Flight Safety Information April 20, 2017 - No. 080 Incident: Aerocontractors DH8D near Lagos on Apr 18th 2017, smoke in cabin Accident: Tassili Travail L410 at Hassi Messaoud on Apr 19th 2017, rejected takeoff results in nose collapse Incident: Jet Airways AT72 at Delhi on Apr 19th 2017, nose wheel turned 90 degrees for landing Bell UH-1H Fatal Accident (Greece) Pilot error blamed for fatal California U2 spy plane crash Air Safety Investigator Rejects MH370 Staff Claims The world's longest aircraft worth £25 million crashes in Bedfordshire field Progress beginning to show from ICAO-led bilateral meetings in Africa FAA Tech takes lead on NextGen research Korea Aims to Develop Its Own Key Aviation Technologies within 10 years NORWEGIAN AIRLINES LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO SINGAPORE Copa Airlines added to international lineup at Denver International Airport WOW Air to operate 24 aircraft by 2019 AirAsia establishes executive jet charter unit Mitsubishi Aircraft Targets Paris Air Show Debut of Regional Jet Embry-Riddle Executive Master of Science in Safety Science Aircraft Cabin Air Conference Graduate Research Survey Graduate Research Survey Request SAFE Encourages Pilot Input on GA Runway Incursions (Survey) Research Survey Incident: Aerocontractors DH8D near Lagos on Apr 18th 2017, smoke in cabin An Aerocontractors de Havilland Dash 8-400, flight NG-316 from Port Harcourt to Lagos (Nigeria) with 52 people on board, was enroute at FL240 about 75nm east of Lagos when the crew received a cargo smoke indication and the cabin started to fill with smoke. The crew declared emergency, performed smoke removal procedures and continued to Lagos for a safe landing about 18 minutes after the smoke was noticed. Nigeria's Civil Aviation Authority opened an investigation into the occurrence. The airline reported that about 75nm before Lagos cabin crew observed the cabin was misty and informed the flight crew. The flight crew made an announcement re-assuring the passengers. Shortly after the descent into Lagos had been initiated about 10 minutes later cabin crew observed a passenger entering the aft lavatory, the smoke detector activated shortly afterwards and the smoke in the cabin became more dense, the crew received an aft cargo smoke indication, too. The flight crew performed smoke removal procedures while cabin crew handed out wet towels. The aircraft landed safely about 18 minutes after the first observation of mist. It was determined that the smoke actually originated in the cargo section and was distributed into the cabin by the air conditioning system. An inspection of the aircraft did not reveal any anomaly. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a7dc134&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Tassili Travail L410 at Hassi Messaoud on Apr 19th 2017, rejected takeoff results in nose gear collapse A Tassili Travail Aerien Let L-420, registration ZS-OUE performing a charter flight from Hassi Messaoud to Bir Seba (Algerie) with 10 passengers and 2 crew, was accelerating for takeoff from runway 34 at about 07:45L (06:45Z) when the crew needed to reject takeoff. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway about 1520 meters/5000 feet down the runway with the nose gear collapsed and was disabled. The airport had to be closed. Tassili Airlines (parent company of Tassili Travail Aerien) reported the aircraft took off and went immediately back down due to the crew realizing one of the wheels had come off. There were no injuries. The aircraft was later lifted, the nose gear was re-extended and the aircraft was towed to a hangar. Ground observers reported the aircraft was accelerating when the nose gear gave way prompting the crew to reject takeoff, the aircraft skidded to a stop on its nose. Bir Seba is a private airfield, operated by an oil company, about 60nm northnortheast of Hassi Messaoud. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a7d8356&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Jet Airways AT72 at Delhi on Apr 19th 2017, nose wheel turned 90 degrees for landing A Jet Airways Avions de Transport Regional ATR-72-212A, registration VT-JCQ performing flight 9W-2882 from Dehra Dun to Delhi (India) with 60 passengers and 5 crew, performed a normal approach to Delhi's runway 29, however the nose gear was rotated by 90 degrees. The aircraft came to a stop on the runway with the nose tyres and wheels abraded. There were no injuries. The runway was closed for about 1.5 hours until the aircraft was towed off the runway. The airline reported the aircraft suffered a nose wheel malfunction resulting in steering problems. VT-JCQ after coming to a stop (Photos: Saurabh Sinhaş): http://avherald.com/h?article=4a7dc379&opt=0 Back to Top Bell UH-1H Fatal Accident (Greece) Date: 19-APR-2017 Time: 07:50LT Type: Bell UH-1H Iroquois Owner/operator: Hellenic Army Registration: ES625 C/n / msn: 12162 Fatalities: Fatalities: 4 / Occupants: 5 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair) Location: Sarantaporo, Elassona, Thessaly - Greece Phase: En route Nature: Military Departure airport: LGSV Destination airport: Kozani Narrative: Crashed killing the two pilots and two high ranked military officers. A female sergeant major (3rd crew member) survived but suffered serious injuries. The aircraft left early Wednesday morning from Stefanovikio AB (1st TEAS) and after a stop at Larissa to pick up the two high ranking officers, as passengers, it continued its course for Kozani. At that stage it was engaged with power lines near Sarantaporo town and crashed. The helicopter had been on a routine border patrol flight. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=194911 Back to Top Pilot error blamed for fatal California U2 spy plane crash FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2016 file photo, a U.S. Air Force Hazmat team inspects the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force U-2 spy plane that crashed in the Sutter Butte mountains near Yuba City, Calif. The U.S. Air Force says pilot error forced two airmen to eject from a U2 spy plane while on a training mission from a Northern California base in September, killing one of them. The Air Force released findings of its probe of the crash near Sutter, Calif., on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File) A mistake by a pilot on his first flight in a U2 spy plane forced him and an instructor to eject from the plane while on a training mission from a California base in September, killing the instructor after his seat hit the plane's right wing, the Air Force said Wednesday. Investigators determined that the pilot who was training to fly U2 spy planes either pulled back too fast or too quickly on his stick while learning to recover from a stall shortly after the plane left from Beale Air Force Base about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Sacramento, Air Force Major A.J. Schrag said. "He probably got a little overenthusiastic," Schrag said. That caused the plane to go into a secondary stall that forced the student pilot and his instructor, Lt. Col. Ira S. Eadie, to eject before the plane turned upside down. The $32 million plane crashed near Sutter, California. Eadie suffered fatal injuries when his seat struck the plane's right wing, investigators found. The student pilot also suffered injuries, though he has since recovered and completed his training to fly U2 spy planes, Schrag said. Schrag said privacy laws did not allow the Air Force to disclose the student pilot's name. He was on the first of three "acceptance flights" that are part of the process of interviewing to be a U2 pilot, the Air Force said. The U-2 "Dragon Lady" is a surveillance and reconnaissance plane capable of flying above 70,000 feet (21,336 meters). Developed during the Cold War to spy on the Soviet Union, the single-engine aircraft now carries high-resolution cameras and sensors to gather radio signals and other information useful to intelligence agencies and battlefield commanders. The fleet is based at Beale, though U2 planes fly missions from other locations. Before the crash, the Air Force said it had 33 U-2s. The U-2 is slated for retirement in 2019 as the military relies increasingly on unmanned aircraft for surveillance. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/pilot-error-blamed-fatal-california-u2-spy-plane-46895643 Back to Top Air Safety Investigator Rejects MH370 Staff Claims. Australian Transport Safety Bureau says no warning was issued to staff. Air safety investigator rejects MH370 staff claims.> A scene from the MH370 search. Australian air safety investigators have rejected a newspaper claim "draconian legislation'' was invoked in a decision to refuse a freedom of information request for material on the search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. The Australian newspaper claimed the Australian Transport Safety Bureau had warned that employees who provided the information to the public or a court could face two years in jail. But the ATSB said it issued no such warning. "The Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (TSI Act) applies to ATSB investigations and reports, requiring investigators to protect evidence from disclosure other than in accordance with performing their functions under the Act,'' the air safety investigator said in a statement in its "correcting the record" section. "Consistent with international standards, the ATSB does not publish all the documents forming part of the investigation or report. This is to ensure cooperation and the future free flow of information to safety investigations." The newspaper has been attempting to use freedom of Information laws to get hold of the opinions international experts, including from the US and UK air crash agencies, Boeing, aerospace group Thales, and British satellite group Inmarsat, about satellite data used to track the course of the aircraft. It says it was initially told the information could not be released because it "could cause damage to international relations of the commonwealth''. A subsequent review by ATSB chief commissioner Greg Hood cited the TSI Act. The ATSB used the satellite data and other evidence to conclude the plane was most likely uncontrolled when it crashed into the sea. This runs counter to a theory frequently run by The Australian that the flight ended in a controlled ditching. The bureau also questioned a suggestion in the April 17 article that some officers were having second thoughts about its end-of-flight scenario. "The ATSB is not aware of any officers who have concerns with the ATSB's reported findings in this regard,'' it said, noting the claim was made without any supporting evidence. "The ATSB's work in the search for MH370 has always been characterised by a willingness to listen to new ideas, and to apply all the known facts to lead the underwater search. "The ATSB does not make any statement lightly, nor does it approach any issue with pre-conceived conclusions.'' Source : http://www.airlineratings.com/news.php?id=1177 http://asiacruisenews.com/news/Air-safety-investigator-rejects-MH370-staff-claims. Back to Top The world's longest aircraft worth £25 million crashes in Bedfordshire field 'The Flying Bum' crashed again (Picture: Nikki Britton/Geoff Robinson Photography) 'The Flying Bum' has taken a tumble in a field. The world's longest aircraft, Airlander 10, broke free from its mooring in Bedfordshire this afternoon and landed on its nose. BBC presenter cleared of assault while making bird documentary It was the second time £25 million plane and airship hybrid had crashed in the last year and had just been repaired. 'We were walking past the field and suddenly saw the back end of the airship lift off the ground,' said Paul Britton, 44, from Kimbolton, Cambridgeshire. 'The airship has been outside for a couple of weeks and is fastened to the ground, but the back fastenings came undone and the aircraft did a nosedive. 'We suddenly saw lots men in high vis jackets come running out to secure it. It seemed as though a large gust of wind had caused the ropes to come loose.' MORE: Man discovers wallet he lost in 2003 became inspiration for epic drinking game No one was injured in the accident, but the cockpit was destroyed and since then the 92-metre long aircraft has been undergoing extensive repairs at a hangar in Cardington. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch found the crash was caused when Airlander couldn't be secured to its mooring mast at the end of its flight because a fault. The makers of the Airlander, which was nicknamed the 'The Flying Bum' because it apparently looks like one, hope it will be back up and running by the end of the month. http://metro.co.uk/2017/04/19/the-worlds-longest-aircraft-worth-25-million-crashes-in-bedfordshire-field- 6585374/ Back to Top Progress beginning to show from ICAO-led bilateral meetings in Africa State and intergovernmental leaders concur on ambitions for African aviation. Strengthened alignment on the development of aviation in Africa has resulted from high-level bilateral meetings between ICAO, the Government of Ethiopia, and the African Union undertaken last week by the UN agency's Secretary General, Dr. Fang Liu. Dr. Liu was received by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E Hailemariam Desalegn, who emphasised his recognition of aviation's significant contributions to the country's socio-economic development and ICAO's key support and facilitation of the sector's progress. The two leaders reviewed the importance of continued infrastructure investment, capacity-building, and international cooperation in this regard, with issues pertaining to security and aviation safety being of particular note. The Prime Minister expressed his Government's readiness to further strengthen the aviation sector in Ethiopia to contribute to the social and economic integration of the African continent. The Secretary General expressed ICAO's appreciation for the State's commitment and investment in aviation that has triggered Ethiopia's leadership in the sector in Africa. Pointing to the strong expansion of Ethiopian Airlines, whose Group CEO, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, was later also visited by Dr Liu, the Prime Minister accepted the Secretary General's invitation to attend an ICAO event and share Ethiopia's experience with other States, both in the region and beyond, to showcase the important role States can play in supporting air transport development and the broader socio-economic returns resulting from these efforts. Further to the enhancement of aviation's contributions to African development, Dr. Liu held a bilateral meeting with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat, notably with a view to ensuring the realisation of the strong cooperation between their two organisations that is crucial to fully unlocking the full benefits of African air connectivity. Highlighting the pivotal role of aviation as a stimulant to economic and community development, and as an anchor of public and political integration in Africa, the Chairperson commended ICAO's achievement in recent years especially the assistance and guidance to African States under its "No Country Left Behind" initiative. The two leaders agreed that while significant progress has been realised with ICAO support in the recent past, further effort is needed, with greater coherency and focus. They agreed that greater momentum could be gained by enhancing awareness of aviation issues among African Heads of States, in particular through briefings to the summit of heads of States of the African Union, encouraging commitment to a Single African Air Transport Market (including by supporting the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision), enhancing compliance with ICAO safety, security and facilitation standards, and working in accordance with guidance on infrastructure and human resource capacity provided in ICAO's Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Safety in Africa (AFI Plan) and Comprehensive Regional Implementation Plan for Aviation Security and Facilitation in Africa (AFI SEC/FAL Plan). These views were echoed in bilateral meetings that also took place between Dr. Liu and Ethiopia's Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Transport, Dr. Workneh Gebayehu and Mr. Ahmed Shide, respectively. These discussions focussed on the need to sustain and improve the safety and security oversight, the ratification of aviation conventions and other legal instruments, the development of environmentally- friendly infrastructure and participation in the implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), and compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, all of which were recognized to support the sustainability of significant aviation growth in the country. https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/34086/icao-african-aviation/ Back to Top FAA Tech takes lead on NextGen research Matthew Kukorlo demonstrates a flight simulator at the Federal Aviation Administration's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Egg Harbor Township. The Next Generation Air Transportation System being worked on at the center will switch the air traffic control system from radar-based to satellite-based. EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The William J. Hughes Technical Center has been at the forefront of the Federal Aviation Administration's research since its inception in 1954, evolving its mission as technology changes. But now, as the agency is spearheading the latest innovation in air traffic control, it's fallen into the crosshairs of critics, including President Donald Trump, who've questioned the FAA's ability to lead. Local politicians and center officials point out the many positives of research that federal officials hope will increase the air transportation system's capacity and reduce delays. Latest Video The goal of the more than $20 billion Next Generation Air Transportation System is to switch the current air traffic control system from a radar-based transportation system to one that uses satellite navigation. U.S. Rep Frank LoBiondo, R-2, said issues with the program, including cost problems and delays, should not be blamed on the work being done at the tech center. "It's critically important to the future of the aviation industry," LoBiondo said. "The cost has been growing, the delays have been frequent and have nothing to be do with the quality of work. It's very frustrating, our people continue to do an expert job and they are hampered by those in Washington." NextGen is a system of sensors, based around automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast technology. The ADS-B technology lets air traffic control workers have a better idea of where craft are in the air. Congress authorized planning for NextGen in 2003, with the goal of transforming the National Airspace System by 2025. "An informed consumer is our best friend," said Jim Eck, assistant administrator for NextGen. "When you hear that NextGen is moving slower, there are a couple of reasons for that. More money and more stable funding means that we could plan better. " Cost for NextGen has continued to increase since the project was first discussed in 2007. The project is now expected to cost the federal government $20.6 billion, up $2.6 billion over FAA 2012 projections, but well within the cost estimate range. Overall, the project, counting the cost to the aviation industry, will top $35.7 billion, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. In exchange, the NextGen project is expected to generate more than $161 billion worth of benefits by 2030, according to officials at the tech center. "The system will evolve over the next 10 years," Eck said. "We are eight years away from 2025 and we are trying to get everyone on the same page and keep them on the same page. We are still rolling technology out." In the early 2000s, the ADS-B system was rolled out in Alaska. The satellite-based tracking system helped reduce air traffic accidents in remote parts of Alaska by 43 percent, said J. Stuart Searight, branch manager of engineering development services division. "ADS-B is a key building block for many NextGen systems," Searight said. "Employees at the tech center have and will remain at the forefront of the development, testing and implementation of the ADS-B and the operations it enables." While FAA has not heard the exact amount of money that will be available for the program under the Trump Administration, Eck said he has been given reassurances that the funding for the program will continue. "The secretary of transportation made it very clear to me that she thinks this is a top priority and that she wants to keep NextGen moving," Eck said. In addition to the criticizing the project, Trump has also suggested outsourcing traffic control, a move that could impact development of the system. "All of these have to be considered when moving in that direction. The administration is interested in moving in that direction, the Congress is interested in moving in that direction," Eck said. "But we are just at the beginning of those conversations." http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/faa-tech-takes-lead-on-nextgen- research/article_8b02a82f-9381-5843-b3de-288e8cf425aa.html Back to Top Korea Aims to Develop Its Own Key Aviation Technologies within 10 years Korea set a goal of being able to independently develop key technologies like aircraft engines within 10 years. The public and private sectors of Korea set a goal of being able to independently develop key technologies such as aircraft engines and electronics within 10 years. To do this, 1.8 trillion won (US$ will be invested for five years. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) held an industry-academy-research institute meeting to discuss the development of the aviation industry at the Plaza Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul on April 19 and announced strategy on the development of the aviation industry during the 4th industrial revolution era. The ministry proposed three policy directions for developing Korea into an aviation powerhouse -- securing future core technologies such as engines, aviation electronics, lightweight new materials, expanding into global markets and creating new markets and building an ecosystem with Korea's all capabilities. With an eye towards localizing core aviation technology such as engines and aviation electronics within the next 10 years, the government will invest 1.8 trillion won in the next five years. Until 2025, Korea will be able to develop engine technology on its own, and aviation electronics and lightweight new materials will be developed as well. PAV technology will also be preemptively developed so a prototype will be launched by 2022. In addition, the government will dial up the market size (currently US$5.1 billion) more than four-fold by the end of 2025. For this objective, Korea will expand orders for parts from overseas, secure the domestic market in connection with the Korean military demand, commercialize and export finished military aircraft, and pursue niche markets. Also in the works are plans to receive more orders by strengthening offset trades and participate in the joint development of new civilian aircraft through global partnership projects with Europe and the US among others. In order to secure competitiveness in new markets such as drones, PAVs, and services, the government will rise the public demand up to 200 billion won (US$180 million) for three years. A convergence ecosystem also will be built to create a variety of businesses. An ICT alliance and a drone convergence alliance will be formed to develop business models to spread the convergence research. The government will also expand smart factories focusing on fuselages and others and go forward with building aviation industry complexes, infrastructure for testing and evaluation, and aviation industry guarantee funds to give support to small and mid-sized firms. http://www.businesskorea.co.kr/english/news/industry/17903-aviation-tech-independence-korea-aims- develop-its-own-key-aviation-technologies Back to Top NORWEGIAN AIRLINES LAUNCHES FLIGHTS TO SINGAPORE New link faces stiff competition from existing airlines, which have many more flights Singapore from London for £180 one-way: that is the offer from the low-cost airline Norwegian as it continues its long-haul expansion. The latest route will connect Gatwick with Changi airport in Singapore from 28 September. The outbound flight takes 12 hours 45 minutes, with a mid-morning departure from Gatwick and a dawn arrival in Singapore. The inbound leg, which takes an hour longer, is a daytime service. A fare comparison by The Independent for the first day of the new service, returning a week later, found fares of £474 on British Airways and £499 on Singapore Airlines, compared with £380 on Norwegian. The basic price for the Norwegian flight does not include meals or luggage. Premium fares costing £700 outbound, £630 inbound, include lounge access, more legroom, meals and baggage. A new "Norwegian UK" subsidiary, based at Gatwick, will operate the service. The offshoot was set up to allow the Oslo-based airline to access bilateral traffic rights. The airline's chief executive, Bjorn Kjos, said: "Adding Singapore to our growing UK network will give passengers even more choice for affordable, quality travel to a range of global destinations." Stewart Wingate, the chief executive of Gatwick, said: "As our 50-strong world route network expands, so too does Gatwick's reputation on the global stage as a strong, dependable option for international travel." The airline will run only four flights a week, compared with two daily on British Airways and four daily on Singapore Airlines to and from Heathrow. http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/norwegian-gatwick-singapore-low-cost-long-haul- airline-ba-a7692351.html Back to Top Copa Airlines added to international lineup at Denver International Airport * Panama airline is second foreign carrier announced at DIA this month A miniature of Boeing 737-800 with Copa airlines logo. Denver International Airport on Wednesday announced it has landed Copa Airlines, a Star Alliance partner that will increase options for travelers flying to Central and South America and the Caribbean. Service begins Dec. 11, with the carrier flying four direct flights each week to Copa's hub at Tocumen International Airport.in Panama City, Panama. The new service will get passengers to Panama two to three hours sooner than other airlines, which typically require travelers to layover in Houston, Newark or Dallas. Currently more than 30 passengers a day fly between Denver and Panama, DIA said. Mayor Michael Hancock said during a press event Tuesday that the new flights to Panama will create 244 new jobs and a $26 million annual economic impact for Colorado. He said the new flights created both tourism and business opportunities. Copa is the second international carrier announced at DIA this month. Norwegian Air International on April 5 announced it would take gates at DIA, taking the low-cost carrier fight for customers international. DIA chief commercial officer Patrick Heck said there are a couple differences this time around. United's flight was mainly targeting Americans. Because Copa Airlines is based in Panama, the main point of sale will be Panamanians and Latin Americans, he said. Additionally, the airline can schedule flights to run more in line with the rest of its operations throughout Latin America, making it easier for people to get to other destinations, he said. The new flight is only four times a week compared to the previous daily flights, giving the airline an easier place to start, he said. http://www.denverpost.com/2017/04/19/copa-airlines-denver-international-airport/ Back to Top WOW Air to operate 24 aircraft by 2019 Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW Air has detailed plans to add seven more aircraft, growing its all-Airbus fleet from 17 to 24 by end of 2018. WOW Air said the additional aircraft include four A330-900neos on 12-year lease from CIT Aerospace International, plus two A321ceos-one purchased directly from Airbus and the other leased from Air Lease Corp. (ALC). The A330-900neos will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and configured with 365 seats in a single-class layout. "This addition will help us grow even more and to fly greater lengths than before. A bigger and younger fleet will, without a doubt, benefit us in the ever-growing, competitive aviation market," WOW Air CEO Skuli Mogensen said. From spring 2017, WOW Air serves 32 destinations across Europe, North America and Canada-including London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Washington DC, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Montreal, Toronto and New York. WOW Air was created in November 2011 and operates A320s, A321s and A330s. http://atwonline.com/airframes/wow-air-operate-24-aircraft-2019 Back to Top AirAsia establishes executive jet charter unit AirAsia Group has announced it has incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary company to acquire and manage a Bombardier Global Express executive jet. In a statement to the Bursa Malaysia, the conglomerate said AirAsia Corporate Charter (Kuala Lumpur Subang) had acquired 9M-CJG (msn 9013) from Caterham Jet (Kuala Lumpur Subang) with the aim of becoming a full-fledged charter and private unscheduled business jet operator. AACC's directors are listed as Ms. Aireen Omar and Mr. Tharumalingam A/L Kanagalingam. https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/55182-airasia-establishes-executive-jet-charter-unit Back to Top Mitsubishi Aircraft Targets Paris Air Show Debut of Regional Jet * 'There'd be merit' in attending, company president says * Company aims for aircraft completion in 2019, delivery in 2020 Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.'s Mitsubishi Regional Jet in 2015. Photographer: Akio Kon/Bloomberg Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. is looking to display its new regional aircraft at the Paris Air Show in June as it seeks more overseas orders for Japan's first passenger jet after delaying the plane's debut five times. The company is working out details on how it can pull one of four aircraft currently undergoing flight testing in the U.S. for the show, without causing further delays to deliveries, said Hisakazu Mizutani, who became president of Mitsubishi Aircraft this month. The planemaker expects to come to a decision soon on whether to show the aircraft at the event, he said. "There'd be merit in taking it to the show," Mizutani said in an interview in Tokyo on Wednesday. "We just need to make sure it doesn't affect the testing process in doing so." The Paris show, happening once every two years, alternates with the Farnborough Air Show in the U.K. as the aviation industry's biggest event where new models go on display and plane orders are announced. The aircraft known as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet is set for completion in 2019 with its first delivery a year later. It will compete in the market for passenger jets with fewer than 100 seats, a segment currently dominated by Bombardier Inc. and Embraer SA. Mitsubishi Aircraft has won most of its orders for the jet from overseas, with airlines in the U.S. being the biggest buyers. The Nagoya-based company has 427 orders, including options and purchase rights, and that will increase to 447 when U.S. aircraft lessor Rockton AB signs a definitive agreement, according to Mitsubishi Aircraft. St. George, Utah-based SkyWest Inc. is the biggest customer with an order for 200 planes including options. Trans States Airlines Inc., based in Bridgeton, Missouri, is the second-largest buyer with 100 on order, including options. Mizutani said Mitsubishi Aircraft is in discussions with numerous potential customers but isn't sure whether the talks would lead to more orders this year. The company is increasing the number of employees at its Seattle engineering center to more than 200 from about 150 to help with testing of the plane. It has hired people with experience at global regional jet- makers, Mizutani said. Mizutani said he hopes the MRJ will be able to carry the flame for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, mirroring how the YS-11 -- the last made-in-Japan plane -- carried the flame for the Games in the capital in 1964. "We've recently added lots of global experts" with "a lot of experience" developing commercial planes, Mizutani said. "We are definitely going to complete this aircraft." https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-19/mitsubishi-aircraft-targets-paris-air-show-debut- of-regional-jet Back to Top Back to Top Back to Top Graduate Research Survey Dear colleagues, The flight crew of an airliner is expected to exhibit very high levels of decision making, all the time. Disasters are often attributed to poor decision making skills that are rigorously scrutinised after the event but a good decision never faces similar depth of review. I am doing a research on this very topic and need your help with a short anonymous survey. The primary objectives of this survey are to evaluate: 1. How pilots make decisions in a time and safety critical situation. 2. Whether there are any comparisons with other professionals facing similar time and safety pressures. The survey can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7TKJ66K Can you spare a few moments to take my survey? www.surveymonkey.co.uk Please take the survey titled "Anonymous Survey- Decision making in a time and safety critical environment.City University of London naveed.kapadia@city.ac.uk". Your feedback is important! Thank you for your help and support with this research. Naveed MSc student at City University of London Back to Top Graduate Research Survey Request My name is Mohamed Sheryenna. I'm a student at the University of South wales (UK), MSc. Aircraft Maintenance System. I'm conducting this research about Importance of Implementation SMS to Aircraft Maintenance: For reducing accidents. This study would look to understand the approaches and benefits of implementation SMS in Aircraft maintenance organization to reduce risk of accidents or at least mitigate it by identify and manage risks in predictive phase. Moreover, the study sought to determine the influence of the organizational culture and its effective on maintenance. In addition, to assess some tools used by SMS to support maintenance and engineering to obtain optimal aircraft maintenance. Ultimately, the effectiveness of an SMS implementation means the organization can manage the complexity of these mechanisms to defend against risk incubation. All the information will be treated confidentially and reported in the aggregate. The resultant data will be analyzed as part of my master degree's thesis. I will strictly respect the confidentiality of all participants' input. If you are a participant, and if you desire, I will provide you with a copy of the outcomes of my study. Please return the survey with your business card or contact information to indicate your interest in receiving a copy of the results. I would greatly appreciate your input to my survey. I realize that you are very busy; and completion of the survey should require not more than 10 minutes of your time. These questionnaires are intended to explore SMS in Aircraft maintenance and are purely for academic purpose. Your participation in this research will be highly appreciated. please click the link below to go through the survey http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/8YYUA/ Thank you very much for your cooperation. Sincerely yours, Mohamed Sheryenna 15050033@students.southwales.ac.uk Tel. 00447459876975 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