Flight Safety Information June 7, 2017 - No. 114 Incident: PSA CRJ7 near Norfolk on Jun 5th 2017, cracked windshield Incident: Pobeda B738 near Moscow on Jun 6th 2017, noise in the cabin 'Pilot error' blamed for wrong South Dakota airport landing FAA Releases Final NavWorx AD NBAA Calls for Focus on Aviation System Modernization, Not Privatization Honeywell shows off next generation in-flight technology in Dallas visit JetSuite launches aircraft management programme Civil aviation safety advances will support growth in African air travel IAF's first women fighter pilots set to fly Sukhoi-30s from September WILLIAMS TURBOFANS SELECTED FOR PROJECT CANADA JET Singapore Airlines CEO Reveals Job Cuts on the Horizon One map shows how much trouble Qatar Airways may be in SpaceX wins launch of US Air Force X-37B space plane DFW ISASI Meeting/Diner - June 15, 2017 [Live Webinar] Using an Integrated Management System to Improve Business Performance for Airlines Positions Available:...Fleet Standards A330 & B777 and...Training Manager - B737. Position Available: Assistant/Associate Professor - Tenure Track Faculty - Aviation Technology. Safeskies 2017 Conference Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award Nominations Invited Graduate Research Survey Request Research Survey Incident: PSA CRJ7 near Norfolk on Jun 5th 2017, cracked windshield A PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-700 on behalf of American Airlines, registration N710PS performing flight AA-5149 from Charlotte,NC to Newport News,VA (USA) with 77 people on board, was on approach to Newport News at about 2000 feet when the aircraft went around due to a cracked windshield. The crew decided to divert to Norfolk,VA (USA), located about 20nm southeast of Newport News, and landed the aircraft safely in Norfolk about 10 minutes later. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL5149/history/20170605/1555Z/KCLT/KPHF http://avherald.com/h?article=4a9fb0ca&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Pobeda B738 near Moscow on Jun 6th 2017, noise in the cabin A Pobeda Boeing 737-800, registration VQ-BTG performing flight DP-522 from Rostov to Saint Petersburg (Russia), was enroute at FL300 about 140nm south of Moscow's Vnukovo Airport when the crew decided to divert to Vnukovo Airport reporting unusual unidentifyable noise in the cabin. The aircraft landed safely on Vnukovo's runway 01 about 30 minutes later. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration VQ-BAW reached Saint Petersburg with a delay of about one hour. The occurrence aircraft resumed service after about 4.5 hours on the ground in Moscow. http://avherald.com/h?article=4a9fa86d&opt=0 Back to Top 'Pilot error' blamed for wrong South Dakota airport landing map of the flight path The flight landed about six miles prematurely Federal investigators are blaming pilot error for causing a Delta Air Lines flight carrying 129 people to land at the wrong airport in South Dakota. The flight from Minneapolis landed at the Ellsworth Air Force Base, about six miles (10km) from Rapid City. The US National Transportation Safety Board blamed Delta's two pilots for not using all the instruments at their disposal to determine their location. The plane was held for more than two hours before it could take off again. The incident happened last July but the NTSB report into it was released on Tuesday. According to officials, the two airports have runways that face the same direction - from northwest to southeast - which likely contributed to the error. The two Delta pilots had been suspended pending the inquiry. Delta "offered a gesture of apology for the inconvenience" to the passengers involved. A similar incident occurred in 2004 when another passenger plane landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40176462 Back to Top FAA Releases Final NavWorx AD The FAA on Tuesday published its final Airworthiness Directive for certain NavWorx ADS-B devices, and included lengthy responses to issues raised by AOPA, EAA and others. The final AD (PDF) requires owners to remove, disable or modify the ADS-B unit. Removing or disabling the ADS-B unit, or revising the software, will take about one work hour, for a total of $85 per aircraft, the FAA said. Coupling the ADS-B unit with an approved external GPS will take about four work hours, for a total of $340 per aircraft. The original proposed AD would have required the units to be removed before further flight, and offered no option to modify the unit. In its discussion of comments, the FAA said the unsafe condition in the units "relates to the potential for the NavWorx unit to incorrectly report its own position to other aircraft and to ATC, by 0.2 nautical miles (NM) or more, without providing an alert." The units therefore "mislead ATC and nearby aircraft by broadcasting a SIL [Source Integrity Level] of 3 that they have not been shown to meet." The AD action "addresses that potential unsafe condition," the FAA said. The FAA denied a request by some commenters, including EAA, that the AD should not apply to experimental aircraft. "The safety risks defined in this AD extend beyond one aircraft and could affect many other aircraft as well as ATC," the FAA said. "Therefore, we find it necessary to include experimental aircraft in the AD's applicability." Sean Elliott, EAA's vice president of advocacy and safety, told AVweb on Tuesday that his organization has "concerns" about the FAA's conclusions. "EAA supports the FAA's desire to alert owners of experimental aircraft to a potential condition of noncompliance and a true safety concern within the NAS," Elliot said in an email. "EAA still has concerns regarding the regulatory basis for use of an Airworthiness Directive (AD) towards an experimental product that is not based on a type design. We will be working with the FAA to better understand their basis for applying an AD in this situation and what recourse there might be for our members." The FAA has said that some NavWorx ADS600-B units may contain an internal GPS chip that does not meet the FAA's minimum performance standards for transmitting an aircraft's accurate location. NavWorx has not denied that there is a problem with the units, but claims the FAA caused the problem by changing its ADS-B technology, and then was uncooperative with the company in trying to find a solution. https://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Releases-Final-NavWorx-AD-229109-1.html Back to Top NBAA Calls for Focus on Aviation System Modernization, Not Privatization Washington, DC, June 5, 2017 - National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today issued the following statement in response to the administration's continuing calls for privatizing the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system. The president's renewed call for ATC privatization was included in a set of transportation-infrastructure spending "principles" advanced by the president today at the White House. "NBAA has worked for many years to promote technologies, policies and procedures that ensure America's aviation system remains the largest, best, safest and most diverse system in the world, Bolen said. "We are deeply concerned with the president's call for ATC privatization - a concept that has long been a goal of the big airlines. No one should confuse ATC modernization with ATC privatization - the two are very different concepts. "Unfortunately, the recent discussion about privatization is really about the airlines' push to gain more control over our air traffic control system, so that they can run it for their own benefit, and is a sideshow to a serious and constructive discussion about building on the progress currently underway on NextGen," Bolen said. "We are concerned that those left behind under ATC privatization would be the citizens, companies and communities that rely on general aviation for all manner of services.'' Proposals for privatizing ATC have been pushed by the airlines and their supporters as part of the continuing congressional debate over reauthorization of funding and programs for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The concept has raised concerns among members from both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate, mayors from across the country and a majority of Americans. Organizations on the political left and right of center have also raised concerns, including that the details for ATC privatization included in the president's most recent budget documents may increase the deficit. Aviation groups have also opposed the concept, and today, a host of aviation organizations sent a joint letter to the White House signaling continuing concerns over ATC privatization. Review the letter in its entirety. "NBAA continues to be focused on the goal of aviation-system modernization, and we will work with the Congress and administration to make that a reality," Bolen added. "At the same time, we will ensure that the business aviation community is vigilant and ready to mobilize on any legislative proposals that would distract or hinder progress on modernization." # # # Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 11,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12341024/nbaa-calls-for-focus-on-aviation-system-modernization-not- privatization Back to Top Honeywell shows off next generation in-flight technology in Dallas visit As travelers bring more and more connected devices aboard planes, airlines are racing to install the next generation of in-flight WiFi that promises speeds to rival your home internet. But the arrival of faster WiFi is just one part of a technology revolution that's poised to change aircraft from the cockpit to the brakes. Last week, Honeywell Aerospace, a leading manufacturer of avionics, engines and other aviation products, offered a glimpse of what that future might look like when it showed off its Boeing 757 test aircraft at Dallas' Love Field as part of a 26-city tour to visit clients and potential customers. Crammed with more electronics than seats, the demo aircraft is a mobile laboratory for technologies the company says will make the ride smoother and more enjoyable for passengers while improving operating efficiency for airlines. "The big vision is nose to tail (connectivity). Giving operators and passengers a safer, more productive and efficient experience," said Erica Brinker, Honeywell's senior director of connected aircraft. "What we say is 'anticipate the possibilities,' because we want to give people the ability to anticipate." Here's a look at three ways new technologies are changing flights: Streaming at 35,000 feet After more than a decade of relying on ground antennas to beam signals to aircraft, airlines and their technology partners are quickly moving toward satellite-based systems that promise significantly faster speeds offering the ability to stream movies and music in-flight. Both Fort Worth-based American Airlines and Dallas-based Southwest Airlines struck deals in 2016 to bring faster satellite-connectivity to larger portions of their fleets. Honeywell has struck deals with more than 20 airlines, although it hasn't disclosed which ones, for its JetWave technology that provides the hardware to receive signals from the satellite network operated by Inmarsat. During the company's Dallas demonstration, the system provided download speeds as fast as 30 megabits per second. In addition to faster speeds, Honeywell's technology also promises to minimize disruption to the flow of data by using a pair of antenna receivers to provide continuous coverage, even over open water, Brinker said. Smoother skies While pilots are always attentive to weather forecasts and the potential for turbulence, sharing that information has often been done by word of mouth as pilots communicate with each other and air traffic controllers. Honeywell is working to bring more of that information into the cockpit in a format that can be pulled up on a tablet, making it easily used by commercial airlines and corporate or general aviation fliers as well. With a few swipes through the app, a pilot can pull up live maps showing the weather conditions and where they're likely to encounter turbulence. The company is also working on software that optimizes flight plans to adjust the aircraft's position to minimize turbulence and maximize fuel efficiency. According to Honeywell, these technologies can help cut fuel costs as much as 5 percent, which translates into tens of millions of dollars for large airlines. Smarter maintenance The largest commercial aircraft sport tens of thousands of sensors that collectively generate hundreds of terabytes of data. Aerospace manufacturers are looking at new ways to capture that data and put it to use, with Honeywell identifying maintenance as one of the most promising areas. For now, the technology is focused on pulling maintenance records for a given airline or aircraft -- which often takes the form of a mound of paperwork -- into a single system that can be easily navigated on a tablet. It's also testing connected equipment like a new version of auxiliary power units that can alert ground crews if there's a problem, allowing more time to secure a replacement part if needed and cutting down on delays. As the amount of data captured from aircraft increases, it will open up new possibilities to better predict when parts will wear out and need maintenance. "The biggest piece is [that] you need to be able to understand the data," said Honeywell product marketing manager Nate Turner. "The benefit to operators is they can anticipate repairs or issues that come up and be proactive." https://www.dallasnews.com/business/airlines/2017/06/06/honeywell-shows-next-generation-flight-technology-dallas-visit Back to Top JetSuite launches aircraft management programme US operator JetSuite has launched an aircraft management programme, designed to bolster its product offering and expand the fleet of business jets available to its burgeoning ad hoc and members-only charter services. The Irvine, California-based company operates 12 Embraer entry-level Phenom 100s and eight Cessna Citation CJ3+ light business jets within its charter division, which includes its bespoke VIP membership programme, called SuiteKey. JetSuite also operates a fleet of 30-seat Embraer ERJ-135LR regional jets on its scheduled service, known as JetSuiteX. "Our Phenoms and CJs are in very high demand," says company vice-president sales and marketing Cameron Gowans. "Introducing a management programme will give us access to additional aircraft, without the financial outlay of whole ownership." JetSuite is focusing on Embraer types only, with Phenom 100s, 300s, Legacy 600s and 650s its preferred models. "Our aim is to become an all-Embraer fleet-operator. We will eventually move the CJ3s out of our line-up," says Gowans. The first Legacy 650 is scheduled to arrive this month, and will enter service shortly after. Gowans says the large-cabin aircraft will allow JetSuite customers to carry more passengers, and make transcontinental flights without having to refuel. "It also puts Hawaii and Europe within reach," he adds. The management programme is split into three tiers, each based on the amount of access that an owner has to their aircraft. RedStripe is targeted at those looking for occasional, yet pre-planned use, giving JetSuite primary use of the asset for its charter services. In exchange, JetSuite will cover all operational and maintenance costs, including crew salaries, training, insurance, management fees and maintenance, it says.GreyStripe is aimed at owner-operators and small corporate flight departments who are looking to earn revenue from their aircraft when they are not in use. WhiteStripe is for owners wanting a full management service, while retaining control over their aircraft's availability. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/jetsuite-launches-aircraft-management-programme-437997/ Back to Top Civil aviation safety advances will support growth in African air travel African civil aviation is said to be five to nine times riskier than the global average, making pledges of significant investment in regional air and ground safety a real contributor to the continent's attractiveness as a sought after travel and business destination. What's needed in the long run is co-ordinated investment in leading-edge technologies to enhance safety and cost efficiencies, which will do much to develop smaller airports which are important for the expansion of African business and tourism avers Bennie Langenhoven, managing executive of Tellumat Air Traffic Management (ATM). Promising developments include efforts to create a single upper airspace management capability in the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region. He urges African aviation stakeholders to keep an eye on global air transportation and air traffic management advances in the US's NextGen and EU's SESAR projects. These, Langenhoven maintains, would require modernisation of the air traffic control (ATC) communications infrastructure on the African continent. Additionally, installing remote air traffic control technology can provide a cost-effective improvement in ATC and safety at multiple airports while using fewer skilled air traffic controllers located at one control room. "An effective way of managing ATC operating costs over the medium to long term," he said. civil aviation safety "We also note innovations in technology segments such as energy-efficient LED airfield ground lighting (AGL) as well as advances in satellite-based navigation and solar power solutions for AGL installations." It's been 15 years since LED technology first found application in AGL. Since then, its longevity has been assured by energy efficiency, ease of maintenance, improved safety, lower environmental impact and cost-efficiency. "From an African perspective, the best LED solutions offer backward compatibility with traditional halogen lighting implementation, protecting airport investments while embracing the low cost of ownership of LED lighting technology. "Additionally, leading solutions feature intelligent designs, incorporating advances such as software-based manageability and dual-purpose powerline communications, which look to the future and embrace cost efficiencies. "Adding to advances in LED lighting in AGL applications, we've seen increasing use of solar energy in this technology area," he said. Harnessing earth's most abundant energy source - the sun - solar cells collect energy and convert it into usable electricity. But solar is an intermittent energy source, which limits its use at night. Breakthroughs in the use of rechargeable batteries for solar energy storage in GLS systems has roused interest and smart systems take specific geographic conditions such as minimum sunshine hours into consideration, ensuring solar AGL systems never run out of battery power. "Leading solar-powered AGL solutions further stand out for smart management of solar energy feeding into batteries - needed both for efficiency and to protect batteries from overcharging. This will stand African airports in good stead as they seek low-risk investments that won't break the bank and bring cutting-edge safety to smaller airports," Langenhoven said adding future technologies such as satellite-based navigation systems, which are gradually replacing ground-based systems are the other end of the scale. He is of the opinion remote control air traffic control towers (ATC), which replace on-site air traffic controllers using cameras and data communication links are also worth exploring. "Where operational budgets are lacking, an ATC tower configuration consisting of a central hub remotely managing multiple airfields, provides an African-suited solution for air traffic control. It has the potential to quickly improve air traffic safety in outlying areas, bringing more destinations into the fold of achieving the required safety standards necessary for airlines to permit the operation of scheduled flights to an airport. In turn, an increase in scheduled flights benefits local economies by creating improved regional access for business and tourism. "The latest technological advances are applicable to Africa's challenges around civil aviation safety, as well as its budget constraints and creaky technological legacy. It's not just a matter of meeting the needs of airports previously considered sub-economical, it has potential for regional air travel expansion, with knock-on economic benefits for African countries and the continent as a whole. "The continent's needs can best be met by providers with skills, experience and vendor relationships to satisfy the needs of civil and military airports. "The credentials most needed are strong OEM relationships for cutting-edge navigational aid systems, including radar, instrument landing systems (ILS), runway lights, precision approach systems, direction finders and weather observation systems. "No less critical are services, ranging from manufacturing to implementation, support and maintenance of cutting- edge, as well as legacy aviation equipment. "To meet Africa's needs for new installations, as well as maintenance and repair of legacy equipment, still prevalent in the region, providers need expertise in systems design, solution integration, installation, maintenance, obsolescence management and repairs," Langenhoven said. http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=48094&catid=114&Itemid=247 Back to Top IAF's first women fighter pilots set to fly Sukhoi-30s from September Sources said they are also likely to be stationed together after the last leg of their combat flying training ends in September IAF women Air force's first three women fighter pilots (from left) Mohana Singh, Avani Chaturvedi and Bhawana Kanth were commissioned as flying officers India's first female combat aircraft pilots are likely to fly the supersonic Sukhoi-30 jets after they complete the last leg of their training in September, Indian Air Force officials told Hindustan Times. The three women are currently training on British Hawk advanced jet trainers at an IAF facility at Kalaikunda in West Bengal. Bhawana Kanth, Mohana Singh and Avani Chaturvedi were commissioned as flying officers in the IAF last June. "There are varied options but we are working on plans to assign the women fighter pilots to fly Su-30 fighter planes initially. It's a new generation, twin-seater aircraft," a senior officer familiar with the plan said. The women volunteered for the fighter stream after the government ended a rigid gender-based combat exclusion policy in October 2015. The women are part of a batch of 40 flying officers training on Hawks at the Kalaikunda air force station. The batch was supposed to be assigned to fighter squadrons in June itself but the plan has been delayed by three months due to training backlog and weather-related issues. Such delays are not unusual. Former IAF chief Arup Raha, during whose tenure the fighter stream was thrown open to women, endorsed the plan to let the women begin with flying Su-30 fighter jets. "I would prefer that the women go to a Su-30 squadron. It's one of the most modern fighters in the IAF fleet and we also have the jets in large numbers. It's a frontline plane and the women will learn to handle the systems faster," Air Chief Marshal Raha (retd) told HT. He headed the IAF for three years before retiring on December 31, 2016. The IAF has contracted 272 Su-30 MKI fighter planes, out of which nearly 240 have been delivered. The remaining are likely to be inducted over the next three years. The women fighter pilots could be stationed together considering there are only three of them in the IAF. "In the initial stages, the pressure could be high. It's good to have company. They can learn from each other," Raha added. IAF sources said the performance of the women during their training matched that of their male colleagues. However, no female trainee has opted for the fighter stream after the three women. The IAF has advised women trainees to put off motherhood for at least four years after they are commissioned as fighter pilots so that their flying schedule is not disrupted. http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/iaf-s-first-women-fighter-pilots-set-to-fly-sukhoi-30s-from- september/story-UE2nsTELPGkSq7ztdLOPBO.html Back to Top WILLIAMS TURBOFANS SELECTED FOR PROJECT CANADA JET One Aviation, the company led by Alan Klapmeier that produces the Eclipse 550 and Eclipse SE jets and is developing the Kestrel single-engine turboprop, has selected Williams International FJ33-5A-12 turbofan engines to power its newest jet announced last year under the name Project Canada. New Eclipse model from ONE Aviation The company, the product of a 2015 merger between Eclipse Aviation and Kestrel Aircraft, announced the switch to the Williams engine from the Pratt and Whitney PW615 at the recent annual convention of the Eclipse Jet Owners and Pilots Association in Amelia Island, Florida. The aircraft, designated EA700, is an upgrade and 14-inch stretch of the Eclipse 500/550. It will hold more fuel in its wing that is lengthened by two-foot extensions on each side, will have more cabin volume, and will be equipped with Garmin G3000 avionics. Absent from the new jet will be the external wing tip tanks added to the Eclipse 500 during development in favor of upswept wing tips. The Williams medium-bypass FJ33-5A-12 engines, an FJ33 variant certified in 2016, are capable of producing up to 1,900 pounds of takeoff thrust, but will be de-rated for installation on the EA700 to just under 1,200 pounds, the company said, noting that the engine "will allow the aircraft to not only meet, but exceed the performance goals established for the project." Those goals include a maximum-cruise-speed range of more than 1,470 nautical miles with a 100-nautical-mile reserve, and a capability to climb direct to its maximum operating altitude of 43,000 feet msl. "Takeoff performance is also significantly improved enabling it to depart high altitude airports on hot days without offloading fuel or payload," One Aviation said. "I look forward to working with Williams and to all the possibilities the FJ33 brings to the 'Canada project,'" said Klapmeier. "The additional power and efficiency of the Williams engines will once again change our customers' view of personal jet performance." Williams International CEO Gregg Williams welcomed the selection of the engine for One Aviation's "exciting new offering," and credited the Williams team with "developing and certifying an engine that is making jet travel more affordable." https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/june/06/williams-turbofans-selected-for-project-canada-jet Back to Top Singapore Airlines CEO Reveals Job Cuts on the Horizon Singapore Airlines (C6L.SG) looks like it will follow in the footsteps of Hong Kong rival Cathay Pacific Airways (293.HK) and start slashing jobs. The Lion City-based airline has kicked off a review of its operations after posting a surprise quarterly loss last month. Like other carriers in Asia, Singapore Airlines is under pressure from budget airlines and rivals based in the Middle East, such as Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways. Cathay Pacific announced in May that it would initially cut 600 jobs in its own cost-cutting drive. Bloomberg reports that Singapore Airlines chief executive Goh Choon Phong revealed that job cuts were on the horizon during the International Air Transport Association's annual meeting in Mexico: Some jobs may become "irrelevant," while some workers may need new skills for different tasks, Goh said, adding it is too early to provide numbers. The review process that covers the carrier's fleet and network started more than six months ago, and Singapore Air has hired external advisers for help, he said. Singapore Airlines and its affiliates employed more than 24,000 workers as of the end of March. Shares in the carrier have added 3.5% this year. Cathay is up 16%. Separately, an analyst said this week that Singapore Airlines could stand to benefit from a major diplomatic rift in the Middle East. Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. cut off diplomatic ties with neighbor Qatar, including banning state-owned carrier Qatar Airways from their airspace. Corrine Png, an analyst at Crucial Perspective, says up to 1.5 million passengers travelling between the U.S. and Asia-Pacific could switch their flight plants as a result. "Singapore Airlines is likely to be the key beneficiary from this potential traffic diversion among the Asia Pacific carriers," she says. http://www.barrons.com/articles/singapore-airlines-ceo-reveals-job-cuts-on-the-horizon-1496804103 Back to Top One map shows how much trouble Qatar Airways may be in As Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates sever diplomatic relations with Qatar, the nations have also closed their airspace to their neighbor. The lack of access to Bahraini, Emirati, and Saudi airspace could have a devastating effect on Qatar Airways' operations. "Losing Saudi, Bahrain, and UAE airspace would effectively ground Qatar Airways," the CAPA Center for Aviation wrote in a report. That's because Qatar actually has very little airspace relative to the size of the country. "It is largely surrounded by Bahrain airspace (the Bahrain FIR), a slither on the south is managed by Saudi Arabia while the UAE is on the eastern border," CAPA said. While losing access to Saudi airspace would force Qatar Airways into the costly maneuver of rerouting its Africa- bound flights, losing access to Bahraini airspace could be catastrophic because the country almost encircles Qatar. That means, should the ban hold up, Qatar Airways flights would need to fly through airspace they are now barred from to reach their home base in Doha. Qatar Airspace Persian gulf air space map (Qatar airspace map.BI Graphics) Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to a request for comment on how it plans to overcome this challenge. While the countries are free to refuse landing rights, it is unclear whether Bahrain and the UAE can legally bar Qatar Airways from their airspace. The International Air Services Transit Agreement, of which Bahrain, the UAE, and Qatar are part of, says the countries can't legally shut off their airspace to fellow signatories. The countries, however, could exit the treaty or try to enforce the ban with the treaty in place. Saudi Arabia, however, is not an IASTA member country and can legally shut Qatar Airways out of its airspace. According to Flightradar24, Bahrain notified pilots that it would limit flights to and from Qatar by Qatari aircraft through its airspace to a single air route. This means even if Qatar Airways isn't grounded, it would be subject to heavy air-traffic congestion. Over the past two decades, Qatar Airways has grown to become one of the most influential international airlines in the world. In 2015, the consumer aviation website Skytrax named it the best airline in the world. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/one-map-shows-much-trouble-214911715.html Back to Top SpaceX wins launch of US Air Force X-37B space plane Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corp will fly its first mission for the U.S. Air Force in August when it launches the military's X-37B miniature spaceplane. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off on a supply mission to the International Space Station from historic launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, February 19, 2017. Elon Musk's Space Exploration Technologies will fly its first mission for the U.S. Air Force in August when it launches the military's X-37B miniature spaceplane, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said on Tuesday. Four previous X-37B missions were launched by United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rockets. "SpaceX will be sending the next Air Force payload up into space in August," Wilson said during webcast testimony before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee. She later specified that the payload would be one of the Air Force's two X-37B spaceplanes. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/06/spacex-launches-us-air-force-x-37b-space-plane.html Back to Top Back to Top Safety, Risk and Quality Management for Airlines: Using an Integrated Management System to Improve Business Performance Join us on Wednesday, June 14 - 2:00 PM ET Please make sure you adjust the time for your time zone. Safety, Risk, and Quality is a top priority among airlines. Now, more than ever, stakeholders are putting forth SMS, EHS and QMS initiatives that leverage common management frameworks like ISO. An Integrated Management System (IAMS) can provide a single information management solution to centralize data management and reporting. In this session, we will demonstrate EtQ Reliance and its ability to be a single solution for SMS, EHS, and QMS. EtQ will explore the technology considerations when implementing an IAMS for your business, how to integrate it with other business systems, and how to generate meaningful reports and dashboards. Speakers: Sean Salvas, HSEQ Product Manager, EtQ Tom Barlow, Pre-Sales Engineer, EtQ Can't attend, but still want a copy of the recording? Register anyway and we'll email it to you following the webinar. Register for the Webinar Now EtQ, Inc. is a complete Aviation Safety, Quality, and Environmental Health and Safety Management provider dedicated to delivering leading edge software solutions. EtQ is focused on emerging technologies and dedicating resources to assure that EtQ software maintains compatibility with industry leading standards and best-of-breed functionality. www.etq.com Back to Top Positions Available: * Fleet Standards A330 & B777 and * Training Manager - B737 Join an internationally recognised and respected brand - Have a direct impact on our standards and training programs and regulatory requirements Working within the Flight Training & Standards unit of Flight Operations, lead the management of Virgin Australia Operational Crew Standards & Training on our fleets in accordance with the latest regulatory requirements, including CAR (1998) 217 and Part 142 and company approved operations manuals. To be successful in this role you will have a passion for training and demonstrate strong leadership behaviours. Key responsibilities in this role are: * Assist the Flight Standards/Flight Training Manager with the management of the Virgin Australia check/training organisation * Management of the fleet specific area of the CAR 217 and Part 142 organisation * Within the privileges of any approvals held, train and / or conduct of competency checks of operational crews as required by Virgin Australia and regulatory requirements * Assist in the monitoring of crew activities and line operations to ensure crews are trained to, and operate to the required company standards of safety, technical competence and commercial awareness * Work with other Training & Standards managers on the development of training syllabi, material and tools. * Assist with the development, provision and standardisation of appropriate training material for operational crew to ensure they maintain recency and competency in accordance with any orders and instructions issued by CASA, or as required by the company operations manuals * Assist with the training, assessment, development and review of flight crew proficiency to enable: - The recommendation for command upgrade of first officers - Working with the fleet standards manager to recommend and train Training Captains, Check Captains & Training FOs. * Maintain line pilot and Training Captain proficiency * Undertake other flight operations duties as directed by the Head of Training & Standards. Deputise for the FSM/FTM, or other Fleet Training/Standards Managers as required * Regulatory Accountability: Support Head of Training & Standards in their responsibilities to CASA To be successful in this role you will have: * 5000 hours of flight time of high-capacity (airline) operations or equivalent * 3000 hours Pilot in Command on large jet aircraft * 3 years Check or Training experience in high capacity operations or equivalent * Experience of international and domestic/shorthaul operations on a similar aircraft type * Experience of working with regulatory authorities * Experience of authoring Airline Training Manuals * An understanding of electronic grade scoring & trending data * Previous experience of managing high performing, remote teams * Acceptable to CASA for holding the position APPLY HERE 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. Back to Top 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 Graduate Research Survey Request Dear Participants, I am writing to you in connection with my final thesis that is part of a masters degree Air Transport Management at City University London (School of Engineering and Mathematical Studies). The topic of the thesis is "Flight Crew Engagement". I am asking pilots to take part in a survey (10 minutes only). The general definition of engagement taken into account for this study evolves around the state of mind we have in our jobs as pilots; in other words, the amount of energy we feel we can put into, how dedicated we are to it and finally how much capacity we have to absorb and take into account all the different facets and frustrations of our day to day job. The way a company deals with staff in general (company DNA) and the pilot population in particular, influences (positive and negative) this engagement level and thus our daily lives and the company performance. The main aim of the study is to define engagement in the context of our job as pilots. The key results of this definition should clearly specify what drives pilots to be engaged. Where I understand that FRMS has to focus on sleep and work patterns; the energy that we as pilots can bring to the job, does not just depend on how much we sleep but also very much on our state of mind. Finally, the airline industry has been sub-marginal for the last 25 years and will remain so for the coming decades. The airlines that can ultimately survive will be the ones that can pull all of the business levers, instead of only one, such as only cost side improvements, only government subsidies or only cheap fuel. Flight Crew Engagement is something I am exploring in this thesis, which I hope will be of benefit to us all and give airlines another tool to holistically optimise the business model. For this study I am soliciting your help: validating assumptions and conclusions are an integral part of an academic study. This validation is done by means of a survey, determining exactly what the perceptions and engagement levels are of Pilots. This survey is completely anonymous (has been approved by the ethics commission of City University London) and confidential. Following is the link. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/pilotsengagementS Best regards, Hendrik van Griethuysen 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 Curt Lewis