Flight Safety Information June 1, 2017 - No. 110 Incident: Lufthansa CRJ9 near Frankfurt on May 30th 2017, instrument fault Incident: Malaysia A333 at Melbourne on May 31st 2017, possible hijack attempt Accident: Sriwijaya B733 at Manokwari on May 31st 2017, overran runway on landing Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i Runway Excursion (Indonesia) Vietnam Airlines may open direct flights to US next year How an Atlanta airport is using drones to help with runway maintenance Opinion A laptop ban on planes will make flying even more like going to prison Pratt & Whitney Certifies Engine for Embraer E-Jet E2 Aircraft with FAA With 1,080 aircraft orders, India to be 3rd largest buyer of passenger planes Ryanair seeking 'firepower' from extra aircraft Uganda: New Flight Management System to Boost Air Safety - CAA New Russian jet heralds carbon manufacturing shake-up Paul Allen just rolled out the world's largest airplane Position Available: Assistant/Associate Professor - Tenure Track Faculty - Aviation Technology. Safeskies 2017 Conference Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Nominations Invited Research Survey - 1 Research Survey - 2 Incident: Lufthansa CRJ9 near Frankfurt on May 30th 2017, instrument fault A Lufthansa Canadair CRJ-900, registration D-ACNU performing flight LH-1357 from Katowice (Poland) to Frankfurt/Main (Germany), was descending through about 5000 feet towards Frankfurt when the crew declared emergency due to an instrument fault. The aircraft continued the approach and landed safely about 7 minutes later. The occurrence aircraft resumed service the following morning after about 13 hours on the ground. At the time of the occurrence a massive thunderstorm front was moving across Europe. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a9b843b&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Malaysia A333 at Melbourne on May 31st 2017, possible hijack attempt averted by other passengers A Malaysia Airlines Airbus A330-300, registration 9M-MTI performing flight MH-128 from Melbourne,VI (Australia) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), was climbing out of Melbourne's runway 16 when the crew stopped the climb at about 6500 feet reporting a passenger had attempted to intrude the cockpit, the attempt was averted however. The crew decided to return to Melbourne and subsequently reported the passenger, claiming to have an explosive with him, had been overpowered by other passengers, the situation was under control. The aircraft returned to Melbourne for a safe overweight landing on runway 16 about 15 minutes after departure, vacated the runway and taxied to a remote apron where the aircraft is currently surrounded by emergency vehicles. Nobody left the aircraft until about 90 minutes after landing. Local police reported they are responding to an incident at Melbourne Airport without going into further details. The airline reported about 3 hours after landing: "MH128, which had departed Melbourne Airport at 11.11pm scheduled to arrive Kuala Lumpur at 5.28am on 1 June, made a turn back to Melbourne after the operating Captain was alerted by a cabin crew of a passenger attempting to enter the cockpit. Malaysia Airlines would like to stress that at no point was the aircraft 'hijacked'". The passenger was apprehended by security forces. The passengers have disembarked the aircraft in the meantime and have been taken to hotels. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a9b58fe&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Sriwijaya B733 at Manokwari on May 31st 2017, overran runway on landing, nose gear collapsed A Sriwijaya Boeing 737-300, registration PK-CJC performing flight SJ-570 from Sorong to Manokwari (Indonesia) with 146 passengers and 6 crew, landed on Manokwari's runway 35 in rain at about 09:10L (00:10Z) and overran the end of the runway coming to a stop with the nose gear collapsed about 30 meters past the end of the runway on soft ground. The occupants were evacuated. There were no injuries, the aircraft substained substantial damage. The airline reported the aircraft landed in heavy rain but was unable to stop before the end of the runway. The occurrence is being investigated by Indonesia's KNKT (NTSC). The airport was closed for about 9 hours until the aircraft was removed from the runway. Indonesia's Ministry of Transport reported the aircraft overran the end of the runway while landing in rain at 09:10L (00:10Z). The runway was wet due to the rain. The winds were calm, visibility was 6000 meters at the time of landing. The landing was normal, however, the aircraft skidded off the runway during roll out. No Metars are available, the local weather station reported about 10 minutes prior to the occurrence: winds from west at 2 knots, light rain, visibility 5000 meters, QNH 1012 hPa, temperature 26 degrees C, dew point 25 degrees C. Manokwari offers a runway 17/35 of 2000 meters/6560 feet length. PK-CJC in its final position (Photos: Codyanton): http://avherald.com/h?article=4a9b4bcf&opt=0 ****************** Status: Preliminary Date: Wednesday 31 May 2017 Time: 08:51 Type: Boeing 737-33A Operator: Sriwijaya Air Registration: PK-CJC C/n / msn: 24025/1556 First flight: 1988-05-17 (29 years ) Engines: 2 CFMI CFM56-3B1 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 6 Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 146 Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 152 Airplane damage: Unknown Location: Manokwari-Rendani Airport (MKW) ( Indonesia) Phase: Landing (LDG) Nature: Domestic Scheduled Passenger Departure airport: Sorong-Dominique Edward Osok Airport (SOQ/WAXX), Indonesia Destination airport: Manokwari-Rendani Airport (MKW/WAUU), Indonesia Flightnumber: SJ570 Narrative: Sriwijaya Air flight SJ570 suffered a runway excursion after landing at Manokwari Airport, Indonesia. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-300, operated on a flight from Makassar to Manokwari with an en route stop at Sorong, Indonesia. The accident happened on the second leg, when the aircraft landed on runway 35 at Manokwari Airport. It failed to stop on the 2000 m long asphalt runway and overran by about 20 meters. The nose landing gear apparently https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20170531-0 Back to Top Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i Runway Excursion (Indonesia) Status: Preliminary Date: Wednesday 31 May 2017 Time: 12:57 Type: Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i Operator: Balai Kalibrasi Fasilitas Penerbangan Registration: PK-CAQ C/n / msn: FL-953 First flight: 2014 Crew: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Passengers: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Total: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: Airplane damage: Substantial Location: Ambon-Pattimura Airport (AMQ) ( Indonesia) Phase: Landing (LDG) Nature: Unknown Departure airport: ? Destination airport: Ambon-Pattimura Airport (AMQ/WAPP), Indonesia Narrative: A Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i suffered a partial runway excursion at Ambon-Pattimura Airport. The aircraft came to rest at the side of the runway. The aircraft came to rest with the right hand main gear in the grass, off the right side of the runway. The nose gear had collapsed with the nose resting on the grass as well. Both propellers were damaged as a result of ground contact. The position in which the aircraft came to rest indicates that it landed on runway 04 and ran off the right side of the runway about 900 meters from the threshold. https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20170531-1 Back to Top Vietnam Airlines may open direct flights to US next year Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) are completing the necessary procedures to open a direct air route to the United States in 2018. Vietnam Airlines may open direct flights to US next year, vietnam economy, business news, vn news, vietnamnet bridge, english news, Vietnam news, news Vietnam, vietnamnet news, vn news, Vietnam net news, Vietnam latest news, Vietnam breaking news At the end of the second quarter of 2017, the delegation of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the US Department of Transportation will start working with CAAV. The delegation will support CAAV in reviewing the overall safety supervision capabilities of the Vietnamese state management agency in accordance with the regulations of the Aviation Safety Inspectorate of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). "We are ready for this technical evaluation. The review results will be an important foundation for the international aviation safety assessment (IASA) of FAA before granting Category 1 rating (CAT 1) in line with IASA standards to CAAV," said Lai Xuan Thanh, head of CAAV. By reaching CAT 1 with the aviation safety supervision system, VNA will be entitled to start direct flights to the US. Previously, with an aim to support this IASA-a prerequisite for VNA to open direct flights to the US-CAAV set up a project to strengthen the aviation safety supervision capacity with the financial aid of $0.56 million from the US Trade and Development Agency. The project, which was completed in March 2016, aims to focus on perfecting CAAV's vocational training on supervision and updating related regulations and legal documents as well as supporting the professional training of inspectors of Vietnamese regulatory agencies in accordance with FAA-standard safety supervision requirements, targeting to secure FAA's CAT1 approval. In preparation for the FAA review, Thanh said that the agency has made elaborate preparations over the years to improve its aviation safety monitoring capabilities. "The first and most important task was completing the regulations and legal documents related to safety supervision requirements. Next came establishing an aviation safety supervisory team that ensures both quantity and quality, as required by FAA," said Thanh. FAA also required CAAV to have at least two full-time supervisors (who are also pilots). "These supervisors have to fully comply with the procedures and supervision rules of the operation of aircrafts, ensuring all safety protocols," Thanh added. Vietnam Airlines preparation well underway Being the only airline in Vietnam with a fleet capable of flying directly to the US, VNA submitted a document to the US Department of Transportation requesting permission to operate direct flights in November 2016. In the five-year plan for the period 2016-2020, VNA has taken into account the opening of direct flights to the West Coast of the US, considering Los Angeles or San Francisco as potential destinations. The new generation A350 XWB and Boeing 787-9 planes will have one technical stop in Tokyo or Osaka. The aircrafts will be refueled there and take on food for passengers for about one hour, during which passengers will not need to leave the plane. However, reaching CAT 1 rating is a prerequisite for the US to consider approving the direct flights. "Based on FAA's CAT1 assessment, VNA will compile a plan to tap into the US market. We expect this to start by the end of 2018, " said Trinh Ngoc Thanh, executive vice president of VNA. The US is the largest aviation market in the world, prompting strong competition among various carriers to open flights here. According to statistics, there are about 24 airlines operating flights from Vietnam to the US through Noi Bai, Danang, and Tan Son Nhat airports. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/179554/vietnam-airlines-may-open-direct-flights-to-us-next-year.html Back to Top How an Atlanta airport is using drones to help with runway maintenance Jim Duguay and Katie Eleam pilot a drone over runway 27R at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It's just before noon on a sunny Friday morning, and air traffic controllers are in a bit of a rush to get planes airborne. One by one, jetliners fire up their engines and roar down runway 27R at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. The airport's longest runway is about to close to all traffic for maintenance. Well, almost all traffic. The whir of propellers sends a small, white drone into the heat haze above the runway, kicking off the second unmanned aircraft flight in a month at Hartsfield-Jackson. Federal regulations now allow drones in the congested airspace around major hubs like Los Angeles International Airport and LaGuardia Airport but only with the Federal Aviation Administration's permission. In Atlanta, drones are helping make maintenance operations more efficient. After hovering for a moment, the drone zipped back and forth across the pavement snapping pictures. Those will become computer models of the runway, which is slated for repairs. "This will allow us to 3-D map the runway and be able to see detailed cracks and be able to plan better for replacing the runways," said Chaim Van Prooyen, who is overseeing the project for Hartsfield-Jackson. A photo of runway 27R captured by drone. It's one of many engineers at Atlanta's airport will use as they plan repairs to the runway, which is crucial to Hartsfield-Jackson's operations. - Photo courtesy of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Normally, this work happens on foot. Teams armed with cameras walk the runways to assess wear and tear. That process can take up to five hours. Van Prooyen said a drone can finish in half that time, which has a big up side. "Keeping our runways open longer," he explained. "The more that we can have our airfield open for aircraft to land and take off, the more efficient that we can be and less impactful for the airspace." And that means fewer delays for passengers. On the side of the runway, Katie Eleam stood watching the drone intently, acting as a spotter for the flight. "You're drifting to the right a bit!" she called to her partner flying the drone. Eleam is an aviation planner for Michael Baker International, the company working with Hartsfield-Jackson on the project. It's her job to make sure nothing interfers with the drone's flight. "The airfield is so controlled that I'm not worried about other aircraft being in our area, so it's more about the wildlife," she said. Her team used a drone from Chinese manufacturer DJI. You can buy one for just a few thousand dollars. Jim Duguay served as the pilot for the day's flight. "It's a little intimidating at the world's busiest airport, for sure," he said. "But air traffic control has done a good job of moving all the traffic away, and it's a good, bright day to capture data." Katie Eleam acts as a spotter for pilot Jim Duguay, who has to fly the drone manually in the busy airspace around Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta International Airport. All this is relatively new. The Federal Aviation Administration recently approved drone use in the airspace around major U.S. airports. Jim Williams said that makes the Atlanta drone flight a pretty big deal. He works with unmanned aircraft for the consulting firm Dentons. "I think that going forward you'll see more of that as the FAA gets more comfortable with controlled drone operations in and around airports," he said. Tim Canoll is president of the Air Line Pilots Association and flies for Delta Air Lines. He said he welcomes more drones at airports. "This is the expansion of new technology to help our economy," he said. "So, overall it's a good thing." Canoll said drones will be better at spotting problems with runways and that will make flying safer. And their efficiency will mean more time in the sky for his pilots. "Now that's all said with the caveat that it has to be done in a safe manner," Canoll explained. "The FAA has worked hard to put mitigations in place for these commercial operations that make them safe." Still, Canoll said it might take airline passengers time to adapt. And inside Hartsfield-Jackson's south terminal, traveler Gail Walton said she'd be pretty concerned if she looked out of her airplane window and saw a drone. "I would probably wonder what it was doing out there; probably ring my call bell and ask one of the flight attendants what it was," she said. It's a question flight crews will likely hear more in the future. The FAA has already OK'd more than 500 commercial drone operations around the country's busiest airports. https://www.marketplace.org/2017/05/31/business/how-atlanta-airport-using-drones-help-with-runway-maintenance Back to Top Opinion A laptop ban on planes will make flying even more like going to prison Soon, you may have to pack away that laptop before boarding a flight in Europe bound for the U.S. (Anwar Amro / AFP/Getty Images) Carla Hall Just when you thought flying on commercial airliners couldn't get any more miserable, consider this: you may be banned from bringing your laptop computer onboard a flight from Europe to the U.S. Even your iPad or other tablet may be banned. Yes, you read that right - no electronic device to soothe your frayed nerves, no balm for the boredom of the hours-long flight, no distraction from the fact that you're sitting next to a guy eating a smelly banana. (I find banana eating so pungently offensive that I would ban that in confined public spaces. But I digress...) Officials of the Department of Homeland Security met Thursday morning with Senate leaders to discuss this proposal for electronic devices. An afternoon meeting with airline industry representatives was also on their schedule. The idea is to keep us safe from terrorists trying to smuggle explosives in electronic devices. This ban is already in effect on flights from eight Middle Eastern and African countries to the U.S. and Britain. You could still stow your devices in checked baggage. (Apparently, it's more difficult to remotely detonate a bomb in an electronic device in a cargo hold.) Where does data come from? The what, where, and how of data all covered in the 2017 Data... As AI and machine learning become hot topics beyond tech circles, the role of the data scientist is more crucial than ever. For our 2017 Data Scientist Report, we polled 200 data scientists across a variety of industries to learn how they spend their So, let's tally up the rules so far: no water bottles brought from home; no liquids more than 3 ounces in your carry-on; no shoes or belt going through security; hold your arms up in the body scanner. Soon, getting on a plane will be like going to prison. You'll be strip-searched and issued a terrorism-cleared orange jumpsuit to wear on the plane. (Hope you didn't care about keeping those clothes you wore to the airport.) In fact, being on a plane is already a little like prison - fights breaking out in the aisle, cops dragging people off, a flight crew member telling you if you don't get off the plane, authorities will put your kids in foster care. So if Department of Homeland Security officials (and, by the way, do they ever fly coach?) think airline passengers aren't ornery enough, try taking their laptops away. And this is not like the water bottle rule. You can ditch your water bottle before going through security and then buy another one near the gate. You can't buy another computer near the gate. (Actually, you probably can buy one out of those electronic device vending machines, but that's a pretty extravagant expense on your way to the already expensive flight.) Obviously, I support keeping us safe from terrorists. And, of course, you can bring magazines and books along to read on your flight. Still, before Homeland Security issues another edict to passengers, maybe they should issue one to those airline executives they're meeting with: for the sake of everyone's sanity, make your airplanes more comfortable to fly. http://www.latimes.com/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-airplane-flights-prison-20170511-story.html Back to Top Pratt & Whitney Certifies Engine for Embraer E-Jet E2 Aircraft with FAA WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Pratt & Whitney's PurePower® Geared Turbofan™ PW1900G engine received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The PW1900G engine powers the two largest aircraft in Embraer´s second generation of the E-Jets family of commercial aircraft. The E190-E2 took its first flight in May 2016 and the E195-E2's first flight was on March 29, 2017. "The FAA validation of the PW1900G engine type certificate is a key program milestone," said Chris Calio, president, Commercial Engines. "The engine provides 23,000 pounds of thrust and is currently powering five flight test vehicles with more than 900 hours of flight testing completed." The certification test program spanned nearly 18 months and included sea level as well as operability and performance testing among the rigorous protocol the engine underwent. The PW1900G engine, the fourth in the PurePower family to be certified, is scheduled to enter into customer service on the E190- E2 in 2018, with the 195-E2 scheduled to enter service in 2019. The E-Jet E2 program is one of two programs that Pratt & Whitney and Embraer are working together on. Pratt & Whitney is part of the collaboration which supplies the V2500-E5 engine for the Embraer KC-390, which is under certification campaign. Pratt & Whitney also supplies the auxiliary power unit for the E-Jet E2 program. The Pratt & Whitney PurePower engine family has more than 80 customers, for both announced and unannounced firm and option orders, from more than 30 countries. In-service performance of the PurePower engine family has demonstrated its ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, regulated emissions by 50 percent and noise foot print by 75 percent. Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. United Technologies Corp., based in Farmington, Connecticut, provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries. To learn more about UTC, visit the website at www.utc.com or follow the company on Twitter: @UTC. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pratt--whitney-certifies-engine-for-embraer-e-jet-e2-aircraft-with-faa- 300466263.html Back to Top With 1,080 aircraft orders, India to be 3rd largest buyer of passenger planes There are an estimated 480-odd aircraft in the country at present. MUMBAI: With over 1,000 aircraft set to be on order, India is poised to become the third-largest buyer of commercial passenger planes in the world, with only the US and China ahead of it. The aircraft order book of the Indian airline industry will soon touch 1,080, which would mean that for every aircraft in service, there will be 2.2 aircraft on order, said a report released by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA), a Sydney-based aviation think tank. There are an estimated 480-odd aircraft in the country at present. Currently, a total of 880 aircraft are on order, with most of the orders placed by low-cost carriers such as IndiGo and SpiceJet. In the coming weeks, full service carriers Jet Airways and Vistara are expected to add to the tally and take the total order placed by Indian carriers to a four-digit number. The 2.2 ratio would be the highest of any major aviation market in the world. But what should have the government and airport operators worried is that of the expected 1,080 aircraft, more than 700 are scheduled for delivery within the next decade, and 400 within the next five years. This excludes orders yet to be placed and equipment to be taken on lease. "In addition to the incumbent carriers, it is possible that India might see the entry of 1-2 new large start-ups, including Qatar Airways' proposed venture. Aircraft induction on this scale will require massive infrastructure development, skilled resources and aircraft financing at a pace that has not been seen before in India," said the CAPA report. The CAPA report pointed out that airport infrastructure challenges could constrain growth and lead to sub-optimal operations and network economics. "Parking bays and runway slots will become increasingly scarce over the next few years, especially at metro airports. Signs of congestion are already emerging at Mumbai, Chennai and Delhi and the situation will become more acute unless airports are able to construct 400 parking bays and enhance airside capacity within five years. Otherwise airlines will face challenges in implementing their base and network plans," the report said. In March, India became the third-largest domestic aviation market in the world, beating Japan. India's domestic air passenger traffic stood at 100 million in 2016 and was behind only the US (719 million) and China (436 million). In contrast, though, is the poor infrastructure growth. In the year ended March 31, 2017, Mumbai airport beat London's Gatwick to become the world's busiest airport with a single runway. Recommended By Colombia The other concern comes from safety risks the growth would bring about. "The projected industry growth rates will heighten safety risks due to the regulator being overstretched. Institutional strengthening of the DGCA is a national interest issue. If unaddressed, another downgrade by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration, US's civil aviation regulator) cannot be ruled out. India's regulator, the DGCA, will struggle to provide adequate regulatory oversight for the projected size of the market," said the report, adding that the DGCA is already under-resourced and short of expertise to meet current requirements, let alone future growth. "The increase in airprox incidents (when two aircraft are within 30 seconds of colliding with each other) in the last 12 months is a concern. In addition, it will be stretched by the entry of new operators and equipment as a result of the launch of the Regional Connectivity Scheme. If oversight capabilities are left unaddressed, another FAA downgrade to Category 2 is not out of the question," it warned. For airlines, the way ahead is turbulent, with pilot poaching set to become a serious challenge. The DGCA is likely to increase the notice period for pilots to exit from six to 12 months. The report zeroed in on low-cost carrier IndiGo, stating that the airline's insatiable demand for crew to support its rapidly expanding fleet, and its strong financial reserves which allow it to fund a hold pool of pilots, has it leading the way in poaching crew. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/india-set-to-become-third-largest-buyer-of-passenger- planes/articleshow/58937405.cms Back to Top Ryanair seeking 'firepower' from extra aircraft Ryanair is seeking two to three extra additional aircraft to give it "more firepower" as it seeks to take advantage of "various opportunities in the market" in Europe, finance chief Neil Sorahan has indicated. Speaking at a media briefing in London today, Sorahan said the budget carrier was in talks with Boeing to potentially order more aircraft "at the right price" and was also seeking to extend the leases on three aircraft in 2018 and 10 in 2019. Sorahan says these moves are intended to "make sure we have got the capacity" for a number of initiatives, including the setting-up of charter airline "Ryanair Sun" in Poland, and to provide "flexibility as we see more growth opportunities around Europe on the back of the restructuring that's going in places like Germany, in Italy, down in Portugal, Poland and elsewhere". Ryanair is receiving 50 new aircraft this year, but Sorahan says there will be a "slowdown in deliveries" ahead of the arrival of its first 737 Max aircraft in autumn 2019. With this in mind, the Dublin-headquartered airline is deferring the sale of some older aircraft in order to maintain a fleet of 585 aircraft. As the first Max orders arrive, aircraft sales will accelerate, he adds. Sorahan says Ryanair has little appetite to acquire aircraft from restructuring airlines such as Air Berlin or Alitalia, unless there was a "fire sale" of their assets, given that "we buy our aircraft for such a good price from Boeing". He says that while he expects Alitalia to "come out the other side" of its administration process, even if the Italian carrier's leased narrowbody fleet were to be returned to their lessors they would retain their value given demand in eastern Europe and Asia. Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that Ryanair has orders for 65 737-800s and 100 Max 8s on order, and has 563 aircraft currently in its inventory, excluding three Bombardier Learjet 45s. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ryanair-seeking-firepower-from-extra-aircraft-437713/ Back to Top Uganda: New Flight Management System to Boost Air Safety - CAA Entebbe Airport aerial view. Kampala - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has said the transition from aeronautical information service to aeronautical information management will ensure that there is enhancement of safety through reduction of human errors. Mr Michael Ndawula, the CAA board chairman, made the remarks while addressing journalists recently during the opening of the global Aeronautical information management conference in Kampala in which 61 countries too part. "The ultimate objective is for the aeronautical information service to provide information that can facilitate safe conduct of flights, the conference seeks to map better ways of aeronautical information service" he said. He said in the coming months Uganda, will undertake upgrade of the communication line from Aeronautical fixed telecommunication network to the more modern Air Traffic Services Message handling System to support transfer of more advanced data over the line. Works minister Monica Azuba Ntege, while addressing journalists said aeronautical services information is meant to ensure that all users of the airspace get sufficient and timely information on air navigation facilities and services for safe, secure and efficient flights. "While air transport is known to be the safest mode of transport, an unfortunate air calamity leads to loss of many lives and property compared to all other modes of transport," she said. Ms Azuba said at regional level, government is thinking of creating the East African Upper Flight Information Region. "Many regional blocs have implemented this and others are in talks to implement similar projects, the success of these projects will depend on the provision of quality and timely aeronautical information." In February 2015, the South Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, gave Uganda a grant of Shs27 billion towards modernisation of the airport. In the same month, government began a three phase upgrade and expansion of the airport to last from 2015 until 2035. The entire renovation budget is approximately $586 million. http://allafrica.com/stories/201706010038.html Back to Top New Russian jet heralds carbon manufacturing shake-up FILE PHOTO - An autoclave is displayed by California-based ASC Process Systems at the JEC World exhibition at Villepinte, outside Paris, France, March 16, 2017. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/File Photo Russia's new jetliner, which conducted its maiden flight on Sunday, may have a hard time challenging the sales duopoly of Boeing and Airbus, but it does point the way to radical changes in how they could be building jets in the future. The MS-21, a new single aisle airliner produced by Russia's United Aircraft Corporation, is the first passenger plane borne aloft by lightweight carbon-composite wings built without a costly pressurized oven called an autoclave. The manufacturing process provides a test for a technology already being assessed by Western rivals, who are looking for cheaper and faster ways to build some of their aircraft with composites, according to aerospace executives and suppliers. Even as it sets up the world's largest autoclaves to make wings for its giant 777X, Boeing is exploring alternatives for its "New Midsize Airplane" (NMA), in the middle of the market between its big wide-body jets and best-selling 737. "There's a good chance part of the NMA will be built without autoclaves," a person familiar with the project said. A Boeing spokesman said it was studying mid-market opportunities and declined further comment. Sources say Boeing's choice of technology for its two-aircraft NMA family will lay the foundation for the next generation of its money-spinning 737, expected to appear from 2030 and last well into the second half of the century. Boeing has not yet discussed this part of its strategy publicly, but industry sources said it may include a trio of jets seating 160 to 210 people and built using broadly the same production system as the one developed for the NMA. Both families of planes are likely to be built for 30 years and stay in service for another 20-30. So today's technology choices represent a colossal 75-year bet. Airbus too is monitoring the technology as it considers how to respond to Boeing's mid-market jet, CNN reported last month. Airbus has declined to comment on the report. PIVOTAL DECISION Composites have been used in aviation since the 1970s but achieved a breakthrough in the past decade as the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350 entered service, promising to save money on fuel by replacing most metal parts with lighter carbon. Those are long-haul jets, which means that the savings on fuel are worthwhile even though the planes are expensive to build. For short-haul planes that burn less fuel, like the NMA or future 737, it is more important to find cheaper ways to build them, and avoiding the need for autoclaves could help. Betting on technology that does not require an autoclave is a gamble also for composite suppliers like U.S.-based Hexcel (HXL.N), Solvay (SOLB.BR) of Belgium and Toray (3402.T) of Japan, whose share of aerospace manufacturing is growing. At a recent JEC composites fair in Paris, Hexcel and Solvay showcased out-of-autoclave prototype parts as they gear up to supply manufacturers on a bigger scale. "It's one of the big questions now in aerospace: how to produce out-of-autoclave on a large scale and at high speeds," said Henri Girardy, business development manager at Hexcel Composites, adding jetmakers would accept no cut in performance. Boeing's Dreamliner and the Airbus A350 are built from carbon fiber already impregnated with resin, called "prepreg", which is supplied to jetmakers, tailored by machines into plane parts and cured inside giant pressure-cooking autoclaves. Analysts say these parts cost around 30-40 percent more to produce than aluminum. Under the new technology, instead of using fiber that is pre-impregnated with resin, parts are made from a dry-fiber engineered textile which is placed in a mould and then infused with resin under a vacuum. The parts can then be cured in an oven without pressure, a process estimated to cost 25 percent more than metal. Ultimately, that gap needs to narrow significantly or disappear. Boatbuilders and windfarm makers have used this method for years. Secondary airplane parts have also been made that way. But although Canada's Bombardier partly used the technique for its CSeries, it was rare for flight-critical parts before the designers of the new Russian plane chose it for the wing. The MS-21 has yet to score large sales but has been able to catch onto the latest manufacturing wave at a time when Western giants are starting to think beyond their recently upgraded models to future designs. "This is an excellent technology demonstrator because it is on a real programme and a primary-structure part," said Frank Nickisch, global director of strategic projects at Solvay Composite Materials, which provided materials for the MS-21. He noted that the wings on the MS-21 are of comparable size to a Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Still, more needs to be done to bring down costs. And composite firms are not yet ready to support output at speeds planemakers have in mind. Industry sources say Boeing is expected to build 20-30 of its proposed mid-market planes a month, about twice the rate for the 787. Future 737 and A320 replacements are likely to be closer to the 60-80 mark. Nickisch said the proposed new Boeing middle-market aircraft would be a good test case for whether the industry can switch to a higher tempo using the widely expected composites. Yet tough planemaker targets on cost, performance and output require progress on three fronts: cheaper materials, wider automation and computer simulation to ensure new technology works first time, following widespread delays with new jet programmes. "Prepreg technology has been developing for 40 years, based on day-to-day knowledge. But to bring in a new process we need to be able to predict it first, with databanks," Girardy said. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-aerospace-composites-analysis-idUSKBN18P1X0 Back to Top Paul Allen just rolled out the world's largest airplane, and he is ready to take on the rocket makers. Huge twin-fuselage Stratolaunch plane leaves hangar for fuel tests Space launch company Stratolaunch Systems rolls its twin-fuselage plane out of its hangar for the first time to conduct fueling tests. (Reuters) The initial construction of the massive airplane Paul Allen has been quietly building in the California desert is complete, and the vehicle, which would be the world's largest airplane with a wingspan wider than Howard Hughes's Spruce Goose, was wheeled out of its hangar for the first time on Wednesday. Called Stratolaunch, the plane has some impressive stats: a wingspan of 385 feet, or longer than a football field, a height of 50 feet. Unfueled, it weighs 500,000 pounds. But it can carry 250,000 pounds of fuel, and its total weight can reach as high as 1.3 million pounds. But, really ... How big is it? It's so big that it has 28 wheels and six 747 jet engines. It's so big that it has 60 miles of wire coursing through it. It's so big that the county had to issue special construction permits just for the construction scaffolding. It's so big that to truly get a sense of it, you have to see it from a distance - like a mountain. But why is Allen, the co-founder of Microsoft and owner of the Seattle Seahawks, building such a massive plane? It's not to carry passengers, but rather rockets. The bigger the plane, the larger the rockets, or the greater the number. Allen's Stratolaunch company has partnered with Orbital ATK to "air launch" the Dulles-based company's Pegasus XL, a rocket capable of delivering small satellites, weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, to orbit. The rockets would be tethered to the belly of the giant plane, which would fly them aloft, and once at an altitude of 35,000 feet or so, the rockets would drop and "air launch" to space. "With airport-style operations and quick turnaround capabilities," the company said it believes "air launch" is a cheaper and more efficient way to get satellites into space than rockets that launch vertically and can be extraordinarily expensive. For Allen, it's all about LEO, or low Earth orbit. He, and others, such as Richard Branson's Virgin Orbit, are betting that they can reduce the cost of launching small satellites to space. And that, in turn, will lead to new ways to beam the Internet all across the globe, provide better Earth sensing capabilities, better communication, and open up all sorts of avenues. "When such access to space is routine, innovation will accelerate in ways beyond what we can currently imagine," Allen said in a statement a year ago. "That's the thing about new platforms: When they become easily available, convenient and affordable, they attract and enable other visionaries and entrepreneurs to realize more new concepts." More than a decade ago, Allen had hoped to spark a revolution in space travel when he funded SpaceShipOne, which became the first commercial vehicle to cross the threshold of space. The project ultimately won the Ansari X Prize, and a $10 million award. He then licensed the technology to Branson and moved on to other pursuits. But with Stratolaunch, he is back in the space business. "Thirty years ago, the PC revolution put computing power into the hands of millions and unlocked incalculable human potential," he wrote. "Twenty years ago, the advent of the Web and the subsequent proliferation of smartphones combined to enable billions of people to surmount the traditional limitations of geography and commerce. Today, expanding access to LEO holds similar revolutionary potential." In a statement Wednesday, Jean Floyd, Stratolauch's chief executive, said the company would be "actively exploring a broad spectrum of launch vehicles that will enable us to provide more flexibility to customers." He added: "Over the coming weeks and months, we'll be actively conducting ground and flight line testing at the Mojave Air and Space Port. This is a first-of-its-kind aircraft, so we're going to be diligent throughout testing and continue to prioritize the safety of our pilots, crew and staff. Stratolaunch is on track to perform its first launch demonstration as early as 2019." https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/05/31/paul-allen-just-rolled-out-the-worlds-largest-airplane-and- he-ready-to-take-on-the-rocket-makers/?utm_term=.bd5868013ace Back to Top Assistant/Associate Professor - Tenure Track Faculty - Aviation Technology Position: Tenure-Track Assistant/Associate Professor in Aviation Technology; Starting date: August 2017 Qualifications: Master's degree in any of the following: Aviation, Business, Education, Engineering, or aviation management related discipline. Must have a minimum of 18 graduate hours in aviation related courses. Three years aviation industry experience. Completion of an appropriate doctorate degree will be required within 5-years. Responsibilities: Teaching undergraduate courses and assuming a leadership role in the management of the department's Aviation Technology degree programs. Other responsibilities include serving on University committees, curriculum development, academic advisement and performing appropriate scholarly research and professional service within the guidelines of the University. Salary: Commensurate with qualifications The University: Indiana State University enrolls approximately 14,000 students in six colleges/schools. Please visit the University homepage at http://www.indstate.edu for details. Department: The Aviation Technology Department in a part of the College of Technology and currently offers the following BS degrees: Professional Aviation Flight Technology, Aviation Management, and Unmanned Systems. Application: Attach a letter of application, cover letter, vitae/resume, and your B.S. and Master's transcripts to the online application at http://jobs.indstate.edu/postings/16411. For full consideration, applications must be submitted by June 15, 2017. The position will remain open until on-campus interviews have been scheduled. If you have questions please contact Dr. Richard Baker, Chair, Faculty Search Committee, Department of Aviation, Indiana State University, Terre Haute IN 47809. richard.baker@indstate.edu; (812)237-2641 Indiana State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All are encouraged to apply including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. Safeskies 2017 Conference The thirteenth biennial Safeskies aviation safety conference, Safeskies 2017, will be held from October 3 to 5, at the National Convention Centre, Canberra, Australia. Visit www.SafeskiesAustralia.org for details of program and registration. 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 - 1 Dear Participants, You are being requested to participate in a research study of your opinions on the implementation of controlled rest in position to combat fatigue. This study is expected to take approximately 8 minutes of your time. In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years old and currently employed as a professional 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, your data will be destroyed. 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/1FAIpQLSdJLP5j2hu6WNBxMnrsWEFvJwc2Aqp1EHZXduM1dPwS5IezXQ/viewform?usp=sf_link For more information, please contact: Dr. Scott R. Winter scott.winter@mac.com We appreciate your interest and participation! Back to Top Research Survey - 2 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 Curt Lewis