Flight Safety Information April 7, 2017 - No. 071 Accident: Alaska B738 near Honolulu on Apr 5th 2017, odour in aft cabin injures cabin crew Incident: Aeromexico B788 near Santiago on Apr 5th 2017, cracked windshield Military has long history with jet pilots and hypoxia problems No cause yet in fatal 2015 plane crash near CIRA Collision of Air India, Indigo aircraft averted at Delhi airport Boeing 737, which 'took the aviation world by storm,' marks 50 years of flight Louisiana Tech professional aviation celebrates 50 years with AVFEST 2017 Dutch safety probe urges more collaboration Himalaya Airlines starts daily flights to Dubai Europe regulator says airlines' tech ban may compromise safety As airlines get busier, these jobs flourish EASA Looks to Modernize GA Airplane Certification The First Hybrid Electric Jet may be Ready for Commercial Flight in 2020 Christine Negroni author of The Crash Detectives - Book Signing SAFE Encourages Pilot Input on GA Runway Incursions (Survey) Research Survey Accident: Alaska B738 near Honolulu on Apr 5th 2017, odour in aft cabin injures cabin crew An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800, registration N519AS performing flight AS-892 from Honolulu,HI to San Diego,CA (USA) with 76 passengers and 6 crew, was enroute at FL370 over the Pacific Ocean about 450nm eastnortheast of Honolulu when the crew decided to return to Honolulu due to an unusual odour in the aft cabin which caused headache and nausea to the four flight attendants. The aircraft landed safely back in Honolulu about an hour later. All four flight attendants were taken to a hospital. Emergency services reported the passengers showed symptoms of nausea and headaches possibly as result of fumes. The airline reported none of the passengers was affected. The passengers and crew were taken to hotels. Officials of the State Department of Transport reported the flight attendants were taken to hospitals. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ASA892/history/20170406/0210Z/PHNL/KSAN http://avherald.com/h?article=4a745161&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Aeromexico B788 near Santiago on Apr 5th 2017, cracked windshield An Aeromexico Boeing 787-800, registration N965AM performing flight AM-11 from Santiago (Chile) to Mexico City (Mexico), was climbing through FL320 out of Santiago when the crew decided to return to Santiago due to the captain's windshield developing a web of cracks. The aircraft landed safely back in Santiago about 75 minutes after departure. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a74531e&opt=0 Back to Top Military has long history with jet pilots and hypoxia problems WASHINGTON, D.C.(WVEC) -- Between 2008 and 2010, Air Force F-22 Raptor pilots based at Langley Air Force Base experienced fourteen "physiological events" related to hypoxia, stemming from problems related to the airplane's on-board oxygen generation system. A stand-down was ordered in 2011, and for 142 days, the fighter jet did not fly. College of William and Mary Kinesiology and Health Sciences Professor Ken Kambis embarked on a study of the condition with the U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine in 2012. "This rapid deployment to high altitudes can induce some very debilitating symptoms like splitting headaches, nausea, vision disturbances, inability to perform simple tasks," he said. Now, the Navy is having similar problems with its Boeing T-45-C "Goshawk" training jet. All 197 of the aircrafts, flown at Naval Air Stations Kingsville, Texas, Pensacola, Florida, and Meridian, Mississippi, have been ordered this week into a two-day "operational pause." Naval Air Force Vice Admiral Mike Shoemaker has been working to solve the issue since October, 2015. Navy Times report that Shoemaker has sent out three directives that said, among other things, "I am committed to removing this risk to our aircrews and have prioritized efforts toward that goal." House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee Chairman Rob Wittman, said in a statement to 13News Now: "The Navy is taking hypoxia seriously on the T-45s and the F-18s. I have held several hearings and meetings with uniformed leadership and industry in order to address this issue. Pilot safety is important, and the Air Boss, VADM Mike Shoemaker, has signaled how important hypoxia is by initiating a 2-day safety stand-down to determine the cause of the lack of oxygen in the cockpit and the faults in the environmental regulator systems in these aircraft. I look forward to receiving the findings of this latest stand-down in order to help determine the way ahead to fix this problem." http://www.13newsnow.com/news/military-has-long-history-with-jet-pilots-and-hypoxia- problems/429283391 Back to Top No cause yet in fatal 2015 plane crash near CIRA In this April 7, 2015, file photo, investigators sift through the wreckage of a twin-engine Cessna that crashed near Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington just after midnight, killing all seven men aboard. BLOOMINGTON - Federal investigators still are not saying what caused the April 7, 2015, plane crash near Central Illinois Regional Airport that killed seven Twin City area men. "A final report that includes all pertinent facts, conditions and circumstances of this accident will be issued upon completion, along with the (National Transportation) Safety Board's analysis and probable cause," according to a 14-page interim factual summary report issued Thursday. The summary provides more details on the 12:06 a.m. crash but will be amended with more information, confirmed NTSB Air Safety Investigator Todd Fox. He said he couldn't estimate when the report will be finalized. Killed in the crash that took place two years ago Friday were pilot Tom Hileman and six passengers: Torrey Ward and Aaron Leetch from Illinois State University's athletic department; Terry Stralow, co-owner of Pub II in Normal; Scott Bittner, owner of Eureka Locker Co.; Andy Butler, national account manager, Sprint/Nextel; and Jason Jones, senior vice president/investment officer of Secord-Jones Wealth Management Group. The summary states the plane was overloaded, which can contribute to the pilot losing control, and the weather, as reported at the time of the crash, was very poor at the airport during the plane's approach. "Calculations estimated that at the time of the accident the airplane was 366 (pounds) over the maximum landing weight," according the summary. "If the loaded airplane results in a (center of gravity) that is aft (nearer to the plane's rear) of the allowable limits, the airplane can become unstable and difficult to recover from an aerodynamic stall." The summary also notes declining visibility and fog at CIRA between 9:56 p.m. April 6 and 12:05 a.m. April 7. "About an hour before the flight departed, (CIRA equipment) reported 10 mile surface visibility," according to the summary. "About a minute before the accident, (CIRA equipment) reported ... ½ mile surface visibility with light rain and fog." The summary also suggests Hileman was not fatigued during the flight; his wife, it states, reported that he was in good health and sleeping well. The men were returning from the NCAA men's basketball championship game in Indianapolis at the time of the crash. They had close ties to the ISU athletics department, and a memorial to them now stands near Redbird Arena in Normal. A year after the crash, their families started "Project 7," an effort to honor the men's legacy and encourage Twin City residents to be kind to each other by completing acts of kindness for others. That effort continues Friday. http://www.pantagraph.com/news/local/still-no-cause-in-latest-ntsb-report-on-plane- crash/article_0c4bb0b3-18e9-595b-9e75-2197fdb01bdf.html Back to Top Collision of Air India, Indigo aircraft averted at Delhi airport A near collision was averted as an Air India and an IndiGo aircraft came face-to-face at Delhi airport.(AP File Photo) A major accident was averted after Air India and IndiGo planes came face-to-face on the runway at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, triggering panic among authorities and passengers. The tragedy was averted by the timely communication by the Air Traffic Controller. The incident happened at around 11am. According to ATC sources, the Indigo flight was given clearance for landing but instead it decided to go around. "Due to this confusion, AI was asked to abort the take off as it would have lead to collision," sources said. According to Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indigo aircraft was landing on runway 27 and did go around. "Air India aircraft which was taking off from runway 28 was asked to reject take off as per normal protocol. No safety issue, no collision issue and no infringement. Therefore, nowhere safety was compromised," he said. There were 122 passengers, including three infants, on board the national carrier. "AI 156 started to push back at 11.02am but came back to bay at 11.30am after take-off was aborted. AI 156 again pushed back at 12.50pm and took off for Goa," the source added. A probe has been ordered into the incident. IndiGo said in a statement that "at no point safety was compromised". http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/collision-of-air-india-indigo-aircraft-averted-at-delhi- airport/story-NBXnSCGiJgKKmo4fuijw6M.html Back to Top Boeing 737, which 'took the aviation world by storm,' marks 50 years of flight The first flight of the Boeing 737-100 occurred April 9, 1967. With pilots Brien Wygle and Lew Wallick at the controls, the airplane took off from Boeing Field in Seattle and flew for 2-1/2 hours before landing at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. The 737 was designed as a logical short- range airplane to complement larger 707 and 727 jetliners. The first 737-100 was delivered to Lufthansa Dec. 28, 1967, and began commercial revenue service on Feb. 10 of the following year. On Sunday, the Boeing 737 celebrates the 50th anniversary of its first flight, and Seattle's Museum of Flight is hosting a birthday bash. The first flight of Boeing's original 737 took place 50 years ago on Sunday, and Seattle's Museum of Flight will mark the anniversary with a celebration that's open to the public for the price of admission. The occasion comes just weeks before the first delivery of the newest version of that jet, the Boeing 737 MAX. Brien Wygle, the pilot who commanded that first flight on April 9, 1967, will participate in a panel discussion at noon in the museum theater. "Fifty years ago we had no idea," Wygle, 92, said in an interview this week. "We were hoping to eventually sell enough to break even." As it turned out, the longevity and success of the 737 proved astounding. Boeing as of last month had delivered 9,448 of the single-aisle twinjets, with 4,506 more still on order. And with the delivery of the first MAX coming soon, Boeing plans to ramp up production in Renton later this year to 47 jets per month and up to 52 per month next year. "The 737 took the aviation world by storm and has been improved steadily since," Wygle said. "It obviously filled an incredible need." A new 737 MAX will be on display in the museum parking lot Sunday, with a demonstration flight tentatively scheduled for 1:15 p.m. - the exact time the prototype 737 first took off. And the original from 50 years ago will also be there for its birthday bash. That plane was used as a Boeing test aircraft until 1973, then sold to NASA for use as a flying research laboratory. http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-737-which-took-the-aviation- world-by-storm-marks-50-years-of-flight/ Back to Top Louisiana Tech professional aviation celebrates 50 years with AVFEST 2017 Louisiana Tech University's Department of Professional Aviation is celebrating its 50th anniversary with its annual Aviation Festival (AVFEST) weekend for aviation students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends. AVFEST 2017 will take place April 28-29 on the Louisiana Tech campus and will begin with an alumni reception hosted by Louisiana Tech President Les Guice and a jambalaya cook-off social at the Argent Pavilion. Weekend activities continue with an alumni "State of the Aviation Industry" presentation, hamburger lunch at the Ruston Regional Airport, and various other events and committee meetings. "The Professional Aviation Department continues to receive a tremendous amount of positive feedback and support from alumni, students and their families," said Jordan Lyons, the Louis W. Waller Endowed Professor and head of the professional aviation department at Louisiana Tech. "The annual weekend tradition will continue to serve a valuable role in maintaining the family bond within this collegiate aviation group." AVFEST 2017 will conclude with a formal scholarship banquet in the Davison Athletics Complex. The awards presented at the banquet include academic scholarships and recognition of the Professional Aviation and Aviation Management Student of the Year, Flight Instructor of the Year and several others. The public is cordially invited to take part in this exciting celebration of professional aviation at Louisiana Tech. For more information on AVFEST or to purchase tickets for the Awards Banquet, visit www.latech.edu/aviation. Tickets are $35 each and must be purchased by April 20. All proceeds go to supporting the professional aviation program and its students. Louisiana Tech's Department of Professional Aviation has established itself as a high-quality degree program with a national reputation for outstanding graduates. The Department is a member of the University Aviation Association and is accredited by the Aviation Accreditation Board International. It maintains the highest academic standards and keeps abreast of the latest in technologies and the needs of the aviation industry. http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/education/2017/04/06/louisiana-tech-professional- aviation-celebrates-50-years-avfest-2017/100121548/ Back to Top Dutch safety probe urges more collaboration An investigation by Dutch aviation safety officials found that all aviation stakeholders need to work closer together to maintain high safety levels at the international airport. While it found no evidence to suggest that safety at Schiphol is inadequate, the investigation did reveal a number of safety risks that need to be tackled and Michiel van Dorst, chief executive of Air Traffic Control the Netherlands (LVNL), said the recommendations are in line with a number of initiatives already started by the air navigation service provider. He cited the training of air traffic controllers and the development of systems that, for example, give the air traffic controller in the tower an additional warning when an aircraft makes a go- around. In the current situation, aviation stakeholders each have their own certified safety management system. The Dutch Safety Board advised better cooperation between the parties from these sectors, with the Schiphol Safety Platform having an important role in this regard. LVNL said it embraced this recommendation and, together with KLM and Schiphol Group, has already begun investigating the advantages of a coordinating, integrated safety system. "This would put Schiphol in the lead worldwide," said Van Dorst. "You need to keep looking at your own organisation, but also at how you can be more effective together. Aviation is the safest form of travel. This is a status we must keep earning. That is why this report contributes so much, in our opinion." The Dutch Safety Board also noted that further growth of Schiphol will require more than marginal adjustments to the existing policy."This calls for a fundamental debate on the future of aviation in the Netherlands and on the options and limitations regarding Schiphol's further growth," it said. In a statement, Dutch flag carrier KLM called the DSB report 'beneficial'. "Safety is our top priority. For this reason, KLM has implemented a progressive, state-of-the-art safety management system. All operational choices made at KLM are assessed within this system, thereby ensuring that safety is our priority under all circumstances." "KLM shares the opinion of the DSB that safety at and around Schiphol of a high standard. KLM feels that the recommendations issued by the DSB provide a firm foundation for further improvement of the safety management system. KLM will closely scrutinise the study and looks forward to working with Air Traffic Control the Netherlands and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to further improve safety standards." The Dutch State has final responsibility for the integral safety of air traffic at and around the airport. http://www.airtrafficmanagement.net/2017/04/dutch-safety-probe-urges-more-collaboration/ Back to Top Himalaya Airlines starts daily flights to Dubai The airline has offered an introductory round-trip airfare starting from Rs24,827 for Kathmandu- Dubai-Kathmandu Apr 7, 2017- Himalaya Airlines on Thursday announced the launch of daily flights to Dubai, beginning from April 28. This will be Himalaya Airline's fourth international destination after Doha, Kuala Lumpur and Yangon. According to the carrier, the flight will depart from Kathmandu at 10:40 local time, arriving in Dubai at 13:25 hrs. The return flight will depart from Dubai at 14:25 local time, arriving in Kathmandu at 20:20 hrs. "Dubai is one of the most exciting destinations for leisure and business travel and we feel privileged to offer competitive choices for our passengers" said Vijay Shrestha, vice president- Administration. "We anticipate our service will contribute to the economy of Nepal by bringing new travellers via our route network and at the same time, we're expecting to be a good yield market for both inbound and outbound travel". The airline has offered an introductory round-trip airfare starting from Rs24,827 for Kathmandu- Dubai-Kathmandu, exclusive of taxes. The airline has appointed Fishtail Travel and Tourism LLC, Dubai as its general sales agent for passengers in the UAE. Himalaya Airlines, a Nepal-China joint venture, was established in August 2014. The airline started its first scheduled flight operations from May 31 last year, flying directly to Doha, Qatar. The carrier plans to add a number of exciting new destinations to its growing network in 2017, including Dubai, Dammam, Hong Kong, Delhi, Ahmadabad, Chennai, Bangkok, Beijing, Lhasa and Chengdu. Last Friday, Himalaya Airlines added a new Airbus A320, a short-to-medium range aircraft, to its fleet. It now has three A320 jets in its fleet. The airlines has set a target to acquire 15 aircraft to connect Kathmandu with various new destinations in Asia and beyond over the next five years. It also plans to introduce long-haul wide-body aircraft of the A330 family to operate direct flights to Japan, Korea, Europe, Australia and America, the carrier said. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-04-07/himalaya-airlines-starts-daily-flights-to- dubai.html Back to Top Europe regulator says airlines' tech ban may compromise safety Europe's aviation regulator voiced concern on Wednesday over the risk of battery fires in the cargo holds of passenger planes after U.S. and British authorities banned certain electronics from passenger cabins despite U.S. assurances that its agency had been thoroughly briefed on the proper handling of electronics. The European Aviation Safety Agency, which is responsible for safe flying in 32 countries, said personal electronic devices (PED) carried a fire risk due to their lithium batteries and should preferably be carried inside passenger cabins so that any problems could be identified and dealt with. In regard to the European agency's concerns, the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration said it had "coordinated closely with the FAA" (Federal Aviation Administration) on the logistics of the ban and that the agency had provided information to airlines regarding appropriate handling of electronics and lithium batteries. The European agency, however, warned in a bulletin: "When the carriage of PEDs in the cabin is not allowed, it leads to a significant increase of the number of PEDs in the cargo compartment. Certain precautions should therefore be observed to mitigate the risk of accidental fire in the cargo hold." Computers in checked baggage must be completely switched off and "well protected from accidental activation," it added. The Cologne, Germany-based agency issued its guidance two weeks after the United States and Britain banned gadgets larger than a smartphone from passenger cabins on flights from certain countries because of security concerns. The European safety recommendation is not mandatory, but is likely to rekindle a debate about the new rules, which some airline chiefs have criticized as inconsistent or ineffective. A group representing 38,000 European pilots said last week it was "seriously concerned" about the ban, on the grounds that it could create new safety risks. "With current airplane cargo hold fire suppression systems, it might prove to be impossible to extinguish a lithium battery fire in the cargo hold, especially when the batteries are stored together. Therefore, any event of this nature during flight would more than likely be catastrophic," the European Cockpit Association said. It is not the first time regulators have called for personal devices to be carried in the cabin, but possibly the first time such measures have clashed so directly with security considerations. In 2015, international regulators urged airlines to transport lithium-powered hoverboards in the cabin following reports of the popular devices catching fire. Several airlines went even further and banned them altogether, but travel experts say such a draconian ban on computers would carry little support from the industry or its lucrative business travelers. JUGGLING RISKS Security experts say the decision to place electronics into checked bags on U.S.-bound flights from eight Middle East or North African countries suggests Washington has intelligence that enough material can now be packed into a laptop, usually disguised as its battery, to cause catastrophic damage. Placing such objects in checked baggage would expose them to greater screening for explosives and reduce the chances that a hidden bomb could be deliberately placed next to the cabin wall. France has been studying whether and how to apply similar restrictions on cabin baggage, security sources say. Last year, a suspected suicide bomber tried to blow up a Somali jetliner as it was taking off from Mogadishu by placing a computer bomb near the window. He was sucked out of the jet without causing it to crash, but the incident focused attention on the threat of bombs hidden inside ordinary-looking gadgets. Reuters last month reported that the rules banning many items from passenger cabins on U.S.- and Britain-bound flights would, however, force a rethink on fire safety concerns now that they were being consigned to the hold. EASA's warning highlights the struggle to juggle rules on safety with increasingly stringent security protections and the wider risk that rules to solve one problem can lead to another. FACT BOX European guidelines on carrying computers on airplanes The FAA says such "unintended effects" are one of the common themes it has identified in its database on lessons learned from past crashes. "The recent laptop ban on certain routes to the USA has brought into sharp relief exactly this challenge," said UK-based aviation consultant John Strickland. "Simply taking items powered by lithium batteries and stashing them in the hold is not an option unless done with sufficient attention to safety," he added. Safety regulators have focused for years on the growing headache caused by temperamental lithium-ion batteries. In 2015, the FAA told airlines not to let passengers pack extra lithium-ion batteries inside their checked baggage. Airlines had already been alerted to the risk of carrying large shipments of lithium batteries as cargo after a UPS Boeing 747 cargo jet crashed in 2010, killing both crew. But current FAA advice suggests it has fewer concerns than its European counterpart about the threat of fires from batteries already installed in individual passenger's devices. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-airlines-electronics-safety-idUSKBN1772CA Back to Top As airlines get busier, these jobs flourish Sean Parker, Southwest Airlines Ramp Agent. With 20 years on the job at Southwest Airlines as a ramp agent in Dallas, 39-year-old Sean Parker is hoping for 20 more. "It's physically demanding - you have to be ready to get down and dirty," Parker said of his job, which calls for getting luggage transported properly and helping to turn aircraft on time. The work of agents like Parker is ever-important, with air travel on the rise and aircraft services following suit. Today, more than 700,000 direct employees in the U.S. airline industry usher some 2 million people traveling domestically on 27,000 flights per day, according to industry trade group Airlines for America. The number of air travelers across the globe stands to nearly double in the next two decades, with the global trade group International Air Transport Association projecting 7.2 billion passengers a year by 2035, up from 2016's 3.8 billion. "The outlook for the industry is very good. We've sustained profitability, and we are reinvesting both in our people and product and customer experience to make flying better," said Nicholas Calio, CEO of Airlines for America. "The more we hire, the more actual jobs we create in that ripple effect throughout the economy." Adding to the industry's optimism is the White House's new focus on creating American jobs. In February, President Donald Trump invited executives from the nations' largest airlines, including Delta, United and Southwest, to discuss travel infrastructure and regulation in February. Trump also proposed the privatization of the nation's air traffic control system in his skinny budget last month. "They've shown a proclivity, the administration, for looking at current regulations that don't make any sense and eliminating those," Calio siad. "So, those savings, those efficiencies will make us better able to continue to invest in our employees and products." Hiring the 'Southwest Way' Major carriers like Southwest are hiring in nearly every part of their business, from pilots to flight attendants and administrative staff, to keep up with increased demand. The airline aims to hire some 3,800 ground operations workers this year alone. That includes ramp agents like Parker, who has at times worked multiple jobs, as a police officer for 10 years and for a time in a band mostly made up of Southwest employees called the Blue 22's. The band traveled to Los Angeles every other weekend to perform. "It's a great entry-level job," said Julie Weber, Southwest Airlines's vice president of people. "It's also a hard job - you have to be very motivated. You're loading bags on planes, unloading bags - working in every condition imaginable." Applicants need to be at least 18 years old, eligible to work in the U.S. and have a high school diploma or GED. Catherine Mills, Southwest Airlines Customer Service Agent. CNBC Southwest's application process is competitive - the company hired some 7,200 workers last year from more than 300,000 applications. For ground operations positions Southwest received some 117,000 applications and hired just 3,000. They're looking for workers who can "live the Southwest way." "We hire for attitude and train for skill," Weber said. "You need to have a warrior spirit, the desire to work really hard and have a sense of urgency. To have a servant's heart, which means you put others first, and a fun-loving attitude." That's something newly hired customer service agent Catherine Mills, 57, is trying to embody in her role at Baltimore-Washington Airport, where no two days are the same. She's trained to deal with travelers at their very best - and worst. "You never know what someone is going through - it's important I stay open. Never assume that air travel, or the reason for someone's air travel, is the same for anyone," Mills said. Entry-level workers' pay starts at around $13 an hour, depending on the role, but long-tenured workers can make $30 an hour, with the opportunity for overtime. Workers also earn travel privileges for themselves and eligible dependents, a 401(k) plan with match offer, and a profit- sharing plan for eligible employees. For ramp agent Parker, the best perk is the flexible schedule and chance to make his own hours. "I love working the morning shift - the earlier the better. I have young kids, and they like to have their dad in the afternoon," he said. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/06/as-airlines-get-busier-these-jobs-flourish.html Back to Top EASA Looks to Modernize GA Airplane Certification Piper M600. Photo: Piper Aircraft. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has released its new certification rules for small general aviation (GA) aircraft. According to an announcement from the agency, EASA expects the new rules to become effective in August 2017. Under the new certification specifications for normal category airplanes (CS-23), EASA has removed all specific technical design details from the actual regulations for new airplane designs, and replaced them with objectives that define certain criteria that new airplane designs and technologies should meet. The design specific details previously featured in CS-23 have been moved to the acceptable means of compliance (AMC). A new AMC to EASA's CS-23 is planned for availability by mid August 2017. When EASA originally proposed the reorganization of CS-23 in June 2016, the agency noted its primary objective was to reduce the number of requirements from 399 detailed technical requirements to 67 safety objectives, which has been achieved with the revamped CS-23. European regulatory officials, as well as aviation industry executives believe the new rules can introduce more innovation into CS-23 category aircraft. "It's revolutionary," said Ivo Boscarol, CEO of Slovenian aircraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Pipistrel. The company's current research and development focus provides an example of a manufacturer that could benefit from the new rules, as they're currently developing an electric and hybrid propulsion aircraft with increased automation. In September, HY4, which Pipistrell says is the world's first four-seat passenger aircraft powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system and electric propulsion, completed its maiden flight. Simon Caldecott, president and CEO of Piper Aircraft, and chairman of the general aviation manufacturers association (GAMA), believes the new CS-23 rules can "pave the way for a new era in general aviation." The agency notes that its first set of consensus standards are now being developed with international cooperation with standards development organization ASTM International. EASA's rewritten CS-23 rules come four months after the FAA issued its new Part 23 rules for U.S. registered GA aircraft. "This rule is nothing less than a total rethinking of how our industry can bring new models of pistons, diesels, turboprops, light jets, and new hybrid and electric propulsion airplanes to market, as well as facilitating safety-enhancing modifications and upgrades to the existing fleet," said general aviation manufacturers association (GAMA) CEO Pete Bunce. http://www.aviationtoday.com/2017/04/05/easa-rewrites-ga-airplane-certification-rules/ Back to Top The First Hybrid Electric Jet may be Ready for Commercial Flight in 2020 It is evident we all need to rethink the way we deal with transportation vehicles. Whereas fossil fuel and kerosene are still the norm today, electricity and renewable energy sources are the future. A new startup based out of Washington is planning to launch hybrid electric jets to revamp regional air travel. An interesting concept, although it remains to be seen if this company has a bright future ahead. HYBRID ELECTRIC JETS ARE COMING SOON When thinking of air travel, the first thing that comes to mind is how every plane needs to be fueled properly. Without enough kerosene on board, it is virtually impossible to properly complete flights in a safe and secure manner. At the same time, some planes find themselves with spare kerosene while trying to land, forcing them to fly in circles to empty the tank. To make matters even worse, prices of airfare tickets continue to mount. Zunum Aero, a Washington-based company, is looking to revamp the entire ordeal. To be more precise, the company is focusing on making regional travel routes more budget-friendly, while also promoting the use of other energy sources. In fact, they plan to launch hybrid electric jets in the near future. This is quite an interesting take on regional air travel, as the company aims to bring down operating costs due to no fueling requirement. As a result, ticket prices could be reduced by as much as 80%, although it is possible carriers will make less steep reductions until hybrid electric jets become more commonplace. Moreover, smaller aircraft are subject to fewer TSA regulations, resulting in passengers wasting less time going through security before boarding a plane. That is perhaps one of the only drawbacks about this venture. The first types of aircraft will be very small, with limited space for passengers and a shorter distance they can cover. That said, it is expected the first generation of hybrid electric jets can still cover 700 miles on a single charge. It is expected the first model to become commercially available in the early 2020s, although no specific dates have been provided yet. Large aircraft will not come to fruition before 2030, though. On the upside, these hybrid electric jets have one added bonus: they are a lot quieter compared to any other aircraft. Moreover, they are far more sustainable compared to current commercial aircraft. Moreover, its hybrid electric motors can receive a recharge from different sources, making them future-proof. Additionally, the company plans to make jets rely on only electric motors once the technology allows for it. It is evident electric cars will not be the only hybrid transportation methods moving forward. Electric-powered aviation is a relatively new industry facing technical challenges and severe regulatory requirements. Zunum feels they are ready to enter the "build phase" of their project, even though the company staffs less than a dozen employees. Boeing and JetBlue have provided financial backing for this venture, though, which gives the company a fair chance at succeeding if they play their cards right. https://themerkle.com/the-first-hybrid-electric-jet-may-be-ready-for-commercial-flight-in-2020/ Back to Top Christine Negroni author of The Crash Detectives Investigating the World's Most Mysterious Air Disasters Published by Penguin Books ================================================ 203 637-8441 landline 203 952-8441 mobile christine.negroni - skype Back to Top SAFE Encourages Pilot Input on GA Runway Incursions (Survey) Active general aviation (GA) pilots are being asked to help an ongoing study of GA runway incursions by completing a new online questionnaire. The FAA has said that runway incursions - a vehicle or aircraft on the ground endangering aircraft landing or taking off - average three per day and are a "serious safety concern." GA pilots are involved in about 80 percent of runway incursions. "The question is, what are GA pilots doing, or not doing, that results in so many runway incursions?" said Professor Donna F. Wilt of the Florida Institute of Technology College of Aeronautics. "By analyzing such occurrences we can help mitigate those dangerous situations." The study is being conducted by the FIT College of Aeronautics, Hampton University Department of Aviation and Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology. It is funded through the Partnership to Enhance General Aviation Safety, Accessibility and Sustainability (PEGASAS), and the FAA Center of Excellence for GA. SAFE is a partner of PEGASAS. The questionnaire will be available from April 1 through April 30, 2017. To take the new questionnaire, click here or click on or copy and past the URL below. The questionnaire is also available on the SAFE web site at www.SAFEPilots.org and will be available at the SAFE booth at Sun 'n Fun. SAFE is encouraging its members to participate in the project. Direct Link URL: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiJFFh52kh_afnEN7qoBRoliQvqLSUhksMQAGDGbO- EcDweg/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, contact the project's Principal Investigator, Dr. Scott Winter. SAFE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting aviation education at all levels of learning. SAFE is a recognized leader in pilot training reform, safety education, and the mentoring of aviation educators. For information on free resource materials and membership, go to www.safepilots.org. Scott Winter Assistant Professor of Aviation Science College of Aeronautics, Florida Institute of Technology 321-674-7639 (Office) 218-269-9376 (Cell) Back to Top Research Survey Dear Aviation Colleague, my name is Arjun Rao. I am research associate at the Center for Aviation Studies at the Ohio State University. My colleagues and I would greatly appreciate your response to a short survey to better understand pilots's use of weather information products during flight. Participation in this survey is voluntary. All answers reported in the analysis will not bear any connection to you or any response that you might provide. Thank you very much in advance for your participation on this survey. Your responses are greatly appreciated and will help our efforts to improve GA safety. The link to the survey is : https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3yJ3oNLMYh4lO17 Please let me know if you have any questions/would like me to provide additional information. Once again, we appreciate your help. Regards, Arjun ************************************************** Arjun H. Rao, Ph.D. Research Specialist The Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies Room 125, 140 West 19th Ave., Columbus, OH 43210 614-688-2634 rao.119@osu.edu https://aviation.osu.edu/ Curt Lewis