Flight Safety Information May 17, 2017 - No. 099 Incident: Westjet B738 near Denver on May 14th 2017, engine flamed out and restarted 2 Killed as Jet Crashes While Landing at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey Cockpit voice recorder found in N.J. Learjet crash Apparent airplane debris found off coast of Bahamas Flight diverted to Orlando airport after man swings pot of coffee at crew Aviation Safety: Commission clears all airlines from Benin and Mozambique from EU Air Safety List France to help Caan boost safety oversight (Nepal) Why Congress needs to pass aircraft certification reform IndiGo accused of poaching pilots with 'open offers'; airline denies charge Pilots to serve a year's notice (India) EasyJet Wants to Hire 450 Pilots But Will Have a Challenge Recruiting Them Accelerated pilot programs take flight to fill aviation industry gaps Boeing Delivers First 737 Max to Lion Air Build-a-Plane Needs Your Aircraft Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Nominations Invited Research Survey Graduate Research Survey Incident: Westjet B738 near Denver on May 14th 2017, engine flamed out and restarted A Westjet Boeing 737-800, registration C-GJWS performing flight WS-1119 from Las Vegas,NV (USA) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 163 people on board, was enroute at FL350 near Denver,CO (USA) when the left hand engine (CFM56) rolled back to about 50% N1 and flamed out. The crew initiated a descent to FL310. Before the crew could work the related checklists the engine restarted automatically. The crew decided to continue the flight at FL310 and landed safely at the destination. The Canadian TSB reported following the engine flameout and landing in Toronto maintenance performed BITE tests and discovered three fault codes related to the fuel filter. The filter however was found serviceable and free of debris. Maintenance replaced the #1 hydromechanical unit, performed a high power engine run and returned the aircraft to service. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/WJA1119/history/20170515/0625Z/KLAS/CYYZ http://avherald.com/h?article=4a90fd0f&opt=0 Back to Top 2 Killed as Jet Crashes While Landing at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey Emergency workers near Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, where a Learjet crashed while trying to land on Monday. Credit Gregg Vigliotti for The New York Times A Learjet crashed near Teterboro Airport in New Jersey as it attempted to land on Monday afternoon, killing two crew members and setting several cars and buildings ablaze near the airport, according to officials. The Federal Aviation Administration, in a statement, said the plane had taken off from Philadelphia International Airport and was approaching a runway when it crashed at 3:30 p.m. about a quarter of a mile from the airport. The Carlstadt police said there were no passengers on the plane. It was unclear whether anyone on the ground was injured. Black plumes of smoke rose from the crash site as firefighters and emergency workers rushed to the scene. Joe Orlando, a spokesman for the Borough of Carlstadt, told WNBC-TV that he saw several cars engulfed by flames and at least one building that was heavily damaged. Witnesses described seeing the plane coming in at an odd angle, seeming to flip to one side before it crashed into the ground. In 2009, the airport came under scrutiny after a midair crash of a single-engine airplane and a sightseeing helicopter over the Hudson River that killed nine people. Each morning, get the latest on New York businesses, arts, sports, dining, style and more. The airport is small but busy, with single-engine planes to luxurious corporate jets landing and taking off every day. It is the oldest operating airport in the New York City area, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns and operates Teterboro. Its first flight was in 1919; the Army ran it during World War II. These days, according to aviation experts, it is not just the volume of traffic that is challenging but the variety of aircraft. In 1985, a plane attempting to land at Teterboro crashed with a slower one. The planes, a Falcon 50 executive jet and a single-engine Piper Cherokee, plummeted to the ground in Fairview and Cliffside Park, N.J., killing six people, one of them on the ground. That crash led to a series of safety board recommendations regarding air traffic controllers. In 2005, after 20 people were injured when a corporate jet aborted its takeoff and crashed into a nearby warehouse, the authorities installed concrete blocks meant to stop planes from going off the runway. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/15/nyregion/jet-crashes-while-trying-to-land-at-teterboro-airport-in- new-jersey.html?_r=0 Back to Top Cockpit voice recorder found in N.J. Learjet crash WOODLAND PARK, N.J. - Federal investigators said on Tuesday that they had recovered a cockpit voice recorder from the Learjet that crashed as it approached Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, killing both crew members, and that wind conditions at the time were difficult. Jim Silliman, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, said at an afternoon press conference that the plane left a debris field that was 440 feet long and 100 feet wide. The crash and resulting fire damaged three buildings and 16 cars, he said, adding that there were crosswinds and gusting winds when the plane plunged from the sky in Carlstadt at about 3:30 p.m. Monday. "Airplanes land in crosswinds every day," he said. "Gusts make it harder, and the gusts were high." The twin-engine, 1981 Learjet 35 was registered to a company called A&C Big Sky Aviation, of Billings, Mont., according to an FAA database. The owners of the company are Amy Smith and Chandra Hanson of Billings, according to Montana state records. The owners did not respond to requests for comment Monday and Tuesday. The owners, when not using the plane themselves, leased the jet to a charter company, Trans-Pacific Jets, which began operating in 2013 and is based in Honolulu. A spokesman for the charter company said the pilot, who had been with the company for about a year, and co-pilot had decided to spend the night at a hotel they were familiar with in New York rather than stay overnight in Philadelphia. They were bringing the plane to Teterboro to reposition it for additional charter flights scheduled for later in the week. He declined to identify the pilot or co-pilot. The captain, he said, had at least 20 years of experience as a pilot with various charter operators in the Western United States and flew that particular plane quite a bit. The co-pilot had about four years of piloting experience with charter companies that operated mainly in New Mexico and Arizona, the spokesman said. He said the plane was last inspected in February at a large, independent maintenance facility and had been flown without issues. It is a common practice in the industry for private jet owners to lease their planes out to charter companies to generate extra revenue when not using it, he said. Surveillance video from local businesses shows the plane's right wing was at a sharp low angle and the nose was down as it hit the ground, Silliman said. "The aircraft was out of control," he said. He said it appeared that the plane glanced off one building just before crashing into the Department of Public Works parking lot. The last worker had left the building and closed the gate to the parking lot just 15 minutes before the crash. Air traffic control recording of plane that crashed near Teterboro. Source: liveatc.net. The NTSB is working with the FAA, as well as Bombardier, the plane's manufacturer, and Honeywell, which made the engines, Silliman said. On approach while talking to the control tower, the pilots did not express any sense of having an emergency or a problem with the aircraft, Silliman said. They were cleared to land, and then there was no further communication. Air traffic in the area around Teterboro was moderate and not out of the ordinary at the time of the crash, Silliman said. However, just minutes before the Learjet plunged from the sky, another pilot taking off from runway 24 reported wind shear to the Teterboro tower. Eyewitnesses on Monday said the Learjet appeared to be coming in low and struck power lines before clipping buildings in an industrial area of the borough that often bustles with activity in the afternoon. The Learjet had taken off Monday from Philadelphia International Airport, where it was being serviced by a company called Atlantic Aviation, which provides refueling and ground services for corporate and private planes. John Butterworth, a general manager of Atlantic Aviation, said the plane arrived at 11 a.m. and dropped off four people. He said the pilots chose not to refuel for the flight to Teterboro and took off about 3 p.m. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/05/16/cockpit-voice-recorder-found-n-j-learjet- crash/326418001/ Back to Top Apparent airplane debris found off coast of Bahamas The US Coast Guard is searching for survivors after finding what is believed to be airplane debris 15 miles east of an island in the Bahamas on Tuesday. The Coast Guard had been searching for an airplane with four Americans aboard that was reported missing Monday. On board were Jennifer Blumin, 40, from New York City, Nathan Ulrich, 52, from Lee, New Hampshire, and Blumin's 3-year-old and 4-year-old sons. The wreckage "appears to be airplane debris," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Woodall, spokesperson for the US Coast Guard District 7. It was spotted about 15 miles east of Eleuthera, Bahamas, by a helicopter crew. A rescue swimmer retrieved some materials to take ashore for identification. The MU-2B airplane departed Borinquen, Puerto Rico, at about 11:00 a.m. Monday and became overdue after failing to arrive in Titusville, Florida. Air Traffic Control in Miami reported losing radar and radio contact from an MU-2B about 37 miles east of Eleuthera at 2:10 p.m. Communication was reported lost at 24,000 feet with a speed of 300 knots, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard tweeted a photo of the missing plane. Missing woman specializes in fashion industry Blumin is founder and CEO of Skylight Group, which provides event space around New York City, specializing in the fashion industry, CNN affiliate TV station WABC in New York reported. Skylight Studios has designed sets for clients like Ralph Lauren and Kanye West. Blumin is known for transforming derelict old buildings into "dazzling event spaces," according to the New York Daily News. The company confirmed she and members of her family were on the plane in a statement. "Her family is working with investigators and we politely ask that you respect their privacy at this time," said Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Kelley, a Coast Guard spokesman. Man was listed as pilot WABC reported Ulrich was listed as the pilot, but it was not known who was flying it at the time, Kelly said. Blumin owned the plane through a consulting company, according to New York State and aviation records. Actress Rae Dawn Chong, of "The Color Purple" and "Commando," tweeted that she and Ulrich were previously married. Her tweet said, "My ex-hubby's (Nathan Ulrich) plane is missing over the Bermuda Triangle. I am sad and in shock. So send prayers to his family. Thanks." Ulrich is a co-founder of Xootr, a New York-based company that manufactures scooters and folding bicycles. He is also listed online as a technical director and race car designer for Radon Sport. http://www.wcvb.com/article/apparent-airplane-debris-found-off-coast-of-bahamas/9664009 *************** Date: 15-MAY-2017 Time: 02:00 p.m. Type: Mitsubishi MU-2B-40 Owner/operator: Ithaca Consulting Inc Registration: N220N C/n / msn: 450SA Fatalities: Fatalities: / Occupants: 4 Other fatalities: 0 Airplane damage: Aircraft missing Location: Atlantic Ocean east of the island of Eleuthera - Bahamas Phase: En route Nature: Private Departure airport: Rafael Hernandez (BQN/TJBQ) Destination airport: Space Coast Rgnl (KTIX) Narrative: The airplane is missing. Search operations are being conducted. https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=195420 Back to Top Flight diverted to Orlando airport after man swings pot of coffee at crew: report An Air Canada jet is shown landing at Orlando International Airport An Air Canada flight from Jamaica to Toronto made an emergency landing at Orlando International Airport on Monday night after a passenger swung a pot of coffee at the flight crew and tried to open a cabin door, WFTV-Ch. 9 reported. WFTV reports the incident started when Brandon Michael Courneyea started yelling at other passengers for "looking at him," according to a complaint. Courneyea went to the back of the plane, grabbed a pot of coffee and swung it at flight attendants, WFTV reported. "When confronted [by the flight attendant], Courneyea lunged for the rear cabin exit door and began to pull the door lever up to open the door. [He] then was restrained by crew members and fellow passengers on the aircraft," a complaint said Crew members and passengers restrained Courneyea and used zip ties to strap him to his seat, according to WFTV. After the flight landed, Courneyea was arrested by federal agents and is facing several charges, WFTV said. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-air-canada-incident-orlando-airport-20170517- story.html Back to Top Aviation Safety: Commission clears all airlines from Benin and Mozambique from EU Air Safety List All air carriers from Benin and Mozambique were removed from the EU Air Safety List, while four individual airlines, one each from Nigeria, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe, were added. Today the European Commission updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of non-European airlines that do not meet international safety standards, and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. The EU Air Safety List seeks to ensure the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is a top priority of the Aviation Strategy adopted by the Commission in December 2015. Following today's update, all airlines certified in Benin and Mozambique are cleared from the list, following further improvements to the aviation safety situation in these countries. On the other hand, the airlines Med-View (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe) were added to the list due to unaddressed safety deficiencies that were detected by the European Aviation Safety Agency during the assessment for a third country operator authorisation. Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: "I am glad that we are able to take all carriers from Benin and Mozambique out of the air safety list. Their reforms have paid off. This is also a signal to the 16 countries that remain on the list. It shows that work and cooperation pays off. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency are ready to assist them and raise the safety standards worldwide". The EU Air Safety List not only helps to maintain high levels of safety in the EU, but it also helps affected countries to improve their levels of safety, in order to eventually allow them to operate flights to and from airports in the European Union. In addition, the EU Air Safety List has become a major preventive tool, as it motivates countries with safety problems to act upon them before a ban under the EU Air Safety List would become necessary. Following today's update, a total of 181 airlines are banned from EU skies: 174 airlines certified in 16 states[1], due to a lack of safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these states. Seven individual airlines, based on safety concerns with regard to these airlines themselves: Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Iraqi Airways (Iraq) and Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Med-View Airlines (Nigeria), Mustique Airways (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Aviation Company Urga (Ukraine) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe). An additional six airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Afrijet and Nouvelle Air Affaires SN2AG (Gabon), Air Koryo (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), Air Service Comores (the Comoros), Iran Air (Iran) and TAAG Angola Airlines (Angola). The Commission is constantly looking at ways to improve air safety. One such way is to work with aviation authorities worldwide to raise global safety standards. With this in mind, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is therefore implementing technical cooperation projects with partner countries and regions. An example is the "Improving Air Transport in Central Africa" (ATA-AC) project, where EASA works with a number of African states on several aspects of aviation safety. Benin and Mozambique both benefitted from such cooperation projects, which contributed to address past safety deficiencies. More information on technical cooperation projects is available here. Background information Today's update of the Air Safety List is based on the unanimous opinion of the aviation safety experts from the Member States who met from 25 to 27 April within the EU Air Safety Committee (ASC). This Committee is chaired by the European Commission with the support of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The update equally got the support from the European Parliament's Transport Committee. Assessment is made against international safety standards, and notably the standards promulgated by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). For more information: List of airlines banned within the EU [1]Afghanistan, Angola (with the exception of one airline which operates under restrictions and conditions), Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon (with the exception of 2 airlines which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia (with the exception of 7 airlines), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Sudan. http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1277_en.htm Back to Top France to help Caan boost safety oversight (Nepal) The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan) has appointed the advisory arm of the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) to help strengthen Nepal's aviation safety oversight as safety concerns remain key challenges for the burgeoning airline industry. A team from the DGAC will work together in the areas of flight operations and airworthiness to increase Nepal's aviation industry competencies in accordance with international standards. "One of the experts joined Caan on May 5, and another is expected to join soon," said Rajan Pokhrel, deputy director general of Caan. "The DGAC had offered to support Caan in the area of safety, and we instantly accepted the proposal." Pokhrel said that an International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) team was slated to arrive in June to check the corrective measures taken by Nepal to address significant safety concerns (SSC) relating to operations and other aspects. "After the audit, we will definitely have new challenges to address the safety issues in a sustainable way. Hence, we decided to involve the French team to achieve a new level in aviation safety," said Pokhrel. Another reason for involving experts in regulatory functions is the ever-growing industry, he said. Aviation activities in Nepal have grown in leaps and bounds, but Caan has not been able to increase its capacity accordingly to oversee them. As per Caan, it will be reviewing the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with the DGAC in 1997 in the area of technical cooperation. In July 2013, an Icao mission visited Nepal to validate the corrective measures taken by the country to address the deficiencies pointed out by the global aviation watchdog in 2009. The mission carried out an on-site audit from July 10-16. Unsatisfied with Nepal's progress, the UN supervisory body had given the significant safety concern tag to Nepal's aviation sector in its audit report in August 2013. It had given a red flag on 'operations', among the eight critical elements of safety oversight, due to the large number of aircraft accidents and incidents between 2009 and 2012 when there were at least two passenger aircraft crashes annually. Nepal had performed poorly in effectively implementing air safety oversight systems, appearing way down among 46 Asian countries. The outcome of the audit had further consequences as the European Commission (EC) on December 5, 2013 put all Nepali carriers in its bad books for the worst record of air safety oversight. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-05-17/france-to-help-caan-boost-safety-oversight.html Back to Top Why Congress needs to pass aircraft certification reform BY REPS. SAM GRAVES (R-MO.) AND RICK NOLAN (D-MINN.), OPINION CONTRIBUTORS Wasting our nation's aviation leadership would be a terrible thing. U.S. ingenuity has led to significant improvements in flight and in safety that have changed the world forever. Congress has a simple choice in the next Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization: We can further aviation manufacturing by removing barriers to aircraft certification, or we can fail to act and allow America's aviation sector to fall behind the rest of the world. In our aviation system, the FAA plays an important role in certifying aircraft, engines and avionics, but if the process for certification is flawed, products are prevented from reaching the market in a timely fashion. This is especially true in the global aviation manufacturing industry, where competition is fierce. Simply put, an innovative product may lose out to its competition simply because its certification program is more efficient. But now we have a great opportunity to change that, removing these unnecessary roadblocks to a safer, more efficient aviation industry. The Government Accountability Office has reported that aviation industry stakeholders and experts have long raised questions about the efficiency of the FAA's certification and regulatory processes. Additionally, the FAA's Management Advisory Council has reported that certification and regulatory functions and reform continue to be a high priority for almost all aviation stakeholders. The problems persist, and industry demand for certification continues to grow. Without changes, new innovations and products will sit on the shelf as other nations surpass ours. General aviation has been and remains a critical economic engine for our country. It is an essential part of the national transportation system, and that is especially true in rural areas. A 2014 study performed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers shows the general aviation industry supports 1 million jobs, $219 billion in economic output and contributes $109 billion to U.S. gross domestic product. Additionally, civil aircraft manufacturing continues to be the top net exporter in our country and has an estimated $53.4 billion in positive impact on the trade balance for the U.S. These impressive economic numbers allow aviation manufacturing businesses to offer good-paying jobs to highly skilled employees. General aviation's widespread economic effect is felt in each state of our nation. These manufacturers produce and sell in America, but this is ultimately a global industry. In this decade alone, about 50 percent of new aircraft billings have been in exports. To sell an aircraft, engine or other equipment to a foreign company, that entity must accept the product and the FAA's certification, but U.S. manufacturers have faced delays in receiving product acceptance. The FAA can and must do a better job engaging with these other aviation authorities to explain the safety and design features of the aircraft to facilitate approval. Strong bipartisan support already exists for certification reforms. In the 114th Congress, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate each passed their version of an FAA reauthorization, with both including provisions to address these issues by driving certification and regulatory changes at the FAA, demanding more aggressive engagement by the FAA in foreign markets to expedite the validation of FAA certified products and safety standards, and facilitating the introduction of new safety innovations and other technologies. These critical reforms will be fundamental pieces of the FAA reauthorization process. We have become world leaders in aviation manufacturing because of great companies, a highly skilled workforce and a multifaceted export strategy. It is our belief that we can take full advantage of these considerable strengths through certification and regulatory reform. It will allow industry to bring new, safety-enhancing technologies to consumers and spur the development of aircraft and other aviation products more effectively. This would be a win for regulatory reform and one that would bring us strong economic and safety benefits. As discussions continue on addressing various critical aviation and transportation policies, we urge our colleagues to join us in support of reforms to the aircraft certification process. That will help us honor the legacy of past aviation innovators while laying the foundation for future growth and technological innovations. Graves represents the 6th District of Missouri, and Nolan represents the 8th District of Minnesota. Both representatives serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. The views expressed by this author are their own and are not the views of The Hill. http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/economy-budget/333547-why-congress-needs-to-pass-aircraft- certification-reform Back to Top IndiGo accused of poaching pilots with 'open offers'; airline denies charge * Alliance Air CEO CS Subbiah has alleged several of its senior officers have been approached with "open offers" * According to industry sources TruJet pilots have also been made "lucrative" offers * IndiGo has, however, rubbished the allegations NEW DELHI: Budget carrier IndiGo has allegedly made attempts to poach pilots and technical staff from airlines operating ATR aircraft after announcing plans to procure 50 turboprop planes with an aim to serve tier-2 and tier-3 cities. According to Alliance Air CEO CS Subbiah, several of its senior officers have been approached with "open offers" asking them to "quote a price". Those who were made the offers include head of three teams at the Alliance Air, an Air India subsidiary. According to industry sources TruJet pilots have also been made "lucrative" offers. IndiGo has, however, rubbished the allegations. "We haven't approached anyone yet," said IndiGo spokesperson Ajay Jasra. "Yes, there has been a spate of approaches to many of our technical staff, engineers and pilots, which is not a very ethical step for any carrier to take. They should enter the market on their own strength and not on the strengths of their competitors," Subbiah said. Last week, IndiGo had announced it will procure 50 ATR 72-600 planes 20 of which are likely to be inducted by December 2018. The carrier also hopes to launch its turboprop operation by December 2017. Alliance Air, too, has plans to expand its fleet in order to participate in the government's UDAN scheme that seeks to connect tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The airline plans to triple its fleet of 10 ATRs by the end of this fiscal. It has nearly 100 pilots in its team. The CEO of Alliance Air said attempts by IndiGo to poach its staff is a threat to PM Modi's regional connectivity scheme. "It has taken us more than three years to build a resource-based airline and we are progressing on that front because we are sure the regional connectivity will be a success. If by poaching from other carriers it (IndiGo) disrupts the whole regional connectivity scheme, then it needs to stop," Subbiah said. The CEO also added that regulatory authorities were seized of the matter. It takes nearly four months and costs approximately Rs 24-25 lakh per pilot for ATR-type rating training. With readily available trained pilots, IndiGo will save on both time and money needed to equip them and other technical staff with skills to operate the ATR planes. IndiGo so far has a single configuration fleet comprising A320s. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indigo-accused-of-poaching-pilots-with-open- offers-airline-denies-charge/articleshow/58705276.cms Back to Top Pilots to serve a year's notice (India) Critical skill: "Why should DGCA get itself involved in the HR policies of airlines?" ask unions that may oppose the move. Move follows airlines' request citing regional connectivity that may spur demand Domestic airline commanders may face difficulty in quitting their jobs as they may soon have to serve a notice period of one year, up from six months now, as per the latest rules proposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "It has been decided that pilots working in an air transport undertaking shall give a 'notice period' of at least one year in respect of commanders and six months in respect of co-pilots to the employer indicating his intention to leave the job," a draft rule issued by DGCA director general B.S. Bhullar said. The draft rules were approved by the Civil Aviation Ministry on May 12. The proposal follows a renewed request last month from older airlines that raised concerns of pilot poaching following the unveiling of the Centre's UDAN scheme for increasing regional air connectivity. "While the current CAR (which mandates a six months' notice period) has served well in the last few years, the unprecedented growth being experienced by the Indian aviation industry will certainly need a greater number of Captains than ever before," the Federation of Indian Airlines, which represents IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways and GoAir, said in a letter to Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey on April 19. "... the ambitious regional connectivity scheme of government of India will only further drive up the number of aircraft and the Captains to fly them," the FIA added. It said that "many Indian carriers have had to resort to hiring expensive expatriate Captains" due to the "critical demand-supply imbalance." In the letter, the airlines cautioned the government on the payroll cost of hiring foreign pilots being four times more than Indian pilots', ultimately leading to higher air fares "going against the UDAN philosophy." Indian airlines now employ about 378 foreign pilots due to a shortage of Indian commander pilots. Unions to oppose Air India pilot representatives' Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots' Guild, Jet Airways' pilot union National Aviators' Guild (NAG) along with Air Line Pilots' Association of India may issue a statement opposing the move. "The DGCA is taking action at the behest of only one or two private airlines that are facing a threat from foreign airlines," said a representative of one of these unions, requesting anonymity. "Why should DGCA get itself involved in the HR policies of airlines? We will strongly oppose it." http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/pilots-to-serve-a-years-notice/article18468096.ece Back to Top EasyJet Wants to Hire 450 Pilots But Will Have a Challenge Recruiting Them Skift Take EasyJet's growth plans hinge on having the requisite number of pilots to fly its aircraft. It will have to offer enticing packages to recruit the right people in an era of shortages. UK-based airline EasyJet is launching its largest pilot recruitment drive as it looks to push ahead with its fleet growth. The carrier wants 450 new candidates to fill positions ranging from cadets starting their career to experienced co-pilots and captains. While EasyJet is undoubtedly an attractive prospect, the airline will face considerable challenges. The Skift Daily newsletter puts you ahead of everyone about the future of travel, subscribe. The continued aviation boom, particularly in Asia, has meant increased competition and last year Boeing said there was a need for 617,000 new pilots between by 2035. EasyJet currently employs more than 3,000 pilots and last year the airline brought on board 426 new recruits. As part of its campaign, EasyJet is also hoping to boost the number of female pilots it employs through its Amy Johnson initiative. Women make up only three percent of airline pilots worldwide. EasyJet says that it currently has 164, representing 14 percent of the world's total. By 2020 EasyJet wants 20 percent of new entrant cadet pilots to be female. https://skift.com/2017/05/16/easyjet-wants-to-hire-450-pilots-but-will-have-a-challenge-recruiting-them/ Back to Top Accelerated pilot programs take flight to fill aviation industry gaps Private equity firm C&C Alpha Group is investing in expedited pilot training programs to fill the 248,000 commercial pilot seats across the Asia-Pacific region within the next two decades. "They cannot go down the traditional route, which takes a number of years; taking people from the military causes its own issues," Bhanu Choudhrie, C&C Alpha Group's founder, told CNBC's "Squawk Box." "So this is bringing in new students, young cadets who are aspiring - especially women cadets," he said of the new programs. According to Boeing's 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook, 617,000 more commercial pilots will be needed globally by 2035, with Asia Pacific leading that demand. Southeast Asia alone will require 57,000 pilots, which is second only to China's demand for 100,000 of them. The rise of the middle class in Southeast Asian economies, combined with their increased desire for travel has also driven the growth of low-cost carriers in the region - factors that have all lead to the strong push for more pilots. Saving time with flight simulator training Alpha Aviation Group was formed as a partnership between C&C Alpha Group and Singapore-based simulator solution provider Prescient Systems & Technologies. The group was an early adopter of the Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL) program introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization. "[MPL] allows for pilots to be trained in a much shorter period of time, doing more hours on the simulator than actual flying hours," Choudhrie explained. Cadets can complete the accelerated program within 18 to 21 months, according to the group. AAG has "graduated over 800 pilots in the last 11 years," Choudhrie said, and the group's website says its cadets have been placed with partner airlines such as Air Arabia, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, VietJet Air and Jet Airways. AAG just launched its new multi-million dollar Airbus A330 and A340 Full Flight Simulator at its training facility in Manila, the first of its kind in the Philippines, Choudhrie told CNBC. This is just the beginning of the revolution of the aviation industry, according to Choudhrie: "Technology has evolved over the last 10 years. And I think more and more, as we go along, we're going to see more and more technology playing an active role in pilot training, pilots' safety as well." http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/17/accelerated-pilot-programs-take-flight-to-fill-aviation-industry- gaps.html Back to Top Boeing Delivers First 737 Max to Lion Air Boeing Co. delivered the first 737 Max to the jetliner's largest customer, Lion Mentari Airlines PT, a step toward reaping a cash bounty from the best-selling aircraft in company history. The Tuesday hand-off to Lion's Malaysia affiliate, Malindo Airways, was only one day later than first scheduled after the U.S. planemaker quickly recovered from a possible engine manufacturing defect, which had grounded the fledgling Max fleet last week. Before that hiccup, the upgraded 737 had coasted through development and flight-testing months ahead of schedule -- a rarity in an industry where delays are the norm. The 737 and Airbus SE's A320 family are the sturdy workhorses for budget carriers worldwide, built to withstand multiple short flights a day. And thanks to manufacturing scale and processes honed over decades, they are the biggest profit generators for the planemakers, one reason why investors have closely watched the progress of the latest Boeing single-aisle jet so closely. The Max "is the most important program at Boeing both now and in the future," said George Ferguson, senior air transport analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. "It is the cash generator and they can't screw it up." Boeing is counting on smooth sailing for the 737 Max, the newest member of the jet family dating back about fifty years. That is essential if the Chicago-based company is to make good on the cash it has promised to return to investors as production slows for the 777, the second-largest source of profit, ahead of a transition to a new model. Net Orders The Max family had netted 3,714 orders through the end of April, with the bulk of sales coming from the midsize -8. That jet, the first to debut, promises 8 percent lower operating costs than Airbus's A320neo jets from upgrades that include new fuel-efficient engines and winglets. To convert that order backlog to cash, Boeing is in the process of speeding output at the Renton, Washington, factory where the jets are manufactured by 12 percent this year to a 47-jet monthly pace. Additional step-ups are planned for 2018 and 2019. More from Bloomberg.com: Mom-and-Pop Joints Are Trouncing America's Big Restaurant Chains If all goes to plan, current-generation 737 planes and the Max will generate about $25 billion in revenue this year, about 27 percent of the company total, according to Ferguson. He estimates Boeing will reap about $4 billion in operating profit from the single-aisle jets in 2017, 43 percent of its total. The manufacturer plans to roll out three other models in addition to the Max 8 headed to Malindo. And the company's salesforce is working to find customers for a possible stretched model, the Max 10, ahead of a possible debut in Paris next month. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/boeing-delivers-first-737-max-194350037.html Back to Top Build-a-Plane Needs Your Aircraft Help students and reduce your tax bill by donating a neglected airplane. Build-a-Plane has placed more than 300 airplanes with schools and youth aviation organizations around the country. Most airports around the country have at least one airplane that sits unused, its tires flat, paint fading and engine deteriorating. There are also many kit airplanes taking up space in hangars and garages. If you are the owner of one of these derelict airplanes, you can turn that asset into a double positive. By donating the airplane to Build-a-Plane, you can write off its value, saving money on your tax bill, while turning the airplane into a learning project for high school students. Build-a-Plane will match your airplane with a school or non-profit organization in your region that will make all the arrangements to move the airplane. Rather than sitting unused, it will serve as a learning tool and as an inspiration for students to pursue various aviation careers. There are several schools around the country currently looking for airplane projects from incomplete kits, to deteriorated airframes, to flyable airplanes. Whether the airplane will serve as a tool for budding aviation technicians to learn about sheet metal work, aerodynamics, or STEM-related topics, or be used for flight training, having an aircraft available as a teaching tool is invaluable. Build-a-Plane has placed more than 300 airplanes with schools and youth aviation organizations around the country. To learn more about how you can donate an aircraft, contact the organization here. http://www.flyingmag.com/build-plane-needs-your-aircraft Back to Top Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Nominations Invited The Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Foundation and Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) are accepting nominations for the 2017 Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award. Presented since 1956, the honor recognizes notable achievement in method, design, invention, study or other improvement in aviation safety. The award's recipient is selected for a "significant individual or group effort contributing to improving aviation safety, with emphasis on original contributions," and a "significant individual or group effort performed above and beyond normal responsibilities." www.ltbaward.com Nominations, which should include a one- to two-page narrative, can be submitted via the Laura Taber Barbour Foundation website. Nominations will be accepted through June 14. http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-05-11/laura-taber-barbour-air-safety- award-nominations-invited Back to Top Research Survey Dear Participants, You are being requested to participate in a research study on risk. This study is expected to take approximately 5 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and a pilot. Participation in this study is voluntary, and you may choose to opt out of the study at any time. If you choose to opt out before study completion, your data will be destroyed immediately. We appreciate your consideration and time to complete our study. Please click on or copy and paste the URL below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYQv1wQ7ti8p8uE6rjWsAsoTvRe23hvVCR4LSvJheUNMt72Q/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, please contact: Dr. Stephen Rice Stephen.rice2@erau.edu We appreciate your interest and participation! Dr. Stephen Rice, Associate Professor, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Back to Top Graduate Research Survey I am a pilot who is working on my master's degree at Embry-Riddle. To complete it I need to finish my research project. If you are a FAA Part 121 air carrier pilot will you please take five minutes to complete this survey. It only has six questions and you will be helping a fellow pilot. The survey asks four very basic questions about fatigue and sleep. This survey has no relationship with any airline or with this group. I will not know who took it, it is completely anonymous. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FXRXFZ7 Thank You Kevin Kilpatrick Curt Lewis