February 13, 2017 - No. 013 In This Issue DGCA suspends licence of GoAir's aircraft maintenance engineer Etihad airways engineering signs contract with Air Tahiti Nui PLYMOUTH AIRPORT: College's aviation maintenance program gets a training jet Over 60% of US Navy strike fighter aircraft are grounded due to budget issues Altman: Builders sought for multi-million dollar MacDill aviation project Frank Lloyd Wright Must Be Smiling: GE Aviation's Love of Jet Engines Inspires Architectural Design Expansion of Indira Gandhi International Airport may hit the passengers hard Island Air Signs Smart Parts Agreement with Bombardier Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) Expands its MRO Capabilities in Brazil BIA Makes Emergency Purchase to Replace 'Unstable' Airfield Lighting Computer System SPACEX FALCON 9 BREATHS FIRST FIRE AT KSC PAD 39A - SUCCESSFUL STATIC FIRE TEST DGCA suspends licence of GoAir's aircraft maintenance engineer Aviation regulator DGCA has suspended the licence of an aircraft maintenance engineer of GoAir for failing to detect a fault and clearing the aircraft which had to make an emergency landing at the Delhi airport. A Bengaluru-bound GoAir flight, carrying around 190 people, made an emergency landing due to technical issues on February 8. According to a senior DGCA official, there were problems with the magnetic plug attached to the main gear box but the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) did not notice it and the flight was cleared for operations. He noted that in such conditions, the aircraft should not be operated but the engineer concerned did not read the trouble shooting manual. The plane had almost completed the earlier permitted flying period of ten hours when it started for Bengaluru and without noticing that, the AME had cleared it for further journey, the official added. "Due to wrong action on the part of AME, DGCA suspended his licence yesterday pending investigation," he said. Providing a brief chronology, the official said prior to its flight from Delhi to Bengaluru, there were some issues with this particular aircraft. Earlier, after one hour of its journey from Mumbai to Delhi, there was low oil pressure indication and chip warning. However, there was no such warning later and the same plane flew to Leh but came back to Delhi due to bad weather. Then, the aircraft was operated from Delhi to Guwahati and made return journey. Subsequently, after these flights, the aircraft made emergency landing after taking off to Bengaluru on February 8. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) would be analysing the Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFRD) to gather more information and depending on the findings there could be more regulatory actions, the official noted. There was no immediate comment from GoAir. The plane involved was an A320 neo having Pratt & Whitney engine. The DGCA official said the regulator is already in touch Pratt & Whitney seeking more data about the engine. "We have sought data... Failure of main gear box is for the first time. We are getting the worldwide data and also getting our data," he added. http://indianexpress.com/article/india/dgca-suspends-licence-of-goairs-aircraft-maintenance- engineer-4518090/ Back to Top Etihad airways engineering signs contract with Air Tahiti Nui Etihad Airways Engineering, the largest commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services provider in the Middle East, has signed a three-year contract with Air Tahiti Nui for the heavy maintenance of its Airbus A340-300 fleet. Under the contract, Air Tahiti Nui will send nine Airbus A340 inputs for C-checks to the Abu Dhabi MRO facility of Etihad Airways Engineering. The project has already been initiated and will run until the end of 2019. Jeff Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad Airways Engineering, said: "We are pleased to welcome Air Tahiti Nui to Abu Dhabi for heavy maintenance checks. Our MRO and design and engineering capabilities are expanding at a rapid pace and enabling us to offer an extensive range of industry-leading aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions under one roof to customers from all over the world." Raymond Topin, VP Operations of Air Tahiti Nui, said: "We chose Etihad Airways Engineering to support us in maintaining our fleet based on their extensive experience and expertise and we are looking forward to a long-term relationship as we continue to enhance and expand our services." With its partnership and codeshare agreements, Air Tahiti Nui's network currently covers more than 35 cities around the world. Etihad Airways Engineering has served more than 100 airlines and aviation operators from around the world. http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/pacific-and-oceania/etihad-airways-engineering-signs-contract- air-tahiti-nui/ Back to Top PLYMOUTH AIRPORT: College's aviation maintenance program gets a training jet PLYMOUTH - A training program for aircraft mechanics took off at Plymouth Airport this week with one final landing. To the cheers of students, a 1972 Sabreliner twin-engine jet touched down on Runway 33/15 Monday afternoon and taxied to its permanent home at Cape Cod Community College's hangar on the southwest side of the airport. The private jet, a gift from Safe Flight Instrument Corp., will never fly again. But its fully operational engines, cooling systems, hydraulics and landing gear will help train a new generation of aircraft mechanics in the school's fledgling aviation maintenance technology program. "It's a defining moment for the program, a defining moment for the college," Cape Cod Community College President John Cox said as students pushed the jet into their classroom hangar. "The really important thing is that this plane has all of its systems, its landing gear, oxygen, so the students will be able to pull it apart, put it back together and fire it up," Cox said. The college opened the program at the airport last fall at the urging of the aviation industry and the support of state and federal transportation officials. There are currently about 40 students enrolled in the year-long program, which meets eight hours a day, five days a week. Students will complete training in airframe work this spring. The power plant training concludes next fall, thanks to the Sabreliner. Randall Green, president of Safe Flight Instrument corp. of Stratford, Connecticut, donated the jet for the program. The plane is powered by two turbo jet engines that are a critical requirement for FAA certification for power plant training. To be certified in aviation power plant maintenance and repair, students must be able to train on completely operational turbo jet engines. The Sabreliner gives students that crucial component as well as many more opportunities for airframe training. Cox said jet, built in 1972, received a special FAA permit to fly to Plymouth. Its FAA certification of airworthiness and registration, and even its logbooks, have been removed as part of its retirement from flight. Stan, a Cape Cod resident who came out of retirement to study in the program, said it will be great to have a fully operational plane to work on. "It's a tremendous learning asset," he said. To learn more about Cape Cod Community College's aviation maintenance technology program, visit www.capecod.edu/aviation. http://plymouth.wickedlocal.com/news/20170210/plymouth-airport-colleges-aviation-maintenance- program-gets-training-jet Back to Top Over 60% of US Navy strike fighter aircraft are grounded due to budget issues Reports are circulating that almost two thirds of the Navy's strike fighter aircraft cannot fly due to lack of maintenance and a shortage of spare parts. The Navy says the reason is declining budgets and Congress not passing them on time, instead relying on continuing resolutions to fund the government. The budget issue is also impacting the Navy's ability to maintain ships. President Trump has vowed to increase spending to rebuild the military. "The services will make their case to Congress this week when the vice chiefs of the Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps testify in readiness hearings before the House Armed Services Committee. "If we get any money at all, the first thing we're going to do is throw it into the places we can execute it," a senior Navy source said Feb. 2. "All of those places are in ship maintenance, aviation depot throughput - parts and spares - and permanent changes of station so we can move our families around and fill the holes that are being generated by the lack of PCS money." The backlog is high. "There's about $6-8 billion of stuff we can execute in April if we got the money," the senior Navy source said. "We can put it on contract, we can deliver on it right away." - DefenseNews The Navy has told President Trump that the critical need is for maintenance issues and not 'new starts'. The Navy states that over half of all Naval aircraft cannot fly. This includes patrol and transport aircraft as well as helicopters in addition to combat aircraft. When you don't have planes to fly that means aviators and crewmembers are not getting the training and flight time they need to be proficient in their jobs. This presents a great risk to our national defense that many people may not be aware of. A lack of flight time and training also puts aircrew at greater risk. https://sofrep.com/74604/60-us-navy-strike-fighter-aircraft-grounded-due-budget-issues/ Back to Top Altman: Builders sought for multi-million dollar MacDill aviation project Are you a service-disabled veteran, woman or minority construction company owner? If so, Uncle Sam wants you - for up to $100 million in building projects at MacDill Air Force Base. It's part of government programs to set aside contract awards to small business owners. Earlier this month, the Army Corps of Engineers contracting office released a market survey to find out if there are small businesses that can meet these so-called set-aside requirements and build a new aviation center on base. In this case, the Corps of Engineers wants to know if any such company can build, among other things, a new home for A and F Companies of the Army's 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment. Now located at St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport, the units' move will bring 23 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and upward of 150 personnel to MacDill, creating jobs in Tampa and bolstering the base against efforts to close military installations. The main project, expected to be completed in about two years, involves building a 200-member Army Reserve Center and Aviation Support Facility. That includes a 109,000-square-foot training and aviation support center, a 6,500-square-foot maintenance shop and a 15,000-square-foot unheated storage building. The project also includes relocating the existing skeet and grenade launcher ranges on base as well as taking care of wetlands, removing invasive species and planting native species over 15 acres. The buildings must be accessible by the disabled and contain Antiterrorism/Force Protection and physical security measures, including maximum standoff distances from roads, parking areas and vehicle unloading areas. The buildings will have to last for 50 years. The survey says the estimated cost range for the entire project is $25 million to $100 million. Two years ago, Congress allocated $55 million to build a new Army Reserve helicopter facility at MacDill. All small businesses are eligible, according to the survey. They include businesses located in historically underutilized business zones, those owned by women, socio- or economically disadvantaged individuals, and service-disabled veterans. The companies must also show that they've built new aviation support facilities, hangars or large high-bay areas with high expansion foam fire suppression systems, integrated with military units in secure facilities near runways. They also must perform at least 15 percent of the work using their own employees, not subcontractors. Interested companies may contact Brenna A. Crawford, brenna.a.crawford@usace.army.mil, or call 502-315-6182. http://www.placead.tampabay.com/news/military/macdill/altman-builders-sought-for-multi-million- dollar-macdill-aviation-project/2312522 Back to Top Frank Lloyd Wright Must Be Smiling: GE Aviation's Love of Jet Engines Inspires Architectural Design of New Utility Plant At GE Aviation's world headquarters, a new power building is turning heads: The huge front façade replicates a jet engine looking to the sky. The top of the building's rotunda features a front fan nose cone with blades around it just like a jet engine. The front windows resemble the sides of a jet engine. That nose cone with a distinct spiral is well-known to air travelers. It's based on the cone of the CFM56-7 engine, one of the world's most ubiquitous engines, which powers the popular Boeing 737. The CFM56-7 is produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint company of GE and Safran Aircraft Engines of France. The engine is assembled at the Evendale operation. Dave Swigart, the original project manager for the facility, wanted a bold north entrance to the campus that celebrates GE's heritage and shows what's happening in the building - hence the large windows. "The project definitely presented a unique opportunity," said Randy Schultz, project manager for KZF Design, the Cincinnati architecture firm that created the design. The new building is part of a $500 million renovation and expansion during this decade at the GE Aviation headquarters campus. Besides its unique façade, the 68,000 square-foot plant will also provide the heating and cooling for the entire campus along with shop air, a reverse osmosis system and new gas service. "Currently each building on campus has steam heat and chillers for its cooling needs," said Chris Kearns, facility utility project manager for GE Aviation. "These systems are switched off and on depending on the season, and maintenance costs rise as they age. The new chill water and hot water production equipment will be available year-round-and are more energy efficient. We anticipate a 40 percent reduction in the carbon footprint when the systems are fully phased in over the next few years." The chillers will provide enough air conditioning for 4,000 homes and the boilers could heat 1,200 homes (at 2,000 square feet). The plant will also house new steam boilers for engine and component testing. The new boilers will replace two existing steam plants on the facility that date back to the 1940s. Kearns said the Reverse Osmosis system or RO is produced by GE Water. It will provide high purity water for testing and the steam boilers and serve as a GE Water showcase site for this new technology. Phase one of the mechanical electrical phase will be complete this summer, and the boilers will start providing heat this fall. The next phases will add offices and a control room to the building. Click here to watch the North Utility Plant get built right before your eyes. GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business and general aviation aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings and is part of the world's Digital Industrial Company with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. For more information, visit us atwww.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviationand YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12304531/frank-lloyd-wright-must-be-smiling-ge- aviations-love-of-jet-engines-inspires-architectural-design-of-new-utility-plant Back to Top Expansion of Indira Gandhi International Airport may hit the passengers hard The country's busiest airport - Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi - is preparing for big expansion that will make it future ready. As per reports, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a joint venture between GMR Group, Airports Authority of India (AAI), and others, is seeking environmental clearances to expand airport. The plan includes expanding the existing terminal used for domestic flights (terminal 1), building a new runway, and setting up of fourth terminal - terminal 4. The plan is expected to cost Rs 16,000 crore to DIAL. At present, IGIA has three runways and three terminals (out of which terminal 1 and terminal 3 are used). The phased expansion will see the IGIA's capacity going up to 75 million by 2020, and further to 92 million by 2025, which is almost double to the total passengers - 55 million - handled by the airport last year. The plan also includes knocking down of Centaur Hotel and terminal 2 (after the expected expansion of terminal 1 in 2020). Will the expansion of Delhi airport mean that passengers have to shell out more? Experts say that passengers might have to pay extra fare to fund the DIAL's expansion plan, at least that's what the history suggests. Soon after the Delhi airport was modernized, the government allowed the airport operator to charge passengers ADF (airport development fees) and UDF (user development fees) from both domestic and international passengers arriving and departing from the airport. The ADF, started in 2009, was primarily meant to fund the capital expenditure incurred by DIAL to expand and modernize the airport. UDF, on the other hand, is charged for the maintenance of the airport. It includes providing ongoing facilities such as air-conditioning of terminals, staff expenses, cleaning costs, Wi-Fi services, among others. While ADF charges were discontinued in 2015, the passengers still have to pay UDF. Currently, UDF charges at Delhi airport, ranging from Rs 250 to Rs 1500 per ticket, are one of the highest in the country. Surprisingly, UDF charges are standard for both terminals (terminal 1 and terminal 3) although the facilities available at these terminals vary widely. The impending expansion is likely to increase the UDF charges further. That will not just translate into passengers spending more on tickets but can potentially make Delhi airport uncompetitive. Aviation consultancy CAPA says that "Indian airports need to remain competitive if they wish to promote themselves as hubs. Analysis of the revenue generated by airport operators from landing charges and passenger fees reveals that some of India's metro airports are relatively expensive compared with major hubs in the region such as Singapore and Dubai." The expansion of airport to handle the growing passenger traffic is a step in the right direction. Nevertheless, it shouldn't fly in the face of the government's plan of making flying affordable for everyone. http://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/expansion-of-indira-gandhi-international-airport-is-a- step-in-the-right-direction/story/246256.html Back to Top Island Air Signs Smart Parts Agreement with Bombardier Bombardier Commercial Aircraft announced that Hawaii Island Air has signed a five-year Smart Parts agreement with Bombardier to provide longer-term component support for its growing fleet of Q400 aircraft. Island Air is currently operating new Q400 aircraft leased from Elix Aviation Capital Limited (Elix) of Ireland. The Smart Parts program provides Island Air with comprehensive component maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, access to a strategically located spare part exchange pool, and on- site inventories based at the airline's hub in Honolulu. "When you add a new aircraft to your fleet, you want to be confident of excellent and guaranteed in-service support from the manufacturer," said David Uchiyama, Chief Executive Officer and President, Hawaii Island Air. "Bombardier has provided invaluable assistance in helping us acquire Q400 aircraft and integrate them into our fleet. The Smart Parts program will continue to ensure prompt, comprehensive and cost-effective support, which in turn will allow us to provide the best possible interisland travel experience for our customers." "With the Smart Parts program, Island Air will benefit from superior parts availability and cost predictability as the airline renews its fleet with Q400 aircraft to expand its regional route network and enhance inter-island connectivity," said Todd Young, Vice President and General Manager, Customer Services, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. Bombardier Commercial Aircraft launched the Smart Parts program to provide Component Management Solutions in support of the Q400 aircraft fleet. The fleet supported by the Smart Parts program has now grown to approximately 150 aircraft enrolled by Q400 and CSeries aircraft customers. http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/north-america/island-air-signs-smart-parts-agreement- bombardier/ Back to Top Aircraft Propeller Service (APS) Expands its MRO Capabilities in Brazil Aircraft Propeller Service, LLC (APS, www.aircraftpropeller.com, Lake Zurich, IL), one of the world's leading commercial propeller Maintenance Repair Organizations (MROs), continues to expand its capabilities. Today, the company announced that is now providing MRO services for all 568F propeller assembly components, in addition to the blades APS was already servicing. These components include: hubs, actuators, transfer tubes, adjusting nuts, spinners and bulkheads. "Part of the requirements of our license from the OEM is to establish broad propeller capabilities in Brazil in order to shorten the propeller's supply chain and reduce logistics costs," said APS Vice President of Sales & Marketing Dennis Santare. "At this point, we can now cover the entire 568F propeller assembly in Brazil for all Brazilian ATR and CASA operators." APS already served many ATR and CASA operators in the region. With the added capability, these operators can rely on APS in Brazil for all of their assembly MRO needs. "With our licensed, proprietary repair capabilities, we are truly a one-stop-shop for props in that we can offer one solution with lower transaction costs and bundled price offerings," continued Santare. He noted that ATR and CASA operators no longer have to send these components out of Brazil for repair. APS is, in many instances, within a three-hour drive of its Brazilian customer base. As a result, these customers benefit from a significant reduction in direct logistics costs and they have seen shipping turnaround times reduced by over 50%. In order to provide its expanded 568F propeller assembly component capabilities, APS added to its equipment line in Brazil new test equipment for propeller component testing along with new tooling for all of the inspections and repairs required for the new components. Additionally, APS Brazil technicians underwent comprehensive training on these components at the company's Lake Zurich, Illinois (USA) headquarters. The on-site training was also supported with webinars and teleconferences. For more information, visit: www.aircraftpropeller.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12304723/aircraft-propeller-service-aps-expands-its- mro-capabilities-in-brazil Back to Top BIA Makes Emergency Purchase to Replace 'Unstable' Airfield Lighting Computer System Feb. 09--BANGOR, Maine -- A 10-year-old computer system controlling the airfield lighting at Bangor International Airport is being upgraded with an emergency $34,540 purchase of three new computers, officials said Thursday. The City Council Finance Committee retroactively approved the purchase during a meeting on Monday. The computers should arrive within two weeks, said Robbie Beaton, director of airport operations. In a memo to councilors, Airport Director Tony Caruso described the old system as unstable and likely vulnerable to cyberattack. City Information Technology workers recommended the immediate changeout, Caruso said. "The previous system, and the backup system, were Windows XP systems that are 'end of life' for support from Microsoft and are a security risk for viruses and malware attacks," he wrote. "This is a critical component of our overall airfield lighting system. If it is out of service, we would have to close the runway until a new system is in operation or we take more drastic measures, which will require us to have personnel to 'man' and operate the system 24/7." Airport workers first became aware of the system's instability when a computer monitor in the airport's tower began to dim, Beaton said. He didn't recall the precise date and Caruso's memo only described the incident as having occurred during the week of Jan. 23. "We knew the system was very unstable at that point and could possibly go out of service at any moment," Caruso said Thursday. The computer system consists of three computers located in the tower, lighting vault and airport maintenance building. The system controls more than 1,000 airfield lights, including the blue taxiway LED lights, white runway in-pavement incandescents, amber runway-edge lights and 85 airfield signs, Beaton said. The lights turn on and off or dim depending on flight arrivals, time of day, weather and other factors. For example, pilots of a landing flight will see the amber lights alternating white to red, then all red as their airplane continues down a runway. This warns them that they are approaching the end of the runway, Beaton said. Also, to save energy costs, airport workers will sometimes shut off or dim some runway lights during slow times when no flights are coming in or leaving, Beaton said, or brighten them during bad weather. "We might have a lightning strike that sometimes will take out a bank of lights, but we have never lost all of our lights in the time that I have been here," said Beaton, who has worked at BIA for seven years. The committee approved the emergency purchase without much discussion. The full council is expected to ratify the decision when it meets Monday at 7:30 p.m. The computer purchase gives Bangor International a jump on the Federal Aviation Administration- required upgrading of the field lighting and other illumination systems expected at the end of the decade, Beaton said. That full upgrade could cost about $500,000, he said. The airport's carriers include Allegiant Airlines, American, Delta and United. The facility served a record 492,671 passengers in 2016. United, American and Delta provide daily, nonstop service to Detroit, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Allegiant provides several weekly flights to Sanford/Orlando and Tampa/St. Petersburg, according to the airport's website. ___ (c)2017 the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) Visit the Bangor Daily News (Bangor, Maine) at www.bangordailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. http://www.aviationpros.com/news/12304457/bia-makes-emergency-purchase-to-replace- unstable-airfield-lighting-computer-system Back to Top SPACEX FALCON 9 BREATHS FIRST FIRE AT KSC PAD 39A - SUCCESSFUL STATIC FIRE TEST PAVES PATH TO FEB. 18 ISS LAUNCH SPACE VIEW PARK/KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - For the first time in more than half a decade, a rocket came to life at NASA's Kennedy Space Center when a SpaceX Falcon 9 breathed her first fire at historic pad 39A today, Sunday, Feb. 12 - successfully completing a critical static test firing of the first stage engines that opens the door to a launch to the space station next weekend for NASA. The hot fire test generated a huge plume of smoke exhausting out the north side of the flame trench of Launch Complex 39A at approximately 4:30 p.m. EST, Feb. 12. The hold down engine test with the erected rocket involved the ignition of all nine Merlin 1D first stage engines generating some 1.7 million pounds of thrust at pad 39A - which has been repurposed from its days as a shuttle launch pad. The Merlin 1D engines fired for about 3 seconds while the two stage rocket was restrained on the pad. SpaceX confirmed the test via social media shortly after it took place. "First static fire test of Falcon 9 at historic launch complex 39A completed in advance of Dragon's upcoming mission to the @Space_Station," SpaceX tweeted in a very brief announcement. I watched excitedly from a public viewing spot at Space View Park in Titusville as the exhaust plume grew quickly in size to a gigantic grey-white colored mushroom cloud of smoke and ash, heaving out the north side of the flame trench silent since the shuttle era. Then just as quickly the smoke cloud dissipated completely within about 10 minutes leaving barely a trace of what we can expect to see soon. Titusville offers a prime view location for anyone interested in traveling to the Florida Space Coast to see this Falcon 9 launch in person. The test confirms that both the first stage engines and the rocket are suited for liftoff. Over the past few days, launch teams also tested the pad equipment, raised and lowered the rocket and conducted fit checks of the rocket at the pad. The test had been delayed several days as technicians coped with issues until all was right to carry out the static fire test. The positive outcome paves the path for a Falcon 9.Dragon blastoff as soon as next Saturday. This marks the first time any rocket has stood on pad 39A and fired its engines since the retirement of NASA's Space Shuttles in July 2011 on the STS-135 mission to the space station. Liftoff of the Falcon 9 is slated for no earlier than next Saturday, 18 Feb 2017 on a critical cargo flight for NASA to deliver over two and a half tons of science and supplies to the six person crew living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). The rocket - minus the payload comprising the Dragon cargo spacecraft - was rolled out of the SpaceX processing hangar at the perimeter fence and then up the incline to the top of pad 39A on Friday morning using a dedicated transporter-erector. After the successful completion of the static fire test, the booster will be rolled back to the big processing hangar and the Dragon resupply ship will be integrated on top. The historic NASA launch pad was formerly used to launch both America's space shuttles and astronauts on Apollo/Saturn V moon landing missions. Dragon will be loaded with more than 5500 pounds of equipment, gear, food, supplies and NASA's Stratospheric Aerosol Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) ozone mapping science payload. SpaceX was previously employing pad 40 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for Falcon 9 launches to the ISS as well as commercial launches. But pad 40 suffered severe damage following the unexpected launch pad explosion on Sept 1, 2016 that completely destroyed a Falcon 9 and the $200 million Amos-6 commercial payload during a prelaunch fueling test. An accident investigation revealed that a second stage helium tank burst due to friction ignition during the fueling test. SpaceX modified the fueling procedures as a short term fix and is working on redesigning the second stage as a long term fix. SpaceX is working to repair and refurbish pad 40. It is not known when it will be ready to resume launches. Thus SpaceX has had to switch launch pads for near term future flights and press pad 39A into service much more urgently, speeding up the refurbishing and repurposing work which al last is sufficient to launch rockets again. Pad 39A has lain dormant for launches for nearly six years since Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on the final shuttle mission STS 135 in July 2011. Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news. http://www.universetoday.com/133400/spacex-falcon-9-breaths-first-fire-at-ksc-pad-39a- successful-static-fire-test-paves-path-to-feb-18-launch/ Curt Lewis