced concrete stop a jet going 770 KM/H? Sandia Laboratories took the initiative to examine the strength of reinforced concrete by launching a fully-loaded F-4 Phantom jet directly at a massive slab of concrete to investigate the survivability of a nuclear power plant in the event of a terrorist attack. The following clip shows the incredible experiment. Miraculously, the concrete block survived almost completely unscathed. The test aimed to investigate the impact of a jet onto a piece of reinforced concrete measuring 3.66 meters thick. The aircraft of choice is a fully functional F-4 Phantom. It was loaded onto a rocket sled track and was accelerated up to 480 MPH, or about 770 KM/H where it slammed directly into a slab of reinforced concrete. The jet did not contain jet fuel but was rather filled with water. The test did not look to examine the damage of an ensuing fire. The jet was traveling so fast upon impact; it atomized into millions of minute pieces. The only sections which remained intact were the small section of the wing which missed the target entirely. All while the video is mesmerizing in its magnificent deconstruction, the resulting damage to the concrete block is surprisingly minuscule. The damage left behind the nuclear reactor was merely a scratch. The maximum scar depth was 60 mm at a maximum. The structural damage sustained was merely a scratch. However, the force launched the block back 1.82 m. Nevertheless, behind the impact remained an incredibly high-energy impact. As the engine exploded into tiny fragments, it experienced an acceleration force of over 700 g. While the experiment looks incredibly devastating, it proves reinforced concrete can easily stop a jet from inflicting serious damage to a nuclear reactor. Although not all factors were examined during the experiment, it is important to note the many more safety precautions government officials take to ensure the security of the reactor and the people of the country. http://interestingengineering.com/crashed-jet-nuclear-reactor-test/ Back to Top SpiceJet plots expansion with order for 100 new Boeing planes Indian budget airline SpiceJet said on Friday it has agreed to acquire 100 new MAX 737 aircraft from Boeing, with an option for 50 more, as part of its expansion plans in the world's fastest growing aviation market. The deal is a welcome boost for Boeing in India, where SpiceJet is the U.S. company's only major customer among the budget carriers now dominating the country's air industry. "This is an extremely competitive market," Ajay Singh, SpiceJet's chairman, told a news conference in New Delhi. "What this aircraft order does is enhance our ability to be competitive in the future as it helps us reduce costs," said Singh, whose airline has about 13 percent of the Indian passenger market, while market leader IndiGo has 40 percent. SpiceJet, which was briefly forced to ground its fleet in late 2014 when it ran out of cash, is the fourth-largest Indian airline behind InterGlobe Aviation's IndiGo, Jet Airways and state-run Air India [AIRID.UL]. Asia, especially India, is a key market for planemakers, with analysts expecting Indian passenger numbers to more than triple over the next 20 years as millions more people become wealthy enough to fly for the first time. Combined, local airlines like IndiGo, as well as GoAir, have already ordered hundreds of new planes from Airbus. Meanwhile Boeing estimates India will need 1,850 new aircraft worth $265 billion by 2036 to meet demand for air travel. SpiceJet said altogether it has signed a deal to acquire up to 205 planes from Boeing, worth up to $22 billion at list prices, but that total includes 55 jets already announced in a 2014 deal and the possible follow-on order of 50 more. A source familiar with the deal had said on Thursday that SpiceJet was set to announce an order for as many as 100 new planes. Boeing had already reported an order for 100 737 MAX jets from an unidentified customer that counted as part of its 2016 tally, and on Friday confirmed that order to be SpiceJet's. Shares in SpiceJet rose as much as 3 percent on Friday. LOW-COST LONG HAUL? SpiceJet, which has a current fleet of more than 40 planes, will take delivery of the first of its new jets in the third quarter of 2018, Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific & India Sales at Boeing, told reporters. The carrier is expected to have secured a hefty discount from the aircraft list prices, as is common with large orders. China, Russia agree on more 'countermeasures' against U.S. anti-missile system: Xinhua "As part of this transaction they (Boeing) have not only been kind enough to give us good commercial terms but have worked hard to reduce the maintenance cost of the fleet going forward," said Singh. He said he was weighing up various options for financing the new purchase, including sale and leaseback, but he ruled out issuing more debt or raising equity to pay for the planes. The new aircraft increases the range of SpiceJet's flights by up to one hour, opening up many more destinations, including international ones, Singh told reporters. He said the additional acquisition rights also include an option to buy wide-body aircraft for long haul journeys as the airline considers launching low-cost long distance flights. Most Indian carriers have returned to profitability in recent years, thanks in part to lower fuel costs, but challenges remain as carriers struggle to translate surging demand into sustainable profits because of cut-throat competition and high running costs. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-spicejet-idUSKBN14X0LM Back to Top Learn About New FAA Regulations for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems with Free Online Course from Embry-Riddle Register for Massive Open Online Course for sUAS Operators, which begins Feb. 6 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - If you received a small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS), or drone, as a gift this holiday season, or if you want to stay updated on the latest FAA regulations for these aircraft, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is providing a free, two-week online course-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) - Key Concepts for New Users. Registration for the course is now open. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) runs Feb. 6 to 19 and introduces novice sUAS users and seasoned aeronauts to numerous aspects of unmanned systems, as well as current and future applications. The MOOC also offers guidance on responsibly piloting aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS). This course is taught by a team of UAS experts, led by Dr. Scott Burgess, Associate Professor at Embry-Riddle Worldwide's College of Aeronautics. Dr. Burgess has over 30 years of aviation expertise in both military and civilian aircraft, including helicopters and unmanned aircraft systems. "This post-FAA Part 107 course will focus participants toward regulations, safety of flight and flight planning considerations," said Burgess. "We have an outstanding team of faculty with private, commercial and government sector experts teaching on topics such as UAS integration, regulation, international operations, safety and systems. We will also harness the power of social media so participants can interface directly with each other and faculty." Students will learn the basic elements of safety, and airspace definitions and regulations so those individuals using the NAS understand and use best practices for reducing the risk of collisions between aircraft when operating a sUAS. This popular course, previously offered in 2016, has been updated to include the FAA's new 2016 regulations (FAA Part 107) for sUAS operators. For more information and to register go to Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) - Key Concepts for New Users. You may also download Embry-Riddle's free sUAS Consumer Guide, designed to assists a wide variety of users, especially novices, to evaluate options for purchase, appropriate to their skill and experience levels, while introducing key metrics for future consumer sUAS comparison. For additional information on this and other specialized industry training online courses, please contact Gary Burke, Worldwide Director of the Office of Professional Education, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114.Email: training@erau.edu; Phone (386) 226-7232. About UAS at Embry-Riddle Embry-Riddle was one of the first schools in the nation to offer a degree in UAS and today has the nation's largest UAS degree program. The University offers: a Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Aircraft Systems Science at the Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona Campuses; a Bachelor of Science in Unmanned Systems Applications through the Worldwide Campus; a Master of Science in Unmanned & Autonomous Systems Engineering at the Daytona Beach Campus; and a fully online Master of Science in Unmanned Systems through its Worldwide Campus. Embry-Riddle is also a co-founder of the ASSURE Coalition (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence), a Federal Aviation Administration Center of Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems. MEDIA CONTACT: James Roddey, Director of Communications, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla.; (386) 226-6198; james.roddey@erau.edu. ABOUT EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, is a nonprofit, independent institution offering more than 80 baccalaureate, master's and Ph.D. degree programs in its colleges of Arts & Sciences, Aviation, Business, Engineering and Security & Intelligence. Embry-Riddle educates students at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus with more than 125 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East, and through online programs. The university is a major research center, seeking solutions to real-world problems in partnership with the aerospace industry, other universities and government agencies. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu, follow us on Twitter (@EmbryRiddle) and facebook.com/EmbryRiddleUniversity, and find expert videos at YouTube.com/EmbryRiddleUniv. Back to Top Call for Abstracts of Technical Papers ISASI 2017, San Diego CA August 22 - 24. 2017 The International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI) will hold their 48th annual seminar at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina from August 22 - 24, 2017. This year's theme is: "Investigations - Do They Really Make a Difference?" Abstracts of Technical papers are invited to address the theme in conjunction with other contemporary matters on aviation safety investigation, including recent case studies, new investigation methods and aviation safety trends or developments. For those interested in presenting a paper, submissions of abstracts are due by March 15, 2017. Abstracts should include a title and up to 300-word summary of the main points of the proposed paper. Please also include your name(s), affiliation, position, and a brief resume. Submissions, or any inquiries regarding submissions, are to be sent to: isasi2017abstracts@gmail.com The panel reviewing the submitted abstracts will consider criteria such as the quality of the paper for relevance to the seminar theme and air safety investigation. They will also endeavour to ensure that a broad range of topics are covered during the seminar. Decisions on the selected abstracts will be made by the April 15, 2017 and details on the required format of the final presentations will be issued at that time. Presenters will be required to submit their papers by July 15, 2017. Up to date information on ISASI 2017 can be found at www.isasi.org Back to Top ESASI SEMINAR 2017 - LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA The European Society of Air Safety Investigators (ESASI) will hold their annual seminar in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on the 19 and 20 April 2017. Further details, and previous seminar programmes, can be found at www.esasi.eu . ESASI would welcome proposals for presentations to be given during the 2017 seminar, which should last a maximum of 25 minutes with a further 5 minutes for questions. Presentations should address issues relating to air safety investigations; particular areas of interest are: * challenges faced by air safety investigators, * the environment, and culture, that air safety investigators operate in, * practical experience of applying investigation techniques, * new techniques to aid the investigation, * topical case studies. Details of proposed presentations should be sent to Brian McDermid, by 31 January 2017, at presentations@esasi.eu. The ESASI committee will select the presentations in early February 2017. Back to Top RESEARCH STUDY SURVEY Hello, I'm Dr. Tim Holt and I'm currently the Program Chair for Aeronautics and an Associate Professor with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. In this position I'm responsible for faculty, curriculum, course updates, course alignment, etc... Furthermore, I teach undergraduate courses in aeronautics, safety, unmanned systems, and airport management for the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics program. To this day, there are no reported statistics of general aviation pilots that have survived hypoxia during normal flight operations. More often than not there are tales of pilots getting themselves into a hypoxic situation and not surviving; rarely do people hear of those that survive. This leaves the aviation community unsure of the common circumstances that these pilots find themselves that create a hypoxic state, as well as whether or not that reported the occurrence to the proper establishments. The data collected from this survey issued to general aviation pilots, will hopefully give insight as to how best to prevent these occurrences from happening, as well as promote a healthy safety culture to report these events. It is with this in mind that we decided to embark on this research study. This survey is completely anonymous and individual responses will not be recorded. It should only take 5-10 minutes to complete. The link to the survey will provide you the Informed Consent and contact information of the researchers involved in the study. Thank you in advance, it's truly appreciated. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GAHYPOXIA Back to Top Najeeb E. Halaby Graduate Student Fellowship The Najeeb E. Halaby Graduate Student Fellowship was established by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to shape the next generation of aviation researchers, honoring the late Najeeb Elias Halaby, an eminent aviator and administrator, for his vision and more than five decades of extraordinary contributions to aviation (http://www.ral.ucar.edu/halabyfellowship.pdf). The Fellowship The recipient of a Najeeb E. Halaby Graduate Student Fellowship will spend three months (in 2017 or early 2018) in residence with NCAR's Aviation Weather Research Program, which Mr. Halaby was instrumental in establishing in the 1980s. As the nation's leader in addressing aviation weather research, NCAR plays a unique role in meeting user needs by transferring research results to operations through its Research Application Laboratory (http://www.ral.ucar.edu/). The Fellow will conduct research broadly aimed at improving the integration of weather into decision support tools for enhanced mitigation of weather sensitivities (e.g., weather impact avoidance) and management of air traffic. The Fellowship will provide: * a monthly stipend for three months, including temporary living expenses * round-trip travel expenses to and from Boulder, CO * travel to a conference to present results * page charges for one publication of key results Eligibility and Application The Halaby Fellowship targets graduate students (late Masters or early PhD level) enrolled in an aviation-relevant department or program of a domestic or international university. Interested candidates should have advanced research skills, far-reaching vision, and dedication to get things accomplished. Consideration for this Fellowship will be given to candidates based on the following submitted material: * Curriculum vitae * Proposal (maximum five pages) presenting the research to be conducted at NCAR, the anticipated outcome of that, and how the proposed effort ties into the candidate's ongoing graduate research project(s) * Contact information for three references (one of which should be the student's primary advisor) NCAR will accept applications for the Halaby Fellowship each year. Email Applications by February 28, 2017 to halabyfellowship@ucar.edu Curt Lewis