Flight Safety Information June 22, 2017 - No. 125 Incident: PIA A320 near Karachi on Jun 19th 2017, cracked windshield Incident: Etihad B789 at Zurich on Jun 18th 2017, flaps problem Incident: Canada B773 near Frankfurt on Jun 15th 2017, smell of smoke in cabin EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection F-16 Jet Catches Fire at Houston Airport; Pilot Ejects Airbus launches new fixed and deployable flight recorders Portugal starts study on near miss incidents involving drones Flight safety 'degraded' by contaminated air International body trains NCAA inspectors on certification (Nigeria) Kenya's aviation industry supports 620,000 jobs Fly me to the world: Aviation innovates for a sustainable future Five airlines want you to fly supersonic again Japan looks to US to partner on used aircraft resale Drone Pilots Are Buying Russian Software to Hack Their Way Past DJI's No Fly Zone GE is working on a massive 3D printer for jet engine parts Airbus imagines a faster helicopter with wings Airbus concedes defeat to Boeing in Paris order race Aviation management degree program launches For its next trick, SpaceX will launch two rockets in 48 hours from opposite sides of the US Aviation Management Services (Cayman) Ltd. announces its IS-BAO Auditor Reaccreditation IOSA Auditor Training (IAT) Course BOWTIE RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP...July 18 - 19, 2017 Position Available:...Operations Manager Flight Data Connect Graduate Research Survey Request Incident: PIA A320 near Karachi on Jun 19th 2017, cracked windshield A PIA Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A320-200, registration AP-BLS performing flight PK-204 from Dubai (United Arab Emirates) to Lahore (Pakistan), was enroute at FL370 about 190nm north of Karachi (Pakistan) when the crew descended the aircraft to FL290, then turned south to divert to Karachi. The aircraft landed safely on Karachi's runway 25L about 50 minutes after leaving FL370. The airline's press office reported the aircraft diverted to Karachi due to weather conditions in Lahore. Ground observers reported the aircraft landed with a cracked windshield. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Karachi about 58 hours after landing. On Jun 21st 2017 The Aviation Herald learned (while trying to clarify the conflict between airline press statement and ground observers), that the aircraft indeed suffered a cracked windshield, the repairs take longer than normal due to present weather conditions in order to permit the windshield sealant to set in and avoid bubbles. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aaa3556&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Etihad B789 at Zurich on Jun 18th 2017, flaps problem An Etihad Boeing 787-900, registration A6-BLD performing flight EY-73 from Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) to Zurich (Switzerland), was on approach to Zurich's runway 34 when the crew aborted the approach reporting problems with the flaps. The aircraft climbed back to 6000 feet and entered a hold for about 10 minutes while working the checklists and prepare for landing at a higher speed than normal, the aircraft positioned for another approach to runway 34 and landed safely at a higher than normal speed (about 192 knots over ground). The aircraft taxied to the apron. The aircraft was unable to depart for the return flight, the return flight was cancelled. The occurrence aircraft remained on the ground in Zurich for about 88 hours, then departed for a positioning flight back to Abu Dhabi. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aaa2f63&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Canada B773 near Frankfurt on Jun 15th 2017, smell of smoke in cabin An Air Canada Boeing 777-300, registration C-FNNU performing flight AC-891 from Rome Fiumicino (Italy) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 329 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 120nm south of Frankfurt/Main (Germany) when the crew decided to divert to Frankfurt reporting smell of smoke in the cabin. The aircraft performed a safe overweight landing on Frankfurt's runway 25L about 30 minutes later. The aircraft remained on the ground for about 2 hours, then continued the journey and reached Toronto with a delay of 2.5 hours. The Canadian TSB reported the aircraft was in the early stages of cruise flight when a smell of smoke was noted in the cabin. The crew diverted to Frankfurt for an uneventful overweight landing at 285,000 kg. The operator is conducting an internal investigation. http://avherald.com/h?article=4aaa1d93&opt=0 Back to Top Back to Top F-16 Jet Catches Fire at Houston Airport; Pilot Ejects HOUSTON - Officials say an F-16 fighter jet caught fire while attempting to take off at Ellington Airport in Houston and the pilot ejected. The Houston Fire Department said in a statement that crews were dispatched to assist with a "downed plane" late Wednesday morning. The statement says the F-16 was on fire on the ground after the pilot ejected. An F-16 under direction of #NORAD crashed @ Ellington Airport approx 9:30MDT. Pilot safely ejected & is being evaluated by medical personnel The pilot was transported to a hospital. The city of Houston said in a statement that the pilot is said to have minor injuries. The accident occurred at Ellington Airport, which is home to a Texas Air National Guard base. Airport spokesman Bill Begley says the incident happened as the jet was taking off. Witness Mitch Ivey was driving by and recorded the incident. He told NBC affiliate KPRC in Houston: "The jet that was basically fixing to take off, about halfway through he cut his engine off and coasted while the big fireball and smoke plume was going on." The aircraft was armed and the base was evacuated as a precaution, according to KPRC. A statement released by the City of Houston confirmed that the base was evacuated. "The pilot ejected and was taken to the hospital by military transport," the statement added. "The pilot is said to have minor injuries. The evacuation covers a 4000 square foot radius from the crash site and will last for the next 6 hours." There was no danger to residents, according to the statement. Further details weren't immediately available Wednesday. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/f-16-jet-catches-fire-houston-airport-pilot-ejects-n775186 Back to Top Airbus launches new fixed and deployable flight recorders Airbus announced that it is to implement new fixed and deployable flight recorders on its passenger aircraft in collaboration with L3 Technologies. The new devices will come in two versions: a fixed crash-protected Cockpit Voice and Data Recorder (CVDR), capable of recording up to 25 hours of voice and flight data on a single recorder; and an Automatic Deployable Flight Recorder (ADFR). This new CVDR will be lighter, more compact, and will provide new capabilities compared with current generation of recorders, including versatile interfaces. The new CVDR answers the EASA and ICAO requirement to extend the duration of voice recording to 25 hours. The current requirement calls for a duration of two hours of voice recording. Two of these new CVDRs would be fitted on the shorter-range A320 airliners. This will greatly increase the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery. The other version of the new recording system - the ADFR - is aimed at longer range aircraft, with extended flight time over water or remote areas, such as the Airbus A321LR, A330, A350 XWB and A380. The ADFR will add a new capability to commercial airliners: the ability to be deployed automatically in case of significant structural deformation or water submersion. Designed to float, the crash-protected memory module containing up to 25 hours of recorded cockpit voice and flight data will be equipped with an integrated Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) to help rescue teams to rapidly locate and recover flight recorders. The deployable ADFR will be installed in the rear of the fuselage, while a fixed CVDR will be installed near the front of the aircraft - thus greatly increasing the redundancy for both voice and flight data recovery, compared with today's systems. The ADFR unit together with its mechanical ejection system will be designed and manufactured by Leonardo DRS and integrated by L3 in partnership with Airbus cross-programme Engineering. The new recording systems will be available in 2019 initially on the A350 XWB, with subsequent deployment on all other Airbus aircraft types. https://news.aviation-safety.net/2017/06/22/airbus-launches-new-fixed-deployable-flight-recorders/ Back to Top Portugal starts study on near miss incidents involving drones The Portuguese Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft Accidents and Rail Accidents (GPIAAF) announced that they will initiate a study relating to the operation of drones in the country's airspace. Reason for the study is the amount of near miss incidents between drones and aircraft in the country. The study will addres the following aspects: 1. Characterization of the history of incidents in Portugal involving the proximity of drones to manned aircraft; 2. Characterization of drones and applicable legislation; 3. Operational practices in the air and on land when sighting a drone in a restricted area; 4. Dissemination and training programs for drone users; 5. Perception of key stakeholders as to the adequacy and effectiveness of legislation and regulation; 6. Review of international practices and experiences in this area; 7. Review of recommendations issued by research organizations; 8. Possible preparation of recommendations for prevention of this type of occurrences. https://news.aviation-safety.net/2017/06/20/portugal-starts-study-near-miss-incidents-involving-drones/ Back to Top Flight safety 'degraded' by contaminated air From the section Tayside and Central Scotland These are external links and will open in a new window Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Messenger Share this with Email Share Some aircrew reported dizziness, as well as breathing and vision problems Flight safety could be "degraded" because pilots are breathing contaminated air, a study has warned. Researchers at the University of Stirling said there was a "clear link" between being exposed to the air on planes and a variety of health issues. Aircrew who took part in the research reported headaches and dizziness as well as breathing and vision problems. The air on planes can become contaminated by engine oil and other aircraft fluids. Unfiltered breathing air is supplied to aeroplane cabins via the engine compressor. Stirling University said the study, published in the World Health Organisation journal Public Health Panorama, was the first of its kind to look in-depth at the health of aircrew who are suspected of exposure to contaminated air during their careers. Scientists examined the health of more than 200 aircrew with a "clear pattern" of acute and chronic symptoms. Frequent fliers could also be affected by the exposure to contaminated air on planes Dr Susan Michaelis, from the university's occupational and environmental health research group, said: "This research provides very significant findings relevant to all aircraft workers and passengers globally. "There is a clear cause-and-effect relationship linking health effects to a design feature that allows the aircraft air supply to become contaminated by engine oils and other fluids in normal flight. "This is a clear occupational and public health issue with direct flight-safety consequences." The researchers conducted two independent surveys to review the circumstances and symptoms of crew working in aircraft. The symptoms were then confirmed using medical diagnoses. One test looked at pilots' health and showed 88% were aware of exposure to aircraft-contaminated air. Almost 65% reported specific health effects, while 13% had died or experienced chronic ill health. Prof Vyvyan Howard, from the University of Ulster, said the effects could also apply to frequent fliers, though to a lesser extent. "We know from a large body of toxicological scientific evidence that such an exposure pattern can cause harm and, in my opinion, explains why aircrew are more susceptible than average to associated illness," he said. However, exposure to this complex mixture should be avoided also for passengers, susceptible individuals and the unborn." http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-40327434 Back to Top International body trains NCAA inspectors on certification (Nigeria) Twenty Aviation Safety Inspectors (ASI) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have successfully completed the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) endorsed Government Safety Inspectors (GSI) Airworthiness Course. The Government Safety Inspectors (GSI) Airworthiness course is to ensure airworthiness Inspectors develop additional proficiency in the processes and procedures of certifying an applicant for Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The course which covered the five phases of the certification process and the airworthiness inspector's role in each phase was held at the NCAA Training Centre at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. According to the image maker for the regulatory body, Sam Adurogboye, because Nigeria is a signatory to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, it is expedient for NCAA to implement the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Eight Critical Elements on safety. "Therefore, this course is part of the cardinal efforts of the regulatory authority to establish, implement and sustain an effective safety oversight system in the aviation industry in Nigeria." This 14 - day, one hundred and twenty (120) academic hours course was delivered in modules. Part One of the course covered the AMO's Certification and it consist of eight (8) modules. "Part Two covered AOC's certification and contains eleven (11) modules.Each part covered the five phases of certification which are as follows- Pre-Application,Formal Application,Document Evaluation,Demonstration/Inspection and Certification phases. Each module commences with a traditional lecture, covering the concepts and procedures for each Inspectors' task within each certification phase." The course was concluded with a mastery test which provided the trainees with an opportunity to apply what they learnt under simulated conditions. The regulatory body therefore promised to continuously embark on human capacity building through effective professional development and relevant training. http://tribuneonlineng.com/international-body-trains-ncaa-inspectors-certification/ Back to Top Kenya's aviation industry supports 620,000 jobs The Kenyan aviation industry supports up to 620,000 direct and indirect jobs including employment in the tourism sector, a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has concluded. The aviation industry contributed nearly Sh330 billion ($3.2 billion) to Kenya's economy, or 5.1 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the IATA report. The findings are among highlights of the Importance of Air Transport to Kenya study which was conducted by Oxford Economics on behalf of IATA. "The study confirms the vital role that air transport plays in facilitating more than $10 billion in exports, some $4.4 billion in foreign direct investment and around $800,000 in inbound leisure and business tourism for Kenya," said Muhammad Albakri, IATA's regional vice president for the Middle East and Africa. "However, by adopting policies that ensure a competitive operating environment for the airlines, Kenya could reap even greater dividends from aviation," he added. According to executives surveyed by the World Economic Forum, Kenya's transport infrastructure quality score places the country sixth out of 37 African countries surveyed and 78th globally. Kenya was ranked 31st out of the 37 African countries for cost competitiveness in the air transport industry, based on air ticket taxes, airport charges and Value Added Tax. On visa openness, Kenya was ranked 10th out of the 37 African countries which were in the survey. Around 130,000 aircraft land and take off from one of Kenya's five main airports every year. The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is the key gateway and handled more than 5.8 million passengers in 2014. "While Kenya's air transport infrastructure ranks highly among African states, it is important that heavy fees, taxes and charges do not hold aviation back," Mr Albakri said. "We are very encouraged by the news that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has embarked on a study to review Airport charges downwards." Mr Albakri who is soon making his first visit to Africa in his new capacity, also expected to visit Kenya. During his visit to Nairobi, the IATA official will be meeting with key industry stakeholders including officials from the government, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, KAA and the African Airlines Association. http://www.myjoyonline.com/business/2017/June-21st/kenyas-aviation-industry-supports-620000-jobs.php Back to Top Fly me to the world: Aviation innovates for a sustainable future About 10 million people around the world fly on commercial airplanes every day to conduct business, visit friends and family, study and discover new places and people. Airplanes also carry one-third of global trade by value. Commercial aviation, which supported nearly 12 million European jobs and contributed €707 billion to EU GDP in 2014, is the physical worldwide web that connects us and is an essential part of modern life. Our actions are good for our customers, employees and the planet. Simply put, they're the right things to do. As we embark on our second century of innovation, Boeing remains committed to leading the aerospace industry into an environmentally progressive and sustainable future. From fostering commercialization of biofuel to developing electric airplanes and advocating for global aviation policies, we work with numerous partners on a variety of efforts. Our actions are good for our customers, employees and the planet. Simply put, they're the right things to do. Efficiency at all altitudes Boeing's newest commercial airplanes, such as the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX, are 70 percent more fuel-efficient and 90 percent quieter than the first jetliners that flew in the 1960s. The 737 MAX is as efficient as a hybrid electric car (in terms of equivalent liters of fuel used per 100 passenger kilometers). Our imperative to improve the efficiency of air travel doesn't stop when airplanes roll out of the factory. We offer a variety of services that use data analytics and real-time information to help airlines optimize flight planning, which reduces fuel consumption, emissions and noise. Additional services and tools help improve flight and maintenance operations. We also equip our airplanes with technologies, including satellite-based navigation, to take advantage of modernized air traffic control systems. In collaboration with the industry, we're helping to bring those systems into use on the Single European Sky (SES), the FAA's Next Generation Transportation System (NextGen) and other initiatives. Boeing's ecoDemonstrator program flight tests technologies to improve airplane performance and environmental efficiency. A new biofuel tested on this 757 is pending approval and could meet more than 1 percent of global aviation demand | via Boeing In Norway, we're working with Norwegian Air International, Scandinavian Airlines and airport authorities on a recently deployed GPS-based landing system at Oslo Airport. By using technology on the airplane coupled with new equipment on the ground, pilots are testing more precise, shorter approaches that save 180 to 360 kilograms of fuel every time a Boeing 737 flies one of the new routes. We also strive to be a good neighbor by improving communities around the world. In Europe, we invest in programs that educate the next generation about the necessary skills to enter the aviation industry, as well as the vital importance of respecting, protecting and designing around our natural environment. For example, volunteers from Berlin called "Environmental Detectives," take schoolchildren, especially from disadvantaged neighborhoods, on excursions to learn about the natural world and importance of the ecosystem (details on other programmes). Fuel of the future Boeing has been a leader in collaborating with partners on six continents over the past decade to foster the development of sustainable aviation fuel. Scientific studies have shown that biofuel - made from waste cooking oil and animal fat, purpose-grown sustainable crops and other sources - reduces life cycle emissions by up to 80 percent compared to fossil fuel. Along with continued airplane efficiency improvements, biofuel represents a significant, untapped opportunity to meet aviation's carbon emission-reduction goals and spur regional economic growth. Biofuel represents a significant, untapped opportunity to meet aviation's carbon emission-reduction goals and spur regional economic growth. Among the projects we support is an effort with Virgin Atlantic and LanzaTech, which has produced an ethanol-based biofuel made from steel mill waste industrial gases. We're also working with Renewable Energy Group, Finland's Neste Corp. and others to gain approval of renewable diesel, a sustainable fuel widely used in ground transportation. Performance of the fuel, which will be known as HEFA+ when approved for aviation, was verified on our ecoDemonstrator program's 757 and 787 flight-test airplanes. With annual production capacity exceeding 3.8 billion liters, HEFA+ could meet more than 1 percent of global aviation demand at a price that's competitive with fossil-based fuel. Global collaboration The air transport industry, including Boeing, continuously collaborates on policies to help ensure that aviation remains the safest mode of mass transportation and grows sustainably. The world witnessed two major milestones last year when the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency, adopted two complementary carbon emission-reduction measures. This unprecedented global collaboration will represent more than 90 percent of international aviation activity when fully implemented. Firstly, all new aircraft must meet ICAO's new global CO2 standards as they're implemented over the coming years. Secondly, airlines flying between 70 nations will participate in a carbon offset and reduction program, known as CORSIA. This unprecedented global collaboration will represent more than 90 percent of international aviation activity when fully implemented. Boeing's centennial in 2016 marked 100 years of innovation that helped transform aviation and the world. Humans progressed from riding on horses to flying on airplanes and spaceships - including a multinational partnership to create the International Space Station. We're proud of the role we've played in this momentous journey and are committed to doing our part to make the next century another giant leap for mankind. http://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/fly-me-to-the-world-aviation-innovates-for-a-sustainable-future/ Back to Top Five airlines want you to fly supersonic again boom aerospace supersonic xb-1 The list of airlines that want to bring back supersonic travel is growing. Boom Aerospace, an ambitious aerospace start-up, says it has convinced five airlines to buy into its vision for developing a airliner that flies faster than the speed of sound. Blake Scholl, founder and chief executive of Denver-based Boom, said during a presentation at the Paris Air Show Tuesday that the five carriers have reserved their spots for 76 of Boom's successor to the Concorde. That aircraft was taken out of service in 2003 after 27 years of commercial flights at more than twice the speed of sound. With a planned speed of 2.2 times the speed of sound or 1,451 mph, the project's lofty goals include sharply cutting flight time: New York to Paris to three and a half hours, San Francisco to Tokyo in less than five and a half hours and Los Angeles to Sydney in just seven hours. Only one airline interested in Boom, so far, has made itself known. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways in 2016 has an option to take the first 10 aircraft the company builds. Scholl won't say who the four unidentified "world airlines" are. He promised the individual carriers would identify themselves at a later point to explain how a new generation of supersonic travel fit in their business. "The airlines that are placing reservations with Boom now are putting real money against them, not small amounts, significant amounts of cash," he said during a presentation at the Paris Air Show. Two-steps to supersonic flying Boom is advancing on a two-stage process to revive supersonic commercial air travel. Its first step is to develop a small aircraft called the XB-1 "Baby Boom" to validate many of the technologies for flying at Mach 2.2. Boom will first need to prove these work if it is to go forward with a full-size 45 to 55-seat airliner. That small two-seat model begins assembly this year and flies late in 2018, Scholl said. Scholl said that computer simulations have significantly sped up its initial process of finding the the right design of the full-size Boom jet. "We've tested about a 1,000 design variations...most of them aren't very good," Scholl said. "But we've had a few that are." To date, the company has raised $41 million, which Scholl said will get the XB-1 airborne for the first time. But Boom is going to need considerably more capital to turn its initial airborne technology trials into a full-fledged commercial aircraft program. Japan, Russia and China have all offered significant state support as part of the development of new homegrown airliners. The barriers for a new commercial aviation start-up, especially a private one, are enormous. "I think healthy skepticism is only fair," Scholl said. "This is not a simple project." http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/20/news/boom-supersonic-airliner-paris-announcement/index.html Back to Top Japan looks to US to partner on used aircraft resale LE BOURGET, France - As part of Japan's strategy to expand defense exports, it's looking to the United States to take part in a cooperation for the resale of used aircraft to Southeast Asia. The prospect follows initial success from Japan's decision to lease TC-90 aircraft to the Philippines to conduct maritime patrols, which were reportedly used during the recent battle against Islamic State militants. Overseeing that program was Takahiro Yoshida, director of the Aircraft Project Management division in the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency at the Japanese Ministry of Defense, who estimated eight visits to the Philippines in the process. "We want to further explore opportunities for providing used aircraft to ASEAN countries with package support. I cannot name the exact countries, but we have a dialogue with several and want to explore possibilities of trilateral cooperation with the U.S., Japan and ASEAN countries," Yoshida said in an exclusive interview with Defense News at Paris Air Show. "TC-90s are gone - already sold. So we're now exploring other components from used helicopters and other used aircraft." (ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is an international organization made up of regional countries meant for community-building.) That is one of many strategies to build a defense manufacturing market, perhaps outshined by the current state of Japan's fighter program. Yoshida said Japan is "having discussions with many countries" as the time quickly approaches for deciding how it will replace the F-2 fighters: through an international buy, an indigenous development,or jointly partnering with other countries. Japan's F-2s are going to retire after the mid-2030s. The country plans to decide by next summer how it will proceed for replacing the fleet. And China is factoring into the decision. "Of course we understand China is very active in development of the next fighter, and we always want to be beyond Chinese technology; we want technology superiority over China always," Yoshida told Defense News. This concept of defense manufacturing for export is relatively new for Japan, which has long been restricted in research and development to the United States. That policy was eased recently, allowing the country to explore more opportunities for international partnership. "Policies are decided by politicians, not us," he said. "But in Japan, the government as a whole, we want to expand our exports and overseas transfer." On display in Paris was the P-1, a maritime patrol aircraft that entered service as a replacement for the P-3C Orion. "The P-3 has sensor technologies, so we need to be careful of exporting the aircraft," Yoshida said. "The conditions of providing the P-1s [are that] the country has good technology that we can jointly modify for the aircraft, the information security is carefully ensured and it's a partner country for Japan." http://www.defensenews.com/articles/japan-looks-to-us-to-partner-on-used-aircraft-resale Back to Top Drone Pilots Are Buying Russian Software to Hack Their Way Past DJI's No Fly Zones It's an arms race. Should drone owners be able to fly their drones wherever and however they want to? This is the question increasingly asked by the consumer drone community as drone giant DJI tightens flying restrictions on its customers. The debate is one with property rights at its core. And in the never-ending cat and mouse game of DJI drone pilots trying to escape constraints like geofences in the vicinity of airports-no fly zones implemented by over-the-air updates straight to the drone's GPS -some pilots are now paying hundreds of dollars to evade DJI's watch. Enter Coptersafe, a drone modification business that jailbreaks drones. "It is very good that DJI makes a lot of effort about safety," a Coptersafe spokesperson told Motherboard, "but I think that limitations should be set according to local laws." Coptersafe.com, a small, online business based out of Russia, sells drone modifications-in both hardware and software form-for a range of DJI's products. Physical modification circuits, like this one for the popular Phantom 4 drone, allow pilots to trick their drone's GPS software into permitting flights inside DJI's no fly zones. Other mods are downloaded over the internet to a user's drone, like this software mod for DJI's Mavic Pro, which also permits no fly zone flying. Coptersafe also sells mods that claim to unshackle DJI's drones from altitude restrictions and speed limits. "In a world where code is law, those who can change the code stand to make a pretty penny," While pilots can officially request special exemptions from DJI's geofences, or even turn off GPS functionality altogether with some of DJI's drones, the one-stop shop provided by Coptersafe allows pilots to jailbreak their drones without losing features GPS software provides, like Return to Home. The mods also allow for pilots to operate in absolute no fly zones, areas that even opting out of DJI's GEO geofencing software would restrict-like directly over a runway. "In a world where code is law, those who can change the code stand to make a pretty penny," pointed out one drone pilot on a drone-focused Facebook group. The Coptersafe spokesperson spoke highly of DJI, and told me that geofencing is very important, but said he believes DJI's restrictions aren't conforming with local law. He said that the idea for Coptersafe was created because his aerial video company faced problems filming because of DJI's geofences, despite being authorized to fly by local administrations. For many, this jailbreaking is the logical next step in what some consumers see as an infringement of property rights, and Coptersafe is already causing a stir in online drone forums, where DJI pilots are right now attempting to crowdsource cash to test the legitimacy of Coptersafe's wares. Drone hacker and industry commentator Kevin Finisterre told Motherboard that the website and its products are very real, though. He's even ordered from there himself. "I can tell you it is 100 percent legit," Finisterre said, before pointing out that there are in fact several other ways to bypass DJI's no fly zones. "There are much simpler ways to get at it than they are all trying, but I won't be piping up and telling the whole group," he said. "Everyone wants an easy tool they can just click on, or pay for." The spokesperson for Coptersafe also claimed that their products are real. "Yes, we get very good feedback from our customers," he said. "They are very happy because our mods allow [them] to use the product they bought from DJI as they want." It's not hard to defend DJI's geofences and criticize those who wish to fly against them. They aid in preventing terrorist organizations from murdering people; they help stop idiotic drone pilots endangering the lives of hundreds of airline passengers; and they help regulate what's becoming an increasingly congested airspace that poses a threat to everybody underneath it. But the spokesperson's comment, for many pilots, hits the nail on the head: Coptersafe's mods allow pilots to use the product they paid for exactly how they want to use it. There is always going to be a small minority of drone pilots causing problems, and the debate of ownership and that of what a customer can do with their purchased product is a murky one-for drone pilots don't want to be tarred with the same brush. And drone pilots who do jailbreak their drones aren't necessarily planning to fly dangerously either; there are no fly zones in places where safe flying is possible. For DJI, increasing pressure to regulate will undoubtedly bring more geofences, as the FAA and governments around the world demand stricter rules for drone flights. As for Coptersafe's mods, DJI had tough words. "DJI strongly discourages any attempt to defeat our safety systems, which are advisory and intended to facilitate compliance and safe operations by the average responsible person," Christian Struwe, head of European public policy at DJI, told Motherboard in an email. "Disabling such features may inadvertently disable others and cause unpredictable behaviour." https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/drone-pilots-are-buying-russian-software-to-hack-their-way-past-djis- no-fly-zones Back to Top GE is working on a massive 3D printer for jet engine parts 3D printing is coming of age in numerous ways. On a large scale, MIT researchers built a 50-foot-wide, 12-foot tall igloo in just 13 hours. They've also debuted the first completely 3D-printed rocket engine. On a much smaller level, our own Sean Buckley printed a little d-pad for his Nintendo Switch, while medical researchers have produced a 3D- printed patch that can heal scarred heart tissue. Now we're seeing this technology coming to the industrial world with a new laser-powered metal 3D printer from GE. GE Additive is a new business under the larger GE umbrella. It is developing what it calls "the world's largest laser- powered 3D printer" to create parts that fit within one cubic meter cubic of space. "The machine will 3D print aviation parts suitable for making jet engine structural components and parts for single-aisle aircraft," said GE Additive's Mohammad Ehteshami in a statement. "It will also be applicable for manufacturers in the automotive, power, and oil and gas industries." Additive printers fuse fine layers of powdered metal with a laser beam to print objects. The new process could make complex parts like jet engine components easier and less costly to make than traditional casting and welding techniques. GE Aviation is already printing fuel nozzles for jet engines that will be found in Airbus, Boeing and narrow-body jets. GE has a prototype large-scale metal prnter, called ATLAS, that can print 2D objects up to 1 meter long, but the new one will extend that to a third dimension. Beta versions of the new printer should be ready by the end of this year, according to Ehteshami, with a production version slated for 2018. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/ge-working-massive-3d-printer-214100253.html Back to Top Airbus imagines a faster helicopter with wings Airbus has showed off a new helicopter concept at the Paris Airshow that could give operators everything they want: speed, versatility and economy. The Racer (rapid and cost-effective rotorcraft) features a main rotor like a regular helicopter, but uses pusher propellers to accelerate it forward and a new "box-wing" system for extra lift. As a result, it'll power along at up to 400 km/h (250 mph) while being able to take off on a dime like a regular chopper. The Racer is based on Airbus Helicopters' X3 prototype helicopter, which set a helicopter speed record at 255 knots in level flight in 2013. Like that model, it uses the main rotor for STOL take-off capabilities, but once the propellers start pushing forward, the main rotor slows down and the box wings take on some of the lifting chores. As such, it works a bit like a hybrid gyrocopter, though such aircraft use unpowered main rotors and powered pusher props. It will improve on the X3 in a few areas. It uses a single shaft (with a gearbox) and twin-engine Safran RTM322 engines, making it easier to maintain. The concept also moves the propellers behind the wings, isolating passengers from noise and vibration -- an idea it patented back in 2014. To further reduce noise and increase speeds, Airbus replaced the rear tail rotor with a simple tail wing. Anti-torque for the main rotor will instead come from the counter-rotating propellers, or "lateral rotors," as Airbus calls them. The aim is to offer 50 percent more speed than a normal helicopter, with just 25 percent more cost, saving operators over 20 percent per mile, per passenger. Regular helicopters can normally fly up to around just 160 mph, because at cruising speeds, the advancing main rotor blades have a much higher relative speed than the retreating ones. As a result, the retreating blades can approach a "stalled," non-flying condition if the speed is too high, while the advancing blades can be buffeted by shock waves as they hit near-supersonic speeds. The Airbus X3 and Racer get around this by decreasing the main rotor RPM by around 15 percent at high cruising speeds. The pusher props over the thrusting chores, while the wings can handle as much as 80 percent of the lift, helping the next-gen copters fly faster and more economically. "It will pave the way for new time-sensitive services for 2030 and beyond, setting new benchmarks for high-speed helicopter transportation," said Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury in a statement. https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airbus-imagines-faster-helicopter-wings-132500231.html Back to Top Airbus concedes defeat to Boeing in Paris order race PARIS (Reuters) - Airbus (AIR.PA) conceded defeat to arch-rival Boeing (BA.N) at the Paris Airshow on Thursday as a last-minute haul of almost 100 orders, including new interest from Iran, failed to close a gap opened up by the launch of Boeing's new 737 model. The European planemaker said it had won 326 net new orders and commitments against its estimate of the comparable Boeing tally of 443, excluding conversions from other models to support the launch of its new Boeing 737 MAX 10. Based on firm new orders, Airbus said it was a tie. "Is this a slower show than previous years? Yes, it is. Are we conceding that Boeing sold a few more airplanes than we did? Yes," said Airbus sales chief John Leahy. Leahy said he had expected the new Boeing plane to make more of a splash. "The only negative thing I would see is that we had expected they would have had a bigger launch on the 737 MAX 10, not quite as many conversions, more incremental orders." https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/airbus-concedes-defeat-boeing-paris-092803283.html Back to Top Aviation management degree program launches BECKLEY, W.Va. - The West Virginia University Institute of Technology and FlightSafety International will launch the first class of their joint Bachelor of Science in aviation management degree program in August. The new degree leverages strengths from two training institutions to deliver what proposes to be an optimal way to jump-start a career for prospective pilots and aviation professionals. Students take advantage of WVU Tech's business, management, aviation and general-education curriculum, delivered online. Concurrently, students enter FlightSafety Academy's professional pilot-training program in Vero Beach, Fla., with the ability to become certified in single and multiengine airplanes as commercial pilots. Prospective candidates, who already hold pilot certificates, can join the program and receive credit for those qualifications, provided they meet certain conditions. The program offers experience to students, with the opportunity upon graduation to work as an instructor at FlightSafety Academy. That lets them build the necessary 1,500 hours of flight experience now required by most airlines to get hired. Participants in the program also will have access to FlightSafety's airline transport pilot certification training program, as conducted at the company's learning centers around the United States. For details, go to admissions.wvutech.edu/academics/majors/aviation-management or call 304-929-0311. Back to Top For its next trick, SpaceX will launch two rockets in 48 hours from opposite sides of the US SpaceX rockets on the pad at Kennedy Space Center (L) and Vandenberg Air Force Base. Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX has a busy weekend ahead, with two launches on opposite sides of the US scheduled for June 23 and June 25. If successful, the two missions-the eighth and ninth Falcon 9 launches of 2017-will show off SpaceX's ability to launch more frequently than its competitors and allow it to win more multimillion-dollar launch contracts. SpaceX is on track to launch more rockets than its competitors in a calendar year for the first time ever. Another important demonstration will be of SpaceX's ability to reuse rocket boosters that have already flown, making launches cheaper and accessible to more clients. One of the launches will be only the second time a previously-flown commercial rocket booster has been reused. The other will use a brand-new rocket. But in both cases, the company aims to land the boosters on autonomous sea-going platforms for future reuse. Two launches in 48 hours by the same operator is a rare occurrence. The last such feat was in March 2008 by one of SpaceX's chief competitors, United Launch Alliance, which flew an Atlas rocket and a Delta rocket. But ULA is a joint venture of two aerospace companies, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, that had previously launched those rockets independently. To do the same as a single company, SpaceX has invested in separate launch teams at Cape Canaveral in Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Each is complete with its own launch director, technicians, and recovery teams who manage the autonomous ships assigned to each site. A few launch team members with overlapping responsibilities on both missions are expected to work the second launch from the Cape's launch control center. BulgariaSat-June 23 The first launch is at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where SpaceX will launch Bulgaria's first ever geostationary satellite, named-what else?-Bulgariasat. This will be the first privately-owned satellite to provide broadcast and communications services to eastern Europe, hanging in an orbit directly over the region. Maxim Zayakov, the CEO of Bulsatcom, which owns the satellite, says a "flight-proven" booster, as SpaceX calls it, not only made the project cheap enough to be possible-he even sees it as an advantage. "Basically, a booster that already flew once, as long as it is checked, is actually in our view more flightworthy than a brand new one." The launch had been planned for June 19, but was delayed after engineers found a faulty valve in the system used to release a protective nosecone, or faring, when it's time to deploy the satellite into orbit. After launch, SpaceX will attempt to land this booster on a drone ship in the Atlantic ocean so it can be used a third time. Its previous flight was in January of this year, carrying 10 Iridium satellites, and this launch will make it the first rocket booster ever to fly from both US coasts. Iridium Next-June 25 This launch carries the next 10 satellites in a 70-satellite, seven-rocket deal Iridium has made with SpaceX. The mission is flying from California because these satellites are designed to sit in a polar orbit, arrayed north to south around the globe, rather in the equatorial orbits used by many satellites that are launched from Florida. Iridium is fond of referring to the suite of launches, which will effectively replace its entire existing satellite constellation, as one of the largest "tech upgrades" in history. The launch is expected to replicate the January launch that put up the first 10 satellites in the sequence, complete with a landing on a robotic barge in the Pacific ocean, according to Iridium's CEO, Matt Desch. Desch is exactly the kind of client that SpaceX wants for its flight-proven boosters. So far, he hasn't signed Iridium up for any, saying that the cost difference-about 20%, or $18 million between a new booster and re-used one-isn't worth the risk for satellites worth tens of millions of dollars, plus insurance premiums. But reusable boosters have one other advantage in a launch market where there's still more demand than supply: They're quicker to get ready for the next launch. That could tip the balance in their favor for Desch, he reportedly said on a recent press call. "Will they improve my schedule? Because schedule to me is very very important." That's true across the satellite industry. Companies invest large sums up front to build satellites, which are repaid only once their birds are in orbit and operating. Time spent in warehouses waiting for a launch is money lost. SpaceX's growing stockpile of flight-proven rockets could prove an attractive inducement for otherwise hesitant new customers. But only if it can keep up its steady pace of launches on both coasts; three more missions are on the manifest in July. https://qz.com/1011248/elon-musks-spacex-will-use-its-second-flight-proven-falcon-9-rocket-in-a-launch-double- header/ Back to Top Back to Top IOSA Auditor Training (IAT) Course Our accredited IATA Operational Safety Audit ("IOSA") Auditor Training ("IAT") Course is designed to familiarize aviation professionals with the standards, methodology, and documentation of the IOSA. Course curriculum will introduce you to the IOSA terminology and the process of the audit. The course is a prerequisite for becoming a qualified IOSA Auditor. You will also receive: ? An introduction to IOSA's Electronic Audit System (Q5); ? IOSA manuals and IOSA Standards and Recommended Practices ("ISARPs"); ? An interpretation of standards; and ? Post audit documentation requirements. Where: Arlington, Virginia 22201 When: August 21, 2017 - August 25, 2017 Contact: Ashley Orasin IOSA Administrative Assistant Morten Beyer & Agnew tel: 1 703 276 3200 ext. 400 email: aorasin@mba.aero www.mba.aero Back to Top BOWTIE RISK MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP July 18 - 19, 2017 American Airlines Training & Conference Center 4501 Highway 360 South, MD 929, Fort Worth, TX 76155 This hands-on workshop will introduce a high-level view at ways your organization can enhance safety and efficiency immediately. It will then quickly move to provide the foundation to build risk models and culminate with experience creating and managing your own risk models. The workshop will introduce event reconstruction analysis using the IncidentXP software tool and incorporating the learnings into your BowTie risk models. DAY 1 - MACRO VIEW OF METHODOLOGY & CONSTRUCTING BOWTIES: Begins with benefits of BowTie Risk Methodology including the foundational concepts behind the methodology and methods to quantify safety/risk data to create measurable tracking systems. Hands-on training will enable participants to gain full experience in designing and creating BowTie models including an introduction to BTXP software. DAY 2 - FUNCTIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT: INCIDENT ANALYSIS AND BOWTIE SOFTWARE: The seminar continues the training on the industry-leading tool - BTXP software, with more advanced capabilities. This course is not intended for "IT software experts," rather, the focus is on the safety/risk management professional responsible to execute the organization's safety/risk management requirements. Training will include incident analysis and review of the functionality of IncidentXP software. The program covers: * How BowTie techniques work and why they are effective * Quantitative methods to assess safety performance * Identification of hazards, threats, consequences and barrier management * Constructing a BowTie within your own industry utilizing your own subject matter experts * Basic overview of BTXP software - a demo in simplicity supporting your risk management efforts * Incident analysis & IncidentXP functionality and relationship to BT models Cost: $975.00 per person includes course materials, 30-day trial licenses of BowTieXP software, lunches and breaks. A 5% additional credit card fee will be applied. For more information: terry.eisenbart@thealoftgroup.com 505.306.5326 The Aloft Group, LLC, is a U.S. firm based near Washington D.C., We are a consulting team whose principals and expert associates offer extensive experience in general risk management using BowTie methodology, airport and airline operational risk management, airport and airline field safety services, and safety performance management. For more information: www.thealoftgroup.com. Back to Top Position Available: Operations Manager Flight Data Connect Description Reporting to the Head of Global Aviation Data Management (GADM), the incumbent will manage Flight Data Connect (FDC), a commercial flight data analysis service developed by IATA for airlines to outsource their analysis activity. The incumbant will lead a small team dealing with the flight data analysis for customer airlines and providing a full FOQA/FDM service including in depth analysis and the construction of detailed flight animations. The incumbant will also develop and maintain excellent relationships with key stakeholders, suppliers and customers. Responsibilities * Accountable for the discovery of parameters that exceed agreed criteria and for communicating them to customer airlines; * Delivery of a flight data monitoring service that achieves compliance for customer airlines with ICAO FDM regulations and objectives including identification and validation of parameter 'events'; * Protecting the confidentiality of the data in the custody of FDC; * Oversee, and perform as necessary, day to day flight data analysis duties including event validation and data processing using the software tools provided by Flight Data Services (FDS); * Provide in depth analysis for any significant event(s) identified or notified by the airline, detailed flight animations and the creation of monthly trend reports, with identified trends for customer airlines; * Liaise between the customer airlines and FDS to ensure the delivery of the highest standards of customer service, system management, updates, costs and data analysis; * Develop tools and enhancements for data analysis in coordination with FDS, on behalf of customers; * Promote the IATA Flight Data Connect product at every opportunity; * Work closely with the IATA commercial team to recruit additional airline customers; * Represent IATA at international industry meetings and conferences; * Support the development of business plans; * Manage projects to ensure timely delivery of customer services and commercial products; * Manage the departmental budget, invoices, interim budget forecasts and annual budget submission. * Experience of managing customers and suppliers is an advantage; * Support the implementation of Quality Assurance Procedures; * Additional tasks as assigned by Head Global Aviation Data Management. Note: Providing FDM support for customer airlines, may include phone calls outside office hours and during weekends. Qualifications and Skills * University graduate; * Minimum of 5 years of experience in FOQA/FDM management; * Strong interpersonal skills and rapport builder; * Strong analytical and problem solving skills; * Understanding of airline flying operations, pilot's license and operational experience is an asset; * Ability to work toward tight deadlines; * Highly organized and able to work on multiple tasks simultaneously; * Excellent PC skills particularly with MS Office programs, SharePoint and business intelligence tools, with a sound knowledge of computer hardware. Programming experience an asset; * Operational knowledge and experience in the safety management functions of an airline or similar organization; * Excellent problem solving, organizational and time management skills and the ability to work autonomously; * Knowledge of ICAO and IATA IOSA standards; * Effective oral and written communication skills in English including report writing and presentation skills, with knowledge of an additional language being an asset; * Leadership experience in a culturally diverse environment and proficiency to motivate and encourage people in a positive manner is an asset; Candidates must possess and exhibit the following core IATA values: Be people and team oriented, focused on results, embrace innovation and change, and demonstrate leadership and personal integrity. At the heart of IATA are our Values and Behaviors. We all have different personalities, styles and areas of expertise, but you'll recognize us by the consistent way we act and behave in line with our Values and Behaviors. We are looking for people who bring them to life in everything they do - they are: * Act with integrity and uphold our standards * Think strategically in support of the global big picture * Partner and manage to create high performing teams * Putting people first by acting with a simple human touch Here at IATA we are proud of being a Diverse & Inclusive Organization - we have people from all over the world working in our offices, and we extend this to our recruiting practices. We are a meritocratic organization and an equal opportunity employer. APPLY HERE 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 Curt Lewis