Flight Safety Information November 6, 2017 - No. 220 In This Issue Incident: Delta B712 near Buffalo on Nov 5th 2017, loss of cabin pressure Incident: France A388 near Shannon on Nov 4th 2017, medical emergency, fuel leak Accident: Perimeter SW4 at Thompson on Nov 2nd 2017, engine problem, runway excursion Incident: Transavia B737 near Prague on Nov 3rd 2017, both autopilots failed TSB recommends substance abuse program following fatal 2015 Metroliner in- flight breakup British Airways 'warned pilots about smoke fire or fumes FIFTY times in ONE MONTH' EVAS - Cockpit Smoke Protection Nepal's air safety issue enters European Commission's Nov meeting PAL acquires state of the art Cabin Fire and Smoke Trainer Drone interferes with aircraft's approach near Auckland airport Man crawls through baggage carousel, sneaks onto tarmac at Miami airport Emirates Takes 100th A380, Close To Order For More IBAC Launches Online IS-BAO...Auditor Currency Training CWU pilot program hits a bit of turbulence United weighs purchase of new Boeing 767 passenger jets Lilium Raises $90 Million for Electric-Powered Jet The technology's nearly ready for nonstop flights from Australia to New York NASA'S MARS 2020 ROVER TO BE EQUIPPED WITH 23 'EYES' Book Review: Leading People Safely: How to Win on the Business Battlefield "Live Stream- Preventing Loss of Control Accidents with Patty Wagstaff and Rich Stowell" 2017 FORAS Workshop - November 29-30, 2017, Taoyuan, Taiwan Incident: Delta B712 near Buffalo on Nov 5th 2017, loss of cabin pressure A Delta Airlines Boeing 717-200, registration N608AT performing flight DL-878 from Hartford,CT to Minneapolis,MN (USA) with 95 people on board, was enroute at FL320 about 100nm east of Buffalo,NY (USA) when the crew initiated an emergency descent due to the loss of cabin pressure. The aircraft descended rapidly to 5000 feet MSL and diverted to Buffalo for a safe landing about 35 minutes later. Buffalo's airport authority reported the aircraft diverted due to the loss of cabin pressure. A replacement Boeing 717-200 registration N939AT was dispatched from Detroit,MI (USA) to Buffalo and is about to resume the flight. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/DAL878/history/20171105/1330Z/KBDL/KROC http://avherald.com/h?article=4b0a2acd&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: France A388 near Shannon on Nov 4th 2017, medical emergency, fuel leak An Air France Airbus A380-800, registration F-HPJI performing flight AF-178 from Paris Charles de Gaulle (France) to Mexico City (Mexico) with 543 people on board, was enroute at FL340 about 170nm southsouthwest of Shannon (Ireland) when the crew declared PAN and decided to divert to Shannon due to a medical emergency on board. The aircraft descended to FL140 to dump fuel. The crew advised they would still be heavy and would need the full length of the runway and therefore needed to backtrack the runway for taxiing to the apron although taxiway A was available for taxi for the A380. The aircraft established on the ILS for runway 24. Upon reporting on tower tower advised emergency services would follow them, the crew advised there was no problem. The aircraft landed safely on runway 24, the crew advised they were rolling to the end of the runway, would turn around and backtrack the runway to taxiway A. Emergency services reported there appeared to be a fuel leak from the A380. The crew advised fuel dump has completed about 7 minutes prior to landing. Tower instructed the aircraft to stop for a check by emergency services. The crew advised everything appeared normal from their perspective, they were happy to continue to taxi, emergency services did not object and the aircraft taxied to the apron, where medical services assisted the ill passenger and took the passenger to a hospital. A runway inspection reported fuel on the runway near taxiway C. A number of flights were delayed until the runway was cleaned. The airport reported there had been a problem with a fuel valve, fuel leaked onto the runway and taxiways. The runway was closed for about 2 hours until all fuel spill had been cleaned up. The occurrence aircraft is still on the ground in Shannon about 8 hours after landing. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b0978cc&opt=0 Back to Top Accident: Perimeter SW4 at Thompson on Nov 2nd 2017, engine problem, runway excursion A Perimeter Aviation Swearingen SA-227-AC, registration C-FLRY performing positioning flight PAG-959 from Gods River,MB to Thompson,MB (Canada) with 2 crew, was descending towards Thompson about 40nm from the aerodrome when the crew advised they had a low oil indication for one of their engines (TPE331) and might need to shut it down. The aircraft continued to Thompson but veered off the runway at about 19:07L (00:07Z Nov 3rd). The crew declared Mayday and evacuated the aircraft. Both crew were taken to a hospital with minor injuries, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The Canadian TSB dispatched investigators on site and opened an investigation. The regional manager reported the aircraft went off the runway (runway excursion) and sustained damage to gear, belly and a propeller. NAV Canada repored the runway needed to be closed due to the disabled aircraft and fuel on the runway. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b08e31d&opt=0 Back to Top Incident: Transavia B737 near Prague on Nov 3rd 2017, both autopilots failed A Transavia Boeing 737-700, registration PH-XRD performing flight HV-6531 from Eindhoven (Netherlands) to Tel Aviv (Israel), was enroute at FL370 about 40nm north of Prague (Czech Republic) when the crew decided to return after both autopilots had failed and the aircraft thus had lost its capability to operate in reduced vertical separation minima. The aircraft descended to FL360 for the return and diverted to Amsterdam (Netherlands) for a safe landing on runway 27 about one hour later. A replacement Boeing 737-800 registration PH-HSM departed about 2 hours after landing and reached Tel Aviv with a delay of 3.5 hours. http://avherald.com/h?article=4b08c0b4&opt=0 Back to Top TSB recommends substance abuse program following fatal 2015 Metroliner in- flight breakup Wreckage of the Metro II (TSB) The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is recommending that Transport Canada work with the aviation industry and employee representatives to develop and implement requirements for a comprehensive substance abuse program to reduce the risk of impairment of persons while engaged in safety-sensitive functions. This follows the conclusion of an investigation into the fatal 2015 in-flight breakup of a cargo aircraft operated by Carson Air Ltd. On 13 April 2015, the Carson Air Swearingen SA-226-TC Metro II was carrying freight from Vancouver International Airport to Prince George Airport, Canada, with a crew of two pilots on board. About six minutes after departure, the aircraft disappeared from radar. Its last known position was approximately 15 nautical miles north of the airport at an altitude of about 7500 feet. Ground searchers found aircraft wreckage on steep, mountainous, snow-covered terrain later in the day. The aircraft had experienced a catastrophic in-flight breakup. Both the captain and first officer were fatally injured, and the aircraft was destroyed. The investigation determined that the aircraft entered a steep dive, then accelerated to a high speed which exceeded the aircraft's structural limits and led to an in-flight breakup. Subsequent toxicology testing indicated that the captain had consumed a significant amount of alcohol on the day of the occurrence. As a result, alcohol intoxication almost certainly played a role in the events leading up to the accident. Pilot incapacitation is one of three scenarios which the TSB has not ruled out to explain the possible events that led to the accident. It is also possible that the heaters of the pitot system, which provides airspeed information, were off or malfunctioned. The third scenario involves a number of flight-specific factors that are consistent with an intentional act. However, without objective data from a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, it is impossible to determine with certainty which scenario played out during the occurrence flight. The TSB has previously recommended the installation of lightweight flight recording systems aboard smaller commercial aircraft and flight data monitoring by smaller commercial operators, both to advance transportation safety and to provide data to investigators following an occurrence. More info: * TSB Report https://news.aviation-safety.net/2017/11/03/tsb-recommends-substance-abuse- program-following-fatal-2015-metroliner-flight-breakup/ Back to Top British Airways 'warned pilots about smoke fire or fumes FIFTY times in ONE MONTH' BRITISH AIRWAYS has reportedly warned its pilots about "smoke fire or fumes" on board aircraft after 50 reports of incidents in just one month. There have been reports of smoke on BA planes A briefing leaked to the Sunday Times is said to have shown scores of reports, dubbed "fume events", were flagged up to the airline. In all there were 50 reports, although the actual number of incidents is thought to be lower. During one incident in July, passengers started to feel unwell after a smell similar to "sweaty socks" permeated the cabin, according to the briefing. Travellers on the flight from Cancun in Mexico to Gatwick had to be checked over when the plane landed. An insider told the paper: "The number of fume events seem to have increased massively." A BA spokesman said: "We would not operate an aircraft if we believed it posed a health or safety risk to our customers or crew. "We always encourage our colleagues to report any potential safety incidents, no matter how minor, to allow us to investigate them. "There has been substantial research into questions around cabin air quality over many years. In summary, the research has not shown that exposure to potential chemicals in the cabin causes long-term ill health." There have been a number of similar incidents on other airlines this year. In July, there were reports of a "stampede" on a Thomas Cook plane from Hutghada in Egypt to Gatwick. Passengers claimed smoke poured from under a passenger's seat, sparking an evacuation of the aircraft minutes before take-off. And last month, an easyJet flight from Glasgow to Berlin declared an emergency when pilots noticed a smell of smoke inside the cockpit. Fire crews who assessed the plane were unable to identify the cause. http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/875768/British-Airways-BA-planes-smoke-fire-fumes- Gatwick Back to Top Back to Top Nepal's air safety issue enters European Commission's Nov meet Aviation safety committee meeting Nov 6, 2017-The Aviation Safety Committee meeting of the European Commission (EC) will discuss Nepal's aviation safety issue on November 13-15 in Brussels, Belgium, to assess the progress made by the country's carriers and civil aviation authority. Rajan Pokhrel, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (Caan), said that the EC had informed them that Nepal's agenda has entered at the safety committee meeting. However, none of the officials from the airlines and Caan have been invited to attend the meeting. The meeting will reassess whether Nepal be lifted from the air safety list. In December 2013, the EC imposed a blanket ban on all airlines from Nepal from flying into the 28-nation bloc. The EC has asked European operators and travel agents to inform European travellers who will have a right to reimbursement if they booked a seat on a Nepali carrier as part of a journey to Nepal and decide not to use it. Some officials at the Caan, however, said that the EC had been raising questions over Nepal's institutional reform and stability of the country's aviation regulator. The concerns follow amid ongoing rift between Caan and the Civil Aviation Ministry. As Caan's chief has been routinely sacked by the Civil Aviation ministers at the behest of some private airline operators, it has been affecting the stability of the institution and undermining the aviation sector reforms. "The over politicking of the regulatory body in Nepal has been worrisome to many, including the EC," said the officials. In February, the then foreign minister Prakash Sharan Mahat had requested EC President Jean-Claude Juncker during their meeting in Brussels to remove Nepali airlines from the safety list stating that Nepal had made significant progress. President Juncker said they would look into the matter positively after studying the facts provided by the government of Nepal. Subsequently, on August 3, the Caan had sent its report on the improvements carried out in the aviation sector to the EC to urge it to lift the ban on Nepali airlines. The EC has pointed out deficiencies in three areas-lapses in the revalidation of the air operators' certificate, training and licensing and Caan's institutional capacity. On July 21, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) removed the significant safety concerns (SSC) tag it had put on Nepal four years ago after assessing that Nepal's safety standard had not improved on a par with global standards. The 2013 audit report, a follow-up to the 2009 audit, had pointed out that Nepal's score of 55.01 percent in effective implementation (EI) of critical elements of safety oversight system was way below the global average of 60 percent. The latest audit has given Nepal a score of 66 percent for effective implementation of safety standards. The government moved to get Nepali airlines unbanned following the Icao audit. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-11-06/nepals-air-safety-issue-enters- ecs-nov-meet.html Back to Top PAL acquires state of the art Cabin Fire and Smoke Trainer Flag carrier Philippine Airlines recently acquired a state-of-the-art Cabin Fire and Smoke Trainer (CFST) - a special structural equipment simulating inflight fire scenarios. This $300,000 investment will enhance the capabilities, skills and knowledge of PAL cabin crew and pilots in dealing with emergency situations that may be encountered inflight. The CFST is a one-storey structure with an observation area and fire training area-made of high quality materials and designed to withstand the rigors of extensive usage. It is equipped with air-conditioning and heating to provide observers maximum comfort during training. The fire training area mimics the layout of an actual aircraft cabin, based on a realistic cabin footprint with an aisle, galley, seats, overhead stowage bins and a lavatory where fire scenarios will be simulated and addressed through modern training methods. During the training proper, crew members will be asked to play various roles: as firefighter, communication channel between the crew and the cockpit/flight deck, and assisting firefighter. "Philippine Airlines considers safety as a corner stone of its operations and is committed in providing all appropriate resources to support the management of safety," PAL President and COO Jaime J. Bautista said. "The threat of an inflight fire is very rare because of the onboard safety systems in our aircraft. However, when it does occur, the best defense is for our flight and cabin crew to have a comprehensive knowledge of effective firefighting techniques." PAL VP for Safety Nelsie Fabila added, "We adopt a scenario-based training concept, so participants feel like they are in an actual emergency situation. This will adequately prepare them for any worst case scenario. To ensure a safe training environment, the fire trainor is equipped with a gas detection system, temperature sensors and emergency stops." All the fires in the fire trainor are fully automatic so when the instructor selects the command "fire", the simulated fire starts automatically; and when he selects "stop", the fire is extinguished. This CFST is also environment-friendly using water-based compressed air to contain the fire instead of dry chemicals. The CFST is housed in the PAL grounds in Pasay City. The airline also maintains an Airbus A320 simulator and a fully-equipped training center for its flight and cabin crew members and other operations personnel, in compliance with the strictest international aviation safety standards. Robust safety investments are a vital part of the flag carrier's efforts to earn five-star status as a globally competitive full-service airline. https://business.inquirer.net/239970/pal-acquires-state-art-cabin-fire-smoke- trainer#ixzz4xdz0jgjY Back to Top Drone interferes with aircraft's approach near Auckland airport Two incidents near Auckland Airport have prompted police to warn drone owners about their responsibilities. A drone interfered with the approach of an oncoming aircraft near Auckland Airport in one of two incidents on Sunday evening, police say. Police said they responded about 9pm after receiving a report that a drone was being flown at about 1000ft. They received a second report of a drone being flown in controlled airspace, at around 700ft, near Auckland Airport at 9.40pm. Police said they wanted to remind drone operators of their responsibility to comply with Civil Aviation rules. https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/98581052/drone-interferes-with-aircrafts-approach- near-auckland-airport Back to Top Man crawls through baggage carousel, sneaks onto tarmac at Miami airport A man pretending to talk on a cellphone made it past Miami International Airport security Saturday, jumped onto a luggage carousel, and sprinted onto the tarmac, exclusive video shows. The footage shows a man casually strolling past an empty security checkpoint at the American Airlines ticket counter and diving into a luggage conveyor belt. The man ultimately made his way onto the runway and airport ramp. In a second video, he is seen being chased by an army of airport employees in neon vests. And in yet another video, the man is seen being handcuffed by police as he lays on the ground. The footage was provided to the Miami Herald by a source who wished to remain anonymous. The unidentified man made it past a highly restricted area that most employees don't even have access to, the source said. "Had there been a plane at that gate, this individual could have entered the plane or had access to the aircraft. This is a very restricted area, only accessible to some with very limited access, and he was able to gain access. Very concerning," the source said. American Airlines officials confirmed that the incident occurred, but referred any questions to police. Miami-Dade Police did not immediately respond to emails Sunday night. MIA spokesman Marc Henderson said the incident is still under investigation and that it is still unclear if the man was a passenger, employee or scheduled to fly at all. It was unknown if the man had a weapon. http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article182951161.html Back to Top Emirates Takes 100th A380, Close To Order For More HAMBURG-Emirates and Airbus are in the final stages of negotiations for another substantial A380 order. "I hope we will be able to do it," Emirates CEO Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said, referring to the possible announcement of an order at the upcoming Dubai Air Show. Al Maktoum was in Hamburg on Nov. 3 as the airline took delivery of its 100th A380. He said completion of the deal depends on the outcome of negotiations between Emirates and Airbus. "We are still in negotiations to see whether they can sell us more aircraft," he said without specifying how many. "We remain committed to the program." Airbus CEO Tom Enders said jokingly he would not let Chief Operating Officer-Customers John Leahy retire without at least one additional significant A380 order. Leahy plans to leave Airbus at year-end. Emirates has outstanding orders for 42 more A380s. The 100th aircraft was the 10th Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered A380 in the Emirates fleet. While Al Maktoum did not specify Emirates' interest, it is understood that if the airline proceeds with an order, it will take aircraft with some of the proposed A380plus features. Airbus presented the A380plus concept study at this year's Paris Air Show. It features some aerodynamic improvements and cabin densification, but not the new engines for which Emirates has been lobbying. Emirates President Tim Clark voiced skepticism earlier this year about the suggested removal of the large forward staircase and the proposed 11-abreast seating configuration in economy class. An Emirates order would be a much-needed boost for the program that, depending on timing, may help Airbus fill near-term production slots. But to ensure the aircraft's longer- term future, commitments from other airlines are needed. "There is hardly any airline leadership that is as courageous as Emirates'," Enders said. On the other hand, he said he is confident the manufacturer still will be producing the A380 in 10 years. Airbus has had 317 firm orders for the A380, 216 of which had been delivered by the end of September. Emirates controls almost half of the official firm order backlog, but many other commitments are shaky. Among others, Qantas Airways and Virgin Atlantic have indicated they are no longer interested in taking the aircraft. Qantas has outstanding orders for eight more aircraft, Virgin Atlantic's order is for six. www.aviationweek.com Back to Top IBAC Launches Online IS-BAO™ Auditor Currency Training MONTREAL - 3 November 2017 - The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) has introduced a new online currency training option for its International Standards for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) auditors. As the only voluntary, global safety standard for business aviation, IS-BAO will now offer Professional Auditor Currency Training (PACT) to meet 12-month currency qualification requirements. "We are excited to offer this online option for IS-BAO auditors," stated Bennet Walsh, Director, IS-BAO Program. "It is not only a convenient way for auditors to maintain their currency, but it also supports our IS-BAO operator clients by ensuring a continuous cadre of qualified auditors available to them." Established in 2002, IS-BAO has quickly grown to be the recognized, independent standard for business aviation professionalism and excellence with the Safety Management System (SMS) concept at its core. Hundreds of operators in 35 countries currently conform to the Standard, which incorporates the relevant standards and recommended practices set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Several regulatory authorities regard IS-BAO registration as an alternate means of compliance with their own requirements. "Once training is completed, the auditor will notify the Auditor Accreditation Manager of completion, who will verify that the training was successfully completed," Yvonne Marinus, IS-BAO Auditor Accreditation Manager explained. "Then the auditor's record will be updated with the new currency date that reflects the PACT completion date. We anticipate good participation with this online option, but we will continue to offer the in-person workshop currency option for auditors who have not completed at least one IS-BAO audit as a lead auditor or audit team member." About IBAC: IBAC represents the interests of business aviation worldwide. IBAC is a non- profit, international trade association with permanent observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters, in Montreal, Canada. IBAC promotes and manages the industry-leading standards for best safety practices through its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAOTM); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAHTM); Safety Management Tool Kit; SMS eLearning training; and Aircrew Identification Card. www.ibac.org About IS-BAOTM: With nearly 800 registered operators worldwide, IS-BAO is a global, voluntary code of best practice with a safety management system (SMS) at its core. Tailored specifically for business aircraft operators, it is built upon and consistent with the standards and recommended practices of the International Civil Aviation Organization. For more information, please visit http://www.ibac.org/is_bao. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12379104/ibac-launches-online-is-baotm- auditor-currency-training Back to Top CWU pilot program hits a bit of turbulence As their professor Jeff Cole supervises behind them, Central Washington University juniors Johnson Vi, center, and Nick Barden operate an aviation training device simulating the flight of a commercial multi-engine airplane at Central's Aviation Training Center in Ellensburg, Wash. on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Stefan Collier was studying electrical engineering at the University of Washington when he decided he'd rather be a pilot. So, he transferred to Central Washington University's four-year pilot training program "I took an interim flight lesson in the summer, and I liked it," Collier said Thursday as he prepared a four-seat Piper Warrior aircraft for a flight with an instructor over the Kittitas Valley Thursday morning. He's far from alone. In just three years, enrollment in the only aviation program run by a four-year university in Washington has grown nearly 150 percent. Its growth is spurred by an increasing demand for pilots, but it's also starting to strain CWU's ability to handle the growing number of students. The university wants $10 million to expand its flight training center and provide additional hangar space, with the goal of accommodating 400 students within five years. But the request is on hold thanks to a legislative impasse in Olympia where a dispute over water for rural development has blocked passage of a state construction budget. "We do need more space to grow," said Paul Ballard, dean of CWU's College of Education and Professional Studies. "We are looking at what options are available." Among those options is opening a satellite operation in Yakima. Meanwhile, the program is struggling to find enough classroom space for its students as well as expand the airspace around Bowers Field where student pilots practice. But one of the program's biggest challenges appears to have been solved. Until this school year, CWU only provided the ground-school portion of the pilot training. The university contracted with flight schools to provide actual flight training and the requisite hours in the air to earn their certifications. That arrangement was thrown into disarray that threatened the entire program when IASCO Flight Training, announced it was closing its Ellensburg operations in June and would take no more new students. In September, however, the university took over flight training itself. The move gives the university more flexibility in designing its program for training commercial pilots, said Sundaram Nataraja, chairman of the university's Department of Aviation. The university's pilot training program began more than seven decades ago, with many of the future pilots coming from the ROTC program. But interest in the program has increased in recent years as airlines face a shortage of pilots. Between mandatory retirements - commercial pilots must retire when they turn 65 - and growth in the airline industry means that 117,000 new pilots will be needed in the next 20 years, according to estimates by Boeing. This summer, for example, Horizon Air pared down the number of flights at the Yakima Air Terminal from four to three due in part to the pilot shortage. In October alone, Horizon canceled more than 700 flights, according to Seattle Times. The demand for pilots is being reflected in enrollment at CWU's program, which grew from 85 students in 2014 to 210 this fall. Part of the program's allure is that it provides a relatively quick way to get into a commercial aircraft cockpit. To earn an Airline Transport Pilot license, pilots to have put in at least 1,500 hours of flying time, but graduates of a four-year program such as CWU's can shave 500 hours off that requirement, Andy McIrvin, CWU's flight training director explained. Students get about 250 hours during their training at the school, and many of them make up the additional hours working as certified flight instructors after graduation - many of them doing it at CWU - McIrvin said. The school offers students training in flight simulators that allow them to practice flying single- and multiple-engine aircraft into a variety of airports under different conditions. And McIrvin said students also learn how to work together in a cockpit, a vital skill for commercial aviators. The university owns seven aircraft for training, and is purchasing five additional craft equipped with state of the art instrumentation. It also leases aircraft, including a twin- engine Beechcraft. The program has also gotten some help for Horizon Air. The regional airline donated a $10,000 flight simulator to the school last year, and offers $7,500 stipends to 17 students who, when they graduate, will have guaranteed jobs with Horizon. McIrvin said the stipend helps offset the $60,000 cost for the four-year program. Another area where there are growing pains is in the sky. McIrvin and Ballard said the school is approaching the limit of planes it can safely put in the air over Kittitas Valley. To relieve that, CWU is entering discussions with Yakima Air Terminal about having a satellite facility for flight training. However, the idea is still in the preliminary stage of discussions. http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/cwu-pilot-program-hits-a-bit-of- turbulence/article_14063dd2-c2bb-11e7-8df1-37593258a92d.html Back to Top United weighs purchase of new Boeing 767 passenger jets: WSJ NEW YORK (Reuters) - United Continental Holdings Inc (UAL.N) is considering replacing wide-body planes with new Boeing 767 passenger jets, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. The move would mark a reversal for Boeing Co (BA.N), which stopped making the passenger version of the jet three years ago. The aerospace company has been eyeing ways to restart production of the model, the Journal said, citing people familiar with the plans. United has been looking at options for replacing some 767 passenger jets used on transatlantic routes and to South America and whose average age is about 20 years old, according to the report. A spokesman for the airline said it holds regular discussions about its fleet needs with manufacturers, including Boeing and Airbus (AIR.PA). "We have not recently asked for an offer for any particular wide-body aircraft type but have in the ordinary course of discussions asked for information about several wide-body aircraft, including the 767," the United spokesman said in an emailed statement. Boeing did not respond to requests for comment or confirmation on the report. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-united-jets/united-weighs-purchase-of-new- boeing-767-passenger-jets-wsj-idUSKBN1D50ZX Back to Top Lilium Raises $90 Million for Electric-Powered Jet The Germany-based company continues to develop its VTOL craft and will hire new employees. Lilium has already test-flown a full-scale autonomous prototype of its five-seat design, which proved that it can successfully navigate the tricky maneuver of taking off vertically and then transitioning to level flight. The aircraft's "electric jet engines" work in the same way as a traditional jet, in that they take in air, compress it, and push it out the back to create forward motion. But the compressor fan is driven by an electric motor, instead of a gas turbine. It's a simple design, and the company says it will be able to fly at speeds up to 200 mph for one hour on a single charge-meaning a Manhattanite could cover the 12 miles to John F. Kennedy Airport in just five minutes. The company says the jet operations will be so efficient that flights are predicted to cost less than the same journey in a road taxi. Wiegand promoted the design at the Uber Elevate conference in April, when investors and innovators from around the world gathered in Dallas to explore the new technologies. The new funding will help the company to develop the aircraft and also to add to the current staff of about 70. http://robbreport.com/motors/aviation/lilium-electric-powered-jet-2757444/ Back to Top The technology's nearly ready for nonstop flights from Australia to New York Emirates Airbus A380 AP Airlines are racing to make non-stop long-haul flights a reality. Direct flights strengthen airlines' home airports, also known as hubs. The only downside of long-haul flights is the toll it takes on cabin crew and passengers' well-being. Australian airline Qantas has the aircraft it needs to fly non-stop from Perth to London, but its goal is to offer even longer flights than that. The airline's chief executive Alan Joyce has asked manufacturers to build an aircraft that can fly non-stop from Australia's east coast capitals to London. His eyes are also on non- stop flights to New York, Brazil and South Africa. So what will it take to make such long-haul flights possible? The technology's nearly ready Advances in technology have enabled aircraft to be lighter and consume less fuel. For example, the maker of the new Airbus A350 says the aircraft has some significant new features. These include a wing with improved lift-to-drag characteristics, more fuel- efficient Trent XWB engines, a lighter air conditioning electrical system, and more integrated aviation electronics. The reduced weight and modified fuel system increase fuel carrying capacity from 141,000 litres to 165,000 litres, giving the plane a range of at least 15,270km. That's still short of the distance from Sydney to London, which is about 17,000km. But reports say Airbus's new Ultra-Long Range version of the A350 will have a range of 17,960km, meaning that Joyce could potentially meet his challenge. Long-haul flights Airline City pair Aircraft Distance Flying hours Year of operation Hub Emirates Dubai and Auckland B777 14,200km 17h 15m 2016 Dubai Emirates Dubai and Panama City B777 13,825km 17h 35m 2015 Dubai Qatar Airways Doha and Auckland B777 14,529km 17h 30m Feb 2017 Doha Singapore Airlines Singapore and New York A350-900ULR 16,500km 19h 2018 Singapore Singapore Airlines Singapore and New York A340-500 15,343km 18.5h Jun 2004-Nov 2013 Singapore United Airlines Houston and Sydney B787-9 14,000km 17h 55m Mar 2018 Houston Qantas Perth and London B787 14,466km 17h Mar 2018 Sydney Qantas Sydney and Dallas A380 13,815km 15h 30m Sep 2014 Sydney Qantas Sydney and London ? 16,983km 20h 20m 2022 Sydney Qantas Melbourne and New York ? 16,662km 18h 7m 2022 Sydney Destination hubs But what is pushing airlines to want to fly longer long-haul? Airlines such as Qantas, United Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates operate on a hub-and-spoke network strategy. This allows them to feed passengers into a single home-based airport (the hub), before redistributing them to various destinations (the spokes). This has led to the emergence of fortress hubs such as Sydney for Qantas, Los Angeles for United Airlines, London Heathrow for British Airways, Singapore for Singapore Airlines, and Dubai for Emirates. From an airline's perspective, a hub airport in its home country needs to be protected aggressively to maintain its competitive edge. Until the early 2000s, aviation technology only allowed airlines to fly short- or medium- haul spokes to feed its hub traffic, such as Athens to London (4 hours), Darwin to Sydney (4h 20m), and Moscow to Dubai (5h 20m). Regulatory constraints also prevented airlines from carrying international traffic to feed its home hub. But airline liberalization and technology advancements now allow airlines to operate long- haul spokes, thus strengthening their home hubs. Examples include China Southern's flight from Perth to Guangzhou (8h), Air China's Melbourne to Beijing (11h 20m), and Emirates' Glasgow to Dubai (7h 55m). Emirates is a pioneer in stretching this hub-and-long-haul spoke system by flying from Dubai into international airports such as Johannesburg (8h 10m) and Perth (11h). As a result, Emirates has built its Dubai hub into one of the world's busiest airports, undermining rivals such as London Heathrow, Singapore and Sydney. It is not surprising that other airlines want to join the race to launch long-hauls. A general view of Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport near London. Thomson Reuters Passenger endurance From a traveller's perspective, flying directly to your final destination will certainly save the transit hassles at a congested hub, and reduce the risk of missing your connecting flight. But are you prepared to cram yourself into an economy seat for 17-20 hours? Although you can probably enjoy movies back-to-back, how will your body cope? Several factors are responsible for comfort on a long-haul flight, including internal cabin pressure, cabin humidity, and legroom. Internal cabin pressure is probably the most important factor. Carbon-fibre-reinforced composites used in both the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350-900ULR allow a higher cabin humidity, thus increasing comfort. But you need to be mindful of some high-altitude physiology such as ear popping, sore teeth, dry skin, dry eyes, and dehydration. There is also a risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), especially among people with a family history of the condition. Then there is the hazard of timezone-related circadian rhythm (body clock) disruption. Jet lag affects your whole physiology, and you might need a few days to recover after a particularly long flight. Pilots and crew Pilots and cabin crew face the same, if not more, challenges as passengers onboard a long-haul flight. Flying a sophisticated aircraft requires a great deal of concentration, discipline and experience, and pilots need to be well rested and alert. The International Civil Aviation Organization says fatigue can impair the alertness of crew and their ability to safely operate an aircraft or perform safety-related duties. The American Aerospace Medical Association has also warned that ultra-long-range operations may exacerbate pilots' fatigue levels that have already been shown to impair safety, alertness and performance in existing flight operations. The good news is that aviation safety regulators such as the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in Australia, the US Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Aviation Safety Agency have all introduced fatigue-management rules for commercial pilots. These authorities review the rules regularly and hold airlines responsible for their pilots fatigue management to ensure safe operation. Airlines also have safety mechanisms in place with pilots and cabin crews educated and trained continuously and regularly on fatigue management. For a long-haul flight, two full cockpit crews are typically deployed to allow crews to take turns to rest. Some airlines are quite tolerant of pilots who call in sick if they are fatigued. So the ultimate challenge for any longer long-haul flight is not operational or technological. As Alan Epstein, vice-president for technology American aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, put it: "The limit is no longer the endurance of the engines. It is the endurance of passengers." http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-it-will-take-to-make-extra-long-haul-flights- possible-2017-10 Back to Top NASA'S MARS 2020 ROVER TO BE EQUIPPED WITH 23 'EYES' Many of the 23 cameras that have been selected for NASA's 2020 rover are improved versions of the cameras on the Curiosity rover - with a few new additions being included as well. Image Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech One of the key instruments that has accompanied every rover since Pathfinder became the first rover to land on the surface of Mars in 1997 are imagers - cameras. NASA's newest rover continues this trend. In addition, it continues the trend of increased visible acuity that accompanies the increased instrument performance and improved technology. Pathfinder launched with five cameras - two on the rover's mast, and three on the Sojourner lander itself. When the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) rovers Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars they each had 10 cameras. The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover went equipped with 17 cameras. By comparison, Mars 2020 will launch with 23 cameras - many of which are high definition, high resolution, and in color. "Camera technology keeps improving," Justin Maki of JPL, Mars 2020's imaging scientist and deputy principal investigator of the Mastcam-Z instrument said via a press release. "Each successive mission is able to utilize these improvements, with better performance and lower cost." Many of those 23 cameras are upgrades of the same types cameras on Curiosity but others are brand new. The cameras are separated into three groups: Enhanced Engineering Cameras, Science Cameras, and Descent Imaging Cameras. This image illustrates a selection of some the 23 cameras on NASA's 2020 Mars rover. Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The Enhanced Engineering Cameras are primarily improvements to the ones on Curiosity and consist of two sets each of front and rear Hazcams and Navcams as well as the new CacheCam. The increased performance of the Hazcams and Navcams should make it easier to avoid hazards, better target arm location for the drill and other tools, as well as take samples. The new and improved cameras should also improve overall driving capabilities by providing clearer, sweeping wide-angle panorama images needed for autonomous navigation through the Martian terrain utilizing stereoscopic (3-D) placement. Unlike on Curiosity, many of Mars 2020's imaging instruments are color and can see details much further. The Navcams can "see" a golf ball from 82 feet (25 meters) away and have a "drive blind" mode to aid in autonomous driving and hazard and obstacle avoidance. "Routinely using 3-D images at high resolution could pay off in a big way," Jim Bell of Arizona State University, Tempe, principal investigator for 2020's Mastcam-Z said. "They're useful for both long-range and near-field science targets." The new cameras are improved from Curiosity's 1-megapixel resolution to 20 megapixels, with 5120 × 3840 pixel resolution that no longer requires that many smaller images be stitched together. "Our previous Navcams would snap multiple pictures and stitch them together," said Colin McKinney of JPL, product delivery manager for the new engineering cameras. "With the wider field of view, we get the same perspective in one shot." The new CacheCam that is part of the Enhanced Engineering Cameras will provide microscopic, top-down views of the rock samples that are collected inside of the vials prior to being sealed as part of the sample-return caching system. The Science Cameras consist of seven imagers. The first, Mastcam-Z, is similar to Curiosity's Mastcam that provides 3-D stereoscopic images, but Mastcam-Z also has color image and video as well as a 3:1 zoom lens. The other improved imager amongst the Science Cameras is the SuperCam Remote Micro-Imager (RMI) which is similar to Curiosity's ChemCam. SuperCam will be able to utilize a laser to zap mineral targets smaller than 1 millimeter from more than 20 feet (7 meters) away. Like ChemCam, the SuperCam will use spectrometers to analyze the light signatures from the minerals to determine their contents. The four other science cameras include PIXL, SHERLOC, WATSON, and SkyCam. PIXL is a micro-context camera using X-ray fluorescence. SHERLOC's macro imager is used in coordination with spectrometers and lasers to get extreme close-up images to distinguish textures that may assist researchers in understanding how the minerals formed. WATSON is an imaging instrument nearly identical to the functionality of the MAHLI instrument on Curiosity, but better. WATSON is located on a turret mounted on the robotic arm of the rover and can be positioned to not only look at the various samples on the surface of Mars but also to do inspections of other instruments, including of Mars 2020 itself. This, in partnership with Navcam, should provide a good way to monitor the health of Mars 2020, as well as being able to take some fantastic selfies. Lastly amongst the new Science Cameras is the SkyCam. SkyCam, much like its name implies, is a sky-facing camera that is part of a suite of weather instruments that will study the clouds and atmosphere on Mars. NASA's Mars 2020 rover will incorporate a new landing system. Image Credit: NASA / JPL- Caltech The seven Descent Imaging Cameras will provide the spacecraft with four views including look-up cameras from the descent stage which will record images and video of a parachute deploying and inflating on another planet for the first time. Along with the look-up cameras, the descent stage will have look-down cameras to view the rover from above, while the rover will have look-up cameras to see how the descent stage is operating as it is lowered from the sky crane. The rover will also have a downward looking camera to view the ground as it approaches. The Descent Imaging Cameras should provide the first-ever front-row seat to a Mars landing. In addition to the increased performance capability, the Mars 2020's cameras are also incredibly light, weighing less than one pound (<425 grams). The imaging systems have also gotten a lot smarter, with the capability of image compression being done directly in the cameras rather than on the onboard computer. The landing of the Mars 2020 rover won't be without difficulty however. More data means more data to transfer which will be a challenge even with current capabilities. "The limiting factor in most imaging systems is the telecommunications link," Maki said. "Cameras are capable of acquiring much more data than can be sent back to Earth." The new data will need to be transferred from the surface to orbiting satellites to be relayed to the Deep Space Network (DSN) on Earth, something that was pioneered with the MER Spirit and Opportunity rovers using Mars Odyssey as a relay. "We were expecting to do that mission on just tens of megabits each Mars day, or sol," said Bell. "When we got that first Odyssey overflight, and we had about 100 megabits per sol, we realized it was a whole new ballgame." The number of satellites capable of doing that data transfer won't be increasing, while the number of spacecraft on the surface will. By the time Mars 2020 lands, the InSight lander should also be on the surface needing to transfer data back to Earth, as well. This could tax an aging and already busy network of spacecraft. Currently, the only satellites capable of transferring data from the surface and relaying it to the DSN are Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), MAVEN, and the European Space Agency's (ESA) Trace Gas Orbiter, but NASA seems confident that the trio of satellites will be able to support the new rover in its first two years on the Martian surface. http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/jet-propulsion-laboratory/nasa-mars- 2020-rover-equipped-23-eyes/#fb7SxCDQhKLL8Tcf.99 Back to Top Book Review: Leading People Safely: How to Win on the Business Battlefield by James T. Schultz (Author), Brian L. Fielkow (Author), Foreword by Honorable Robert L. Sumwalt III (Author) SAFETY IS THE CORNERSTONE for excellent operations, but it is often marginalized and relegated to dense handbooks that are ignored by employees. James T. Schultz and Brian L. Fielkow instead offer a straightforward how-to guide for maximizing organizational performance through safety leadership. They demonstrate why safety must be a core value engrained into the rhythms of every task. Jim and Brian show how to bring people and process together in full alignment to provide a definitive competitive advantage. Leading People Safely is packed with succinct, savvy know-how for implementing a culture of safety, punctuated with easy-to-skim lists and textboxes, and uses on-the- ground examples supplied from Jim and Brian's combined seventy-plus years of experience. Applicable for businesses of any size or industry, Leading People Safely is a must read for leaders looking to create a safe and successful business with a healthy corporate culture. * Hardcover: 214 pages * Publisher: North Loop Books (October 25, 2016) * Language: English * ISBN-10: 1635051363 * ISBN-13: 978-1635051360 https://www.amazon.com/Leading-People-Safely-Business-Battlefield/dp/1635051363 Back to Top "Live Stream- Preventing Loss of Control Accidents with Patty Wagstaff and Rich Stowell" Topic: Preventing Loss of Control; Patty Wagstaff and Rich Stowell On Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 20:00 Eastern Standard Time (17:00 PST, 18:00 MST, 19:00 CST, 15:00 HST, 16:00 AKST, 18:00 Arizona, 01:00 GMT) Select Number: EA2379300 Description: Preventing Loss of Control; Patty Wagstaff and Rich Stowell To view further details and registration information for this webinar, click here. The sponsor for this seminar is: FAASTeam The following credit(s) are available for the WINGS/AMT Programs: Master Knowledge 2 - 1 Credit Click here to view the WINGS help page Back to Top 2017 FORAS Workshop - November 29-30, 2017, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Organized by Flight Safety Foundation and EVA AIR. The Workshop will introduce Flight Operations Risk Assessment System / FORAS, which is a proactive and predictive tool on hazard identification and risk management on flight operations. FORAS is an essential tool for SMS implementation. The FORAS functionalities and set up requirements and other details will be briefed at this two days workshop. FORAS Workshop will be held on November 29-30 at EVA AIR Training Center in Taoyuan, Taiwan. There is no registration fee for the workshop, details can be accessed from the FORAS website, including links for the workshop, agenda, registration, hotel and other relevant information. http://foras.com.tw/foras-workshop/ Back to Top PHD GRADUATE RESEARCH SURVEY REQUEST International airline pilot and 38-year veteran of flying, Karlene Petitt, has instructed pilots on Boeing aircraft for over 21 years, and holds type ratings on A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, and B727. She is working on her PHD in Aviation with a focus on safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Petitt is researching the impact of training, aircraft understanding, safety culture, aviation passion, and manual flight tendencies, to better understand the impact on performance. If the pilot is always blamed for errors, the underlying factors may never be identified. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes and is anonymous. If you fly for a commercial operation, with a two (or more) person crew (corporate, charter, or airline) please visit http://petittaviationresearch.com to learn more and access the link to the survey that can be found at the bottom of the page. Thank you!!! Karlene Petitt MBA. MHS. Doctoral Candidate Aviation ERAU Typed: A330, B747-400, B747-200, B767, B757, B737, B727 http://karlenepetitt.blogspot.com Curt Lewis