December 11, 2017 - No. 096 In This Issue Trent 1000 Fault Forces Air New Zealand Flight Cancellations Improper use of holiday laser lights could pose threat to aviation safety Pilatus PC-24 Awarded EASA and FAA Certification Embry-Riddle Worldwide to offer free online drone operation course Bird strikes up at Love Field, officials seeking military tech for help Jet Aviation Secures Malta AOC and Expands Aircraft Management and Charter Operation in EMEA and Asia HDR to design new regional airport in Iowa, US Not My Bill! Indian Air Force, Company Fight Over Who Pays Jet Upkeep Contract New airport opens in Senegal Tuesday Will Mark SpaceX's 1st Launch from Complex 40 Since Fiery Explosion Trent 1000 Fault Forces Air New Zealand Flight Cancellations The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission has launched an investigation into two cases of "abnormal indications" involving Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 turbofans that forced two Air New Zealand Boeing 787-9s to abort scheduled long-haul flights on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the latest incident, the airplane was in its climb phase when the cockpit indications of a fault in one of the engines prompted the crew to reverse thrust and turn back to Auckland. The airplane landed safely and no one suffered injuries. However, Air New Zealand has confirmed that it has had to cancel several flights until it receives spare engines from Rolls-Royce. Contacted by AIN for comment, Rolls-Royce declined to specify the suspected reason for the aborted flights, citing international regulations against commenting on an ongoing investigation. However, a design deficiency involving intermediate turbine pressure blades has affected between 400 and 500 Trent 1000s since the middle of last year, when Japan's All Nippon Airways first reported the problem. In response, Rolls-Royce marshaled extraordinary MRO resources to accommodate customers flying Trent 1000 Package B and C iterations. Unfortunately, both the parts supply and Rolls-Royce's capacity to replace the engines proved insufficient to avoid service disruptions. In fact, Virgin Atlantic said on Thursday it planned to lease four Airbus A330s for at least a year to compensate for a shortage of Trent engines to power its 787-9s. "We sincerely regret any disruption caused by our engine that our customer is experiencing and we are working together to minimize this impact and restore full flight operations as soon as possible," said Rolls-Royce in a written response to AIN's request for a statement. "It's not uncommon for long-term engine programs to experience technical issues during their life and we manage them through proactive maintenance. We have a clear service management plan in place with all operators to undertake this work and minimize disruption. This is the continuation of work [that] started last year to upgrade Trent 1000 engines to the latest standard. We are in constant dialogue with our industry regulators and they support the proactive service management plan we have created with our customers." A Rolls spokesman added that the Trent 1000 has operated in service for more than six years and has clocked 3.5 million flying hours. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2017-12-08/trent-1000-fault-forces-air- new-zealand-flight-cancellations Back to Top Improper use of holiday laser lights could pose threat to aviation safety OTTAWA, Dec. 08, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NAV CANADA is reminding people to be cautious when installing decorative laser lights this holiday season. Laser projectors that shine festive displays on houses must be aimed at solid surfaces and not towards the sky. Skyward beams can enter the cockpit of an aircraft and pose a risk to pilots. NAV CANADA says many people are surprised to learn that these popular holiday light kits can be as potentially dangerous as other type of lasers. Consumers are asked to read the warning labels on the package and carefully follow the directions when setting up the display. Residents who live within 10 kilometres of an airport should check the angle of the laser's projection to ensure the display does not extend in the sky beyond their home. In recent weeks there has been a spike in the number of laser strikes reported by pilots. The increase is likely to be due to improper use of holiday lights. About NAV CANADA NAV CANADA is a private, not-for-profit company, established in 1996, providing air traffic control, airport advisory services, weather briefings and aeronautical information services for more than 18 million square kilometres of Canadian domestic and international airspace. The Company is internationally recognized for its safety record, and technology innovation. Air traffic management systems developed by NAV CANADA are used by air navigation service providers in countries worldwide. NAV CANADA is a partner in Aireon LLC, an international joint venture deploying a space based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system that will expand air traffic surveillance to all regions of the globe. http://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/Improper-use-of-holiday-laser-lights-could-pose- threat-to-aviation-safety-1010637182 Back to Top Pilatus PC-24 Awarded EASA and FAA Certification Swiss manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft received simultaneous approvals for its new PC-24 "super versatile" jet on December 7 from EASA and the FAA, including authorizations for flight into known icing and single-pilot operations. The $8.9 million (list price) 10-passenger aircraft is "the first ever Swiss business jet," said the company, which added it was the culmination of eleven-and-a-half years' work. The first indication that Pilatus was developing a jet came in its annual report in May 2011, but the company did not reveal details until two years later, when it unveiled a mockup at EBACE 2013 in Geneva. Further details and performance targets came out at the Paris Air Show in June 2013. At EBACE 2014 Pilatus opened the PC-24 order book, with chairman Oscar Schwenk and CEO Markus Bucher signing contracts, starting with launch customer the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia for four aircraft. PlaneSense, the U.S. fractional share PC-12 operator, ordered six, and in total Pilatus ended the day with 75 commitments. In the first 36 hours, it had recorded 84 orders, enough to cover the first three years of production. Pilatus then closed the order book while it developed the aircraft. It plans to begin taking more orders starting later next year. Pilatus held a formal rollout ceremony for the PC-24 at Buochs Airport in Stans on Aug. 1, 2014. The first PC-24 prototype completed its maiden flight in May 2015. Three prototypes were built and ultimately flew a total of 2,205 hours in a certification program that took them around the globe, in a variety of environmental conditions, to expand the operating envelope by taking it to design limits. Pilatus said that the first PC-24 will be handed over to PlaneSense in Stans this month. The aircraft will then be flown to the U.S. in January "for official delivery to the customer." Schwenk said: "In 2013 we announced that the PC-24 would be ready in 2017, and now, shortly before the end of the year, we have achieved exactly that. And all performance data promised to our first 84 customers has been achieved or even exceeded. The PC-24 delivers a maximum speed of 440 knots (815 km/h) compared to the contractually agreed 425 knots (787 km/h), to cite just one example." Pilatus said it has invested more than 500 million Swiss Francs ($502 million) of its own funds in the PC-24 development program. A further 150 million Swiss Francs ($151 million) went into buildings and production machinery at Stans to expand PC-24 series production capacity. The company revealed it currently has eight PC-24s on the assembly line in Stans, with 23 deliveries to customers around the world planned throughout 2018. In the U.S., Pilatus has created a new completions and support center in Broomfield, Colorado, scheduled to be finished in mid- 2018. GENESIS OF A JET Operators of Pilatus's PC-12 turboprop single had for some years been asking the company for an aircraft with the capabilities of the PC-12, but faster and with a bigger cabin. The RFDS, for example, had been grappling with "how to combine a turboprop's strengths, like its dependability and its ability to operate from short and unimproved surfaces, with a jet's speed." The PC-24 was the solution. Pilatus dubbed the aircraft the first "Super Versatile Jet," or SVJ, creating "an entirely new category for business jets" as the only aircraft "combining the versatility of a turboprop with the cabin size of a medium-size jet and the performance of a light jet." And it offers a huge (4.1 feet wide by 4.25 feet tall) aft cargo door. The baggage compartment is pressurized. Its airframe is all-metal, and the jet is designed to operate from short and unimproved runways. The PC-24 needs as little as 2,690 feet (balanced field length) at its 17,650-pound mtow. Landing distance over a 50-foot obstacle is 2,525 feet. At 5,000-feet field elevation and ISA+20, the PC-24 at mtow needs a balanced field length of just 4,430 feet. These numbers mean that the PC-24 can operate from more than 21,000 airports worldwide, including 8,383 airports in North America and 2,928 airports in Europe-91 and 79 percent, respectively, more than its closest competitor, according to Pilatus. The aircraft has a wingspan of 55 feet 9 inches, and the wings, while tapered at the leading edge, are straight and not swept. Wing area covers 332.6 sq ft and wing loading is 53 lb/sq ft. With a height of 17 feet 4 inches and length of 55 feet 2 inches, the PC-24 is two to three feet longer than the Embraer Phenom 300 and three feet shorter than the Cessna Citation XLS+, but with seven inches less wingspan than the XLS+. The PC-24's dual-wheel main landing gear swings inward and retracts into uncovered wells in the fuselage center section. Tires are inflated to a low pressure of 72 psi. Fueling is via a single-point pressure refueling port. Two Williams International FJ44-4A engines help the PC-24 climb directly to its maximum altitude of FL450 in less than 30 minutes and achieve a high-speed cruise of 440 ktas at FL300. Range with an 800-pound payload (four passengers) at long-range cruise speed and NBAA 100-nm IFR reserves is 1,950 nm or 1,800 nm with six passengers. At maximum payload, range drops to 1,190 nm. AIRCRAFT SPECS The PC-24's ype certificate data sheet reveals that stall speed in landing configuration at sea level, at max landing weight, is 82 knots, while the maximum operating Mach number is 0.74, with 0.81 the maximum design Mach number. Maximum takeoff weight is 17,640 pounds and maximum payload is 2,500 pounds. Usable fuel load is 5,965 pounds and maximum payload with full fuel is 915 pounds. Its customized avionics suite is dubbed PACE-for Pilatus Advanced Cockpit Environment-and is based on Honeywell's Primus Apex system. According to Pilatus, the aircraft is NextGen ready and RVSM compliant. The jet's flat floor passenger cabin will come with seven different interior options for layouts that include executive, commuter, combi and quick-change configurations, as well as options for galleys and an externally serviced lavatory, placed either forward or aft. With seating for six to eight passengers or up to 10 in commuter configuration, the PC-24 has a cabin volume of 501 cu ft, "much more than bigger aircraft that cost twice as much," Schwenk said at the aircraft's launch. The cabin is pressurized to a maximum of 8.78 psi pressure differential, providing a sea level cabin altitude at 23,500 feet and 8,000-foot cabin altitude at 45,000 feet. Key to the PC-24's short-field performance is a unique design feature of the jet's two Fadec- controlled 3,420-pound-thrust Williams International engines. An additional 5 percent power (to 3,600 pounds) is available via a new automatic thrust reserve feature, according to Williams. The engines also employ Williams's Exact passive thrust vectoring nozzle technology, which uses the Coanda effect to provide a three-degree "vectored" thrust during high power operations. The Exact feature was planned for Piper's canceled Altaire single-engine jet, although using a higher seven-degree vector. An anti-iced and noise-suppressing inlet is supplied by Williams, as is an integral pre-cooler "to condition engine bleed air and reduce drag losses." The PC-24 doesn't need an APU because the FJ44s have Williams's Quiet Power Mode-a first in the industry-to provide ground power efficiently and with little noise. The engine has a 5,000-hour TBO and hot-section interval of 2,500 hours. In June 2016 Pilatus Business Aircraft broke ground on a dedicated 120,000-sq-ft facility for both PC-12 and PC-24 completions at its U.S. base in Broomfield, Colorado, planned to be full operational by mid-2018. The schedule call for the first eight PC-24s to be completed at the Pilatus plant in Switzerland; the ninth aircraft is slated to arrive in Broomfield next year. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-12-08/pilatus-pc-24-awarded- easa-and-faa-certification Back to Top Embry-Riddle Worldwide to offer free online drone operation course Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's worldwide campus will once again offer a free, two-week massive open online course (MOOC) on drone operation called "Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Key Concepts for New Users." Scheduled to run from Jan. 22 to Feb. 4, the open-to-all course covers everything new users need to know in order to safely operate personal drones. Participants will learn about equipment, airspace, legal requirements and flight planning tools, as well as how to step up to the next level and become commercial drone operators. "We have had consistently great feedback about this course," said Dr. Kristy Kiernan, who is the lead educator for the class. "We are especially excited about the updates and changes we have made to reflect the most up-to-the-minute information in this rapidly changing part of aviation." The instructors for the class include full-time Embry-Riddle faculty members and experts from the unmanned aircraft systems industry. Embry-Riddle has offered this MOOC annually since 2015. "One of the strengths of this class, and of Embry-Riddle in general, is the partnership we have with industry," said Kiernan. "Our students get the best academic experience, plus the benefit of contact with real-world challenges." Registration for the sUAS MOOC begins Dec. 11 on the worldwide campus website. The next upcoming MOOC offered by Embry-Riddle Worldwide will be: Aviation Maintenance (Feb. 26 to March 11) - A free, two-week course covers aircraft maintenance, inspections and how to effectively manage global challenges facing the industry. Participants will learn about the different types of maintenance and inspection classes, as well as how to integrate safety into daily operations, while also maintaining efficiency. Instructors for the class include full- time Embry-Riddle faculty members and experts from the aviation industry. Registration for the Aviation Maintenance MOOC begins Jan. 15. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a bachelor's degree in specializing in Unmanned Aircraft Systems at its Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., campuses, as well as a bachelor's degree in Unmanned Systems Applications and a master's degree in Unmanned Systems, through its online worldwide campus. Embry-Riddle also offers professional development courses. https://www.skiesmag.com/press-releases/embry-riddle-worldwide-offer-free-online-drone- operation-course/ Back to Top Bird strikes up at Love Field, officials seeking military tech for help Bird strikes have spiked at Dallas Love Field, and now officials are wanting to buy a new state of the art camera system to help minimize the problem. Every year, bird strikes are a top hazard for airline pilots. Capt. Scott Shankland, a current airline pilot based out of the metro, says it's one of the scariest things a pilot can go through. "Bird strikes are a major concern," Shankland said. "Anytime it happens, a pilot only has seconds to react." Those strikes can cause major damage, and can even bring down a plane. In 2009, pilots Chesley Sullenberger and Jeff Skiles had to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey due to a bird strike. That incident is often referred to as the "The Miracle on the Hudson," and was recently depicted in the movie Sully. Dallas' Director of Aviation, Mark Duebner, says bird strikes are a major concern at airports across the country. "Trying to minimize that damage and trying to minimize that impact-that's what airports across the country are doing all the time," Duebner said. So far in 2017, there have been 180 bird strikes at Love Field. In 2016 there were 18, 120 were recorded in 2015, and in 2014 there were 83 strikes confirmed. Duebner says being next to Bachman Lake hasn't helped. The city has even put up signs around the area that asks patrons not to feed the birds. "We've tried to reduce the nesting, we've tried to reduce the food source, but the fact is we're a big open and attractive space for birds to hang out," Duebner said. Duebner says that bird strikes have likely fluctuated over the years because of urban development around the metro that disrupts habitats, forcing birds to relocate. Now, Duebner and the Department of Aviation are turning to a new state of the art camera system called "Pharovision" for help. Pharovision is an infrared system that automatically detects movement. So, if a flock of birds is spotted--the control tower will know, and air traffic can be held until the all clear is given. "Having that information that there's a potential conflict between birds and the aircraft as early as possible, allows the control tower to make sure that it's not sending planes into harm's way," Duebner said. The system can also scan for other wildlife, drones, and people. Dr. Nicholas Carter, the CEO of Pharovision, says that the technology was originally developed by the military to help detect small rockets in combat zones. Carter says that the technology was recently declassified a few years ago, and has made its way into the civilian market. Council members with the City of Dallas are expected to approve the purchase of the Pharovision camera system next week, which totals around $1.7 million when you tally maintenance and a 5- year warranty. The money to purchase the tech would come from revenue generated by the airport. If approved, the system should be installed in 2018 and Love Field would be the first major airport in the metro with the technology. "For the cost, we're getting a big bump in increased safety at Love Field," Duebner said. http://www.wfaa.com/news/bird-strikes-up-at-love-field-officials-seeking-military-tech-for- help/498080849 Back to Top Jet Aviation Secures Malta AOC and Expands Aircraft Management and Charter Operation in EMEA and Asia ZURICH / December 8, 2017 - Jet Aviation is pleased to announce that it has secured its air operator's certificate (AOC) for Malta, thereby launching its new flight operation. The Malta location joins the company's other regional AOC operations in Zurich and Cologne. A Boeing BBJ 737-700 is already operating under the Malta AOC, with a Legacy 600 to follow in the coming weeks. Managed by Jet Aviation and available for charter services, the long-range BBJ1 accommodates 19 passengers. The VIP-configured aircraft is based in Europe and has a range of 9,260 km (5,000 nautical miles), making it ideal for trips to Bahamas, Beijing, Mauritius or New York, among others. "Our new flight operation in Malta is a terrific complement to our Swiss and German operations," says Jürg Reuthinger, senior vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation's aircraft management and charter operations in EMEA and Asia. "The additional AOC in the European Union allows aircraft owners and operators more flexibility in their choice of registrations and operation. Charter customers, of course, greatly appreciate a wide range of aircraft to meet their varying jet transportation needs. The BBJ that's available for charter is an excellent choice for worldwide business and leisure travel." Jet Aviation Business Jets AG, an Air Carrier Certificate holder (1010) headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, is responsible for delivering the company's aircraft management and charter services in EMEA & Asia. As one of the largest aircraft management, flight support and charter companies in the world, Jet Aviation currently manages more than 150 aircraft from Cologne, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Hong Kong; Malta; and Zurich, Switzerland. The company's Aircraft Management services provide comprehensive turn-key solutions to owners and operators, while its Flight Support Solutions offer a more personalized program tailored to meet individual customer requests. Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), was founded in Basel, Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Close to 4,500 employees cater to client needs from some 30 airport facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and the Caribbean. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter and staffing services. Jet Aviation's European and U.S. aircraft management and charter divisions jointly manage a fleet of more than 300 aircraft. Please visit www.jetaviation.com and follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/jetaviation. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12385751/jet-aviation-secures-malta-aoc-and- expands-aircraft-management-and-charter-operation-in-emea-and-asia Back to Top HDR to design new regional airport in Iowa, US US-based engineering company HDR has been selected by the South Central Regional Airport Agency to plan and design a 581-acre regional airport in Iowa. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration completed its review for the first phase of the project that involves an investment of $30m. HDR will be responsible for real-estate acquisition, master planning, environmental documentation, the geographic information system and geotechnical engineering, as well as Federal Aviation Administration liaison services. The contract scope also includes financial support and public outreach. All civil design for terminals, runways, hangars and other utilities is included. HDR project manager Jerald Searle said: "The new airport is needed for local and itinerant corporate aircraft. "The existing airport environs are such that neither airport can be expanded to accommodate aeronautical demand safely and efficiently." Instrument approach procedures will be developed at the new South Central Regional Airport, with the desired approach minimum as low as half a mile forward visibility and a 200ft decision height. Airside features of the airport will include a full parallel taxiway system, crosswind runway, and aircraft-parking apron. Alongside a terminal building, the airport will have the infrastructure for aviation services such as fuelling and maintenance, as well as hangars for aircraft storage. After completion, it will replace two municipal airports. The new airport is expected to address growing aeronautical demand in the region. Design and construction of the new facility will start once the land has been acquired. The site for the new airport will be between the cities of Oskaloosa and Pella and the land acquisition process is expected to take nearly two years. The airport will have a 6,700ft primary runway, appropriate for category B and C aircraft operations. http://www.airport-technology.com/news/hdr-design-new-regional-airport-iowa-us/ Back to Top Not My Bill! Indian Air Force, Company Fight Over Who Pays Jet Upkeep Contract The maintenance warranty for India's Mirage 2000 fighter jets is expired, and nobody wants to pay for renewal of the contract, which might end in the absence of a new contract altogether, Defense News reports. According to the report, French weapon manufacturers Dassault Aviation and Thales demand an annual payment of $15 million from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) to extend the warranty for tooling and test machinery and equipment that expired last month. HAL, however, reportedly refused to pay, asking the Indian Air Force to provide money instead. The Air Force responded by pointing out that the annual maintenance fee is part the upgrade contract with HAL. Hindustan Aeronautics executives have not yet commented on the issue. Hindustan Aeronautics is currently responsible for upgrading India's 47 Mirage jets under a contract awarded in 2015. The company managed to deliver seven upgraded jets to the Air Force since then, Defense News reports. Another contract, signed in 2011, puts HAL in responsibility of upgrading of another batch of 47 Mirages. Interestingly, Thales and Dassault are also tasked with upgrading another 51 Mirage jets under a contract signed back in 2011. Despite the longer timeframe, only four jets were delivered to the Air Force. Thales and Dassault also have important roles in HAL's own upgrade programs. Squeezed between two potential adversaries - China and Pakistan - India seeks to upgrade and simultaneously increase its fleet of planes from 34 squadrons to 42, which means procurement of some 150-160 more planes. However, their fleet of Soviet-era jets are aging and some 13 squadrons are expected to retire by 2027. This debate over responsibility for their Mirages is just one more headache to worry about. For the most part, the Indian Air Force is equipped with Soviet and Russian aircraft, Cold War familiars like the MiG-21, MiG-27, MiG-29 and newer Su-30MKI. French-built Mirages stand out as one of the few Western-manufactured aircraft alongside the SEPECAT Jaguar, although both are Cold War relics of similar age to their Soviet jets. The IAF only sports one home-grown plane: the HAL Tejas fighter. https://sputniknews.com/military/201712091059842765-india-hal-air-force-mirage/ Back to Top New airport opens in Senegal The airport project comes in line with the bank's commitment to Africa's air transportation development, a strategic component of the High 5 agenda to integrate Africa. With a 42,000 sq m passenger terminal and 12,800 sq m cargo terminal building, the airport is expected to handle 50,000 tonnes of cargo and 80,000 aircraft movements annually. Additionally, the facility aims to offer a long-term solution to intra-African economic activity and resolve a perennial problem of low levels of aviation connectivity in West and Central Africa. Akinwumi Adesina, president of the AfDB, said, "This airport will improve regional connectivity, drive down costs of transportation, grow and transform the economy." According to International Air Transport Association (IATA), Africa is expected to have an average annual passenger increase of five per cent in the next 20 years. According to Pierre Guislain, vice-president of the AfDB for private sector, infrastructure and industrialisation, "Africa must be ready to capitalise on this opportunity. The new Airport brings us closer to winning the West African aviation connectivity and logistics hub battle." The AfDB said that it will continue to support the development of the aviation industry in Africa, which is a major trigger for social and economic progress on the continent. The bank contributed US$82.48mn in loans and acted as a mandated lead arranger to facilitate an additional US$164.97mn in loans. Other major financiers are the Islamic Development Bank, Agence Française de Développement, the Saudi Fund and the West African Development Bank (BOAD). The aviation project has already had significant socio-economic impact in Senegal, creating 3,000 local jobs during the construction phase and 427 full-time jobs for the operational phase. In addition, the project is set to explore more jobs in engineering, maintenance, information technologies and security in the next few years. http://www.africanreview.com/transport-a-logistics/aviation/new-airport-opens-in-senegal Back to Top Tuesday Will Mark SpaceX's 1st Launch from Complex 40 Since Fiery Explosion On Tuesday (Dec. 12), SpaceX will make its first launch attemptfrom Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station since a dramatic rocket explosion damaged the pad in September 2016. On Sept. 1, 2016, during a standard prelaunch test, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket burst into flames on the launchpad. Video of the incidentshows the rocket's cargo fairing, already loaded with a customer satellite, toppling through the inferno toward the ground. No one was hurt. The company has spent the better part of 2017 repairing the damage from that fire while also executing major upgrades to the pad (which was built in the 1960s), company officials said during a media teleconference today (Dec. 8). "In this tragedy, we had the opportunity to rebuild," John Muratore, director of Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) for SpaceX, said during the call. Muratore said that prior to the explosion, the company had put all of the equipment necessary for launch on top of the pad itself. Now, he said, everything has been placed behind new structures made of concrete or steel. "We mapped out, after the accident, where every piece of hardware went, and mapped out where all the damage was," Muratore said. "And we've moved as much equipment as possible out beyond that boundary." With the upgrades, Muratore said the pad will now have a much longer operational lifetime. "I think we could have gotten the pad back in operation sooner, but we wouldn't have had the pad we want to keep for the next 10 to 20 years." For the upcoming launch, SpaceX will use a Falcon 9 rocket to send a Drago vehicle to the International Space Station, to deliver supplies and other cargo for NASA. https://www.space.com/39030-spacex-launch-pad-first-flight-since-explosion.html Curt Lewis